A Sure Foundation

Foundation - that on which something is founded; basis, the base on which something stands.

It's important for us to start our journey the right way. Getting a clear understanding, regarding God's word and how it impacts our lives means that we are starting with a good foundation. When builders are building a house, the foundation is the most important part of the building process. If a house is not built on a solid foundation, the entire house is jeopardized. It would be just as important for us to look at our lives in the same manner. If we don't have a solid foundation, when storms come, we stand the chance of being blown all over the place. With a solid foundation we will have sure footing.

Isiah 28:16 - So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

Ephesians 2:20 (NLT) - "Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself."

Let me give you a little insight into my previous dilemma.

Here is me being transparent. I didn't start my journey out with a sure foundation. I didn't know anything about it. I surely didn't know how important it would be as I navigated through life. I truly wish someone had told me about having a sure foundation. I learned the hard way. I can say that I knew that God existed when I was a teenager. (There really is a difference between knowing that God exists vs. knowing God himself.)

Back then, I used to think that because I went to church sometimes, then I knew God. I can remember walking up to the altar and giving my life to God, and then not knowing what to do next. I thought that was all it was. No one told me that after receiving this free gift, there would be something that I would have to do. I was stuck not understanding the difference between salvation and sanctification. All I heard was that it was free, and there was nothing that we could ever do to get it. I like to look at it as if someone gave you a hand full of seeds for free. You didn't have to do anything to get them, you were chosen just because you are you. You didn't have to be nice to get the seeds, you could be evil, mean, hateful, all these things and still get these free seeds. Now that we have the seeds what do we do with them? They were given as a free gift.

Here was my hang up, and it's the hang-up that a lot of people have, unfortunately; I just kept holding the seeds. I didn't plant them, I didn't water them, I didn't nurture them, I just expected for them to grow. Well, God told me some time ago that I needed to stop just holding my seeds and plant them. Although I'd been given those wonderful seeds, I actually have to do some work to get the harvest.

I hate to say it, but there are people who have gone to church their whole lives and don't really know who God is, nor can they tell you any foundational truths about God and his Word. They are still holding their seeds. I was one of those people.

I was already into my 30's before I even understood that I was missing something. I was being thrown back and forth, in storm after storm, after storm, and could not understand what was happening. I didn't have anything to hold on to when the sea got rough. I thought God didn't love me. I actually thought I wasn't supposed to go through bad things because I was saved. WOW!!!!! I was so wrong. God never told us that we would not have trials and tribulations. His Word says: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33) God told us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

I started off my life without a foundation. I didn't understand that Jesus is our foundation, I didn't know who Jesus actually was, who He is to me, who I am in Him, nor did I know His promises. I knew what he did for me but I didn't really understand it all. I didn't truly understand the magnitude of His actions, and how it impacts my life. Without knowing this, how can we stand strong through our tribulations?

On conversion, we are given a helper, for FREE, but it is up to us to cultivate a relationship with our helper. I didn't know these things. God's Word is the only way to truly understand how to navigate this life as a Christian. We can think of reading our bibles as actually planting the seeds. Our bible tells us so much information. It would behoove us all to get a good understanding of the basic bible content and biblical beliefs. This is our foundation, without knowing this information, life can be even more difficult.

I started out depending on someone else to tell me. I could never really get a complete answer to what I needed to know. Sometimes people would tell me what they thought or heard from someone else, and we all know how that goes. Information that is passed around from one person to the other always gets transferred differently. People were telling me their beliefs instead of what God's Word was saying. The sad thing is that I actually believed everything I was hearing. It sounded right, is what I thought.

I basically had not grown at all. I had not taken one step. I realized I was still standing in the same spot I was in when I was converted, I actually believe I had taken a few steps backward, to be honest. Here I was years later, grown, and still didn't truly know anything more than what I did as a teenager. I started reading the Word for myself, praying, and meditating on the word; which then helped me to get an understanding, which then led to revelation, and eventually, I realized that I had come into a place of relationship. I had finally understood the basic foundational truths. When the storms presented themselves, although the seas were rough, I wasn't blown from here to there. Boy O Boy the storms that came, I truly needed to have a sure foundation.

The Wise and Foolish Builders - (Matthew 7:24-29)

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I'm so grateful that God called after me. I'm even more grateful that he enabled me to hear him call.

Do you have a sure foundation? I will be updating a foundational series called Life is a Journey. Each post will be filled with foundational messages as well as relevant content and information regarding each topic. Please see this blog post titled Conversion to start the lessons. Sign up to be notified about future posts.

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