Golden Nugget: “Life’s hard. It’s even harder when you’re stupid.” —John Wayne

Daily Message:

Jesus wrapped up his most famous sermon—known as the Sermon on the Mount—with a parable fitting for a carpenter—a story of two builders. One builder made sure the foundation of his house was solid by building it on a rock. The other, however, opted to build his house on sand. After the houses were constructed, both weathered a storm. Jesus’ words indicate that the storms were equal in type and intensity. Yet the results differed dramatically. 

The house built on rock weathered the storm, while the house built on sand fell with a great crash. The one who built his house on the rock was called wise; the other was called foolish.

Jesus said, “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. . . . 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.”

Jesus’ words are not meant to impress us. They are meant to change us. This change does not come about from simply hearing the words; we must put them into practice. As we do, we will develop a foundation strong enough to weather the storms of life. It is foolishness to do otherwise.

Consider This:

• A foolish builder will often cut corners. What corners are you trying to cut in your new relationship with Jesus?
• What things are necessary to develop a strong foundation for life with Jesus?

Take Action:

Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Look for three things you need to practice that are not yet a part of your new life with Christ. Take a step to put them into practice this week.