The Foundation We Build On

Godliness is more than Christian character. It covers the totality of the Christian life and provides the foundation upon which Christian character is built.  Jerry Bridges

Faith becomes the foundation I'm built on.  T.D. Jakes

I was listening to the news this morning and there was a story about a neighborhood whose homes are sinking.  Many of the homes had to be abandoned due to safety issues.  They are not sure why they are sinking except they do know that the homes are built on an inactive volcano and water is bubbling up out of the ground. 

This made me think of the city of Sulphur where I was born.  The city was named for the sulfur mines that were excavated in the area in the 1900s.  A German immigrant by the name of Frasch invented the “Frasch method” of mining sulfur.  Hot steam was pumped into the ground, liquidizing the mineral and then it was pumped to the surface.       

This started me thinking about what is under the ground now.  Did they replace the sulfur that was removed?  If not, there are probably large caverns underground that could potentially cave in one day, especially if water starts running through them. 

The kind of foundation we build on as a Christian is the most important one we will ever build.  If we build our foundation on shifting sand; deceitful behavior, lying, cheating, mistreatment of others, our very foundation will crumble. 

When I started thinking about this topic an old hymn that we sang in church when I was young came to mind.  I haven’t thought of this song in years but the melody came right back and I was able to sing the lines of the song from memory.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Written by: Edward Mote c.1834

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I know that if I build my Christian life on Your foundation I am able to stand strong through any circumstance.  It is when I stray away from You that my foundation becomes weak and is subject to disaster.  If I want my foundation to be strong to withstand life’s trials, it is necessary for me to spend time with you and meditate on Your Word.                  

Scripture: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”  Matthew 7:24-27

Our Responsibility To Others

Loving others in a biblical manner involves your thoughts, words, and actions and is a sign of your being a disciple of Christ. Loving others biblically is dependent on your commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and is not dependent on people, circumstances, or your feelings.  John C. Broger

Every day you are witnessing. What are you witnessing to? Your witness is the total package of your attitudes, character, and actions. It does not lie.  Winkie Pratney

Do you ever think about the responsibility you have to others?  I started thinking about the daily things in my life that I do that could nurture another person or break them down.

What a huge responsibility God has placed on us. If you think about what other people might see in you that could give them a picture of who God is, would that picture be a masterpiece worth more than money can buy or would it be a paint by numbers picture of the world.

When I was a kid they had paint by numbers kits you could buy at the TG&Y.  A picture was printed on a canvas in light gray and different numbers were assigned to each section on the print that corresponded to a paint color that came with the kit.  You would select the color that corresponded and paint inside the lines.  In the end you would have a completed picture.  One of the early advertisements proclaimed that you could make “A BEAUTIFUL OIL PAINTING THE FIRST TIMEYOU TRY”.  All this really meant was that if you followed the directions you could produce something that looked exactly like every other paint by number kit produced of that picture.

When we start to think that the world has the best life can offer we move away from becoming a “masterpiece” and move toward becoming a “paint by number” picture.  Each one of us has a responsibility to each person we come into contact with, to alter that person’s eternal destination.  When we start to think that what we do and how we act doesn’t have consequences, that is the beginning of our slide down that slippery slope into sin. 

When I think that if someone was watching what I do and something I did caused them to sin; that scares me.  Because when I do that I have sinned against what God specifically tells me to do.  If our actions cause one person to turn away from God we are responsible.  If God tells me that if I cause “one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea”, that gets my attention.  Don’t ever think that what you do isn’t affecting someone around you. If I have children, friends, family members, neighbors or strangers in my life, then I have a responsibility to them to be the masterpiece God calls me to be.  

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, You created me in Your likeness.  It is my responsibility to present to the world a picture of You.  I can follow along in the world’s wake and be like every other paint by number picture, or I can devote my life to becoming a masterpiece.  A masterpiece that is a reflection of You.                  

Scripture: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.  Matthew 18:6-9

What’s In Your Toolbox?

Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.  George Herbert

Have thy tools ready. God will find thee work.  Charles Kingsley

Several years ago my family gave me a toolbox of my very own.  It had all these great tools in it that would come in handy when I was doing repairs around the house. On the outside of my toolbox in black marker was written, “This is Brenda’s Toolbox.  Jerry Do Not Touch. Tools Not for the Boat Stall.”  There is a story behind this so let me explain.  

My husband and I share the tools around our house. At that time Jerry had our boat at a boat stall at Lake Fork.  If my Dad or brother came over to help repair something, I could never locate the proper tool and I would tell them Jerry took it to the boat stall.  So they gave me my very own toolbox with warning signs for Jerry not to touch my tools. 

This started me thinking about the tools in my toolbox.  I had a hammer, a tape measure, screwdrivers, a hacksaw, needle nose pliers, a set of drill bits, a pack of nails and assorted screws and fasteners.  There was also a flashlight.

