Wednesday February 2, 2022

Today is Wednesday, February 2 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about foundations.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me. I enter this time of prayer to experience your abiding presence. Break new ground in my heart and soul this year. Teach me to build my life on a solid foundation and bedrock of truth. Come, Holy Spirit, reveal your message to me in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I call out to the Lord and seek him with the words of Psalm 61.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:1-3

Pause and Pray

Paul had regular communication through letters and personal messengers with the church he started in Corinth. A number of knotty problems had developed in the church and Paul wrote to give instruction and advice. There were divisions in the church causing some to follow different leaders and created tension. Apollo was a colleague and friend who was building on the foundation Paul previously laid. Conflict and jealousy arose among the people as they strived to build the church together for the future. Paul reminds them of the church’s one foundation and challenges them to build on this foundation with spiritual care and quality of work.

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. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

As a Christian, I am called to build up the church. I am to build the church with care constructed on the foundation that is Jesus Christ. No other foundation will suffice. I am to build my life with care and construct it on the foundation of Jesus. I carefully strive to be the best person I can be with the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace. I consider the foundation on which I have been building. Is it the right foundation? Do my recent life-constructing efforts resemble gold, silver or costly stones? Or do my recent activities more closely resemble wood, hay or straw? When the fire comes to test the quality of my life’s endeavors, what will be revealed? What will stand the test of time? God’s test. I consider what eternal value my daily efforts hold. The Bible says my body is God’s temple, the place where God dwells. It is sacred and holy. I name the things I do to respect, care for and build up God’s temple in myself. I name the things I do which break down, damage, or disrespect his holy temple.

Ask: How am I working to build up my life, my family and my church on the foundation of Jesus? What can I point to in my life that holds lasting value?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for reminding me how important it is to build my life in you each day. Forgive me when I am careless and do not take the opportunity to give you my daily best. Grant me grace to grow in spiritual maturity and adorn my temple with what is of true value. Through the power of your Holy Spirit sanctify me and make me worthy of your indwelling presence. I read your words from 1 Corinthians again and listen for the message you have for me.

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. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I notice how many times today’s scripture uses the words foundation, build, builder or building. The image of construction is evident throughout the passage. I consider the foundation that I have built my life upon. I choose words to describe the foundation of my marriage, my career, and my family. I point to the things in my life that I have already built and estimate the work I need to do in the future. Building a life is an ongoing process. I focus on the last two verses of the scripture passage about the temple. I am a temple for God’s Spirit to dwell. I join with other believers and God dwells in our midst. I record the words or images that speak to me most and reflect on them throughout my day.

Pause and Pray

God of Holiness, I invite you in. Clear out the temple of my heart, cleanse the chapel of my soul, sanctify my spirit and come, Lord, dwell in me. I make room for your abiding presence and I seek to receive and magnify the fullness of your love. Make your home in me now and always. Amen.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16

I leave this time of prayer to carefully and intentionally build my life on a strong foundation. I go to build healthy, life-giving relationships with the people I encounter.

Amen.