SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Isaiah 28:16) "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
(2 Timothy 2:19) "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
(Luke 6:47-48) "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:" (48) "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." (49) "But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
PREFACE SUMMARY
As I begin this message, I think of an old song that starts with, "Hold to God's unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand." One verse said, "When it looks like the sun will not shine anymore, hold to God's unchanging hand." This message is a call to action, an inspiration to build our lives on eternal values, knowing that this is the path to true transformation and fulfillment, knowing and understanding that our lives are not in vain.
As a teen, I helped my dad construct a foundation to support a structure we were attempting to build, which would become an oversized garage to maintain heavy trucks. He told me we needed to dig deep until we hit a solid rock or hard place in the dirt.
I remember that we would secure the digging measurements with wood to keep our concrete intact like a mold, which would be poured into its formation. My job was to get the sand and concrete mixed up with the right amount of water until it was ready to be poured into our foundation.
My dad emphasized the utmost importance of a solid and well-constructed foundation in supporting any building structure. It provides the essential strength and stability required to withstand a building's weight and the various forces acting upon it, such as gravity, environmental stresses, and seismic activities. He stressed that without a strong foundation, a building would be vulnerable to structural failure, compromising the safety and integrity of the entire structure.
He believed in taking every necessary step to ensure that the building was safe and secure. He would determine the structure's height and width and then calculate the required concrete. He would make sure that the concrete mixture was perfect, with the right amount of water and cement, to ensure that the foundation would be strong enough to support the weight of the building.
Beloved, the foundation provides stability and support for the entire structure; without it, the building would collapse. Did you know that Dad would carefully insert metal rods in our mold, saying to me, "Jerry, these metal rods will give our foundation greater strength, which will support the weight of the heavy trucks we intend to drive into our building for maintenance to be performed on them?"
Just as a house built on solid rock withstands storms better than one built on sand, people who have built their lives on a solid spiritual foundation are more likely to navigate life’s many disappointments better than others because those who understand that they do not have to brave them alone better understand their purpose and place in the body of Christ.
In conclusion, building our lives on a solid spiritual foundation can be likened to an unwavering anchor, providing steadfast support during life's inevitable trials and tribulations. A life founded on a secure and unyielding foundation gives us inner peace and moral clarity. It enables us to navigate life's challenges with resilience and strength and to confront and overcome the many heartbreaks and disappointments that may come our way.
“STEPS NEEDED FOR BUILDING ON A STRONG SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION.”
1. FAITH: Faith is fundamental in establishing and nurturing one's spiritual beliefs. It involves placing trust in God for divine guidance that surpasses human comprehension. This trust provides solace and strength during challenging moments, fostering resilience and inspiring optimism for what lies ahead.
2. PRAYER & MEDITAION: Incorporating prayer and meditation of the holy scriptures into your daily routine can profoundly impact your spiritual well-being and allow you to connect with your faith more resounding. This can provide a sense of peace and clarity even in the midst of life's many uncertainties. Whether it's through reciting scriptural prayers or simply reflecting on your beliefs, these activities can help you find solace and strength in your spiritual journey.
3. SEEK FOR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE: Seeking spiritual guidance can be a valuable step in your growth journey. Mentoring from spiritually mature individuals can offer profound insights and support as you work towards establishing a solid foundation for your faith and spiritual development.
4. ENGAGE IN AND SUPPORT CHURCH ACTIVITIES: Participating in supportive church activities can reinforce your spiritual beliefs and practices. Fellowship with like-minded individuals within the church community can help foster a sense of accountability, offer encouragement, and create opportunities for shared experiences that enrich and support your spiritual journey. These activities can include group discussions, prayer groups, community service projects, and other events that allow for meaningful connections and mutual support among church members.
5. EMBRACE CHALLENGES AS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: Viewing life's challenges as opportunities for personal and spiritual growth allows us to approach difficulties with a mindset of resilience and learning. Embracing these challenges nurtures our ability to adapt, develop new skills, and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world. Through these experiences, we genuinely evolve and progress on our spiritual journey.
6. PRACTICE MORAL PRINCIPALS: Developing & practicing moral principles, whether derived from religious teachings or personal convictions, plays a crucial role in helping people navigate through moral problems. These principles serve as a guiding compass, influencing behavior and shaping decision-making processes. By adhering to these ethical principles, people, especially Christians, can make wise choices in various situations, ultimately contributing to a more just and just society.
"IF THE FOUNDATION IS GOOD, EVERYTHING ELSE CAN BE FIXED."
There will be occasions in our Christian life when God will often allow trouble to come our way to test our inner strength. We can liken this process to contractors hired to refurbish or restore an old house. First, they must strip the house to ensure the foundation is not cracked and check the structure for security. To an outsider, the work they are doing would look like they are destroying the house when, in reality, they are making sure that the joists are strong and secure in their proper place and checking to ensure that no termites have damaged the old wood.
