“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.” (Matthew 7:24-29 TNIV)

    It has been a big hit, hasn’t it? The TV commercial where the guy with the cell phone is walking around and stops every few feet to ask, “Can you hear me now?” Pausing briefly and expectantly for a reply, he then smiles a smile of satisfaction and we hear him respond with a heartfelt, “Good!” As he travels the globe and finds himself in every imaginable situation, the question, reply and response remain the same.

    Nothing else need be said. We get the point. This cell service claims to be ever accessible, consistently reliable and clear. Whenever and wherever you use it, it works.

    Hear this. It’s one thing to claim to pay attention to Jesus. To hear what he says and apparently smile in agreement with him. But it’s entirely another to honestly hear him and then go on and truly follow him. The difference, so says God’s own Son, is the difference between being wise and foolish.

”...everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man... everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man...”

    There’s a big difference between hearing and doing, but disciples do both. For disciples are careful to work out in their lives what they’ve allowed Jesus to put in their head. They walk the talk.

...disciples are priceless.

    People who claim to be Christians are a dime a dozen, but disciples are priceless. Churches are full of the former; the latter are rare. The difference between them is the difference between hearing and doing. True disciples of Jesus Christ do both.

    So what about you? Are you a disciple in deed or are you just a Christian in claim? Are you hearing what Jesus is calling you to become and are you actively straining every ounce of your soul to become just that? Are your ways, and not just your ears, accessible to him? Are you being clear about being a Christian or are your ways still static?

    Hear this — whenever and wherever you put Jesus’ words in action, they work.

    Can you hear him now?

    Good!

Print this Article Send it to a Friend Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.	Disciples Have Found the Way Home   Your Church Can Grow!
	ALL of Heartlight        --- ARTICLES   A Taste of Home   Caring Touch   Diary of God   Hope from the Hill Country   Just for Men   Just for Women   Leading in Hope   Love, Sex & Marriage   Making Life Work   Prayer for the Nation   Single...Not Alone   Special Features   Timely Truths   Together in His Grace   Two Minute Meditations        --- DEVOTIONALS   Charles Spurgeon   Daily Wisdom   My Utmost for His Highest   Praying with Paul   Quotemeal   Today's Verse   What Jesus Did

Comments, questions & requests to be added to the e-mailing list for the Online Devotional may be sent to: <david@yourchurchcangrow.com>

Title: "Disciples Build On What They Hear"
Author: David Smith
Publication Date: June 3, 2003