The Parables of Christ Pt. 11 – The Wise and Foolish Builders – Foundations That Last
Daily Devotional July 14th - July 18th
Day 1: Building on the Rock
📖 Reading: Matthew 7:24–27
🗓 Monday, July 14, 2025
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does 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 do 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.” — Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)
Devotional:
Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount with a sobering parable. Two builders. Two houses. One storm. Only one survives. What made the difference? It wasn’t talent, effort, or even spiritual enthusiasm—it was foundation. Jesus is clear: hearing His words isn’t enough. The wise builder does what Jesus teaches.
We’re all building something with our lives. The question is: are we building on the rock of Christ’s authority, or the shifting sands of cultural trends, emotional highs, or shallow religion? The storm will come—not might, will. And when it does, the foundation will be revealed.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, show me where I’ve been building my life on sand instead of You. Expose the shaky places. Teach me to not only hear Your Word but obey it with humility and joy. Help me build a life that stands. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one area of life where you’ve been relying on surface-level faith (e.g. emotions, habits, approval). Ask God for one concrete step of obedience you can take today to start digging deeper.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2: Hearing and Doing
📖 Reading: James 1:19–25
🗓 Tuesday, July 15, 2025
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” — James 1:19–25 (ESV)
Devotional:
James echoes the teaching of Jesus with urgency. Hearing the Word but not doing it is like glancing in a mirror and forgetting your face. It’s not just silly—it’s spiritually dangerous. Real discipleship means living out the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Obedience isn’t always flashy or dramatic. It’s often simple, hidden, and daily. Forgive that person. Speak the truth in love. Trust instead of worry. Serve when it’s inconvenient. These are the bricks that build a lasting house.
Prayer:
God, give me ears to hear and a heart to obey. Let Your Word take root in my soul and bear fruit through my actions. Help me be more than informed—make me transformed. Amen.
Action Step:
Choose one specific teaching of Jesus today—such as forgiving, praying in secret, giving generously, or resisting worry. Put it into practice before the day is over.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3: Weathering Life’s Storms
📖 Reading: Psalm 46
🗓 Wednesday, July 16, 2025
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.” — Psalm 46:1–5 (ESV)
Devotional:
Psalm 46 reminds us that while the world may shake, God remains steady. Life’s storms are inevitable—diagnoses, loss, job instability, betrayal. But for those who trust God, He becomes a refuge in the storm, not just from it.
Jesus never promised that following Him would exempt us from trouble. But He did promise to be with us—and to uphold us—when the floodwaters rise. When your foundation is obedience and your refuge is Christ, you won’t be moved.
Prayer:
Lord, You are my refuge. When life is chaotic, help me remember You are near. Help me not to fear the storm, but to trust the One who walks with me through it. Amen.
Action Step:
Think of one storm you’re currently facing. Then think of a past moment when God helped you stand through difficulty. Let your history with God strengthen your faith today.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4: Digging Deep
📖 Reading: Colossians 2:6–7
🗓 Thursday, July 17, 2025
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,
just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)
Devotional:
Luke’s version of Jesus’ parable says the wise builder dug deep before laying a foundation. That imagery speaks volumes. Spiritual depth doesn’t come from moments of inspiration alone—it comes from cultivated habits and consistent devotion. Paul tells the Colossians to be “rooted and built up.” Roots take time to grow. Foundations take time to lay. In a fast-paced world, slow faithfulness is countercultural—but it’s the only path to strength.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be rooted in You. Help me resist the temptation to skim the surface. Teach me to love discipline and delight in the quiet, unseen work of digging deep with You. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one spiritual practice (e.g., daily Scripture reading, silence, prayer, or journaling) you want to strengthen. Set aside 15–30 minutes today to engage in it intentionally.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5: Standing Firm in God’s Love
📖 Reading: Romans 8:35–39
🗓 Friday, July 18, 2025
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:35–39 (ESV)
Devotional:
Jesus’ parable ends with the image of a house that stands. For those who build on Christ, we don’t just survive storms—we stand in His unshakable love. Paul reminds us that nothing can tear us from God’s love—not our failures, fears, or suffering. Let this be your greatest foundation—not your ability to obey perfectly, but Christ’s perfect love for you. When your footing feels unsure, when your efforts fall short, God’s love still holds you firm.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for loving me with a love that will never let me go. Remind me daily that Your love is stronger than the storms I face. Help me to rest, stand, and build on that love. Amen.
Action Step:
Take a walk or find a quiet space today and meditate on this truth: “Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.” Let it settle into your soul. Let it become the ground beneath your feet.
