Becky and I are blessed with four grandchildren (two grandsons and two granddaughters).  I have one grandson that frequently tells me, “papa, I just don’t know what I would do without you.”   Of course this melts grandpa’s heart, and I tell him the same.  But it is highly likely there will be a day when he will have to live without me.  But when he says that to me it reminds me that I have the responsibility to not only encourage him but also to live out a life that depends on the ‘ROCK,’ Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ and His word is the only sure and sturdy rock that will keep him grounded in this life when the storms come and prepare him for a life in eternity - that place the Bible speaks of that we all will be reunited someday.  I refuse to spend energy on calculating when that day will be, but spending my time and energy to live in a state of readiness for when that day comes, and help others to realize their need to be ready for eternity.  Jesus in the sermon on the mount clearly tells us that coming through Him (the narrow gate) is the only way which leads to life, present and future (cf. Matt. 7: 13-27).  Jesus also reminds us that those who truly come to Him will bear fruit - “…by there fruits you will know them.”  Fruit that lines up with the scripture, ‘the fruit of the spirit’ as referenced in Gal.5:22-26.  These fruits don’t save us but bear witness that we have truly come to him - “…bear fruit worthy of repentance” - because we indeed are Christ followers!

(cf. Matt. 3:8).  Jesus gives us a stern warning in that same passage of scripture in Matt. 7: 21-27, “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who doe the will of My Father.”  That in why Paul in Phil. 2: 12 says to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  When you truly come to Him, Jesus promises that when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat on your house - you will not fall because you are founded on the rock (Jesus Christ)!  This analogy really hits home with the recent devastation of the hurricanes.  Is our rock our possessions?  Is our rock our Government?  Is our rock our position in life?  Is our rock our heritage?  Is our rock our family? Is our rock…you fill in the blank.  If it is on anything or anyone other that Jesus Christ - you will fall.  But if Jesus is your ROCK - you will not fall in this life or the one to come!

“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” 

(Ps 127).

Pastor Rodney