Rebuild 

Sometimes life can throw you a curve ball that takes you off track. At other times you may make a poor choice that can set you back. 

You may have been hit by a devastating event that has left your life broken or damaged.  

No matter the setback, you can make a comeback. No matter what is broken you can rebuild your life. 

In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon stated, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV)

I believe it is time to rebuild your life. 

Today I want to look at a few truths that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7 that can help you rebuild your life.

Let’s break this down…

1. Get Rid of the Rubbish

Before you rebuild you need to clear the plot and get rid of all the rubbish. 

Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

Don’t be critical. Watch out for being judgmental, bitter, and offended.

Holding on to these things will wreck your life.

Did you know: When you hold onto grudges and unresolved anger, and when you allow offense to build up in your heart, you end up poisoning your life: Don’t poison your life. Click here to read more.

Jesus also said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)

Bless and don’t curse. The measure you use in judging others will be measured back to you and will be returned multiplied over. If you plant seeds of criticism, bitterness, judgment, and unforgiveness, they will grow and will unfortunately harvest disaster in your life.

But here is the good news: the opposite is also true!

If you plant seeds of love and kindness, they will also be multiplied back, in good measure, shaken together, and running over. If you plant blessings, it will harvest good fruit and lead to a blessed life. 

Jesus continued, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

So, get rid of rubbish in your life. Clear out the logs, the planks, and the debris that is clouding your vision and judgment. 

While we are on it, make wise choices. Make good investments. 

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

Don’t bring things that you know are bad for you into your life. Don’t get involved in things that are ungodly or that will lead you astray.

Also, just like dogs won’t appreciate a good meal and pigs don’t appreciate pearls, so don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your treasures and wisdom to pigs. They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

If you want to rebuild your life, clear the plot, get rid of the rubbish, and make wise choices. 

2. Ask God to Help You

You don’t have to build your life on your own strength. God wants to help you. He wants you to approach him and ask for his intervention. He loves it when you approach him for help. In fact, he wants you to bother him with your problems. He delights in every detail of your life and wants to be part of your decision-making process. 

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV)

Jesus encourages us to ask Our Father in heaven for help. He knows what is happening. He sees all. He knows what is best. He has all power and authority in heaven and earth, and he invites us to come boldly to him, and ask for his help, guidance, blessing, and direction. God can open doors of opportunity. Call on him. 

“Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)

Jesus continued, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11 NIV)

God really wants to help you. God is a good God who knows what is best for his children and he gives good gifts to his children, so ask God for his help. 

3. Treat People Right

Jesus told us, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 NLT)

Jesus gave us great wisdom. He told us to treat others the way we want them to treat us. Show respect. Be kind, considerate, and honest, and do the right thing. When you bless others, it will come back multiplied over. 

4. Get on the Right Road

Where are you heading in your life? What direction? If you continue on the current path where will you end up? 

Jesus told us, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)

There is a narrow gate and road that leads to life. It is difficult at times. There is also an easier road. It is a broad highway that leads to destruction. 

According to Jesus MANY are on the HIGHWAY to DESTRUCTION. And, only a FEW are on the road that LEADS to a BLESSED LIFE. 

What road are you on? If you’re unsure, here is a message for you.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)

Choose life! 

Is the current road you are on heading on going in the right direction? Is it a dead end? Is your current direction leading to a fruitful outcome or is it filled with potholes and destruction?

If you do not like the direction, you are heading on, then it may be time to do a U-turn, to turn around. 

Did you know that the word “repent”, means to take around, to do a U-turn? 

“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.” (Acts 3:19-20 NLT)

If you are on the wrong road, take the off-ramp, and get heading in the right direction. Get on the right road that will lead to a blessed future. 

If you are at the crossroads of life, then STOP! Consider your ways. Get on the right road.

“A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2 NLT)

Be wise. Take the right road. 

Get off the highway to destruction. Enter through the narrow gate that leads to life. 

Jesus is the gate. He offers abundant life.

Jesus said, “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:9-10 NLT)

You cannot do life alone. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. If you are on the wrong road. Turn to God. Enter through the narrow gate. Take the road less traveled. It will lead to life. 

Do you want to start or restart your walk with God? If you feel led to, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.

