Firm foundation

Father, we thank you for this day, we praise Your holy name and welcome Your presence into our homes and hearts and may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven concerning our lives In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Today's verse are Jesus' words found in Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)

"24.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:

25.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.

26."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:

27."and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

In case you have not already noticed, God is in the habit of building. In Psalm 127:1, He cautions us that 'unless the LORD builds a house, they labor in vain who build it.' Today's Scripture presents a building pattern from God. This pattern maybe summed up in knowing the Word of God, hearing it and doing it.

Jesus tells us that when we build according to His pattern of hearing His teachings and doing them, we will be able to withstand the storms and winds that life presents. In addition, when you build according to Jesus' pattern presented in Matthew 7:24-27 there is peace, His guidance, provision, an ease called grace and unexplainable joy regardless of the circumstance. One of the books in the Old Testament, is a story of a man called Nehemiah who felt in his heart the responsibility of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. However, despite the purity of his intentions and good acts, he faced opposition from the enemy (Nehemiah 4:6-8). But because he was building on the sure foundation of God in Christ, no opposition could prevail against him and he continually encouraged himself in the LORD as he went about his work through prayer (Nehemiah 4:9).

Does the presence of obstacles mean the absence of God's presence? - The simple answer is no.

In fact, God's power works best amid trials and situations which is the very reason He encourages us to build on Christ as the foundation. During Jesus' ministry here on earth, his disciples on their voyage to a different region, encountered a heavy storm that hindered their journey. Thankfully, Jesus came to their rescue, calmed the winds and the storm which led to a safe arrival to their destination (John 6:16-21). This portrays the importance of having Jesus in your boat. When He is in your boat, not only is victory guaranteed because He is your firm foundation but there's also a peace you receive that nothing in the world can ever replace or give to you (John 14:27).

Paul, an apostle of the early church, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, also faced various opposition during his ministry of sharing the gospel. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, he says, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

In another book of the Bible called Philippians, Apostle Paul encouraged us to have joy, not to mention that he was also filled with great joy as he wrote this particular book in a jail cell. I believe we could both agree that they are not many people who can speak of joy while in prison, but he did because he had the backing of heaven. This also highlights the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is circumstantial while joy is meant to remain regardless of good or bad seasons because it is only a gift that Christ gives to His children through the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 reminds us, "for the kingdom is God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

These examples show us that building something worthy especially a foundation may not always look as glamorous and well put together as the finished product but when Christ is your firm foundation, you already have the victory. Thankfully, we can come to God and offload exactly our feelings to Him because He is a loving Father who cares about every detail of your life. Despite the obstacles that present themselves as storms, winds, Christ promises to always lead and empower you with His love, peace, guidance, joy and strength for the journey ahead.

Isaiah 59:11 reads, "And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail". Amen.

So if you're in the middle of building something, ask yourself, 'who is in your boat?' - I hope it's Christ. If not, I urge you to go back to the drawing board and inquire with the LORD if you are building according to His pattern of hearing His Word, doing it and involving Him in every decision. Ultimately, God the Father will only come where He is invited. Also, consider if you are building according to desires that may end up only gratifying your personal interests because ultimately, everything we do must give glory to God, the Father's Kingdom.

The above verses also reference building a house on the rock. Psalm 18:31 identifies this rock as Jesus. It reads, "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?"

I'll end with this word from Romans 8:34 NKJV

31.What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32.He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things."

AMEN. Thank you LORD for always being our Rock and firm foundation.

Prayer: Father, we thank you that the plans You have for us are good plans, plans to prosper us, to give us a future and a hope. When you ask us to build according to your plan, there is no hidden agenda but rather it is an indication of Your love that desires to commune with us and wishes us the best in all things. So Father, today we ask for the grace to hear Your word and do it In the name of Jesus and repent of where we may have walked in disobedience or not according to Your will In the name of Jesus. We ask that You lead and direct our paths In the name of Jesus. We ask for Your rest to fill us LORD and for Your clarity and peace that surpasses all human understanding surround us in all that we do In the name of Jesus. We ask for the courage to make bold decisions that glorify You and to also be encouraged along the way, not by power, not by might but by the Spirit of the LORD. We ask that we don't walk one step ahead of you or one step behind you but may we always be in step with the Holy Spirit and build our lives, ministries, businesses, relationships, marriages, parenting and all things in this life on You as the firm Rock In the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD. Thank you Father, for with God, nothing will be impossible. GLORY TO GOD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to know about God, the Father who from the beginning of creation has always loved you and desires to commune with you through a personal relationship with His only Son Christ by dwelling on the inside of you and to be included in all the blessings of Christ Jesus such as joy, peace, love, guidance, victory and more - I invite you to make this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

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