I own my own house. Well…the bank does, but I’m making a strong effort to pay it off quicker. One of the most important parts of the house is not that it has been re-painted a grayish color with white shutters. Or not that it is a ranch-style house-with 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths plus the obligatory kitchen and living room as well as other rooms (my Man Cave which is now Tami’s bedroom and an added-on room about 3-4 years ago). Nor is it that it has a fenced-in back yard. And it isn’t because it is not a house but a home we have lived in for almost 17 years. Nope.
The most important part of the house is its foundation. Without that the house wouldn’t be worth a penny. In fact, there would be no house.
When they started building this one structure in Italy in 1173, they found the soil was softer than they originally thought. Over time that tower has been sinking and today the top of that tower is a little over 13′ off center. They check it regularly. They say if left to its own devices with no intervention of builders, the Leaning Tower of Pisa will someday collapse.
The key to living a life of faith that shines the light of Jesus is having a firm foundation. A life built on the solid rock of Christ. A life built on the never-changing Father and the truth of His Word.
Jesus said it well in Matthew 7 when He told the parable of the two foundations-sand and rock. One stands against the storms; the other crumbles. Sand castles are easily destroyed by water and tides. Permanent structures built on rock last.
One of the keys to facing life in this new year is having the right foundation. Resolutions? No. A determined faith where time is spent in God’s presence and His Word that will help us stand strong? Most definitely yes.
What type of foundation do you have? What are you building your life and 2023 on?
On THE ROCK! Hallelujah!
Only place to be Diane.
As I look at the culture of today (and really my entire life) I see a culture built on shifting sands. A culture not bound by facts, s culture not set to absolutes, a culture that is drifting with a weak foundation. It saddens me more than makes me angry. I see lives be damaged as a result of the culture, yey any attempts to fix the foundation is met with resistance and in some cases even outright attacks. My prayer is that first we the Church check our foundation… Is it firm, is it built on Jesus Christ or some facsimile? We can’t point the culture to abandon their own foundation if our own house is crumbling beneath us. Praying that God inspects and repairs my foundation, and those who proclaim to be a Christ followers. Let 2023 be a year of repair and rebuilding!
Not only is your assessment spot on Ryan about the culture, but you approach is as well. The church needs to start with itself before we can expect others to listen and build. I join you in your prayer.
May we all seek to stand on the firm foundation that Jesus provides for us. Blessings, Bill!
Agreed Martha. “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
Agreed Bill, I want to build my foundation on the God’s word in the Bible. I want to ask the question on every subject, where does God stand on this and what does His word say. If I cannot back up my actions or words with the truth from the Bible, than I’m wrong and I need to repent and change my direction. I have to commit and work on this every day, and surrender to God everyday. I have to keep my guard up to not let the culture get into my head, and to make sure what I listen to aligns with the Bible. I wish I could say this is an easy task to do, but it is so easy to fall short. I know where to find the truth, but I also need to live out the truth, and I cannot do that on my own.
You speak truth here Gail. It is never easy to choose His way but knowing we have His strength makes it a bit easier. Thanks.