Beloved, once they are satisfied that the foundation and structure are okay, they can restore the home to a beautiful dwelling that will stand for many years. This is precisely what God will allow unrelenting trials to happen to those he has purposed to be leaders in his service, especially in the end-time outpouring of his glory that will soon be released upon his church worldwide.
God sometimes allows people, circumstances, and things to come into our lives designed to strip us of everything we hold onto. He does this because he knows what he wants, especially those he has predestined to become leaders in the coming clash with the kingdom of darkness.
It is okay if we fail short of the mark during target practice because the trials of life strip us of all our desires, plans, stubbornness, and impurities. The master designer can pick us up out of our shame and ashes and rebuild us to be steadfast, unmovable, abounding in his grace, love, and purpose. After this process, we no longer fear what others may think or say about us, for we have become hardened to the temptations and schemes of the enemy.
Beloved. did you know that day after day, enduring the inward pressures of life will soon take its toll, wearing us down both physically and emotionally? But thank God, his word declares in (Romans 5:20) "Where Sin abounds (free reign), the Grace of God did much more abound;"
Christ is in this place of hard trials to deliver us by His grace, mercy, and love. He also assures us that we are wholly grounded in him and, therefore, saints. When we realize this in its fullness, we do not feel the pressure of the trial, but instead, we feel his abiding presence and grace. Glory.
The daily trials we face help produce patience and are described in the Bible as the crowning glory of grace in our lives and ministries. When we show that we have patience in a trial, especially while waiting on God to deliver us out of it, we begin to develop character, which is what our God is after because this process gives us more courage to be examples to others by showing what Christ has done through us including what he can do for his children.
In conclusion, those chosen before the foundation of the world to be leaders in the end-time revival are usually the ones who have had to brave the most challenging trials in life and have become overcomers because they have come to realize that the Lord knows them that are his, and if he brings them to it, he will bring them through it. Some people get their breakthroughs by observing how you go through your testing time.
"WHAT FOUNDATION ARE YOU BUILDING ON?"
(1 Corinthians 3:13-15) (13) "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (14) " If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward." (15) "If any man's work is burned, he shall suffer loss: but he shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
I want to stress the importance of maintaining a close relationship with Jesus Christ, the foundation that will endure time. Even though we may experience failures in financial institutions, falter in our relationships, or even lose our faith, we can always rely on Jesus Christ to provide us with the strength and guidance we need to overcome any obstacle.
When we do God's work, it's important to remember that we shouldn't place our faith in human resources. Instead, we should trust in God's provision, which is already available to us. As Paul reminds us, we can claim the resources we need by faith. This means we must be confident that God will provide for us, even if we can't see the solution immediately.
Beloved, we must not believe what we see but see what we feel and trust that God's Word is true. If we ask for what we need in faith, God promises we will receive it. This doesn't mean that we will always get exactly what we want, but it does mean that we can trust in God's goodness and provision. So, let us continue to build on the foundation Jesus laid and trust that He will provide for all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
In conclusion, building on a solid spiritual foundation is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, reflection, and community support. People can create resilient lives capable of weathering any storm by focusing on obedience to teachings, self-reflection, commitment to growth, and learning from adversity. This requires ongoing commitment, including prayer, meditation, and community service that strengthens personal growth.
MY CONCLUSION
Beloved, we are living in critical times and have reached a point in history where unsupervised children are growing up in homes with access to MTV, social media, and porn sites. Some parents are more focused on pursuing the fleeting pleasures the world offers rather than teaching their children about God and Christian morals. But fear not; we can make a change and guide our youth towards a brighter future.
God is raising people who will spend time with him in prayer. God’s plan for this hour is for his people to turn from their worldliness—their careless lives—and repent of their selfish fleshly cravings for power and positions. If we see a change in our government, it must start in the church because God desires people to repent of their church quarrels and denominational jealousy, which are prevalent in some churches today.
As we navigate life's journeys, we often encounter uncertainties and challenges that can shake our confidence and overwhelm us. During these times, we can find reassurance and strength in the love and support of those who care for us, and we can take comfort in knowing that the one who loves us unconditionally is always by our side, ready to help us overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
Many worldwide are praying for a move from heaven that will set the atmosphere for true revival in our land and nation. Through Jesus Christ's obedient virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, God has made a way for us to be restored and have fellowship with Him that was lost through Adam's fall. This adoption ensures our position in His royal family and instills a steadfast faith that endures even when everything else fades away. God's enduring and providing love becomes a solid foundation for our lives and ministries.
Our ultimate goal should be to have poured ourselves so entirely into the lives of those around us that we have nothing left to give. This requires a deep understanding that our accomplishments and achievements are not what matters most. While focusing on our goals and ambitions is tempting, we must never forget that our purpose is serving others.
In conclusion, building on the right spiritual foundation is essential for leading a purposeful life filled with resilience against life's many challenges. There is strength in numbers and we should work together to cultivate a solid spiritual platform that will enrich the lives of others by focusing on building our faith, moral integrity, community support, and continuous learning while taking practical steps toward growth in our Christian Walk before God and our fellow man.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
