Guard Your Heart - - Guard Your Foundation

 

Colossians 2:8

Take heed lest there will be anyone taking you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5385

Philosophy: the love or pursuit of wisdom

From the Greek word 'philosophia' (pronounced fil-os-of-ee'-ah): 'secular philosophy – elevating human wisdom over the wisdom of God. Loving one's own thoughts (secular wisdom) at the expense of God's Word (true wisdom). That is, the vain pursuit of truth apart from the revelation of God's Word.'

    This is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. And it is used here to warn Timothy, and us, to be careful on what we base our beliefs. We are to remember that Christ is the foundation of a Christian's salvation. 

1 Corinthians 10:12

So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

    Matthew 7:24-27 tells us of two men who built their houses:

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.”

    Proverbs 24:4, 5

4. By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established;

5. By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

OPPOSE IGNORANT KNOWLEDGE

    Pay attention to who we are paying attention to. Be careful little ears what you hear. ("Lord, help us to stand on Your Word and live Your Word faithfully, not disparagingly. In You we trust for every need, every step.") 

    1 Timothy 6:20, 21

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.

    What was entrusted to Timothy? Foundational wisdom from God. The Chief Cornerstone of his salvation: a living, working, knowledge of the saving grace which is only found in Jesus Christ.

THE PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING

2 Timothy 1:12-14

12. For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

13. Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

14. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

    We are to guard, keep, protect this treasure, this wisdom, this faith which God has given us. Guard it with our lives for it is the most precious gift we have ever been given. Ephesians 2:8, 9  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

    Saved by grace, not anything I could ever do, but saved by the grace of God. I saw a need for a Savior to save me, but not until I turned the eyes of my heart to Christ, and strained my ears to His voice, did I surrender my heart to Him. As the song says, " At the cross, at the cross, Where I first saw the Light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day." 

    At the cross, not near it, not from a distance, but right there at the cross. Right there When I Survey The Wondrous Cross "sorrow and love flowed mingled down". Right there On My Knees. 

FAITH BUILDS THE HOUSE

1 Peter 2:4-6

4. As you come to Him, The Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,

5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6. For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

    The wisdom of the world builds her house on sand. Her foundations creep and buckle, bringing down her own fragile structure. Ignorance (I don't know) and Apathy (I don't care) cannot build a strong enough foundation on which to base one's life in the here and now, nor in the hereafter. 

    Faith in God through Jesus Christ' crucifixion and resurrection, however are the ideal building blocks on which to lay a firm foundation. In His crucifixion, Christ died for me; He not only took my sins upon Himself, but He became sin for me. His blood washed away my sin. By Faith I believe that. In His resurrection, Christ overcame death and the grave, walking into newness of life. He had a changed body, which made Him unrecognizable until He spoke (John 20:14-17).  By Faith I believe this, too.

    And, so, I build my life on this precious faith in God, this faith in Christ Jesus for my salvation. As Jesus told Martha in John 11:25, 26 "Jesus said unto her, I am The Resurrection and The Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

    Do you believe this? I believe. I guard my foundation. When words are needed, Wisdom speaks, not I. I try not to argue with fools. A raised eyebrow now and then speaks volumes. A twitch of the lips as I hold back laughter, often. But I prefer speaking the Truth of God's Word over my opinion. My opinion on any matter must take a back seat to God's Word. And I'm fine with that. The Lord is My Portion and that's all that matters. 

    The Bridegroom is returning for His bride, the one who has built her home around Him, the church who has chosen Him as her Chief Cornerstone on which to build her most holy faith. I believe this and I'm getting myself ready to meet Him. I Know Whom I Have Believed.

 

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - The Way In A Manger

Isaiah 7:14

 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 226

Sign: miracle, attestation of God's divine presence and interposition (mediation)

Matthew 1:23

"Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means, "God with us").

