Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.
MATTHEW 7:24-25 (CSB)

_____________________________________________________________________________

There are two big questions of discipleship:

1. What is God saying? 
    *This is the issue of awareness.
2. What am I going to do about it?
    *This is the issue of surrender. 

The big battle of discipleship is, “Can I trust God?” Faith is hearing the voice of God and trusting the heart of God enough to act on what you have heard. 

Learning to hear God is the most empowering discipline of our lives. Helping others learn to hear God is the most empowering gift we can give someone. 

There are many people in church who are biblically literate. They know lots of God Facts. They have knowledge regarding biblical truth. Even so, they live spiritually powerless lives. Why is this so? Because they are like the foolish builder in Matthew 7:26, 27. 

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded the house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

Those who hear and obey God live with wisdom and power. Those who hear and do not obey God live foolish lives devoid of the power of God. Hearing and obeying God moves us from a transactional faith to true transformation. 

Daniel lived in a society far from his ancestral homeland. The God-shaped culture he came from was replaced by a pagan world full of different, often antagonistic, realities. Because he listened to what God said and obeyed him, he thrived in spite of the forces arrayed against him. 

Esther lived in much the same circumstances. Because she heard and obeyed God, the Jewish people were saved from destruction. 

Time alone with God day by day helps us hear what he has to say. Applying his truth to our lives helps us do what he says. Hearing and obeying God empowers us to live with wisdom and power.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I will hear and obey God.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Our Father, teach me each day as I read and ponder your words of truth and life. Give me a willing and obedient heart to do what you say. I want to build my life on your firm foundation. I want to live with wisdom and power. Save me from every foolish alternative. Amen.