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April 1, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional

“Storm Warning” 
Today is April 1st, which means it is April Fool’s Day. Of course, you and I both know that what is going on in our lives and around us is no laughing matter. Today’s scripture reading is a parable that Jesus tells from Matthew 24:24-27. “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.” 
Here are two parallel stories told side by side. Jesus asks us to ponder the similarities and difference between the two men. The similarities are numerous. Each man in this story builds a house he is going to move into and live in with his family. So, each man’s house is a powerful expression of his dreams, values and personality. Both men have the same project, share the same dream, attend the same church, hear the same truth from the lips of the same preacher, – and they apparently live in the same neighborhood, because both men get smacked by the same storm. If you noticed, Jesus uses the exact same words in verses 25 and 27 when he describes what happens to each man’s house. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.” 
Now comes the one huge difference. Jesus says, one is “a wise man.” The other, Jesus says, in the Greek, is a “moros” – literally a moron, — “a fool.” What is that difference? One word: the foundation. The wise man built on rock. The foolish man built on sand. Any realtor will tell you that when it comes to buying a house, the most important thing is location, location, and location. What Jesus says instead is, “Foundation, foundation, foundation.” If the foundation cracks and water seeps in, suddenly it doesn't matter how pretty the wallpaper or how lovely the carpet, or even whether it’s a ranch or a cape cod, or if it cost $200,000 or $2 million, because without that steady, sturdy foundation, it’s a house of cards about to collapse. What Jesus pointedly asks is, “What is your faith in? Who are you living for? What is your foundation?” 
Friends, on this April 1st, don’t be a fool! In the midst of these dark storms in and over our lives, don’t build your house on sinking sand, but build your foundation on Jesus Christ, the Solid Rock of all Ages, who will never leave you nor forsake you.