Let's build on the rock

Proverbs 30:26 (KJV)

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.

Unless you're up on your biology, you're probably wondering, "What in the world is a coney?" I know was. After doing a little research online, I discovered that a coney is a rock badger.

These little critters make their homes in rocks and in sides of mountains -- only venturing away from their rocky homes in the quest for food. While the badger stays within his home of rocks, he is safe from his natural predators. He stays close to home because he realizes his limitations. Badgers recognize that they do not have strength within themselves --- their strength lies in the rocks they call home.

So it should be for us as believers. We, too, must recognize our limitations! We need to be aware that like the conies, we are feeble folk! If we venture too far away from our Rock, Jesus -- we will become vulnerable, easy prey! But if we stay within the shelter of our Rock, we can rest in the security He provides!

The winds and storms of this world can shake us up a bit -- but they don't sway the Rock! Let's make sure our homes are built in the safest place there is. Let's build on the Rock.

Dear Lord, thank You for being our rock. Help us always to rest in Your strength today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Established our foundation upon the ROCK

Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Here in Florida we always have the chance of being hit by a tropical storm or hurricane during the summer months. Back in 2004 we were hit by 4 hurricanes and we were very thankful that our house was built to the standards that were set so it would stand strong even in the storms.

In this passage, Jesus is talking to Jews, of course. They were familiar with the rain and how vigorously it comes down these seasons. They knew not to build their houses on sand -- or else they would quickly collapse when the rains came!

The Lord is warning us about building our houses on weak ground. He knew that stormy seasons would come and He wants us to be prepared! We don't want to be one of the many whose houses will collapse because they were built on fame, fortune and other things of this world. We must be careful to build our house only upon Him. Even building our houses upon seemingly innocent things like family, tradition and good works is dangerous. We want to be of those who've established our foundation upon the ROCK of the truth of His Word and who will be able to weather the coming storms because of it!

Are there storms raging about you today? Let's completely built our life upon the Rock.

Dear Lord, help us to focus on building our life upon You. So that when the storms of life come we can stand firm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

What is your purpose?

Luke 4:43 (ESV)

But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

What is our purpose for living on planet earth? Is it for working, eating, sleeping, and from time to time, having some fun, whatever this means to us. Are we truly fulfilled?

Or were we created for more?

I wonder what it means to walk in Jesus' footsteps.

It's true that we tend to focus on ourselves, but what do we do about others, especially when they feel dejected, abandoned, with no hint of hope? Too often we act according to this parable that is circulating on the African continent:

One day Jesus asked each one of his disciples to pick up a stone to carry for Him. Naturally, John picked up the largest stone he could find. Peter, however, had a different perspective on this. He picked up the smallest pebble he could find.

Jesus led them to a mountaintop. Once there, the stones were transformed into bread. Jesus encouraged them to eat what they had been carrying. John had plenty, but Peter was left hungry. He eyed John with pitiful eyes. John didn't hesitate to share his good fortune with his friend.

Had the disciples learned anything that day? Let's find out.

Many weeks later. Jesus asked again his disciples to carry a stone for Him. This time, though, He led them to the River Jordan, and this time, He asked them to cast their stone into the river. Every one of His disciples looked befuddled. What was the meaning of this? These stones were quite heavy, and I am certain you can guess who picked up the biggest one this time. Now each one of them had no choice but to throw their stone into the river Jordan and see it sink out of sight.

The one who had carried the largest stone couldn't help but ask: "Why?"

Jesus turned to him and his fellow disciples and looked them each straight in the eye: "Who did you carry the stone for?"

Why are we followers of the Most High? Who are we serving?

Once we realize that, we will have a better idea what the Kingdom of Heaven truly means.

Now this question still remains: Who do you do this for?

Dear Lord, help us remember why we do things. Help our focus be on doing things for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jesus is the rock.

Romans 9:33 (ESV)

As it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;

    and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

The tower of Bidouane, an important defense system of St. Malo, France, was built in the second half of the 15th century. What is unique about the location of the town of St. Malo is the numerous rocks protruding from the surrounding sea, especially in its North East corner, between Fort National and the town itself.

