FIRM FOUNDATION

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalms 18:2

There is a song that says, “on Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” And surely it is the truth. No matter where one lives, the political seas are in turmoil. And life is fleeting. One minute your life is just beginning, and before you know it, you are much closer to the finish line than where you started. It seems to happen so fast.
 
The most important choice any of us can make in life is choosing to follow Jesus. And continue faithfully until our life is done. In so doing, not only will we live a blessed life, even during times of stormy seas, but it will be a witness to those around us, pointing those who will see to Christ, and for those heaven-bound, they will be encouraged and strengthened. It is not that we as believers live perfect lives, it is that believers do their best to please and honor the Lord and when we fail, we repent and get back up. This is the testimony of God living in us and us in Him.
 
To be moral is a nice lesson most people learn in life or even in church. But Jesus changes us from the inside out. We do not want to sin from our innermost beings. If there is only mental morality, then the heart has not been born-again, which is 100% necessary to make it to heaven and also needed to start the true relationship with the Lord.

• John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

 
We must choose Jesus and accept His pardon for our sins. There is no other way. And then we must continue our lives with Him as our Lord. We must grow in His Word, in faith, in our prayer life, in keeping a heart of intimate gratitude and worship. To live the true Christian life means to be anchored in the Lord. Jesus taught with a parable about a wise man and a foolish one, the foolish one built his house on the sand and the wise one built on the rock. And Jesus said that when the rain, floods and wind came, the wise one’s house built on the rock stood and the foolish one’s fell greatly.

• Matthew 7:24-27 "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: 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.  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: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

 
If the world would have its way, we would have no time for the Lord. We must make the time and keep our thoughts and actions centered on Him daily, filtering all the challenges through His Word as we have learned it and with prayer. When times are great and fun, as well as when times are pressured and difficult, we must stay centered on the Lord. I cannot do it for you, and you cannot do it for your loved one. Each of us must do it ourselves. By being anchored in the Lord, we can face the stormy seas and when the ones in the other boats are watching, they will see us not being blown around recklessly and see the hand of the Lord in our lives. It is critical for the young ones around us to see this, so that when it happens for them, they will know how to be victorious too.
 
There are so many bad examples in this world. Educational systems that lead children away from the Lord, teaching them to doubt the Bible, creation, and any truth that God has ordained. Leaders that commit crimes and get away with it. Social media with all kinds of input, gaming and wasting life away, and all manners of addictions. But! If they see Christians living good lives and repenting when we err, receiving God’s grace and sharing it with others and holding fast to our faith, it will make a difference. Some will get it and some won’t because of the conditions of their hearts, but we must live in a manner where Christ and His principles are seen.
 
Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit. He is the voice of the Lord inside of us and the provider of the power we need to live the Christian life. Without Him we can do nothing. The fleshly nature is inherently evil and the only good it brings is by force and with selfish motives. But thanks to being able to be born-again by repenting of our sins, and receiving the pardon Jesus paid for with His blood and then giving our life to the Lord, we can have the lordship of the evil, stony heart removed and Jesus can reign on the throne of our new hearts. This is life and life more abundantly and the place for the wise person to anchor. Thank You Jesus.

​E. Cockrell