Building Our Life On A Firm Foundation

ENGAGE:

The gospel is the ultimate truth that brings us hope, peace, and salvation to all who believe in it. The teachings of false gospels or our own gospel may come in many different forms, but they all lead only to confusion, despair, hopelessness, and eternal separation from God. It gives us a false belief of how God works. Believe this, and you will get this. Give this much money and you get riches in return. //Believe in the genie work of God and you will…// For me riding a bicycle is a reminder that life is a journey of smooth and bumpy riding. Every pedal we take pushes us through the bumpy roads of life, yet, it has the potential to bring us closer to the truth or lead us astray if we are not guided. The truth of God’s word is a powerful and life-changing message that has been passed down through the generations. Let me say it this way: The truth of the scriptures is a foundational cornerstone of Christian faith, and because of God’s inerrant word, it helps us to understand the difference between the true Gospel and false gospels that attempt to distort its messages. We will explore 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and we will read that all scripture is breathed out by God. All truth falls from the lips of GOD. The gospel is that salvation is entirely a result of God’s sovereign grace, received by faith alone, and accomplished through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, where and what is your truth built upon? Is it built on the solid and firm foundation of God’s never-changing Word, or is it built on the shifting sands of human opinion and worldly wisdom? Just as a bike needs a solid frame and sturdy wheels to support the rider, so to our lives need a solid and firm foundation in order for us to navigate the twists and turns of life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we do not live by bread alone but by every word that perceives from your lips. Lord we know that the grass withers, and the flowers fade, but your word remains living and active forever. Sanctify us with truth for your word is truth. Let the scriptures guide us to live a life according to your will. In your holy and precious name. AMEN!

Introduction:

As I hopped on my borrowed bicycle and set out on a new journey to become a fit cyclist in preparation for the 2021 Police Unity Tour, I had to learn how to “click in” to the pedals. Well, I fell over in my driveway when I attempted to click in both feet and not move from my spot. I laughed at myself, corrected the issues, and successfully pedaled out of my driveway onto the street. “I know how to ride a bike, I did it for six years of my life to get to and from work.” Folks, riding a mountain bike is completely different from riding a road bike. Turing is slightly different, and the weight of the road bike is a whole lot less than a mountain bike. I had to learn how to work with the differences of riding a road bike with skinny tires. I often wonder how can this frame support my weight? How can these tires hold my weight without popping? As I got the hang of riding a road bike and learning to lean into turns, I corrected myself on things I did not know and I taught myself. I developed my own truths about riding road bikes. There was one thing I did not know. How to properly stop and “unmount” from the pedals. As I approached my driveway, and a car behind me, I was focused on getting off the road and into my driveway. My feet did not know how to let go. Well I flipped over and I am on my back and the bike is still connected to my feet up in the air. As time progressed, I became more comfortable riding 12 miles a day, by myself. Then, I was comfortable enough to ride with the big dogs in a peloton. During my training with more experienced cyclists, I was taught a lot of things from each of them. I was rebuked on the habits that were wrong and not safe. I was corrected on the things I did well and the truths that were self-made. My training was successful when I completed the 350 mile unity tour without struggle. I can’t help but reflect on the words of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. These verses remind us that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Once I got good, I pedaled along the winding roads of Laurel Valley, at times I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace and comfort knowing that my journey in life is guided by the truth of God’s word just as my cycling training is guided by more experienced cyclists.