The Two Foundations, Part 1 — A ‘Time With God’ Devotion

All this week, John North takes us through the story of the wise and foolish builders, as shared by Jesus.

Matthew 7:24-29 show us Jesus telling a parable about the difference between a wise and foolish builder was in where they placed their foundation.

“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.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

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Transcript

Good morning,

Welcome to a new work week. I hope you’re ready for it, and I’m ready to start this week the way we always do by going to God’s Word, the Bible, and taking some time with God. I want us to focus this week on what I’m calling The Two foundations. Let me read you a passage from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible. This is Jesus talking.

He says:

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 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. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 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.

When Jesus had finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority and not as their scribes.

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Well Jesus’ teaching was so different than what they were used to. I want to say to you, when you’re choosing who to listen to, what teaching to put into your mind, teaching from the Bible, avoid churches, books, YouTube videos, Bible teachers, pastors. People who tell you what you want to hear.

The fact is, God will not be who you want Him to be. God won’t just be who you think He is. He will be who He is.

When people spend time with you, you don’t want to have to try and perform for them and with their expectations. You want them to accept you for who you are, right? Well, God is, and He existed long before we existed or were created, so we can’t say, well, this is the way you ought to be. He will be who He is.

Get your spiritual guidance from someone who tells you what God says, what God has revealed of Himself, and what God expects in your life. Listen to people who challenge you, who convict you, who call you to get your life in line with God. Otherwise, what’s the point of listening to them.

I mean, going to church or listening to someone teaching the Bible, the point of that is not entertainment, right?

The point of it isn’t to feel comfortable and to feel good. The point is to shape your life around God’s principles for your life, around God’s Word and what it says to you. So find someone to listen to who is really teaching you God’s word and teaching you it in a way that challenges you and calls you forward. When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching.

For He was teaching them as one who had authority and not as their scribes. Well, you’re listening to me this morning, but I want to tell you that’s not because I have authority of my own that makes me worth listening to.

It’s the authority of God’s Word that gives these morning spots power in your life because God wants to shape your life. He wants you to build your life around what He has revealed in His word. So it’s so important for you every day of your life, every morning, especially, to open your Bible. Say to God, I’m listening. What do you want to say to me personally today?

And then read and listen and let God shape your life. Then you’re building a foundation for your life that is going to stand the test of the storms of life. What storms are in your life now? You need a foundation, and that foundation is not just your willpower. Your life will collapse under that foundation. Your foundation is that you’re building your life on what God has said in His Word.

I’m John North.