Build Your House on the Rock

When you build your house on the rock — the devil can’t mess with you!

I invite you to read the following Words, originally spoken by Jesus.

Notice how Jesus divides people into two groups:

24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 25 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24~27)

Jesus was teaching the people how to live a successful Christian life. He used the expression “building a house” as a figurative way of describing the process of “building a life”.

According to Jesus, there are two groups of people:

  1. Some have built their lives on the solid, bedrock foundation of Bible wisdom.
  2. Others have built their lives on the shifting… sinking… quicksand of worldly wisdom.
In essence, here’s what happened with the wise man and the foolish man:
  • Both heard the same Words spoken by Jesus.
  • Both made a decision — a determination — as to how they would respond. (And by the way, to make no decision is to make a “NO” decision.)
  • Both did what they decided to do AFTER hearing Jesus’ teaching.
  • Both built the same kind of “house”.
  • Both experienced storms buffeting their “house”.

Observe the outcome:

  • The life built upon the solid, bedrock foundation of the Word of God withstood the storm.
  • The life built on the shifting sand of worldly wisdom “fell, and great was the fall of it“.
There is no neutral ground here!

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Matthew 12:30, Luke 11:23)

By our actions, we choose either to remember what Jesus said and live by it, or to forget what He said and ignore Him.

This doesn’t say you would loose your ticket to heaven.

However, choosing not to obey what Jesus has commanded is… well… to be disobedient, is it not?

Peace In The Storm

What it IS saying is that your life will lack the peace and joy that you are looking for in life. The idea is to recognize that life comes with a succession of difficult situations and obnoxious people. What we should be looking for, then, is “peace in the storm”.

This next verse speaks directly into that need!

33 I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33)

Two options:

  • In Jesus: peace!
  • In the world: tribulation!
What does Jesus mean by the term “in Me”?
  • It’s staying connected — making Jesus your top priority.
  • It’s like the moment in “Texas Hold’em” when a player declares, “I’m All In!”.
  • It’s walking in obedience — learning what He taught, and living by it.

“You will never know the fullness of joy that you were created to know until you have put Jesus Christ in first place in all areas of your life.” Pastor James MacDonald  (Heard on the radio while writing this article. How’s that for God’s timing?)

Why Isn’t Everyone Building Their House “On The Rock”?

I am convinced that the number-one reason is that the devil has convinced them not to.

Through many casual conversations, I have asked people about their Scripture memory practice. Almost all — this is among those who identify as Christians — they have none. The most frequent reason is: people say they can’t do it.

And yet, when I go on to ask them if they can remember their name, or their phone number, or their address, or the names and birthdays of their children (if any), also, whether they know how to get to their job, or the details of doing their job, or their favorite movie, or favorite sports team — along with the current statistics of that team, etc., and then I ask how hard it was to remember all that stuff, I always get a sheepish grin! They realize that they have memorized all kinds of things — without really “working” at it.

WHAT??!! We can memorize all kinds of worldly stuff… but NOT God’s Word? Ridiculous! God would never command us to do something without giving us the means to do it!

And did you know this? God’s Word commands us about 3,900 times to learn His Word. It’s very important to Him.

Truth is, the devil has convinced most people that they can’t do Scripture memory. And the kingdom of hell is laughing at us!

Get out of the quicksand! Build your house on the Rock!

- Jan

 
 

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{ 6 comments… add one }
  • samson twala 09/09/2020, 12:48 AM

    very powerful words that was used by the site, keep on doing the great job.

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  • Joseph Nwankwo 09/25/2019, 1:17 PM

    I thank God for your explanation of the scripture. May God bless you in JESUS NAME. Amen.

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  • lINDA 09/24/2019, 9:10 PM

    Jan, you make these bible verses so easy to understand. Even after reading them many times I often need them explained again.
    Your explanations are easy, concise and helpful. Thank you.

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    • Jan Smith 09/25/2019, 5:58 PM

      lINDA, I felt the same way when other people explained these things to me.

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  • Phoebe 09/24/2019, 6:25 AM

    Already subscribed and enjoy

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