A New Foundation

What is your foundation? What is the solid ground you can stand on to be unmovable when the storms of life hit? How do you remain calm amidst the chaos around you? Do you have a foundation? Do you have solid ground you can stand on?

Storms come into our lives. They come in various forms. They may come in health issues, relationships, on the job, and even within the church. Having a strong foundation and solid ground to stand on so we can withstand those storms is critical.

Jesus told the parable of the foolish man who built his house on the sand contrasted by the wise man who built his house on the rock. We have heard it a hundred times. We understand its meaning. Yet do we put it into practice by choosing to make Jesus our cornerstone, our strong foundation?

Unfortunately, there are many people in this world who do not, even some Christians. Even those who say they believe buckle under the weight of life’s troubles. Why? They are not standing on Jesus. We can argue it all we want. However, the proof is in our actions or lack thereof. For when we stand on Jesus, the storms of life will not cause us to crumble, even if we may get blown about a bit.

I pray we all choose to stand on the cornerstone, the strong foundation of Jesus Christ. I pray we not only understand it but put it into practice. I pray each one of us will withstand the storms of life because we are leaning on Jesus. Make Jesus be your cornerstone. Let Him be your strong foundation. Withstand the storms of life with Jesus.

Isaiah 28:16

therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 

“See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, 

a tested stone, 

a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: 

‘One who trusts will not panic.’”

Sitting At Jesus’ Feet

How easily are you distracted? Do you bounce from one shiny object to another? Do you jump from one topic to another in your conversations? Do you get wound up when preparing for a party or family dinner? Do you get stressed when you have more to do than you can get done?

Distraction seems to be the name of the game these days. We are distracted by entertainment. We are distracted by social media. We bounce around like Mexican jumping beans going from one thing to the next and our conversations follow suit. And all of this stresses us out.

Martha was stressed out. She felt overwhelmed trying to get dinner ready for Jesus. It’s possible some of His disciples were with Him. Martha, ever attempting to be the good hostess, was putting together dinner for all of them. She was making a sauce for the bread to be dipped in. She was cooking vegetables. She may have been cooking a lamb.

Regardless of what Martha was cooking, she wanted help and thought Mary should be helping her. She got angry enough to go to Jesus and confronted Him. She wanted to know if He cared that she was making all this effort and Mary wasn’t helping. She wanted Him to tell Mary to get up and help out.

Jesus had something else in mind. He used the situation for an object lesson. The lesson? Nothing is important as spending time with Him, not even fixing dinner. Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him. She chose to learn what He was teaching. We, too, should prioritize learning from Jesus, sitting at His feet and turning our worries over to Him.

I pray we all take time to spend with Jesus. I pray we understand nothing is as important as Jesus. I pray each one of us learn from Jesus and apply those lessons in our daily lives. Spend time with Jesus. Nothing is more important than Jesus. Learn from Jesus. Apply Jesus’ lessons in your daily life.

Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Irreproachable

The Apostle Paul had just talked about Jesus being the image of God and the creator of all things in heaven an earth. He had stated that it was through the cross of Jesus that God reconciled everything to himself and the fullness of God dwelled in Jesus.

Paul now states that everyone who had been separated from God due to their evil deeds have now been reconciled. Make no mistake about it, we all commit evil deeds. For anytime we are disobedient to God, it is evil, though we don’t like to say quite like that.

But the good news is we are reconciled because Jesus died on a cross for us. He paid the price we could never pay. And Paul goes beyond reconciliation and states that we are presented as holy and blameless and irreproachable. What?! Imagine that! Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are now beyond reproach. Does that give us license to do whatever we want? No.

Paul qualifies our status before God by stating we much continue to be steadfast in our faith. Remember, faith is far more than belief. James states in 2:19 that even the demons believe and shudder. Yet, they have no faith. They are opposed to God. Our faith must be more than mere belief that God exists or belief that Jesus died for us. Faith includes belief, trust, and a commitment to God. Therefore, grow your faith so that you may continue to be beyond reproach when standing before God.

I pray we all know we are separated from God without faith. I pray we know that Jesus reconciled us on the cross. I pray each one of us will continue to grow our faith in Jesus. Jesus reconciled you to God. You are holy. You are blameless. You are irreproachable. Grow in your faith.

Colossians 1:21-23 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a minister of this gospel.

Creator Jesus

How we view Jesus is important. It changes our relationship with Him. We often hear Him called our Savior, and it is true. Some call Him brother or friend. But are there other ways to view Him? There are many of them. Let’s take a look at a few briefly and delve deeper into one.

In Isaiah 9:6, He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Many of His disciples called Him Rabbi or Teacher when He was with them. In John 1, He is called the Word. He is referred to as the chief cornerstone and the stone the builder’s rejected.

Each of us are viewed differently depending on who is looking at us, and Jesus is no different. Getting to know Him in these different ways improves our relationship with Him, allowing it to go deeper. We all have parents. When we see them only as a parent, we have one view of them. However, when we see them as a man or woman who has needs, a professional who is good at their job, and get to know their history, it changes our perception of them. By diving deeper into who our parents are, we grow deeper in relationship.

