Encouragement
In the 1940's, my Dad bought a house in Blair, Okla. for $800 and had it moved several miles to our farm. Before it arrived, he had built a foundation out of concrete blocks for the house to set on.
That house still stands today! Without the foundation Dad fixed, it would not have lasted these 70+ years.
"A righteous man is one who builds a house and digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock, so that when the floods come and beat vehemently upon that house, it can not shake it for it was founded upon a rock." (Luke 6:48)
Likewise, our lives will not stand against all that comes at us via the storms of life if we don't build on The Solid Rock!
Jesus ended The Sermon on the Mount with a plan for us to build our lives on the Solid Rock..and NOT on shifting sand.
Rick Mitchell is a weatherman on Channel 5 out of Oklahoma City.
When Rick gives the weather forecast, he always says....
"Stay tuned and we'll keep you ahead of the storm."
This is what Jesus did a long time ago by His life, His death and His resurrection.
Others took up His words and wrote the New testament which tells us what we need in order to 'stay ahead of the storms'.
"Truly He is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)
This great hymn underlines the importance of a firm foundation.
Much of the hymn is taken almost directly from Scripture:
Vs. #1 sets the stage, encouraging believers to find refuge and a firm foundation in God's Word.
Vs. #2 comes from Isaiah 41:10
Vs. #3-4 come from Isaiah 34:2 and II Cor. 12:9
Vs. #5 points to Hebrews 13:5.
God’s Word is the only sure, solid foundation for our lives.
This hymn was sung at the funerals of American presidents
Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.
In addition:
It was the favorite of President Andrew Jackson's beloved wife, Rachel.
He was President-elect at the time and on his death-bed, he asked for this song.
It was also the favorite of Gen. Robert E. Lee and was sung at his funeral.
"How Firm A Foundation"
Words: by John Rippon, 1787
Music: by Joseph Funk
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake."
We're not sure if you will be able to view this, but tho't if you cut and paste, that might work. It is a precious little boy named 'Luke' singing this song,
(which is a difficult one to sing). http://vimeo.com/5223374
The best way to prepare for a storm is BEFORE it arrives!
As most of you know, we live in an area that is called 'Tornado Alley' and in fact,
most of our state is under a tornado warning right now.
One night the weathermen were warning that a tornado was headed in our direction.
It was too late for us to walk a block to our neighbors' Safe Room, so we followed the instructions given by our weather forecasters.
We got in the bathtub and covered up with pillows/blankets. Thankfully the storm passed over us....but it was a Candid Camera moment when we started trying to get out of that tub!! Oh well, better safe than sorry, huh?
The best time to prepare for life's storms is NOW....because life's storms WILL come!
But like the Disciples, it surely is reassuring to know that Jesus can (and will) calm those storms!
He is ready to prepare us for life and death's storms.
He has come that we may have an abundant life!
By His Promises and Spirit, He will be with us and will never leave us nor forsake us!
Prepare now...by faith (and acceptance) inviting Jesus into your life.
He will become your Savior AND your Solid Rock for the storms of old age and death.
Know the Promises by trusting the Promisor....
for there has not failed one of God's good Promises. (I Kings 8:56)
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 2223 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Travis Wiginton or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 2223 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
Julia