SECRET #40 OF FOLLOWING JESUS

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Two gates, two guides, Now, two foundations. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 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. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall." (Matthew 7:24-27)

This brings us to SECRET #40: The follower of Jesus builds his life on a solid foundation. There are two foundations upon which you can build your life according to Jesus. So, everything you do with your life as it relates to hearing the words of Jesus and practicing what He says affects how well you cope with every storm that blows your way.

NOTE similar things about each foundation: 1. Each person hears the words of Jesus. 2. Each person faces the same rain, floods, and blowing winds slamming against them.

And note the differences between the two: 1. Each person responds differently to the words he has heard-one by acting upon the words of Jesus and the other by not acting upon them. 2. Each person experiences a different result-one does not fall down and the other falls flat!

I am now convinced that most of us most of our lives have lived our lives founded upon the sand. It's what I call the "sandcastle lifestyle". What Jesus is saying is so simple and so profound. Jesus wants only two things from us:

1. He wants each of us to listen to His words. Instead of talking all of the time when you pray, try sitting still and waiting for Jesus to speak to you. You'll know what He wants from you. You'll know what His will is for you. I regret to say that I have spent most of my life talking and not listening. Therefore, I have missed out on what Jesus is attempting to say to me. It's as simple and as tragic as that!

2. He wants each of us to act upon what He says to do-to practice what He says in your daily life. Listen to Jesus and do what He says to do, no more and no less. This is why we have included the 3rd habit for our lives-waiting on Jesus to lead out.

NOTE THE RESULTS: FIRST-If you hear His words and are careful to do them, no matter what comes in against you, your house will not collapse!

SECOND-If you hear His words and don't do them, the very same rain, floods, and winds will come against you, then your house will fall flat, dramatically! HOW'S YOUR HOUSE STANDING???

Then, Matthew gives some insight on how impactful Jesus' teachings here were: When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

Jesus spoke so powerfully that it amazed all those who heard Him. This Jesus is for real! Jesus is so attractive! Jesus is the most irresistible One ever! He didn't quote any other teacher; He was the teacher of teachers, so do whatever you have to do to carefully listen to Jesus diligently practicing what you hear from Him. SECRET #40: The follower of Jesus builds his life on a solid foundation. That foundation is the rock. His name is Jesus!