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Jesus told the disciples that if they had seen Him, they had seen the Father. We can see the Father through the gospels and the picture painted of Jesus. Paul also tells us that everything in heaven and on earth were created through Him and for Him. We speak of God as the Creator, but we don’t often think of Jesus as the Creator. Seeing Him as the Creator gives us a new perspective of Him.

Why is this important? Again, the more we learn of Jesus, the deeper our relationship with Him can go. The deeper our relationship, the more in awe we become of Him. The more we understand about Him, the more we love and honor Him. So, how do we deepen our relationship? We read and study our Bible, especially prophecies about Him and the New Testament.

I pray we all choose to know more about Jesus. I pray we decide to read our Bibles. I pray each one of us will deepen our relationship with Jesus through understanding who He is. Read your Bible. Know more about Jesus. Understand better who He is. Deepen your relationship with Him.

Colossians 1:15-16 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.

A Green Olive Tree

Do you continue to grow? Are you flourishing in life? Are you blooming where you are planted? Or are you stunted? Are you stagnant? Are you dormant, waiting for something to awaken you? Do you want to grow? Do you want to flourish? Do you want to feel alive and bloom?

It has been said that we are either growing or dying. We are either active or standing still. We are fresh or stale. We are being renewed or fading away. We are brightly colored or colorless. We have a choice to make. It one that only we can make.

We can choose to grow, be active, be fresh, and be renewed. Or we can choose to die, stand still, be stale, and fade away. Many will disagree. They have been beaten by life. They have chosen to give up and to surrender to the world. But others will refuse the world by choosing God. They will trust that God has work for them to do and he will provide the resources for them to do it.

It is those who choose God who come alive. They are like the green olive tree in God’s house. They are vibrant and ready to bear fruit. Is it because of something they have done? Nothing more than their choice to choose God. It is God who blesses them with nourishment and causes them to grow. He is the reason they are vibrant, have the positive outlook, and they become the magnet that attracts others. It is all God’s work in them that makes them the green olive tree.

I pray we all choose God. I pray we trust God to work in our lives and provide what we need. I pray each one of us will experience the nourishment of God and each grows into the person God wants us to be. Choose God. Trust God. Experience God in your life. Be who God wants you to be.

Psalm 52:8

But I am like a green olive tree 

in the house of God. 

I trust in the steadfast love of God 

forever and ever.

Fill the Void

Have you seen the effects of a famine? Have you felt sorry for the people experiencing it? Have you done anything to help those people? Have you considered what it would be like to live through a famine? How would you and your family survive a famine?

Famines are devasting to a population. The lack of food and water takes a both a physical and mental toll on people. It can cause people to do things they would not normally do. Violence can break out to control what little food and water is available.

What if the famine was not food and water but of hearing God’s Word? Imagine the results of people not listening to God’s guidance and instruction. Imagine how people would decide to do whatever they wanted. Imagine the lies people would tell, the crime committed, the violence, the shamelessness, the degradation of society. Are we seeing it today?

How can we bring relief to such a famine? We can speak God’s Word. That does not mean we all must be preachers. We can merely speak God’s Word in answer to situations people are experiencing. We can quote or paraphrase God’s Word in response to questions or during our conversations. We can use the wisdom in God’s Word to advise others.

We may be experiencing a famine of sorts of God’s Word being spoken. There is a shortage of pastors to preach God’s Word and care for God’s people. With such a shortage, we need more followers of Jesus to step into the void to speak God’s Word to those in need of hearing it in everyday life. Each one of us can help fill the gap.

I pray we all choose to address the famine of hearing God’s Word. I pray we use God’s Word to speak wisdom to others. I pray each one of us care for others and use God’s Word to give advice. Speak God’s Word. Fill the void. Use God’s wisdom. Care for people. Apply God’s Word to everyday life.

Amos 8:11

The time is surely coming, says the Lord God, 

when I will send a famine on the land, 

not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, 

but of hearing the words of the Lord. 

Walk God’s Path For You

Do you want to see or hear God communicate with you? Do you wonder why it seems that God is silent? Have you looked for God in places you don’t expect him? Are you willing to open your eyes to new possibilities of seeing God? Are you willing to open your ears to hear him?

God communicates to us in a variety of ways. He often uses things we don’t expect. He uses people we don’t expect. He may communicate with us through situations we don’t expect. Many times, it is not that God is not communicating but we are not being observant.

God used a basket of fruit to communicate to Amos. We likely would never think of God communicating to us by using a basket of fruit. God used something bright, colorful, and plentiful to communicate a future of sorrow. He compared and contrasted the bountiful with the bad way the rich were treating the poor.

God pointed out how the rich were taking advantage of the poor and needy. He called out their cheating the scales to rob the poor of what little they had. In the process, God warns the rich that they will fall, that they will be destroyed. He tells the rich that they will mourn their cheating ways.

