Construction

CONSTRUCTION All: Building a home requires many things in order for it to be livable. There are hundreds of details, and dozens of speciality trades required. But no matter how well the work is done, there is one critical element needed more than any other. Jesus...

​CONSTRUCTION

All: Building a home requires many things in order for it to be livable. There are hundreds of details, and dozens of speciality trades required. But no matter how well the work is done, there is one critical element needed more than any other. Jesus Christ was a builder, and he knew and spoke about this element. It is the perfect metaphor for Christ-followers like you and I as we attempt to build a life worthy of Christ’s calling.

Children: Build upon what I have given you; you have my Holy Word. Go to it for all wisdom, insight, and teaching. My Word is a SOLID foundation upon which to build a life with me.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

All: Jesus teaches us about the importance of building our lives on Him and obedience to His Holy Word: 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49 NIV) Hearing God’s Word is not enough. Obedience to His Word is the SOLID foundation upon which we build, for without that, no matter how beautiful the structure, the house will not stand.

MY HOME COLLAPSED

All: 41 years ago (1982), Pastor Phil Landrum of Southwest Christian Church led me to receive Jesus Christ as my savior. I was an arrogant 25-year old who pretended to know everything, yet knew nothing. However, it took until March 4, 1996 before I surrendered to the lordship of Christ, and began this slow journey of progressively increasing obedience to Him. As a new Christ-follower, I built my entire faith structure on the soft sand of “my way.” We know that this does not work, yet how many of us are still trying to cut corners to do things “our way?” As the sand washed away and my home/life completely collapsed in every way imaginable, I was left in ruins. God needed me broken, so that I would listen to him, and obey. Finally, He had my attention. Out of the ruins, He began building His home in me. He was and is the builder. Not me. I can take zero credit for the structure. Let us not build on anything but obedience to Christ. Hearing His Word is not enough. A SOLID foundation requires obedience to God’s word. Otherwise, it is only a matter of time when all that we have built will collapse. Our pride tells us this is not true, and that somehow, I can run my life, do things “my way” and my house will stand. Beware. Pride comes before a fall, every time.

Children: I have been clear in my Word: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25 NIV)

CHRIST IS AN EXPERT BUILDER

All: The entire ministry of SOLIDleaders.com (for-profit) and SOLIDpastors.org (non-profit) are founded on this “SOLID Foundation” principle found in Paul’s second letter to his mentee, Timothy (see verse 19): 14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:14-21 NIV)

LET CHRIST BUILD

Children: If you call me Master, then obey me. Follow me. I have a plan for your life, but I can not build my home in you if you are not fully obedient to me. Otherwise, it is your home that you have built, on your foundation, and this structure will not stand the test of time. Let me build my home, in you, doing things my way. I will not lead you astray. You can trust me with your life. Surrender your construction project to me. I will build a home beyond what you could every hope for or imagine.

All: Today, more than ever, I am allowing Christ to build His home, His way, with His materials, in His time, with His design, in His location. The result: He is giving me overflowing joy, peace, and love. He has given me confidence that whatever is being built is pleasing to Him, and it is a structure that is secure, and will stand the test of time. Storms will inevitably come, and they will not be pleasant to endure. But if our home is built on obedience to Christ, we will weather the worst hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and more, and we will endure. For our home, built by Christ, stands rock-SOLID . Amen.

Your aspiring servant and wannabe builder,
Daniel M.
28 June 2023

POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, reach out at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with Christ.