On the surface of the Scripture a person may wonder what this verse and the many verses we will touch on this month have to do with being born again. Christ is our foundation of living. Without His arrival to this world there would be no born again experience. The world would still be awaiting God's promise of a Messianic kingdom to be set up. 

THE WAY

To be born again is to believe that Jesus Christ is God's Messiah, that God's plan of salvation is enacted in Him and through Him. He is the gospel of salvation. He is the Way (John 14:6a): the Way in which we are to walk out our daily lives (Isaiah 30:21), the Way which God has provided for us to reach The LORD God Himself (John 14:6d). 

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am The Way and The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

IN A MANGER

Luke 2:11, 12

11. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! 

12. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

15. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

THE LIGHT

He was born on this Earth of humble birth. After all, what could be a more humble birth than to be born in a stable, a barn? Mary had prepared for the birth of her son by bringing the necessities required to wrap him up after His birth, but the place of one's birth can never really be planned for. 

Babies are born in taxicabs, hotel lobbies, hospitals, at home; very seldom are human babies born in a barn stall surrounded by sounds of barn animals. But this was a special baby, this was The Light of God's Love given to a dark world. It is only fitting then, that He should be born in a dimly lit stable. 

John 1:5

And The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

John 8:12

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am The Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have The Light of Life."

John 9:5

"While I am in the world, I am The Light of the world."

Has The Light of God's Love made Himself at home in Your heart? If not, are you ready to believe in God's Messiah, to have The Light take up residence in the darkness of your hearts? 

Dear God,

I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Please forgive me of all my sins and help me to walk in Your Way, in Your Light. Come live in my soul: in my heart, in my thoughts, in my emotions, my attitude. Lead me through Your precious Holy Word into Your marvelous Light. Forgive me, Father, of all my unrighteousness; forgive me for trying to do things my way, instead of Your Way. To You, O Lord, I surrender my all. 

As in days of old, when they who had been forgiven much by kings of the realm, I pledge my allegiance to You. May my feet go where You lead. You have promised never to leave nor forsake Your people. I would that I were one of Your people. Come live in me that I might live in You. Forever. 

In Jesus' Precious Name, I pray,

Amen

THE WAY MEDLEY

Lithos -- Stumblingstone

 

LITHOS

(pronounced lee'-thos)

STUMBLINGSTONE

Romans 9:33

As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Sion a Stumblingstone and Rock of Offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

 Isaiah 8:14

And He will be a sanctuary--but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Lord GOD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken."

Matthew 21:42

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

Psalm 118:22

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

1 Peter 2:6

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

     As born again believers we have nothing to be ashamed of, nor confounded (confused) over. We are able to believe because the Holy Spirit of God has stirred within us a desire to believe. And we choose to listen to Him, believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and give our hearts, our lives and everything about us to Him; following Him in our everyday life, choosing to submit to His will in every decision, big or small. 

     We are not to hide our faith in Jesus Christ, nor are we to flaunt it with a 'holier than thou' stance. We are overjoyed to be included in God's family and serve Him in His kingdom. And we strive to share this joy we have in Him with others which usually, if we are following the Spirit's leading, leads us into both joy (that another person has accepted Christ) and suffering (because we are coming under attack (mocking, persecution) for sharing our faith). 

     It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected that throws some folks off, making it harder for them to believe. We must remember that at one time we, too, were not believers. And remember what it took to get us to turn our hearts to God. Never stop praying for someone else, no matter how long it takes for them to turn their hearts to God. Never speak against another person, nor gossip about them. For this not only taints your testimony, but negates your relationship with God and people. Why would anyone want to be a Christian like that when the world system behaves in much the same way?

     Remember that the Cornerstone of our faith is Jesus Christ. The Word says to lay no other foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."). And that everything built on that Foundation will be judged by God. Therefore, we must build with wisdom and use only the building materials which the Spirit has given us to build with. 

