Hidden Dangers: 3 Ways to Inspect Your Foundation

A foundation is a prepared base or support for a structure to be built on. 

In times past, a  foundation stone was laid with great fanfare, often in a public ceremony. Many times during a ground-breaking ceremony, a local dignitary would symbolically put a shovel into the dirt and pose for a picture to commemorate the event.

The foundation is the most important part of any building. The materials and work on a slab foundation is literally “set in stone”, and has no room for errors. In this type of foundation wooden forms are built which then hold the poured concrete. A footing trench is dug around the perimeter to provide added thickness along the end of the slab. These edges are stress prone and the weakest point of the foundation. Usually sand or gravel is spread below where the concrete is poured. This technique prevents the slab from sinking under the weight of the concrete. A vapor barrier is usually installed above the sand or gravel, and wire mesh is placed in the center of the slab with rebar (steel rods) in the footing areas to add rigidity and prevent cracking.

What about your foundation? Does it show fault lines or signs of stress?

Sometimes before the concrete has thoroughly cured, cracks and other imperfections appear, They can weaken the foundation, preventing adequate under-girding of the intended structure. 

It is periodically necessary to take an honest look at your spiritual foundation. As we grow and mature in Christ - we develop a greater ability to discern and evaluate exactly what we believe as it lines up with Scripture. Isaiah 28:10 says this regarding the learning process: "For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."

Here are (3) things you can examine regarding your spiritual foundation:

1. Our spiritual foundation needs to be built upon the Word of God. 

The Apostle Paul took time in Corinth to teach on the concept of the right foundation. In I Corinthians 3:9-14 Paul explains the importance of a sure and righteous foundation: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”  

2. Our spiritual foundation needs to have Jesus Christ at its center.

JESUS is the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.

Peter quotes Isaiah in I Peter 2:6-7 stating,“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will be no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected has become the Chief cornerstone.”

Jesus Himself quoted Psalm 118:22-23 and said, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?"  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the church.  He was dismissed and ultimately rejected by the Jews. He came first to the lost sheep of Israel, only to be mocked, insulted and executed by those who heard His message.

3. Our spiritual foundation needs to be grounded in doctrinal truths

Peter preached to the Sanhedrin in boldness and truth in Acts 4:8-12 saying, "...that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation is any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus told the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27: "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. Now 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."

In closing - here are two past Blog posts I wrote that confirm the importance of "rebooting" 

your mindset as a new Christian, and how to keep your "spiritual muscles" in top condition:

EXTREME MAKEOVER

EXERCISE PROFITS NOTHING

When we examine our own spiritual foundation, 

will we find these important components?

~ Discipleship opportunities and Bible Study

~ Decision making, obedience and submission to God’s leading

~ Discernment, wisdom and stewardship

~ Fellowship, outreach and ministry

~ Charity, hospitality and good works

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Hidden Dangers: 3 Ways to Inspect Your Foundation

Giving Thanks Isn't Just for Turkeys

Image credit: 123RF Stock Photo

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His

 courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”  
(Psalm 100:4)

The concept of thanksgiving is not new. Webster defines it this way:  the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.

As Christians, we should acknowledge God’s goodness and provision in our expression of thanksgiving.  God’s Word implores us to give thanks unto Him. Both the Old and New Testament books of the Bible encourage us to have an attitude of gratitude. Psalm 50:14 tells us to, “Offer to God thanksgiving.”  Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving…”  The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6 declares, “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  We are to develop and display a grateful heart.

Our expression of gratefulness to God is found in our praise of Who God IS.  He is El Elyon – The Most High.  He is the omnipotent God, the one who rules and reigns eternal.  He is also Adonai – Lord, Master, and Owner.  In Genesis 15, God told Abram he would be his shield and reward.  Abram said,  “O Lord [Adonai], GOD [Jehovah], what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless?” God was his Lord and Master of all things concerning him.  The most sacred name for God is Jehovah GOD (Yahweh). He is the all self-existent God who spoke everything into being. Moses knew God in an intimate way and beheld His Glory face to face.

Heartfelt thanksgiving for Who God IS blesses us and blesses Him.

