Matthew 7:24-27, New Living Translation

“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.”

We all need a foundation to live our lives upon. To many, it is a self-created foundation, our own thoughts, feelings, understandings, etc. When I was young, most of my life was not spent in church. I didn't have a biblical foundation, but a lot of worldly gains. I had built my own life on these worldly foundations I had gained, and years later, it crumbled. I could see that my own thoughts, feelings, and emotions were leading me to ruin. Jesus tells us Himself in Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT), “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.”

It's safe to say, that building your life upon Jesus is the best way to go. I believe that so many people do not understand who God is, what His character is, His nature. They believe that His word is a set of rules leaving your life dry, boring, and meaningless, so they turn away from the foundation that brings them joy, peace, hope, satisfaction, contentment, salvation and so on. In all relationships, there are boundaries. Some look at this as a horrible thing. But look at it this way. When you are raising your child and you only let them go so far so that you can keep an eye on them, or you only let them play with certain things because something may be too small or too sharp and hurt them, these are boundaries. Just as a loving parent, so God gives us boundaries to protect us. The word of God teaches us to respect and to honor God and one another, to love God and love one another. It teaches us to be people of integrity and people who are thankful and grateful. The word of God teaches us to be compassionate, kind, and forgiving; to build each other up in love.

When we trust in our own thoughts, feelings, emotions etc., we can get ourselves into trouble. We find ourselves in situations that may leave us feeling regret, shame, anxiety, depressed, overwhelmed, and feeling less than. But that is not what the Lord Jesus Christ has in store for those who love Him and have accepted Him as their personal Savior. His truth, His foundation, leads to complete freedom in our lives. In John 10:10 (NLT), Jesus says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” The thief that Jesus is talking about in this scripture is Satan. He roams this world to see who he can devour, who he can take down. He is the one that leaves us drowning in regret, shame, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, and feeling like we are less than. God has created us with purpose and for a purpose! In Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) it says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” When we build our foundation on Jesus Christ, when we actually take the time to know our Savior, His nature and character, we learn to trust Him, that we can safely build our lives upon Him, and that through a relationship with Him, our purpose is discovered.  

I want to encourage us, instead of listening to what the world says, or what other people say, that don't even follow Jesus or read the Bible, that we should read our Bible. We should do our research. We should compare what we read in the Bible to what others are saying, including our pastors, because even they are human and can make mistakes. We should be seeking Him and the truth for ourselves. We live in a day and age where deception is a thing that is becoming easier and easier for the mass population. You cannot make it on the faith of someone else or someone else's salvation. Find the truth in God's word, and build your life upon His word, His truth. When you do, you will be like the person who built their house on solid rock. Though the rain came and the wind blew, their house withstood the storm. I promise you, that if you truly desire God, if you truly desire to accept Jesus as your Savior and do so, you may come upon trials and tribulations, but Jesus will be there walking you through them. He will make you stronger, wiser, and steadfast. You will experience peace that passes all understanding while the rest of the world is in chaos and fear over what is taking place around them.

It is never too late for you to accept Jesus as your Savior. Do not let the enemy steal another day away from you. Do not let the enemy keep your house on sinking sand another day!