Tuesday, September 15, 2015

A FIRM FOUNDATION


Week before last, I had the great pleasure of having my three year old granddaughter Braylee for a week.  She loves water.  She loved playing in the pool and she loved taking a bath each day.

One night, Braylee was playing in the bath tub with all the foam letters that I had given her.  They are colorful and when wet, they can stick to the side of the tub.  Braylee "spelled" many words for her own and for my pleasure.

Near the end of her bath, Braylee wanted to build a tower.  She would stack the foam letters one by one on top of each other and they would always fall.  She was persistent, though, so she would start over... only to see them fall again.  I told Braylee that in order for her tower to stand, she needed a FIRM FOUNDATION.  I reached over and showed her how to strengthen the base by building WIDER before she try to build HIGHER.  She loved it.  Soon, because she had a FIRM FOUNDATION, she had a STRONG TOWER!

Braylee's victory brought to my mind the various scripture the Lord has given us about building a firm foundation.  We learn in 2 Chronicles 3:3 that "the foundation Solomon laid for building the temple of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide".  The temple had to have a firm foundation in order to be strong. 

The Lord tells us in Luke 6:47-49"As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  (NIV)

Does your life have a firm foundation?  When heartache, disaster, misery, or misfortune come your way, are you able to stand firm, endure the hardship, and get through it?  All of us, including me, need to be sure at all times and in all circumstances that our foundation is laid upon the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ so that when bad things happen, we will not lose our way.  If our foundation is laid upon the Rock of Christ, we can trust that we do have the firm foundation we need in life.

~Written by Pastor Kay Dillard

  
 

 
 

 
 

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Resume of Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord!  I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart.  Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

I.        Qualifications
a.      I founded the earth and established the heavens (See Proverbs 3:19).
b.      I formed man from the dust of the ground (See Genesis 2:7).
c.      I breathed into man the breath of life (See Genesis 2:7).
d.      I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13).
e.      The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant come upon your life through me    (See Galatians 3:14).

II.      Occupational Background
a.      I've only had one employer (See Luke 2:49).
b.      I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
c.      My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me (See Matthew 3:15-17).

III.    Skills Work Experiences
a.      Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty those who are bruised (See Luke 4:18).
b.      I am a Wonderful Counselor (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil (See Proverbs 1:33).
c.      Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins (See I John 1:7-9).

IV.   Educational Background
a.      I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding (See Proverbs 2:6).
b.      In me are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (See Colossians 2:3).
c.      My Word is very powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path (See Psalms 119:105).
d.      I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart (See Psalms 44:21).

V.     Major Accomplishments
a.      I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times
(See Genesis 1:26).
b.      I laid down my life so that you may live (See II Corinthians 5:15).
c.      I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly (See Colossians 2:15).
d.      I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
e.      There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

VI.               References
a.      The great teacher/my father, JEHOVAH (Psalms 83:18).
b.      Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

VII.             In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart.  In summation, I will properly direct your paths (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life (See John 6:47).  When can I start?  Time is of the essence (See Hebrews 3:15).

Give this resume to everyone you know, you never know who may have an opening!
 Thanks for your help and may God bless you!

*************
(Post submitted by Pastor Kay Dillard)




Thursday, February 12, 2015

Fathers and Sons, Faith and Basketball


Fathers and Sons, Faith and Basketball
2/12/15

 

Every father knows that the day will come when his son will beat him in sports.  When my son was born, among the gifts of diapers, onesies, bibs and pacifiers was a small baseball glove.  I think it was my favorite gift.  Thus, started the waiting game.  It wasn’t long before I could toss a ball underhanded and my son could actually catch it!  In no time, we were actually playing different sports and games together.  Of course, I took it easy, letting him win.  As he grew, my son began to hate when I would let him win.  Be it ping pong or basketball, he would ask, “Are you trying your best?”  It was important to him to be able to beat his father at his best!

 

And then it happened.  I can’t even recall the first time he beat me in anything.  It was more of a gradual thing.  But then, it happened more and more.  Now, the scales of competitive balance have tipped in the other direction.  I can occasionally compete with him in basketball.  Our ping pong games literally go back and forth (sorry).  I have to say that this time in our competitive lives is really fun for me.  Tomorrow it will be over.  In the blink of an eye, he’ll be taking it easy on me.  In fact, I’ve started to wonder if he’s trying hard if I happen to make a basket on the court. 

 

The truth is, I’ve always wanted him to be better than me – better than I ever was.  It brings me joy and pride to know that my son can and will do things I never could.  When he accomplishes goals far earlier than I ever did, we celebrate!  What kind of father would I be if I didn’t want my son to surpass me?  I clearly remember my own father’s joy and pride when I grew taller than he stood, when he could no longer beat me in basketball or tennis, or when I could reach high notes on the trumpet that he couldn’t approach.  I knew he was proud of me and I was proud of myself.  Why?  He was my father.  I respected him, wanted to be like him.  If my son wants to be like me and surpass me … I can’t ask for much more.

 

Exodus 20:12 – the 5th Commandment – directs us to honor our fathers and mothers.  It includes the promise of long life in the land the Lord is giving.  What does that really mean?  While obedience and respect are certainly a part of this command, the heart of the matter is that the next generation is to embody the same spiritual DNA as that of the previous generation.   We live in a society that is clearly full of perversions, temptations and values that war with God.  How can we ensure that our children won’t stray from the truth in God’s Word – and THE truth:  Jesus?  Sadly, we can’t ensure it. 

 

What we can do is start tossing the ball when our children are barely old enough to catch it.  We teach them and introduce them to Christ from the cradle.  As they grow, we take them deeper and deeper in the faith relationship.  We never stop the spiritual investment. 

 

Right now, I smile in wonder when I watch my son make a great move on the court.  Will I share the same fascination when he teaches me a deep, spiritual truth?  Will I be filled with gratitude and righteous pride when he impacts the Kingdom of God more than I ever have?

 

I hope so.

 

And maybe I’ll still be able to beat him at ping pong, too.
 
 
Pastor Chris Bailey