Whether we realize it or not, we are all in the continual process of building our lives on some type of standard or principle. The principles we hear and believe will influence our day-to-day choices. Our decision-making will affect the course of action on which we choose to build our lives. Jesus urged us to hear and to build our lives upon His words and teachings. If we listen and act upon His Word, we will be like the sensible man who built his house upon the rock. When the rain fell, the floods came, and winds blew and beat against this house, it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Jesus, the Rock, is not advising us to build an outward, legalistic, religious life. Christ is first calling us to Himself to receive His love, forgiveness, and Spirit. Then we become the recipients of an inward, spiritual life that will transform us into peaceful, gentle people who long to hear and obey His words out of the love we have for Him in our hearts. Building our lives on the Rock is lifelong and ongoing process that will enable us to make sensible, wise choices and decisions. Having Jesus as our foundation will guide us in the right direction and will influence, in a positive way, those with whom we have contact. This doesn’t mean that we won’t sometimes make mistakes or have problems and struggles, but these hardships will not destroy us. Ultimately, they will be used to work good things into our hearts and lives. On the other hand, Jesus tells us that if we hear His Word but do not follow, we will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. When the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against this house, it fell-and great and complete was the fall of it. When trouble comes to a person who has built his life on no true spiritual principles, a person who has chosen not to run to God for help, the outcome will be personal confusion, foolish choices, self-pity, lying, blaming, and anguish. Gentle Jesus urges everyone to listen and follow Him, because it is His desire to save us all from the negative consequences of building our lives on the sand. Two lives-one built on the Rock and the other built on the sand….usually turn out quite different from each other. Turn to Him today, and build your house upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. He longs to meet you at your point of need and help you find stability.

“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them will be like a sensible man who built his house upon the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words on Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and fell-and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27).