Building on a Firm Foundation

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: 25 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. 26 “But 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: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Understanding who we are in Jesus is part of building on that foundation. Knowing who we are and what the Bible says about us is one of the ways we build a solid foundation.

I was reminded recently that building takes times. Don’t we all wish for the thing – the healing, the process, the change – whatever it is, we want it now. The world has us accustomed to instant gratification. Our phones are connected to us and we are in constant communication with each other and in view of what is going on around the world with the push of a button. Were has the art of patience and waiting for something gone? We want answers now. We want the thing to happen now. We ask for now.

While the Lord does answer and sometimes that answer is in the now. We are also walking through process. Process takes time. While different processes take different amounts of time, there is still the common denominator of time.

So does building a foundation. It doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and consistency. It is in the faithfulness of the small things, the small changes, the almost in-perceivable pivots that we make large change. It is here the big shifts in our life happen. Sometimes, we don’t even realize that they are happening until someone else points it out to us.

Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"

He is working to complete what he started in you. You can find confidence in this. Stand in it. Claim it and declare it to the enemy. Do not let the enemy distract you from what the Lord is doing in your life. The older I get the more I realize it is almost always a distraction. Anything that comes to take our focus from the Lord and His calling on our life, it’s a distraction. Address them if you need to, but don’t let them keep you from what the Lord has for you.

Sister in Christ, be encouraged today. Those little steps you are taking are seen. They are making a difference. Maybe you are reading this wondering how to build a solid foundation or have been frustrated with where to start. Here are four things you can do to start building a firm foundation.

Read the Word

This doesn’t have to be hours and hours upon end. Start with 10-15 minutes a day. Pick something that works in your schedule, but make time for it and follow-through and be consistent. Spending daily time in the Word will allow you to know what the Lord says about you. It gives you time with the Father and allows you to understand who He is and what His voice sounds like.

Memorize the Word

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” – Psalm 119:11 Memorize the scriptures. This is your defense again the enemy. This is your strength when you need a place to lean. You will be surprised at how often the scriptures you are memorize come to mind when needed.

Pray for a Mentor

Everyone needs a mentor. If you’d like a Biblical example, look at Moses and Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha, Eli and Samuel, Paul and Timothy. You need someone who is further along in the process. This gives you safe place to discuss what God is doing and receive encouragement. It is also a place to receive spiritual guidance and accountability. It also helps prepare you to be a mentor and pour into someone else as they are growing in the their relationship with Jesus.

Spend time in prayer

Talk to your Father. How else do you get to know someone other than in conversation? This means you also need to listen. He will speak and more importantly, He is always listening. He wants to hear from you and develop a relationship with you. It’s why you were created!

Get involved in a local church

Community is important. We were not mean to do life alone. Isolating us is one of the oldest tools of the enemy. Find a church body that preaches the Bible and encourages discipleship. Invest and become involved.

While this is by no means an exhaustive list of things you can do to build a firm foundation in the Lord, it’s a good place to start if you have not already.

Father, I lift up my sisters in Christ who feel rocked every time that life throws something at them. Give them strength and help them build endurance as they take one step after the other building a solid foundation. Surround them with people who will encourage them and hold them accountable as they build their foundation in you. If they have already started that foundation with you, show them if there is still work to be done. For the sister who is discouraged, allow her to see the progress she has made. Send her someone to encourage her. Wherever we are, may we all be on the journey and know that the foundation we have build is solid and in you so that it will last when temptation and the storms of life come our way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.