By Pastor Jack Marbida
It is pertinent that you learn about the happenings around you so that you may understand how to handle it. If evil causes all of those things that lets some lose then faith, then you should learn that it can also be used to strengthen it.
Matthew 7:24 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The wise man knows the truth, he knows where He is anchored.” You were already freed from all the hardships in life. Who reigns in our life? If Jesus does, then you are a wise man. If you were freed from the bondages of hardships, then you are a wise man. Can you declare it? Your goal is to have unshakeable and immovable faith.
Luke 6:46-47 says, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what the are like.” You praise Jesus in the church but you are a different person when you go outside. When you say Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you are being continually changed. Words are not enough. You need to take action. God has given you all opportunities to change. True faith bears fruit. Verse 48 says, “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.” Where is your foundation built? What do you need to build on your foundation?
Every home is the building block of the church. You are the church. If this is so, the each family should be strengthened. Henry Van Til once said, “The family is the simplest and smallest unit of society and the real fountain of culture. If this fountain remains pure, man’s culture has promise. But if it =becomes polluted, all the rest will turn to dust and ashes, since the home is the foundation of the entire social structure.” The family’s culture is what it will bring out into society. If the Bible is alive in the home, then that is what the members will live out. If Jesus os the healer and provider in the home, then He is the same healer and provider outside. He will answer all your prayers. In the Bible, while Elijah was bothered by His circumstance, did God not send ravens to feed him? Anchor yourself on Him.1 Peter 2:4-8 says, “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.” Get in His presence. Be in His presence and remain there. The one who remains in Him will not be forsaken. Who is your foundation? If Jesus is your foundation, your faith will not falter.
Make sure the foundation of your home is established on the rock. Jesus is the chief cornerstone. The cornerstone is the largest stone put in every building’s corner. In the book of Isaiah, the cornerstone is referenced to be the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-13 says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” You are not saved by any work you do but only by the grace of God. Jesus is the high priest and you, believers, are the priests of your home. Who you are inside your home should be the same person outside. Take care of your testimonies. Build with care. Sanctification should be in progress until Jesus comes again. Christ already laid the foundation and sent His Holy Spirit. All you have to do is obey. All are called to build a church. But if your church is not anchored on the rock, it will burn to the ground. Check your foundation.
Every home and every church must be united and ready for His return. Are you ready as a bride of Christ? It does not matter what church you go to or who your pastor is. John 13:34-35 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This is not a suggestion. This is a command. It is not optional. It is mandatory. If you love one another, the world will see that you are followers of the one and only Jesus Christ. Jesus modelled true forgiveness. All you have to do is follow. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” You cannot do it alone. But Christ in you can.
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Live the Bible in your daily lives so that you can have the proper foundation in your lives and in your families to have immovable and unshakeable faith