Solid Foundation

We had a conference call last night and talked about packing! I can't believe it's coming so soon! Then, we also went through the first 5 devotions in our "Anticipate" book, to prepare us before we leave. I was asked to talk about the first one and it was titled "Solid Foundation". It was about how important it is to have a solid foundation in Christ. And then to put it into practice.

Part of the devotion said "God has opened doors for you to go on this trip. He is calling you to grow in your faith, to become someone better than you are right now. He is opening your eyes to live differently than ever before. The challenge for you will be not just to know the right things to do, but to put them into practice... People will see a difference, you will experience joy."

As I was thinking about what I'd read, I began to think about how my foundation in Christ makes me different. How will those we meet on this trip see a difference in us?

As a team, I want us to have such a solid foundation that nothing will shake us. On the trip, things may not always go the way we think they will and things may happen that will test us. But we have a solid foundation in the Lord and will not be shaken. God is our strength. Our rock.

In looking at scriptures, I came to John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Others will see that we are disciples by the way we treat each other on our team. By our love for each other, by the way we treat each other. It's my desire that we unite together and that we have a heart to serve not only the orphanages, but our teammates on this trip.

In 2 Corinthians 9, it talks about giving generously. We can give money, but I think it applies to more. We give our heart, we give our time, we give love. God provides us all that we need and then calls us to give abundantly, cheerfully. And as we give, it causes those whose needs we are meeting to give thanks to God. He has seen their need and brought us to meet it. Verse 13 says, "And as a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God." I want to give in such a way that people notice I am different. I want to give in such a way that people see Christ in me and give glory to God for what they have received. 

One other part of scripture that I kept thinking of was the Faith Hall of Fame passage in Hebrews 11. As I read it, I came across Abraham. Verse 8ff says, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going... for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Abraham's foundation was in God. He fully recognized that God was the one in control of His life and wanted to follow God wherever He called him to go. He had TRUST in God, knowing He had a purpose and plan.

I heard His call to go on this trip, and I don't know what He is calling me to as a result of this trip. But I am looking forward to the plans he has for me.  I know He is building even more of a foundation in me and that HE is the architect and builder. I trust Him and I pray that I am different after this trip.

I hope you can be reminded today that Jesus is a solid foundation. Build your life on Him, and nothing will be able to shake you.

As a team, I want us to have such a solid foundation that nothing will shake us. On the trip, things may not always go the way we think they will and things may happen that will test us. But we have a solid foundation in the Lord and will not be shaken. God is our strength. Our rock.