5. Stay Connected to God

Stay connected to God. Don’t get distracted. Don’t allow the cares of the world to let you drift off course. Don’t allow counterfeit and fake philosophies to lead you astray. 

Jesus told us, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:15-20 NLT)

Godless voices will try and lead you off course. They will offer you false promises that will lead to a hopeless end of bondage and destruction. 

Don’t put your hope in people. Also don’t live in fear of people. Put your trust in God. 

“This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.” (Jeremiah 17:5-6 NLT)

If your feel curses and are like a  stunted shrub in the desert, it is time to turn back to God. He wants to replant you on his river bank. Get connected to God. He wants you to be fruitful. 

Jeremiah 17 continues, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT)

God however wants you to be fruitful. Get connected to God.

Jesus told us, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

When we are connected to Jesus, we will be fruitful.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” (John 15:16 NLT)

God wants you to produce much fruit. Stay connected to Jesus and you will be fruitful. 

6. Get Real

So often we settle for religion instead of a vibrant relationship with God. God wants a real intimate walk with you, not a fake counterfeit. 

Jesus told us, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:21-23 NLT)

My friend, don’t use religion as a cheap substitute for a real relationship with God. 

Jesus told us that one day many will stand before God, and God will tell them he never knew them as his children.

These people will refer to him as Lord, but God will tell them this, “Get away from me”.

In this scripture, Jesus is not referring to atheists or people who openly reject him as Savior. No, Jesus refers to these people as the ones who call him Lord and who did miracles in his name. He is referring to people who called him Lord, who he never knew. 

We cannot just pay God lip service. He knows the heart. We can’t use religious traditions of man or laws to replace a close walk with God. We need to be born again, we need God’s Holy Spirit to seal us and lead us. 

Jesus told us that one day many who call Jesus Lord will be turned away from the gates of heaven by a God they claim to know, but they will hear God say those dreaded words, “I never knew you, depart from me.”

My friend, going to church is not enough.

Knowing the Bible is not enough.

You need to not just know about God, you need to really KNOW HIM. 

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? 

Have you surrendered your life to him? 

Have you asked Jesus to save you?

Call on him now. 

Do you want to start or restart your walk with God? If you feel led to, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.

We were cut off from God because of sin. But God sent Jesus. He came and paid the full price for our sins so that we can come into a right real relationship with God. We cannot save ourselves. 

We are told in the book of Romans…

 “No one is righteous— not even one.” (Romans 3:10 NLT)

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” (Romans 3:22 NLT)

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT)

“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:22-24 NLT)

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT)

“For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NLT)

Today, please don’t leave your salvation to chance. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.

Under the Old Covenant, our salvation depended on our work and obedience.

Unfortunately, because of sin, we could never measure up. So, God sends Jesus. He brought in a New Covenant. He paid the full price on the cross. He offers us his undeserved mercy and grace. We cannot earn it. We don’t deserve it. But this “free” gift is available when we put out faith in Jesus. 

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12  NLT) 

Today is your day of salvation. Invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.

Do you want to start or restart your walk with God? If you feel led to, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.

7. Build on the Right Foundation

Today as you rebuild your life please make sure that you build on a solid foundation. 

Jesus told us, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NLT)

This story that Jesus told is so much more than just a children’s story. He told us about a wise man and a foolish man. One builds on a firm foundation. The other built his life on sinking sand. Both went through a storm. One was left standing. Then others’ Life came crashing down. 

This story represents our lives. One day we will all do through the great storm – judgment day. Either we will be left standing, or we will crash out. It all depends on what we have built our life on. 

I want to encourage you to be wise. Build your life on the bedrock of God. His Kingdom is unshakable. All other foundations will one day collapse. Don’t be foolish. Without a firm foundation, you will fall. Build your life on the bedrock of God. 

Today I encourage you to get on onto the narrow road that leads to life. Call on Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Build your life on a firm foundation. Let Jesus be the center of your life. He is the chief cornerstone that holds it all together. 

We are told that Jesus “holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.” (Colossians 1:17-18 NLT)

I really believe that this is a new season to rebuild your life. 

Get rid of the rubbish. 

Ask God to help you. 

Treat people right. 

Get on the right road. 

Stay connected to God. 

Get real. 

Build on the right foundation. 

May this next season be abundantly fruitful and blessed. 

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT)