NIV Once-A-Day Bible for LeadersSample

Matthew 7:24–27 Earthly standards are fallible and subject to change. Our parents, well-meaning as they may be, sometimes hold beliefs incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ and pass them on to us. The same is true of our teachers. Some of the laws of our nation, such as the laws permitting slavery and later enforcing racial segregation, were incredibly flawed and needed to be changed. Even pastors can have wrong perceptions about life that could unintentionally mislead their congregations. Ultimately our greatest source of principles should come from Jesus Christ himself. He represented God perfectly for us on earth, and we are called to imitate him in our own journeys. All other sources of standards are imperfect, but Christ’s ideals are absolute and unwavering. All who build their lives on the teachings of Jesus lay a firm foundation that will never fail. Jimmy Carter