We all desire to build lives that will endure life's challenges, much like coastal structures during hurricane season. Jesus illustrated this universal human experience through His parable of two builders in Matthew 7:24-27. Both builders shared the same focus (constructing a secure dwelling) and faced identical forecasts (rain, floods, and winds), yet experienced dramatically different outcomes.These elements represent the storms we all encounter: daily disruptions that test our patience, major life events that shake our security, and invisible pressures that find their way into our minds and hearts. The crucial difference between stability and collapse isn't the quality of our construction but the foundation upon which we build. The wise builder took extra time to dig down to bedrock, while the foolish builder constructed directly on sand for quicker results.Jesus emphasized that wisdom comes not from merely hearing His teachings but from applying them. Many people appear successful and stable until storms reveal their inadequate foundations. Everything apart from Christ - careers, education, finances, relationships - ultimately proves to be sinking sand. The good news is that as long as our foundation in Jesus remains intact, we can always rebuild after devastation. By examining what we truly trust and how we respond to challenges, we can ensure our lives are built to last through whatever storms may come.

Living in the present moment is a constant challenge as many people struggle with dwelling on past mistakes or anxiously anticipating future scenarios. While God exists outside of time, humans are bound to the present, yet often find themselves mentally trapped in moments that don't exist. Jesus demonstrated how to maintain presence and peace despite knowing the difficulties that lay ahead.Jesus's example shows three key principles for finding peace: trusting in God's divine plan, understanding the role of people in our lives, and maintaining an eternal perspective. He knew that everything aligned with prophecy and maintained his focus on daily ministry even while aware of his coming crucifixion. This teaches us that both supporters and opponents can serve God's ultimate purpose, and that maintaining an eternal perspective helps us deal with temporal challenges.The practice of daily trust involves releasing control, embracing God's provision for today, and recognizing that tomorrow's needs will be met in tomorrow's time. By focusing on the present moment and trusting in God's sufficient power, we can find peace amidst life's challenges and better fulfill our purpose in each moment we're given.

The paradoxical teaching of finding life by losing it challenges our natural instincts and reveals fundamental truths about authentic discipleship. This principle isn't about physical death but rather about surrendering control and submitting our will to God's direction. By denying our own desires and letting go of our attempts to control outcomes, we create space for God's priorities to replace our own.True discipleship goes beyond casual following, requiring complete commitment to Jesus's teachings and a willingness to be transformed. The kingdom of God operates in ways that often seem counterintuitive - strength is found in weakness, victory comes through surrender, and leadership is demonstrated through service. When we fully embrace this way of living, breaking the power of our ego and self-centeredness, we position ourselves to experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

The journey of faith extends far beyond the moment of salvation, challenging believers to understand what it truly means to be owned by God. While many Christians readily embrace Jesus as their Savior, there's often hesitation in fully surrendering to His lordship. This creates a significant disconnect between accepting Christ's sacrifice and living a life of genuine discipleship.Being owned by Jesus carries profound implications for daily life. It means aligning every decision with His desires and trusting Him with complete care. When we fully submit to divine ownership, Jesus takes responsibility for fixing us when we're broken, supplying resources when we lack them, and providing comprehensive care for our lives. This isn't about bondage, but rather about experiencing the freedom and security that comes from being under the care of the One who paid for us with His own life.

“The Foundation for Transformation”
Romans 12
SERIES: Renewed
Pastor Jonathan Chapman

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Rev. Jonathan D. Chapman. | @coachj402
Senior Pastor
Church On Purpose
Omaha, Nebraska

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