We can avoid being called out by God by obeying him and seeking to hear his messages. Obedience is by far the most important. Yet, hearing God speak to us through the many ways he chooses to do so is important so we can stay on the path he has laid out for us to walk. Rather than God scolding us, he will praise us as we obey and listen to him.

I pray we all seek to see and hear the many ways God communicates with us. I pray choose to obey God. I pray each one of us will choose to walk the path God has prepared for us. See God communicate. Hear God communicate. Obey God. Walk his path. Live the life God has for you.

Amos 8:1-2 This is what the Lord God showed me: a basket of summer fruit. He said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of summer fruit.”

Fear Only God

What is your biggest fear? Is it the loss of a loved one? Is it the loss of a job? Is it a broken relationship? Do you buy into conspiracy theories? Do you believe what you see on social media? Do you believe what you hear from the pundits?

If we allow it, there are many things we can fear. They are numerous and often are false fears. Satan loves to tell us to fear one thing or another. As we succumb to the initial fear, he continues to pound our minds with additional reasons to fear.

We God spoke to the prophet Isaiah, he told him not only not to fear, but also not to be pulled into conspiracy theories. All these things that others worry about will lead to nowhere, other than they will cause us anxiety, which will ultimately lead to physical health issues. Worry and fear takes a toll on our physical bodies as well.

God tells Isaiah to fear only him. In other words, we are to be in awe of God and worship him. We are to let the fears and worries of this world to slide off like water on a duck’s back. We are not to be caught up in conspiracy theories, especially those regarding Christ’s church and His people.

Far too often, it has been the conspiracy theory or the competition of one against another that has torn churches apart. Leave those things behind and trust that God is in control. Your life and the life of the church will be much better off.

I pray we all give up our fears. I pray we stop buying into conspiracy theories. I pray each one of us believe that God is in control and remind ourselves of that regularly. Give your fears to God. Don’t buy into conspiracy theories. Know that God is in control. Fear only God.

Isaiah 8:11-12 The LORD spoke thus to me while his hand was strong upon me and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears or be in dread.”

Who Is My Neighbor?

Who is your neighbor? Have you asked that question? Do you know your neighbor? Who do you consider your neighbor? Have you thought about it? Have you asked others who they consider to be their neighbors? Have you discussed this question in a group?

In our individualistic society, we don’t often think about our neighbor. We may not know our neighbor’s name. We may not view the stranger we encounter in the department store as our neighbor. We may not have any desire to know anyone other than family and close friends.

An expert in the law had been shamed by Jesus. He wanted to vindicate himself. He wanted to limit who he was required to love. He was hoping Jesus would tell him his neighbor was just those he chose to be his neighbor. Jesus did the opposite. Jesus effectively told him everyone was his neighbor, even his enemy.

I have preached on the Good Samaritan a couple times. It is one of my favorites. I like to have everyone put themselves in the shoes of each character in the story. Imagine being the person attacked by the robbers and left for dead. Imagine being the priest walked on the other side of the road to avoid being made unclean. Imagine being the Levite who did the same. Imagine being the Samaritan who stopped to help.

To drive the point home, I like to imagine each character being in the crowd Jesus is telling the story to and Jesus looking directly at them when He states what they did. How did each of them feel? Were the priest and Levite shamed? Did the Jewish man who was helped change his mind about Samaritans? Think about that. How would you feel if you were one of them?

I pray we all think about how we might feel if we were one of the characters. I pray we think about the Good Samaritan. I pray each one of us consider everyone to be our neighbor. Consider each character. Consider being injured. Consider helping. View everyone as your neighbor.

Luke 10:29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Unexpected Insight

Have you had someone test you? Have you had someone attempt to trip you up? Did they pose a tricky question to you? Were they a little smug in asking it? Did they seem to be self-assured that you would be unable to answer them? Were you able to properly respond?

We all experience someone who tries to trip us up at some point in our lives. Some of us face that challenge multiple times. The other person is typically a little smug and often thinks there is no way we can answer them correctly. When we answer them unexpectedly, they are surprised.

Jesus faced the same type of challenge…more than once. In the case of today’s passage, it is an expert in the law, sometimes called a scribe. This person is someone who studied the Jewish or Old Testament law. They read it, copied it, debated it, and interpreted it. They knew the law inside and out. They may have thought of themselves being better than others because of their knowledge.

This expert in the law thought he might trip up Jesus with his question. For there is no statement in the law that says how someone inherits eternal life. But Jesus turns the question around on the expert. When the expert gives the answer the experts agreed upon, Jesus commends him for doing so, then instructs him to go do it.

We can take the same approach Jesus did. We can the turn question back to the questioner. When they answer, we can determine if their answer is correct, and if it is, tell them to go live it. If it isn’t, we can humbly correct them and give them insight they didn’t know they needed. Regardless, rather than falling for the trap, turn it back to the questioner, and give yourself a moment to think.

I pray we all take time to think. I pray we do not fall into the trap a smug person lays for us. I pray each one of us will follow Jesus’ example when someone is testing us. Take time to think. Turn the question around. Follow Jesus’ example. Provide unexpected insight.

Luke 10:25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”