📖 Reading: Matthew 7:24–27
🗓 Monday, July 14, 2025
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does 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 do 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.” — Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)
Devotional:
Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount with a sobering parable. Two builders. Two houses. One storm. Only one survives. What made the difference? It wasn’t talent, effort, or even spiritual enthusiasm—it was foundation. Jesus is clear: hearing His words isn’t enough. The wise builder does what Jesus teaches.
We’re all building something with our lives. The question is: are we building on the rock of Christ’s authority, or the shifting sands of cultural trends, emotional highs, or shallow religion? The storm will come—not might, will. And when it does, the foundation will be revealed.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, show me where I’ve been building my life on sand instead of You. Expose the shaky places. Teach me to not only hear Your Word but obey it with humility and joy. Help me build a life that stands. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one area of life where you’ve been relying on surface-level faith (e.g. emotions, habits, approval). Ask God for one concrete step of obedience you can take today to start digging deeper.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 2: Hearing and Doing
📖 Reading: James 1:19–25
🗓 Tuesday, July 15, 2025
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” — James 1:19–25 (ESV)
Devotional:
James echoes the teaching of Jesus with urgency. Hearing the Word but not doing it is like glancing in a mirror and forgetting your face. It’s not just silly—it’s spiritually dangerous. Real discipleship means living out the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Obedience isn’t always flashy or dramatic. It’s often simple, hidden, and daily. Forgive that person. Speak the truth in love. Trust instead of worry. Serve when it’s inconvenient. These are the bricks that build a lasting house.
Prayer:
God, give me ears to hear and a heart to obey. Let Your Word take root in my soul and bear fruit through my actions. Help me be more than informed—make me transformed. Amen.
Action Step:
Choose one specific teaching of Jesus today—such as forgiving, praying in secret, giving generously, or resisting worry. Put it into practice before the day is over.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 3: Weathering Life’s Storms
📖 Reading: Psalm 46
🗓 Wednesday, July 16, 2025
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.” — Psalm 46:1–5 (ESV)
Devotional:
Psalm 46 reminds us that while the world may shake, God remains steady. Life’s storms are inevitable—diagnoses, loss, job instability, betrayal. But for those who trust God, He becomes a refuge in the storm, not just from it.
Jesus never promised that following Him would exempt us from trouble. But He did promise to be with us—and to uphold us—when the floodwaters rise. When your foundation is obedience and your refuge is Christ, you won’t be moved.
Prayer:
Lord, You are my refuge. When life is chaotic, help me remember You are near. Help me not to fear the storm, but to trust the One who walks with me through it. Amen.
Action Step:
Think of one storm you’re currently facing. Then think of a past moment when God helped you stand through difficulty. Let your history with God strengthen your faith today.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 4: Digging Deep
📖 Reading: Colossians 2:6–7
🗓 Thursday, July 17, 2025
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith,
just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)
Devotional:
Luke’s version of Jesus’ parable says the wise builder dug deep before laying a foundation. That imagery speaks volumes. Spiritual depth doesn’t come from moments of inspiration alone—it comes from cultivated habits and consistent devotion. Paul tells the Colossians to be “rooted and built up.” Roots take time to grow. Foundations take time to lay. In a fast-paced world, slow faithfulness is countercultural—but it’s the only path to strength.
Prayer:
Father, I want to be rooted in You. Help me resist the temptation to skim the surface. Teach me to love discipline and delight in the quiet, unseen work of digging deep with You. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one spiritual practice (e.g., daily Scripture reading, silence, prayer, or journaling) you want to strengthen. Set aside 15–30 minutes today to engage in it intentionally.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Day 5: Standing Firm in God’s Love
📖 Reading: Romans 8:35–39
🗓 Friday, July 18, 2025
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:35–39 (ESV)
Devotional:
Jesus’ parable ends with the image of a house that stands. For those who build on Christ, we don’t just survive storms—we stand in His unshakable love. Paul reminds us that nothing can tear us from God’s love—not our failures, fears, or suffering. Let this be your greatest foundation—not your ability to obey perfectly, but Christ’s perfect love for you. When your footing feels unsure, when your efforts fall short, God’s love still holds you firm.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for loving me with a love that will never let me go. Remind me daily that Your love is stronger than the storms I face. Help me to rest, stand, and build on that love. Amen.
Action Step:
Take a walk or find a quiet space today and meditate on this truth: “Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.” Let it settle into your soul. Let it become the ground beneath your feet.