cornerstone

^{43 -45}"You don't get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

^{46 -47}"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

^{48 -49}"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."

Luke 6

let's not be hypocrites. let's not say that we follow Jesus and turn around and do something that is not representing of Him. this is partly why people are so hesitant to turn to Him. "how can these people say that this man, Jesus, has changed their lives when they don't live it out??" it just doesn't make sense. how can we say that the Holy Spirit lives in us when we grow bitter towards people? how can He dwell in us when we cuss, gossip, have resentment and bitterness in our hearts, and say that we're fine. people will look into our lives and see that we are hypocrites if we have all these things harbored in ourselves. we have to realize that it's more than our actions and our words. even then, anyone can see right through it. especially God. it's a change of heart. your heart. to love people that are kind to you. to love people that you normally couldn't stand. to grow to love them because they need love as much love as you do. to love them because God loved you first. if you can't forgive someone. and know truly in your heart of hearts that you can't do it. you have to give it to God. we can't do this on our own strength! we learn all these things about Jesus and all these lessons on how to live. let's build our foundation on it. and live out our lives as people who are truly firm in the Word. i know we can do this! we have to! no more unnecessary bickering, gossip, and drama. more loving, laughing, and living for Christ!