Saturday, January 17, 2026

Opening Scripture

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, I believe you are able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine, according to your power at work within me. Help me to trust you today to meet all my needs. May your love and peace be present and evident in my life. May others see Jesus in me. In His name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Matthew 7:24-29

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Reflection  

Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with a vivid illustration of the two ways to live. The person who chooses to follow The Jesus Way – by listening to His teaching and putting it into practice – is building his house on solid rock. The person who chooses to go his own way – independent of God – is building his house on sand.

The question is not will the storms come. Of course they will! The question is what happens to the structure when they do. The wisdom of those who have constantly built their lives on the Lord Jesus will be evident. The foolishness of those who have constantly built their lives on anything else will be evident as well.

This week, we have considered God’s consistent, loving admonition to each of us to choose the path of eternal, abundant life – flourishing together and being transformed on The Jesus Way. Hopefully, you are more committed than ever to choose that path each day.

Flourishing Habit

Financial and Material Stability

Success in life is not about how much you have, but what you do with what you have. More importantly, it’s about the foundation of your life. There is great security in a small house built on a solid rock. There is no security in a big house built on shifting sand.

Jesus taught His disciples to ask the Father for their daily bread. When we are living responsibly – attentive to the Spirit’s leading – stewarding wisely the resources God has entrusted to us, we can count on Him to provide everything we need.

Are you trusting God to provide for your needs? What is one aspect of your financial and material stability that you need to trust Him for? Is there someone you need to talk to about that? Ask God for clarity and then act on it.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!