Jesus is speaking in Luke 6:46-49 about the importance of building a strong spiritual and practical foundation in our life. 

He says: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I say?

Then Jesus explains how to build a strong spiritual life and describes the results of building His way compared to not being obedient.  

These are the 3 steps:

1. Come to me
2. Hear my words
3. Put these words into practice 

These are simple steps that you can do every day to grow in your faith and walk with God and it would serve us well to ponder these words. 

We start this process and discipline in our natural lives as children. 

As children we come and talk to our parents, they then tell us what to do. We hear from them and then we learn to do what they say. We learn to put into practice what they say. When we put into practice what our parents say we begin to learn and understand the truth more. 

Think of an example of your child/nephew/student following these 3 steps and NOT following these 3 steps? 

Now give an example from your life? 

This process is simple, but necessary not only for our childhood but throughout our lives. It is the process Jesus has established for us to come into a place of maturity and remain there as adults. 

When we do this every day we learn and grow in faith and maturity. 

If we have to do this in our natural relationships with our parents, teachers, leaders, employers, authorities, we have to do it with God. 

Those who love me (call me Lord and Master) obey Me and my commands. 

God is speaking to us everyday. 

So, the question and challenge to all of us today is:

Do we:

1. Come to Him regularly (This is the one we love. We like being in His presence. Receiving from Him. Experiencing the benefits of being in a relationship with Him).
2. Hear his words (We like His encouraging words, His gifts, His love)
3. Put these words into practice (Now we have to do the work. Put what He has told us into practice. Do what He says. If we don’t do what he says how can we call him Lord. We are lying to Him and ourselves) 

Think of areas in your life that God has spoken into and told you what to do and start putting them into practice. It could be anything. Many times, it is the very simple instructions that we don’t put into practice that cause us the most problems. When we recognize this we need to repent for not obeying and then start doing what He has said. (This is the result/definition of Repentance, a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in behaviour).

Here is an example of a repentance prayer. 

Dear Jesus, 

Thank you for saving me. Thank you for speaking to me and revealing many things to my heart, soul and mind. I repent for not putting into practice what you have spoken to me. I repent for not _____________________. Please forgive me Holy Spirit give me strength and wisdom to do what you say. Thank you for your mercy. 

Amen. 

So today, and every day, practice these 3 things:

1. Come to Jesus
2. Hear His words
3. Put them into practice 

Matt and Kerry Blacklock have worked with disenfranchised children, youth and families in Canada and Central America since 1996. They have seen the poor, hurting, abused and forgotten healed through care, family counselling and sports. They believe in the reconciliation of families and strive to see the healing of children and families in Guatemala. They love the outdoors, hiking, running, dance and all kinds of sports. They have 4 adult children: Rubi, Abby, Hayley and Liam, who have walked with them in all the crazy adventures they have gone on. Their motto in life is: “To use what you are good at to help others and inspire others to use what they are good at to help others.”