I got married to Miss Right, I just didn't know her first name was Always.
I didn’t realize what I had found until we said, “I Do!” Through thick and thin we are “One.” At times we are a bit “cracked” like the foundation of our home, but in the Lord, repair is possible. In our case most of the finances for the foundation repair came as the result of an unexpected resource God provides in unexpected and strange ways, but nonetheless, God provides.
LOST KEYS
Judy went to Krogers recently and sometimes I go in with her and sit on a chair next to the 5/3rd bank window. As I started to sit down, I noticed a set of keys on the floor by the chair. Someone was not going to be very happy when they went to their car or would go to the check-out and present their Kroger’s ID tag.
I told a bank teller what I found in case someone should ask, and then took the keys to Kroger’s customer service desk. I then went back to my seat and watched everyone who came by to see if they were looking for something lost.
There were some who came to the ATM machine and searched in their pockets or purse, but always found what they were looking for.
Finally a woman came to the area looking around and asked if I had seen a set of keys. I said, "Yes mam, I took them to the service counter.” She was so relieved and greatly thanked me.
Before she left the store, she came by again and thanked me. How relieved she was that the lost had been found! As I tried to do a bit of witnessing to her, her face went “blank.” Oh well, God will use it sometime in her future.
It was a joyful experience to help someone in desperate need. God used me to help and bring joy to that woman. How can/does God use you to bring joy and help to someone? What brings you joy?
Luke 15:32 It was meet (necessary) that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Oh, how happy she was when she got her lost keys and how glad this man was when he discovered that his brother was alive.
What joy Jesus gives us in life as we walk in truth by faith.
Too, we never know how we are going to impact someone’s life by leading them to Christ. They don’t know how “lost” they are until they are found.
3Jn_1:4 The Apostle John wrote: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
Everyone experiences joy in Christ. However the sinner's joy is momentary. Someday there will be a day of reckoning: Job 20:5 that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?
However for the believer there is a difference: Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 21:6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. In Christ I am blessed forever and have great joy in the presence of the Lord!
When we bought our home, we were so happy. However, over a period of time, we have discovered that home ownership is not without its problems. Just as it is in our spiritual life, life presents its moments of trial and growth.
A friend once told me that they had an all-electric home....everything in it was charged.
In our home we've had roof problems (results of a storm) shingles had to be replaced as well as the sheets of plywood underneath. We've had termite problems, and most recently a leaking foundation which pastor Dan recently spent two days fixing for us (hopefully. It will take a great storm to see just how well things are. What a truth. It takes the storms of life to see just how leak-proof our faith is.
However, home repairs have costs which we have to leave in the Lord's hands by faith. In the same way, our salvation in Christ was very costly. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross of Calvary. How painful it must have been for His Father to witness what His Son went through on the cross. The cost was very great and painful!
Dan came to me last Sunday morning and said, “Boy, am I sore!” His soreness came as a result of bearing upon his body the necessary labors of working to fix our foundation leaking problem. Thank you!, brother. It cost him a great deal and it was costly for us. Cracked foundations don’t fix themselves and our sin problem didn’t get fixed without the labors of Jesus Christ!
We certainly didn't realize at the time, but the lightning strike provided an opportunity for insurance finances to help with the foundation issues. God provides and He will make up the difference.
My mind often works like lightning...one brilliant flash and it's gone and its lasting results are often devastating. However, when it is in the hands of the Lord the results are a blessing.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Job 36:32 He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.
The lightning strike was not an accident, and it struck the mark that God had intended. Talk about the sovereignty of God -- that was it!
Foundations
Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Someone once told me that the area in which we live was once used by the city as a place of refuse (a dumping ground). If that be the case, then it makes sense why so many homes in our area have foundation problems. There is no solidness to the ground. I don’t know if that is true or not, but it does provide a wonderful illustration for the need to have a solid spiritual foundation for our personal lives.
We can’t begin to build a solid spiritual life if our foundation is filled with garbage. Our lives must be built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand - resulting in cracked foundations and leaking water.
Therefore, broken foundations are sometimes the indication of sin, laziness and spiritual poverty. Proverbs 24:30-34 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
However, those who have turned to Christ, are looking to Him for a meaningful life - Luke 6:48-49 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
How can I build a solid foundation?
There are three virtues that can form the base of a solid foundation that guides your life. They are Faith, Hope, and Love. They are best used in our everyday lives as Service, Inspiration, and Trust (SIT).
SIT on it to get more out of life.
No. 1 – Service (Love) is the starting point for your spiritual foundation. Since Love is the most powerful emotion at our disposal, it will be the anchor that holds everything together. When we commit to a mindset of service in our work, family life, and other areas something special happens...Love = Service.
A humble, spiritual balance helps us meet the needs of others. When we by faith seek to serve others, service comes back to us in multiple areas. You can’t outgive God!
No. 2 – The second character quality that builds upon our foundation is Inspiration. Inspiration is a form of Hope. Inspiration brings joy and promise to us those we meet. Inspiration is a belief that something better is to come (it is the Moffitt Scottish motto-Spero Meloria). It presents a life that is positive. In Christ, we can be assured that something better is waiting for us in the future.
Simply telling someone they are amazing can be unbelievably inspiring. Try it and be prepared for a surprisingly positive reaction in return.
The term inspiration can be broken down into two words – In Spirit. When you Inspire, it rebounds back to us in all kinds of fantastic ways. Look for it. Don’t put down, but rather build up.
No. 3 – Trust, a form of Faith, is the ability to rely the Lord to help us meet our needs in due time.
Trust is the opposite of control. Trust is the process of surrendering to another knowing that our needs will be met at the right time. Trust allows for space to receive instead of attempting to direct the outcome. When we Trust, trust comes back to us in many reaffirming ways.
All in all, the virtues of Service, Inspiration, and Trust are designed to help us build a solid foundation beneath our feet. It might move, it might crack, but it will never crumble.
You might fall, but you will always have the ability to get up because your foundation is supporting you. When you get in situations of continual frustration and suffering, it’s usually because one of these virtues (Faith, Hope Love (Service, Inspiration, Trust) is lacking in our life.
CLOSING:
Ask, how can I inspire the person who is at odds with me, or trust that this situation will work out for the best?
Direct your thoughts and actions to building a solid spiritual foundation to support you. Know that all the decisions I make are in harmony with God and are always working in my favor and to give me strength to courageously stand and face any circumstance that comes my way.
As we trust the Lord in the midst of life circumstances it will all work for us instead of against us.
Psalm 9:-10 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
PRAYER:
God use me to help and bring encouragement and joy to others who have lost their keys, been struck by lightning, or whose foundation is on shaky ground.