I started thinking about what my God Tool Box would look like.  What tools would I replace in my spiritual tool box? A hammer wouldn’t be necessary.  If you are trying to share God’s Word with others hammering it into them won’t work.  I would probably keep the tape measure.  I would need some way to measure the effectiveness of my ministry.  I would keep the nails, screws and fasteners because that is what holds the Christian body together.  I couldn’t get rid of the flashlight because that is what reflects God to others through me.  One item that is missing though is the Instruction Manual (the Bible) so I would add that and then for good measure I would throw in the Fruit of the Spirit like love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, peace, joy and longsuffering.

What I fill my spiritual tool box with could make the difference in someone else coming to know Christ.  Do you have the right tools to make a difference in God’s Kingdom?   

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, You provide all the tools I need to make a difference in other’s lives.  How I use those tools can make the difference in showing someone You or turning them away from You.  Please help me to use the tools You give me to save others in Your Name.               

Scripture: Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.  Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.  My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:8-15

God Time

Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God's presence. It is vain to say, "I have too much work to do to find time." You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him.  A.T. Pierson

Do you have a time set aside each day just to spend time with God?  I used to never spend quality time with God.  I just didn’t have the time or so I told myself.  It was easy to just brush off God and go on with my day. 

Then something happened.  I began to feel I was missing something.  I wasn’t sure what it was exactly, the feeling was just there.  So about eight years ago I intentionally set aside morning time to spend with the Father.  I would get to work an hour early and spend that time with Him. 

I admit there are mornings when I just want to hit the snooze button and roll over and sleep another hour.  In fact most mornings I feel that way.  I will lay there and open one eye and glance at the clock.  It would be so easy to pull the covers over my head and close my eyes.

I am not really sure how to describe the feeling I get at those times.  The first thing that pops into my head is “What about your God time?”  Do you want to sacrifice that time?  And something comes over me that says “you can sacrifice a few more minutes of sleep, you can skip the morning coffee, you can skip bringing your lunch to work”.  All of these things fall by the wayside compared to my time with God. 

I didn’t realize how many people at work pay attention to my comings and goings.  I was talking to one of the ladies one day and I asked her if I could help her with issuing checks because I knew she had been out of the office for a few days and things were hectic for her.  She said, “Oh no, I couldn’t let you do that.  You are already here at 6:30am every morning and you are here late every day.  You have too much on your plate already.”  I quickly explained to her that when I arrive at the office every day at 6:30am, I am not working, I am doing a devotional.  I had another young woman ask me if I ever leave work.  I am at work when she comes in at 7:00am and I am still here when she leaves at 4:00pm.  Just a few moments ago I had another young woman stop by my office to say "Do you ever go home?"  This is how God works.  I was able to tell her that I come in early to do a Bible study, write a devotional and spend time with God. God will open those doors for you, we have to choose to step through them and follow Him.  

I don’t say all of this to brag about how much time I spend with God.  I say it because I find that the more time I spend with Him in quiet uninterrupted time, the more I want to spend with Him and the blessing in this is it makes me want to share Him with others.  I enjoy that time.  It helps me to start my day off in the best way possible and I actually feel His presence the most during that quiet time.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, thank you for nudging me toward spending quality time with You.  The loss of sleep doesn’t even come close to comparing with the joy I feel each time I devote quality quiet time with You. When someone emails me and asks me to add another person to the devotional list, I know You are at work and it makes it all worthwhile. You are an amazing Father and I praise You.             

Scripture: Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, like a leaning wall and a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his high position; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:1-8

Self-Reliant

God wants us to worship Him. He doesn't need us, for He couldn't be a self-sufficient God and need anything or anybody, but He wants us. When Adam sinned it was not He who cried, "God, where art Thou?" It was God who cried, "Adam, where art thou?"  A.W. Tozer

Our parents raised self-reliant children.  My parents believed that if you set your mind to do something you could accomplish it with hard work and persistence.  When we were young my parents bought a piece of property in the country and built a house on it.  They did the majority of the interior finishes on the house.  They did all the tape and bedding, electrical wiring, installing intercom and a central vacuum system.  We know how to do lots of stuff.  I’ll give you an example of some of the great stuff we were taught growing up. 

I can milk a cow, saddle and ride a horse, tile floors, repair a washing machine in a pinch, rotate my tires, change a flat, make my own clothing, curtains and slip covers, knit a scarf (although I did try to make a pair of gloves one time and they only had three fingers and one glove was smaller than the other so I don’t think you could call this a great talent of mine).  I can make butter in a churn, homemade jelly, bread from scratch and cook.  I can paint using a paint sprayer, mow my lawn, use a weed eater, cut down a tree with a hand saw and plant a garden.  I can install a toilet and replace a bathroom sink.  You might say I am multi-talented in a lot of stuff.  You notice I didn’t say expert because I am not great at all of these.

This started me thinking about all the things that I could do if I am God-Reliant.  If I have God’s power how much more could I do for His Kingdom?  If I am dependent only on the Father how much more can I accomplish with Him in my corner? The thing we need to remember is our strength comes from the Lord.  If we focus on that there is no limit to what we can do in His Name.

