Our Firm Foundation ~ "For other foundation can no man lay..
Jesus Christ and His Word ~ Our Firm Foundation (I Cor. 3:11)
Jesus Christ and His word must be our foundation for a successful Christian walk. The truths revealed throughout scripture are to be the standard by which we measure every action and the guide to our thought process. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."(Jn 17:17) Without this absolute truth, there will be doubt and spiritual confusion. Such uncertainty comes when we venture outside of God's Word and will for our lives.
God has a very specific plan and purpose for each of His children. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(Rom 8:28) There is nothing He will call us to do that will be contrary to His word or holy character. We need to search the scriptures daily with a receptive heart and a humble spirit that we may allow His life giving truths to saturate our heart and mind. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."(II Tim 2:15) "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."(I Cor 2:16)
Whenever we doubt or fail to believe the promises God has given to us throughout scripture we will encounter turbulence in our Christian walk. We must not confuse our manner of thinking and responding with the way God thinks and acts towards us. God reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."(Isa 55:8,9) The end result may not always turn out as we like, but God in His omniscience, always does what is best for us. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil 2:13) If we truly want to know and do God’s will; prayer is essential, so that talking to Him comes as naturally as breathing. His Word is to become the foundation for our prayers. Such prayers will divinely affect our lifestyle, actions and character. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."(Ps 71:1)
Are you standing firm on the only sure foundation? God has given us His Word and the privilege of prayer that we may know Him personally and understand His will. When we received Jesus Christ as Savior we were instructed to stand firm on His promises, trust His unchanging character, and rest in His unconditional love. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:"(Col 2:6)
Our Top Priority ~ Seeking Jesus, Knowing Him, Loving Him
Expressing Love and Devotion ~ “..seek Me..find Me, when ye search..with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
— Deuteronomy 6:4-9
How shall we express our love and devotion to the Lord? He has not changed. His desire for His people today is no different than the instructions and boundaries He laid out for the Israelites. The most important question to ask is: How will we respond?
The greatest expression of our love and devotion is obedience to God’s word and submission to His will. (Prov. 3:5-6) There must first be trust before there can be a genuine desire to submit. This trust is built where there is a relationship founded on the truths of scripture, our growing understanding of God’s sacrificial love and how that love is constantly expressed in our daily life.
As we start this New Year, may our devotion to the Savior be our highest priority. (Col. 1:17-18) Whenever He is our focus, all the other things in our life fall into its proper place.
New Year. New Goals. Renewed Relationship with the Savior. (Matt. 11:28)