Prayer: O God, we trust in Your power to create, to sustain, to enable. But we could not trust if we did not know that You are always near. Be with us, Lord, as we are gathered here to worship You. Help us not to check our minds or our hearts at the door, but enable us to bring all that we are to You, so that we might experience Your touch upon all aspects of our life. We pray this because of, and in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
MONDAY- 1 Kings 5:13-18
30,000 men to move rocks to build a foundation!?!?! I’ve seen the rocks. Some are larger than a school bus, but this is what it took to build a house for God in the Old Testament. The prophet Samuel warned that a king would impose his will upon the people, yet they demanded a “King” from God. Sometimes God will give you exactly what you desire. Maybe we should all reconsider our desires from God and ask what He would ask of us. Wouldn’t that be a strong foundation for a relationship?
TUESDAY- Romans 15:17-22
Paul talks about building a foundation in his letter, yet here he longs to build a new foundation that hasn’t been started by someone else. However, often we are not provided this luxury. The name of Jesus has been spread across the world, and we’re called to help further that message. We may never receive the “perfect” situation or environment to our purposes, but we may be called to come along and water the seeds of faith that may have been planted by someone else.
WEDNESDAY- Matthew 7:24-27
How many times have you seen a house on the news get swept away by a raging river or sea waves? Hurricanes and storms seem to be extremely destructive to homes who have weak foundations. Although we’ve been warned, we still see people don’t take precautions. Is this a difficult lesson? How strong is your foundation?
THURSDAY- 1 Timothy 6:18-19
What is the difference between worldly and spiritual wealth? One may be poor in the eyes of the world, yet rich in faith. Worldly wealth concerns one’s financial assets, but Jesus urged us to stock up treasures in heaven (Mt 6:20). We can acquire heavenly treasures by doing good, showing generosity and seeking the spiritual good in others and ourselves. Providing for another’s physical needs out of love for Jesus is another way to obtain wealth beyond this world.
FRIDAY- Mathew 16:17-20
What can we bind and loose today? We can bind and loose what the Lord has prohibited or permitted in Scriptures (2 Tim 3:16-17). To bind means to “forbid, refuse or prohibit.” To “loose” means to “permit or allow.” Jesus intended that the apostles inspired teaching should become the standard for our faith and practice. God also gives special wisdom and power to the church during times of earnest prayer.
SATURDAY- 1 Peter 2:4-5
How are Christians like living stones?Believers are the stones of a building, but this building is a living, spiritual building, the church.The living Stone is Christ, the most important building block.When people look at your life and testimony, are they able to see Jesus as your “Living Stone”?What is one way to improve your foundation with God?What can you do today or this week?