Towards the end of 1693, a fleet of thirty Anglo-Dutch ships appeared on the horizon. Their purpose was to conquer the famous town of St-Malo, and to do so, they brought with them a ship that contained a diabolic machine that would break down the city walls. For two years it had been designed and constructed under the orders of Prince William of Orange. The ship was truly a monster, weighing 300 tons and measuring 84 feet in length. It was well defended with its 23 canons. Its sails were ominous black, and its sides were filled with powder, bombs and shrapnel. Just the sight of the monster filled anyone with fear.

This same ship, with the 29 other ships in the Anglo-Dutch fleet, was now approaching St. Malo. The idea was for the other ships to bomb Fort National, while this special ship would move in to destroy the walls of St. Malo. But a turbulent wind from the west suddenly accosted the ship, causing it to run aground on the rocks between Fort National and St. Malo. It exploded, thanks to its own crew (They were determined to take over St. Malo!), but it did not impact the city at all, as it was way too far from the city's walls, and seeing what was happening, the other 29 ships in the fleet turned and fled.

During all of this, the inhabitants of St. Malo simply enjoyed their evening meal. They knew that the rocks surrounded the city were their best defense. That diabolic ship filled with gun powder would have no effect on that city at all.

Why fear if we rely on the real Rock?

Dear Lord, thanks for being the rock. Help us rely on You in everything that comes our way.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Hunk of Rock and a Chisel.

John 1:42 (NIV)

 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

I read a story about a man who had a huge boulder in his front yard. He grew weary of this big, unattractive stone in the center of his lawn, so he decided to take advantage of it and turn it into an object of art. He went to work on it with hammer and chisel, and chipped away at the huge boulder until it became a beautiful stone elephant. When he finished, it was gorgeous, breath-taking.

A neighbor asked, "How did you ever carve such a marvelous likeness of an elephant?"

The man answered, "I just chipped away everything that didn't look like an elephant!"

You may have heard a version of this story that uses the name of Michelangelo as the man who is doing the sculpting (sometimes the story gives his explanation of how the statue of David was created, other times the statue of Moses).

But the story also illustrates how God creates men in His likeness. He starts with nothing much more than a boulder, but like a great artist, he sees the potential for what lies within and chips away until we are shaped in His image.

Look at how Jesus dealt with men like Peter. Who would have looked at Peter -- the loud mouth who was always saying things he would later regret -- and seen the disciple he would become? Who would have looked at James and John -- nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" because of their temper -- and considered them to be ideal candidates? But Jesus had a way of looking into the hearts of men and women, seeing not only what they were, but what they had the potential to become. Then he set about the task of "chipping away" to uncover the beauty that lay beneath the surface.

Wouldn't it be great it we could learn to look at those around us the same way -- to see not only what they are, but to see what they can become? If we would only do that, perhaps instead of seeing people as "worthless boulders", we would set about the task of chipping away to reveal their full potential.

Dear Lord, open our eyes so that we may see the potential in those around us instead of the hunk of rock. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Rock Foundation

Matthew 7:24 (New International Version)

 “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.

The Point Reyes Light Station was built in 1870 at Point Reyes, California, approximately 30 miles northwest of the entrance of San Francisco Bay. Originally, the light was to be built at the top of the point. However, due to concerns that the light would be obscured by fog, the light was built 275 feet down the bluff at its present location. To reach the light, you must descend 304 steps on the headland from the plateau. The top of the lantern is 37 feet above the ground and the focal plane of the light is 294 feet above sea level. Point Reyes is, by official records, the windiest and foggiest on the Pacific Coast. It is also just a few miles from the San Andreas Fault, the active earthquake fault that runs through California. During the 1906 earthquake, which leveled many buildings in San Francisco, the entire Point Reyes Peninsula and the lighthouse moved north 18 feet! The only damage to the lighthouse was that the lens slipped off its tracks. Thirteen minutes after the earthquake, the lighthouse was once again in working order. Why was there such little damage to the lighthouse? The engineers had the forethought to bolt the sixteen-sided structure to solid rock.

Our strength and safety comes when we stay attached to our firm foundation, Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord we thank You for being our foundation.  We pray that we would build our life upon the foundation that You give to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Upon This Rock

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not what I tell you?" Why indeed. We know Christ's way is the best way. We know that it is destructive to believe one way and live another. We know that Christ has made us certain promises and that he is able to keep those promises. Why then do we not listen to His words and build our house on the Rock where the flood, and the wind, and the stream cannot shake it, because it is built on solid ground?

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

-Matthew 16.18

Dear Lord, starting today, we are going to build a better foundation for our life on the rock of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.