Building Something That Lasts

According the Webster’s dictionary – this is the definition of build…

Build:  to form by uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole; to cause to be constructed; to develop according to a systematic plan.

In Scripture, God has laid forth specific plans with regards to building. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s pattern for building is perfect and comprehensive.

In Genesis 6:14-16 Noah was given specific directions and measurements for building the ark of gopher wood that would provide salvation for his family from the great flood.  In Exodus 25-27 Moses was shown the pattern of the tabernacle and furnishings according to God’s commandment.  I Chronicles 28:11-12 tells us that “by the Spirit” God had given King David the detailed building plans for the temple, its chambers and its elaborate furnishings that his son Solomon would build for the LORD.  Another example is in Nehemiah 2:1-6:19 where we see through God’s prompting, Nehemiah led the rebuilding effort in Jerusalem to repair the dilapidated walls around the Holy city.

What do you need to rebuild in your life?

We all have walls that are crumbling. There may be gaps and breaches in our marriage. We might have rotten beams and floor boards missing when it comes to our siblings or children.  There could be pesky leaks and water damage within our other family relationships. Some of us have walls in our workplace that are in desperate need of repair. Or, it just may be time for some serious ceiling and support restoration with regards to our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ.

Timing is the key to successful building. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 says “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to break down; and a time to build up”.  Use spiritual sensitivity and God’s leading to determine when is a good time to “count the cost” and assemble the tools you’ll need to begin the project.

 

Many times we cannot proceed with repairs until we’ve conducted some self-evaluation.  Matthew 7:3 says, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck out of your eye’, and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  Use humility while you conduct your inspection and honestly evaluate the situation before you begin construction.

I have discovered four major things we need to consider when a structure is laid waste or in major disrepair.  Prior to embarking on a “rebuilding or remodeling” phase – be sure you have the following:

• PROPER PROVISION

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him…” (Luke 14:28-29).  Proverbs 9:1 and 14:1 talk about using wisdom to build on. Godly wisdom and understanding are sure foundations. We are to build “precept upon precept, line upon line” in increments (Isaiah 28:10).  In Nehemiah 2 we see God ordained favor and supply from King Artaxerxes for rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Nehemiah stated that it was granted according to the “good hand of my God upon me” that all he needed was given them by the King.

• EXPERTISE

“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “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.”  Paul stresses using superior building materials in I Corinthians 3:11, “For no other foundation can anyone lay other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Also, “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20) is the only sure foundation for any wall reconstruction.  Lastly, Peter tells us in I Peter 2:5 that we, “as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” and thus part of the rebuilding efforts taking place according to God’s design.

  

• PROPER TOOLS

Three tools that are essential in good quality building are:

  Godly character – “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. I will establish My covenant with you” (Genesis 6).

  Godly wisdom & preparation – “Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do…” (Genesis 41: 25; 47-57). Joseph carried out the Lord’s command through the dream to build storehouses to collect grain during the 7 years of plenty. Because Egypt was prepared, God blessed them during the 7 years of famine for Joseph’s family’s sake.

  Godly example & motivation – “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire…Let us rise up and build” (Nehemiah 2:17-18). “Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall. ..I did not demand the governor’s provisions because the bondage was heavy on this people” (5:16; 18). Lastly, Nehemiah prayed saying, “Now therefore O God, strengthen my hands” (6:9).

• PERSEVERENCE

In Genesis 6-7, Noah spends nearly 100 years building and preparing the ark for the pending flood. It was a steady dedication and unwavering commitment to what God called him to do that marked Noah’s perseverance in the face of ridicule and scorn. 

Nehemiah 4:17 tells us he instructed his servants to work on the construction of the wall with one hand, and to hold their weapons with the other. They set their sights on the completion, and not on their enemies. He exhorted them saying, “Our God will fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:20).

Finally, take time to ensure that your building efforts will pass the test of time. Your goal is to have a job that will pass inspection and the "fire" test  (I Corinthians 3:12-14). By faith, continue building with the assurance that God indeed goes before you in victory when we build it His Way.

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

Building Something That Lasts

A Sure Foundation - Moving Ahead in the New Year

As the New Year approaches, it would be a good time to talk about spiritual “foundations” and what that means for the Christian.

A foundation is a prepared base or support for a structure to be built on. In days of old, when a new building in town was to be constructed, 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.

The following 1st stanza and refrain from this famous hymn passionately conveys this spiritual truth…

The Solid Rock - by Edward Mote (c.1834)

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

Scripture tells us that JESUS is the “Chief Cornerstone” of our faith. Isaiah 28:16-17 says, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plummet…” Peter quotes both Isaiah and the Psalms in I Peter 2:6-7. He states, “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.”

In Matthew 21, Jesus tells the parable of the Landowner while He was teaching in the temple. He was speaking to the Chief priests and Pharisees. He then 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’? Christ Himself is the Cornerstone of the Church – and was dismissed by the Jews. He came first to the lost sheep of Israel, only to be rejected, mocked and executed by those who heard His message in that day.

In Acts 4, Peter is preaching to the Sanhedrin, quoting familiar scriptures from Isaiah. He then says, “Nor is there salvation is any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” His audience marveled at his and John’s preaching, noting that they were uneducated and untrained, but yet spoke with great power and boldness.

The Apostle Paul takes 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.”  Paul also stressed to his readers that if their work was destroyed by fire, they themselves would be saved, though refined by the flames. Either way – we must be sure our faith and works are built on the solid foundational truths of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

The New Year is quickly approaching. This is the point of it all: You need a firm foundation to move ahead as a Christian to effectively reach a lost and perishing world. For some, this Christmas was the beginning of a long and fruitful Christian life. For others, a recommitment to Christ is what is needed. Paul knew and preached that salvation was by faith, through grace alone. He knew that justification was through a belief on Jesus, the Son of God. He taught us to “count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus… that we might know Him and the power of His resurrection.”

The New Year brings opportunity for a renewed “God Purpose” – a fine-tuning of our Christian basics. We need to be sure we have a solid biblical foundation to launch out from in 2011.

Here are a few things we need to inspect with regards to our own foundation:

~ 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

If Jesus came to do a foundation inspection, would you pass the test?

 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

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A Sure Foundation - Moving Ahead in the New Year