(Matthew 7:24-27 NIV) “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. (25) 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. (26) 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. (27) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
(Luke 6:48 NIV) They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came…
(Luke 8:11-15 NKJV) “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (13) But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. (14) Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (15) But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Are you barely hanging on?
- People are inconsistent because of discouragement.
(Galatians 6:9 NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
You must forget the past!
- People are inconsistent because we get lazy.
(Hebrews 6:11-12 NIV) We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. (12) We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
(Hebrews 6:12 MSG) Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.
We must decide to be diligent in spiritual things.
- People are inconsistent because they get weighed down.
(Hebrews 12:1 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Lay them down and push them away, far out of reach!
- People are inconsistent because they lack joy!
(James 1:2-4 GNB) My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, (3) for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. (4) Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed–that exhilarating finish in and with God–he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
(Nehemiah 8:10 NLT…Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
Be in it to win it!
(Galatians 6:9 MSG) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.
(Hebrews 10:36 AMP) For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.