We often don’t display thankfulness for those closest to us.  Family, friends and co-workers are often short-changed when it comes to giving thanks.  We all but forget their worthiness of our expressions of gratefulness.  I thank God for my husband who is generous, devoted, trustworthy, and responsible.  Thanking God for our children, though not perfect, keeps them at the center of our prayers and praises.  Find a friend and thank them for their encouragement or support during a difficult time.  Your co-worker may need thanking for the kind comment they shared at the office.  Thank a stranger for their service and dedication to their chosen profession.  Thank your pastor or lay-minister for a message or bible study they shared.  Thank your parents for their valuable love and wisdom afforded to you over the years.  

Express your thanksgiving in a tangible way.  Express it often – and always in love.

Finally, thank Jesus for your salvation.  If we had nothing else to be thankful for, that would be sufficient!  Oh, how we thank Him for rescuing us from certain destruction and eternal doom.  Paul declares in II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  May we always be ready to tell others about our Savior and His gift.

For the Christian, thanksgiving is an action word – a  continual state of living as we outwardly express our love and devotion to Him.  Happy Thanksgiving – May Blessings Abound Always and in All Things!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; 

blessed is the man who trusts in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

 Listen to this wonderful worship song - Give Thanks

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Giving Thanks Isn't Just for Turkeys

Empty Tomb to Full Heart... What Does Easter Mean to You?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?

   Amazing love! how can it be
   That Thou, my Lord, shouldst die for me?
                      [Charles Wesley  1780]

She was freed from seven devils by the power of Jesus, and joined the women who accompanied the disciples, caring for their needs.  She was from Magdala, on the Southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee. 

She could not comprehend how this Prophet whom the disciples called "The Son of God" would show her such unmerited kindness and mercy.  How could she ever repay Him?

She remembered how Simon Peter spoke of a parable that Jesus taught of two debtors, saying, "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered Him and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And Jesus said to him, "You have rightly judged."  

Jesus spoke this of the women who had anointed His feet with a costly flask of fragrant oil during a dinner in a Pharisee's house. He continued the parable, saying to Simon and the others, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

She watched as the Lord and His disciples traveled throughout Galilee and the surrounding area performing miracles and ministering to the masses.  She observed firsthand how the crowds grew in anticipation of a conquering King... then as they began to fall away when their expectations didn't materialize.  

Who was this Jesus Who had commanded the demons to flee and the Spirit of God to come into her heart? 

Mary recalled as He often withdrew privately to pray to His Father.  She remembered how He taught with authority and wisdom, confounding the lawyers and Pharisees.  He had preached to all who would listen, often late into the day.  She and the others frequently heard the parables Jesus shared as He instructed the people in the ways of righteousness and Kingdom living.

Then she relived the horrors of the days leading up to His crucifixion with the criminals. She remembered the humiliation and pain and gore that surrounded His death. Her tears and those of His mother Mary, as well as the other women who witnessed the Roman punishment had been bitter and frequent since that day.  

When Joseph of Arimathea and Nichodemus secured His body from Pilate, they took the strips of linen with the spices as was the custom of the Jews to prepare Him for burial.  Mary also went with the wife of Clopas (Mary) and Salome the mother of James and John with spices to the tomb to pay homage to the slain Son of God..


On the Sabbath - the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away. She ran and came to Simon Peter and John - crying and pleading with them - asking where her Lord had been taken.  They both ran to the tomb. John peered into the tomb first, as Peter went inside and discovered the linen cloths and handkerchief lying on the stone.

Mary remembers the pain in her heart as she longed to see her Savior as she stood outside by the empty tomb. She recalled the encounter with the two heavenly messengers clothed in white as they sat - one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had laid. They asked her why she was weeping, and Mary said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

She heard Jesus say to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"  And then she said to Him, supposing Him to be the gardener, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

Mary then grinned as she recalled her response to His reply, "Mary!" with her heartfelt shout of, "Rabboni!". 

Yes - Mary's heart was filled with gratitude and amazement as she gazed into heaven while He ascended to His Father. That was a day she would never forget...

(Scripture references:  Luke 7:40-47; John 19:38-42; John 20:1-18)

What about you?  As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday - what is your response to the Lord?  What does Easter mean to you personally?

Be refreshed and encouraged by this wonderful song 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Empty Tomb to Full Heart... What Does Easter Mean to You?