Back about four or five years ago Jill and I were building a house. We looked for the perfect place to build, finding one that sits on a hill with an unbe lievable view of G o d ’ s scenic creation. Only took 9 months to find. It needed to be in the community we were living in and close to the Church. Good access to property was also kind of important. True, living in the rural country area put the house on a dirt road (but, what in this area isn’t, unless it’s on the main highway) and the creek does run beside it and flood occasionally.
We looked at house plans and styles, size (square footage) how many bedrooms, materials to build with and such. We looked at contractors/ builders, water well or county water, total electric or propane and electric as well as cost of house. We also looked doing a turnkey (someone coming in and managing everything and handing us the key) or managing construction ourselves (saving a lot of money but can be a big headache).
We started the beginning of August and things are progressing well. We got ready to dig and pour the foundation and knew this was a most important part of building the house. This is what holds the whole house up! You get one shot to do this right. If done wrong, it will cost you major in the future in not only finances but integrity of the house (cracked walls, doors that won’t open and shut, structural integrity). Therefore, we took extra time in our decisions and construction of the foundation.
Got ready for the plumbing (has to be done before slab is poured). Problem. Guess what it goes back to? Yep, the foundation. The sewer going to the septic tank outside has to have pipe going through the foundation. Our pipe moved during the pouring of concrete for the foundation. A concrete saw and jack hammer fixed it.
The water supply going into the house has to go through the foundation. Want a square house, better get foundation right. Want to brick or rock exterior, better get ledge on foundation and reinforcement in foundation to support. Want a house that is not sloping up or down hill, foundation again.
Seems everything we do in building this house starts or goes back to the foundation. But, that should not surprise us. As a Christian, the same is true for us. To be a Christian, you must start with a foundation that is right, Jesus Christ. You must have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and savior. You must A, B, C, admit, believe and confess.
In life problems and challenges will come, whether a believer or unbeliever. But, as a believer, your foundation in Christ will help you in the outcome and handling whatever comes you way.
Death, addiction, temptation, finances, divorce, disappointment, sickness, lust, heartache, I guess just about anything in life, with firm foundation in Christ, you can manage. Ever notice that a Christian who has a world appearing to fall down around them is not? They remain standing. Yes, they are hurting, disappointed, grieving. But, they have hope because they have built on Christ, the rock. The Bible is full of verses (building materials) to hold you up and remain strong. Build on The Rock, Jesus.
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV).
Building on the Rock.
Bro. Tim.