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, You give me the strength to accomplish much in Your Name.  If I keep my focus on You there is nothing I can’t do.  If I live by your strength and keep my focus off of self, I will bring glory to You in abundance.  Thank you for Your strength and Power.  Help me to be God-Reliant.             

Scripture: “For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall.  As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me; so my feet did not slip.  2 Samuel 22:29-37

 

What’s In a Name?

There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.  Billy Sunday

If you were to take every single, solitary grain of sand off of every square inch of beach on the face of the earth, you wouldn't equal the number of stars in the galaxies of the universe. And your God made them all! More amazing still, He named them all! The psalmist declared, "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names" (Ps. 147:4).  Sam Storms

I was researching biblical names and their meanings.  I sometimes get confused when I am studying the Bible because I will come across a verse where a person’s name will be changed.  There were times when God changed a person’s name and gave him a new name.  God changed Abram’s “high father” to Abraham, “father of a multitude and his wife’s name from “Sarai,” meaning “my princess” to “Sarah,” “mother of nations”.

Jacob’s name meaning “supplanter” was changed to “Israel,” “having power with God” and Simon’s “God has heard” was changed to Peter, “rock”.  There are times in the Bible where Jesus would call Peter “Simon” after he changed his name to “Peter”.  I often wondered if this was because Peter would turn to his old ways and it was a reminder of what he used to be.  Even though God renamed Jacob, Israel, he would sometimes call him Jacob maybe as a reminder that he had power with God in his new name Israel. 

I decided to take this a step further and look up some other biblical names and their meanings.  I found it interesting that Job’s name means “persecuted, oppressed.” He actually lived the meaning of his name.  Then I ran across Dorcas which means “gazelle” and near that was Damascus, which means “swift camel”.  I am not sure I would want to live up to the name Damascus.  I then found Sharon which means “a plain flat pasture”, and Tekva meaning “pitching of tents.”

I then was curious as to why we have middle names.  The only thing I could find was that it started in Europe with the aristocracy.  I guess you were considered upper class if you had many middle names. 

What I learned from all this is that each of us is unique and important to God no matter what our name is.  We might be a “swift camel” or “a pitcher of tents” on earth but our most important name should be “child of God”. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I sometimes am confused when I read in the Bible where the same person is called by two different names.  I think in many cases a new name was given to someone to remind them of their new mission in life as a child of God and that Your  mission would be fulfilled in them.  I just want to be called a child of God and to fulfill whatever mission You set before me.          

Scripture:  One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). John 1:40-42

The Filing Cabinet

Are you ready to go at once straight into heaven, if the gates were thrown open? What manner of persons ought we to be to say it! Are we walking in a way perfectly consistent with stepping tonight at once into the glory, to be at home in the Father's house?  G.V. Wigram

When Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it's not just because wealth might be lost; it's because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions....Realizing its value is temporary should radically affect our investment strategy.... According to Jesus, storing up earthly treasures isn't simply wrong. It's just plain stupid.  Randy Alcorn

What folders do you have in your filing cabinet? I like to think of my brain as a tiny filing cabinet.  Tiny because there is not much up there I often think.  Anyway, there are all these files stored up there called brain cells.  God is so amazing.  He created us with something in our head that resembles an over large raisin but it has the capability to store endless amounts of information.

What do you store in the filing cabinet God gave you?  Do you fill it with thoughts of heaven or thoughts of the Father? Do you have a file called Scripture where you return often and like an often used book, the pages are worn and frayed?  I have a Do For Others file but sometimes I don’t open it as often as I should.  Then there is the Love Others file.  There is also one filed under “G” that is my Giving file.  Then there is a Joy file.

Too many times I spend more time on other files that are not so important.  There is the Me file and sometimes this file is overflowing.  This one is broken down into categories since I sometimes use this one more than the others.  It has a section on Its All About Me.  Under this section there are subcategories of How to Make Money, How to Spend Money and How to Keep Up With the Neighbors.  Then there is another section on Being First and Winning. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that my filing cabinet is filled with a lot of junk that needs to be shredded.  If I would just clean out the junk there would be more room for the good stuff. 

It never fails to amaze me when we do events, how God gives us opportunities to touch people’s lives by small gestures. We had a young woman who was a vendor at one of our events this weekend.  She set up a booth right next to us and we spoke casually throughout the day.  Near the end of the event she came over and made this statement: “I waited until the end of the day to tell you this.  I wanted to tell you that I lost my sister to cancer a year ago and I just wanted to tell you that she loved your lavender.  It was her favorite.  It brought her great comfort near the end of her life.”  This young woman had tears in her eyes as she spoke and she said she just wanted to thank us. 

As we talked it struck me that this is what life is about.  These are the opportunities that each of us has every day to touch someone else’s life.  Too many times we are so busy using the “Me” folders that we ignore the critical ones that have eternal importance. Fill up your filing cabinet with the good stuff.     

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, before each event I pray that you will allow me to touch at least one person’s life for You.  You continue to amaze me because when I pray that You always answer. Thank You for blessing me with those life changing moments.            

Scripture: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:16-18