Build Your House on Solid Rock FOUNDATION

My Word for Today is FOUNDATION: the base on which something stands. Remember the story of the Three Little Pigs? The scandalous words that raised our concern for the little pigs were "And the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the house down." That children's story described the plight of those tormented little pigs after the first pig built his house with straw and the second pig built his with sticks. Because of weak construction – both houses were devastated by that wicked wolf. But, the wise, quality-construction builder, Pig #3, built his house out of brick on solid rock FOUNDATION. When that scoundrel wolf tried his wolfly techniques on it, he couldn’t blow that house down.

Speaking of solid construction and solid FOUNDATION, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus was sharing about how, if we build our lives on His proof-positive-for-success teachings, and adhere to them, we'd be like the man who built his house on solid rock FOUNDATION. The rains, floods, and winds came, but the house stood because it was built firmly and securely on the SOLID ROCK. Unlike the "shifty" guy who built his house on shifting sand (the things of this world), the house succumbed to the elements, and the house came crumbling down.

II'm convinced the fast track to our ultimate success in this new year, is to hear and do the words of our Master Carpenter -- and build on SOLID ROCK FOUNDATION. While we'd like to think that this 2018 year will be storm-free, it's quite unlikely that it will be -- whether it be a literal storm that can damage or destroy our home, a storm that comes with a challenging illness, or a time of great financial or relationship stress. Bottom line -- a good FOUNDATION is essential, for buildings AND for our lives. It's inevitable....the storms will come. Just as a tornado can come up out of nowhere to buffet a building, storm waters can flood homes and possessions – so problems and tragedies can arise unexpectedly in the happiest lives. But, those who build their lives on a firm FOUNDATION, will take the storms in stride.

We've, personally, encountered some devastating storms, but those storms only proved the stability of our FOUNDATION of faith and trust in God. . We'd say in the toughest times, "I'm not sure how we're still standing, but we're still trusting in God, and there is peace in His presence in this storm, and we will come through this storm stronger." And, we always did.

As I continue to send out my best wishes, prayers, and thoughts to all of my FB friends and family for the most blessed new year EVER, I'm also sending out the "how to" message of weathering the storms. If we start this year out with putting God first and foremost in our lives, ONLY trusting in Him and His Word, we'll be standing on the sure FOUNDATION that never fails. I sing these words today for you and me from an old hymn written in 1834, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." If this author penned those words before electricity was invented, and before all the conveniences and technology we know, how much more applicable are they to us in this shakey, perilous, and "shifting" world today..