Where Is Your Foundation?

 

 

I built my house near the water,

So that I could see it’s gentle waves,

Against my neighbor’s instruction,

And despite each warning that he gave.

 Far off I saw a cloud,

Floating lazily in the sky.

I thought for certain it would not come this way,

But continue gliding by.

 

Then more clouds began to gather,

The wind began to blow,

And so I sought the shelter

Of my humble, waterfront bungalow.

 

Thunder began to rumble,

And flashes of lightening filled the sky.

I stole a glance out of my window,

At my neighbor’s house on the rocky mountain high.

 

His home stood strong against the storm,

as it continued to wage,

Safe from the rising waters,

Swirling and bubbling with rage.

 

My frail walls began to tremble,

Shifting violently in the sand.

I was uncertain in that moment,

How many more blows they could withstand.

 

I grabbed the things I treasured most

For I had no time to waste,

And without hesitation,

To my neighbor’s home, I made haste.

 

When the storm subsided,

And the waters began to retreat,

I left the house built on the rock

And stumbled back to mine in defeat.

 

How senseless not to take heed,

And to build my house here on the sand

Without a firm foundation

Against the storm it could not stand.

 

Learn from my story I beg you

And take from it what you can

So that you do not suffer as I have,

For I am the foolish man.

 

Mathew 7:24-27

 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 

As Texans, we are accustomed to storms, storms that seemingly pop up from out of nowhere. We constantly hear radio advertisements warning us to be prepared for spring storms and to seek shelter in a SAFE STURDY place should one occur. We are never advised to seek shelter from a raging storm full of high winds in a tent, a vehicle, or travel trailer. Why, because these things are easily moved. Though they may appear safe on the outside they are missing one extremely important thing, a foundation. These Items are not grounded.

In our spiritual life, we face storms. Storms that cause us to sway this way and that, storms that beat against us, storms that are sent to test us and some that even seek to destroy us. My question is this, where is your foundation? Are we like the wise man who has built his home on a firm foundation, or are we like the foolish man who has built on soft, and moving ground… each of us just waiting to be swept away by the rising waters or howling winds.

Ground yourself in the Lord and in his word, and when the storms of life come your way seeking to wreak havoc on your soul, you will stand strong against them. You will stand in triumph, maybe a little tattered, maybe a little shaken, but firm nonetheless.

 

      Every time I’ve heard the story of Jesus and his crucifixion, I’ve always wondered about his prayer at Gethsemane, particularly the deep sorrow he expressed. It seems he is reluctant to go through with the crucifixion. In Matthew 26:36, Jesus takes his disciples to Gethsemane and tells them to stay wait while he goes to pray. However he takes with him Peter, James, and John. Then the Bible lets us know that he became heavy and exceedingly sorrowful. Later in verse 38 & 39, it goes on to say that Jesus fell on his face and prayed that if it be possible to let this cup pass. Here we believe that by "the cup" he was referring to his soon to be crucifixion and to let the cup pass means is this the only way?  My question is WHY? We know Jesus is God, sovereign, and all knowing. So why if he knew this would lead to the salvation of hundreds of millions then why? I understood he was flesh, but I also knew John 3:16. I know I would have been scared, and dreading it but Jesus is God to see him distraught was confusing. Since Jesus overcame all sin, and temptation why then was he so upset about this? The fact is he was not a little upset, because in verse 42 he prays a second time repeating the first prayer. Again in verse 44he prays a third time the exact prayer. Jesus was very distraught in Mark 14:34 Jesus says "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death". Imagine how he must have felt he prayed 3 times. In Matthew 26:41 and Mark14:38. After praying once he wakes Peter, James, and john saying "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus was talking about himself saying truly my spirit wants to do this and I know great victory will come because of it. At the same time my flesh is weak. Jesus did know through this we would be saved but the question WHY still hung in my head. What made it most difficult for Jesus? Was it the cat of nine tails or the crown of thorns? Perhaps the spear in his side or the cross itself. I do believe it was painful torturous even. Above all else though I am convinced that it was the mockery, the spitting in his face, and the embarrassment. The comments people made, and yelled at him in daring tones. See for us as complete flesh we always look at the physical side of it, at least I did. Not that I diminished how horrible the mockery, and spitting among other things was. Honestly though as God who created the world, The Universe, and all the laws it abides by Time, Gravity, and Inertia. The God who created the very people who yelled "Let him be crucified". The God who came down to heal those very people, and knows every hair on their head! Just imagine how humiliating, and embarrassing that must have been. To have all that power, and knowledge. Yet continue to go through that because He KNEW that through this we could be saved! So my message is this. We say we want to win souls. To see people saved, and for God to use us to reach the lost. In honesty though do we want this? In reality if you want to be a soul winner prepare to be embarrassed as Christ was!!! Prepare to be mocked, and laughed at!! Prepare to be humiliated maybe even spit on. Talked about outcast, hated, and Crucified!!!! Jesus said to deny yourself take up your cross and follow me! When I talk to people about God I’m 100% sure he is real, and he is the way to salvation. At the same time sometimes my face gets hot my heart drops in my stomach there’s  a voice inside my head that says " what if they laugh at you, what if someone hears me, or I mess up”. My hands get sweaty I may even feel embarrassed! Not because I’m embarrassed of Jesus or because I’m shy even. There’s just something about witnessing that seems hard. I truly believe that you want to win souls you have to be willing to deny yourself! You have to say look if I’m mocked, laughed at, or even spit on the CHANCE this Gospel might be spread. The CHANCE this person could experience what I have, and it change their life just a CHANCE is worth all the embarrassment! That by CHANCE talking to this person, knocking on this door, praying with a friend in class could result in. See Jesus faced way worse than just a kid at school laughing at us. Even though at the time it may seem humiliating just remember how humiliated he was so that you could go to church Sunday, and worship! So that you could receive the gift of The Holy Ghost! Like Jesus said "our spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". Truly we all want to win souls and see people saved, that’s our spirit, but our flesh says otherwise. When it comes down to it if we want to win souls we have to deny ourselves and our flesh and say I’m willing to be humiliated for Jesus.

-Gabriel Gissiner

 

 

 

God's Calling for Us

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Even before we were born God knew our calling in life. We had value even before we did anything. Let go of the things from your past that are holding you back from your future. Don't be afraid to let God use you. Living out your calling isn't just what you do but also how you live.

Acts 9:1-15 talks about Sauls past. Even though Saul, or as we know him Paul, killed many Christians God used him to preach to His people. Your past doesn't disqualify you from your calling. Be willing to do what God is calling you to do. Your vision determines your future!

 

-Karen Pelletier

 

 

One Way Mission

On Mondays, some of the youth and myself assist the Pulley family and Sister Kay with One Way Mission. We volunteer at the Boys & Girls' Club. We teach them a Bible verse, give them snacks and show them attention; but our main purpose is to show the children God's love. There are on average thirty to forty regulars each week. They meet us at the door wanting a hug and immediately begin to try to tell us the verse from the previous week. It’s amazing to see how much they already know about God and how eager they are to learn more. The change in the children is noticeable not only to us, but also to the teachers who are with them every day.

 

 

 

 

Go "like" One Way Mission on Facebook to recieve updates on what we are doing and how you can be a part.

 

https://www.facebook.com/gdownes12#!/pages/One-Way-Mission/195206350554987

 

-Lianna Pelletier