Philippians 4:4-9

4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5) Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

9) And what you have learned and have received and have heard and have seen in me, practice these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

Cornerstone

 

1 Corinthians 3:11

 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 28:15-17

For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”  So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be dissolved, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge passes through, you will be trampled by it.

2 Corinthians 11:4

For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.

Psalm 118:22

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:19-20

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 

1 Peter 2:4-8

As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. 

As stated yesterday, regarding 1 Corinthians 3:10, there is only one foundation on which the gospel is founded and that Foundation is Jesus Christ. Christ is not only our Foundation, but the Chief Cornerstone on which we, God's house, God's dwellingplace, God's temple, are built. 
     Being born again is more than believing it's knowing. Faith in God through salvation in Jesus Christ is stronger than mere faith in God. Mere faith in God believes God is real but refuses to live according to His Word.  Faith in God through salvation in Jesus Christ compels a born-again believer to live according to the Word. We are not forced into doing so, we do so because we love Him who first loved us and proved it by dying on the cross in our place. 

     The Lord Jesus Christ is my Foundation, my Rock, the Cornerstone of my faith, of what I believe. Can you say this? And if you can't, wouldn't you like to? All you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ is LORD. And live that belief according to how God's Word says to live in Christ and Christ live in you. Simple faith.

The Power of The Cross

Craftsmanship

 

1 Corinthians 3:10

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Even though it is Paul speaking here these verses still apply  to the born-again believer who shares the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

But when we build (preach, teach, encourage), we must build on that foundation properly: with the Word and nothing else. Whatever books we read or teach from must align properly with the Word of God or not be used at all. No false teachings which do not align with the Word of God. The Spirit makes this known to the faithful believer. 

Our building, our house, must be built on The Rock and not on sand. Our work has to make it through the storms of life. 

Matthew 7:24-27

“So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great and complete was its fall.” 

Proverbs 10:8

A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.

Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.

We should want to be the house of the righteous. Are we? Are you? Am I building (preaching, teaching, encouraging) according to and in the Word of God? Yes, yes I am. 

Am I receiving the faithful True Word of God from others whose preaching I listen to? Yes. Am I hearing the Truth of God's Word from teachers I listen to? Yes, yes I am. Am I being encouraged by the faithful and encouraging others through and by the Word of God? Yes, I am. 

Be the wise heart. Be the house of the righteous. Build in righteousness. Build in Truth. Build with Wisdom, with Love, with Truth. Be built up according to the Truth of the whole Word of God and you will stand when the storms hit you head on.

Know Your Priorities-Most Important Relationship

 

Foundational Living

Psalm 118:22

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Lord GOD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

Acts 4:10-12

"...then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:19-21

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Matthew 4:19

And He said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”

1 Corinthians 14:1

Love should be your guide. Be eager to have the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy.

     Without this Foundation, this relationship which is made possible by believing that Jesus is the Christ, Who is our only means of salvation, a person is doomed to fail in this life. Success is not measured by how much we own, nor is it measured by our level of happiness.

     What we own in this life (material possessions, wealth or lack thereof) is not what we take with us when we die. When our bodies cease to have life, there is an immediate separation. The body remains earthbound while the spirit/soul travels to its destination, which has been determined by that soul while it lived on this earth. 

     Each and every one of us will give an account for our actions, our thoughts and our words. We are responsible in our lifetimes for making wise choices/decisions. Particularly the decision to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. That must be done on an individual basis by each person who ever lived. 

Acknowledge our sins and repent of them

Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Confess that He Is Lord

Determine to follow Him

     This can be accomplished through simple prayers. God wants to hear us speak what is in our own hearts. We can recite a prayer, but unless we really mean it, that prayer is just words and has no power to change our lives. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I admit I have sinned against You and against Your Word. Forgive me of my sins and make me new in You. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my guiltiness and rose from the dead walking out of the grave. 

I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Please be Lord of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may be able to live a life that pleases You. 

In Jesus' Precious Name,

Amen