Building without a foundation

Just before we began building our home, we needed to get the approval of our neighbours. Going from house to house was an interesting experience and, on the whole, it was great to meet our new community. 

One of new our neighbours kindly invited us into their home to show us the bad 'cracks' that had developed over the years and they gave us this advice: 'make sure that you build on solid foundations, because we were in a rush when we built, and we now see the error of our judgement.' 

We took their advice and asked our builder to be extra cautious when digging our foundations and so far it has been a wise decision. I was thinking of this story when I read Luke 6 yesterday:

46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Thought: What does it mean for us to 'build on the rock?'

Living in Grace

D3LM3

In front of your house

We have been looking at the book of Nehemiah in our weekly Bible studies and it is such a remarkable account of God working in the lives of ordinary citizens. If you want to listen to some of these studies you will find them on Spotify (just search for my name or Living in Grace) - they are all for free :) 

One of the things that struck me about chapter 3 is the list of people working on the wall and the area of their work - it was noticeable that they focussed on the parts of the wall that were in front of their own homes. 

"The priests repaired the wall up the hill from the Horse Gate, each one doing the section immediately opposite his own house." - Nehemiah 3:28

Sometimes we can get caught up in trying to solve everyone else's problems that we neglect the issues that may be staring us in the face. In ministry this is one of the things that pastors have trouble balancing - there are so many needs in the community, that each pastor has to wrestle with caring for the church, but also taking care of their own family. 

How do you understand this verse? What does it say to you about your present circumstances?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Let

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:7

As we take a few moments to unpack this verse there are a few things worth noting. 

The word "let" implies that we must make a conscious choice to allow our 'roots' to grow down deep into the heart of God.

Then our lives must be "built" on the foundations of God and there is also the attitude of surrender - the word "let" appears again.

Once we allow this process to start, then our faith starts to take root and grows stronger and stronger.

It is interesting to note that the overflow of this decision is thankfulness.

What do you think?

Are you able to "let" God lead and guide you at the moment?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Building Rome

They say that "Rome wasn't built in one day", so how long did it really take to build the great Eternal City? The answer is not that simple, because technically Rome is still being built - so that would make it around 2750 years for this 'long' work in progress. But, that is not really the point of the proverb, is it? Here is what I make of that lovely old adage:

In order to build the Roman Empire, the people (and leaders) of Rome, had to have a dream of something bigger than themselves. And once they had that vision, they began by laying one brick at a time. Each foundation was a step closer to the dream of a beautiful City and ultimately a magnificent Empire.

So, without getting into the pro's and con's of the Roman Legacy, let us take that simple saying to heart today - If we want to do something amazing for God and to create a Legacy that out-lives us, then we need to 'own' the dream/vision and start by laying one brick at a time. There is no faster way to complete the task - there are no short-cuts to achieve the tasks that lie before us.

1 Corinthians 3:10 - By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.

 

Question: What is your ROME? 

 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Incomplete

Everyday on my way to the church, I pass a house that is doing external alterations. I always wonder when the job will be finished. The things is, they have been working on this building for 4 years now - the work seems slow! Or maybe there is no more money for building. I would love to know the real reason for the delay, but this image reminds me of this verse in Scripture.

Luke 14:28 - “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?"

Often we start something because it seems a good idea, but we soon realise that we can't follow through with it. Some people do the same with their faith - they are excited about following Jesus, but soon they grow tired and give up. Is this us?

May God strengthen you and help you to finish the task at hand.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3