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Monday, October 2, 2017

Mystery of Foundations


A foundation is the base of any building. It creates a support for buildings. It is usually below the ground level. It transfers and distributes the weight of a building on the ground. The height and weight of a building is determined by the foundation. A small foundation points to the erection of a small building, while a large foundation points to the erection of a large building. In order words, the deeper the foundation, the higher the building. The effort, depth, and quality of materials that is put into the foundation of a building will determine the quality, height, and strength that it has.

The foundation is the root that holds a structure in place. When a seed is sown into the soil, the depth of the root determines its height. A seed of corn will only take a couple of days to germinate in the soil. Just about seven days after it is sown, it shoots up above the soil for the world to see. The plant is ready to be harvested a couple of weeks after. On the other hand, it takes the Chinese bamboo tree about five years to appear on the ground after the seed is sown. The plant then grows as high as 80 feet above the ground just within six weeks. One of the lessons that can be learnt from the story of the ‘Chinese Bamboo Tree’ is that of patience, persistence, hope, and faith. You must not give up while laying your foundation because the foundation will determine the height of a structure. Don’t stop investing, watering, nurturing and caring for your seed after sowing it. Just like the Chinese bamboo, nobody may be seeing the result of your labors yet on the surface, but down in the ground, the root of a giant structure is emerging in the depths of the earth. A foundation that is properly done with quality materials by an experienced builder will surely stand the test of time.

The Bible talks about different types of foundations;
1. Clay Foundation: Job 4:19
2. Foundations of the Earth: Job 38:4; 2 Samuel 22:8,16
3. Foundations of Nations: Egypt - Exodus 9:18; Jericho - Joshua 6:26; 1 King 16:34;
4. Foundations of Mountains: Deuteronomy 32:22
5. Foundations of the Heaven: 2 Samuel 22:8
6. Foundations of Houses (Temple - House of God, Houses): 1 Kings 5:17; 6:37; 7:9, 10; 2 Chronicles 8:16; 23:5; 31:7; Ezra 3:6, 10-12; 5:16; 
7. Foundations of Cities: Ezra 4:12; 6:3;
 and on and on...

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Here, we can learn some simple truth from Apostle Paul about how we build on the foundation that Christ Jesus has already laid:

1. We need the grace of God to build as a wise masterbuilder.

2. We need to be careful how we build

3. There are inferior and quality materials to build with.

4. Every man’s work shall be tested and revealed with fire.

5. Those whose work withstands fire shall be rewarded, while those whose works burn shall suffer loss.

“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.”

Matthew 7:24-25

How are you building on Christ’s foundation? The way you live your life each day at home, at work, in the secret, and the public shows your value system. I will encourage you to build yourself with Kingdom principles. Let God’s Word be the final authority in your life. As a Kingdom citizen, you can’t just afford to live your life like that of the children of this perishing world. Set your affections on Heavenly things. Make Christ Jesus your ultimate passion. Love Him dearly, seek Him will all your strength, and sacrifice ‘your all’ to Him!

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