FOUNDATIONS
Kendra Intihar
Today’s Scripture: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11, NLT
Theme: Our foundation, Jesus, is secure.
GOOD BONES
A friend of mine lives across the street from a house that has been unoccupied and in disrepair for years. It finally went on the market and, because of the wild housing market we find ourselves in, it was sold within a day. My friend said, “I thought the house was a tear-down. We all did.” But instead of razing the house, the family that purchased it intends to take it down to its original frame and rebuild it with new materials. The house is a solid build with very cool features. It’s not showy or fancy, but you can tell it was once a great house. The family that purchased it knows that, so instead of destroying the whole structure, they’re going to reconstruct the home on its original foundation. The house may need a lot of work, but it doesn’t need to be destroyed; it has “good bones.”
FAITH IN DISREPAIR
Ten years ago, I was this house. I had gone through a period of extreme grief and pain, and I guess you could say I was in disrepair. The walls of my faith were in shambles. The interior was somehow simultaneously barren and messy. My faith was falling apart, and I was letting it. But do you know what I had? Good bones. I thank God that Jesus was the cornerstone of my life, so that when I had to tear my faith down to the studs, I was left with Christ alone.
Sometimes, the walls of our faith fall down around us. Sometimes, we realize we’ve used poor materials and must tear them down with intention and start over. Sometimes, some pieces of our faith are firm and good, but we discover that other pieces are rotten. Regardless, when our faith is built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, we can rest securely in Him as we “work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12b, NIV).
BEING PERFECTED
Are you the same person you were five years ago? Ten years ago? Part of growing in Christlikeness is recognizing growth is a process. We don’t arrive at perfection the moment we experience salvation; we are being perfected in Christ as we mature in our faith. We can’t be afraid of letting the Holy Spirit gently correct our perception of who He is or what we believe. When you feel as though the walls are crumbling around you, take heart: Your foundation is secure, and whatever God is rebuilding in you will be even better than it was before.
Make It Personal: When Christ is the cornerstone of your faith – of your life – your foundation is secure. Ask God to show you this week the areas of your life where you may have constructed your faith with faulty materials, and then allow Him to work in You, gently drawing you further into discipleship and closer to Himself.
Pray: Father, thank You for the solid foundation of faith in Christ. Thank You for “good bones.” You are the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). Help me to see clearly any places where I have attempted to build my faith on something other than You. Send my idols crashing to the ground and let me gaze intently on You as the originator and builder of Christlikeness in me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-10; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24
Weekly Memory Verse: “For it stands in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’” 1 Peter 2:6 (ESV)