Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Built His House On The Rock – Matthew 7:24-27 – Growing As Disciples

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

Firm Foundation

Storms are certain in this life. They come to everyone. Sometimes you can see them coming from a great distance. At other times they will come when you least expect them and they will take you completely by surprise. Storms come in all different shapes and sizes. Something that seems so tame, safe and harmless can cause a great storm in your life. Sometimes your own careless, inattentive actions or lack of action can bring a storm upon you. Many storms just happen. You have no control over them and they aren’t your fault. No matter what the size, shape or cause of a storm, you can be certain that they will beat on your life. How will your life stand up under a heavy storm? Are you prepared to face them?

Would you like to know how to stand up under a heavy storm in life? Yes Lord, I would. Take a lesson from the expert builder. The most important part of his project is the foundation. If the foundation isn’t right, the rest of the structure won’t matter. The house can look magnificent in every detail but if the foundation is not secure, it will one day collapse like a house of cards when a storm beats against it. Would you like your life to have a secure foundation anchored in rock that will be able to withstand all the storms of life? Yes Lord, I definitely would like that.

I am the expert builder. My words are the ingredients of a secure foundation. My words are as hard as rock. You can anchor your life in me and my words. How do I do that Lord? There are two different ways to hear in life. One person hears my words and considers them to be interesting. They file my words away along with all the other words that they hear from the world. They pick and choose the words that they will put into practice based on their own thoughts, opinions, feelings, and desires. Usually my words end up a distant second place in their life, never to be put into practice. This person is building their life on the sand. Their life will collapse under a heavy storm. You don’t want that. No Lord, I don’t.

What does the other hearer do differently? The other hearer listens carefully to my words and puts them into practice. My words have final authority in their life. They don’t pick and choose what they like to hear and want to put into practice. Sometimes my word will be hard for them to hear. It will challenge their thoughts, words and actions. Often times my word will guide them to live in ways that are distinctly different than those in the world around them. Despite all the demand and challenges of my words, they are committed to following and obeying me no matter the cost to them personally. These followers of mine are building a secure foundation in me that will be able to withstand all the storms of life. Is that what you want? Will you put my words into practice in your life? Yes Lord, I will. Very good, follow me.

Lord, thank you that you are working in me, on and through me. Use your word to change my heart and transform my mind. I want my life to be built on you and your words. Construct my life according to your purposes and plans. Amen

Key Question…  How has knowing Jesus Christ and putting His word into practice been building the foundation of your life?

Living It Out…  Make every effort to hear and put Christ’s word into practice so that you can have a firm foundation in Him.

Seeing It Happen…  Have faith that Jesus Christ will securely build your life as you hear and put His words into practice.

Get Ready To Share…  Share with another person or your small group how you are daily hearing and putting Christ’s word in practice.

Prayer To Bless Others…  May you have a firm foundation in Christ as you hear His word and put it into practice.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Wisdom – Matthew 7-24-27 – Firm Foundation – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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