On Top of It - A Devotion

I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

Our little dog is a joy and blessing in our family. He is totally dependent on us for everything that he needs. He lives a content and happy life eating, sleeping, playing, eating and sleeping. His little dog bed was too ordinary and he refused to sleep in it until we added a blanket once used by our daughters. Now it is his happy abode. When he is tired or looking for security, he will go to his bed and begin to dig relentlessly in the oversized blanket on top of it. As if digging a deep hole in the foundation of our house, he just keeps digging until he creates a comfortable place to hide from the world. However, on wash day his carefully constructed hiding place is shaken out revealing hidden toys and stolen treasures as it is unceremoniously crammed in the washing machine for a good cleaning. When it comes out, he is ready to jump in and make his home there once more.

People are the same as their pets in this regard as they continually try to structure their life according to their own plan and purpose building a comfort zone that offers no real protection only to have it completely turned over by a storm that comes into their life. I believe God allows our life to be constantly stirred and shaken in order to make us find the firm foundation of faith that can change our life forever. (Acts 16:25-27) As Paul and Silas praised the Lord in the squalor of a dark, dirty prison – the Light of His Amazing Love filled the awful place and their chains fell off allowing them to go free. The truth is that they were already free in their heart and mind so God gave them natural, physical freedom. Other times, the Lord allows the foundation of our life to be shaken to reveal insufficiencies in our faith that will lead to destruction if tested. Everything in the world is subject to the Hand of God. The only thing with the freedom to choose is people. Heaven and earth are connected but a sin barrier prohibits man from reaching God. (Amos 9:6) God has called us to be on guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous, be strong and do EVERYTHING with love. The love that is described here pertains to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, others AND yourself. God’s Love is comprehensive and He expects ours to be, too. It is hard to be loving and considerate when living in the midst of constant turmoil and change. Trying to hold it all together, we never seem to get on top of it. The Lord invites you to move higher today. He offers a firm foundation of truth in which to plant your faith. The Sanctuary of His Presence is your resting place while you wait for the harvest of confident hope that will be revealed to you as Heaven reaches earth and the Glory of God fills your life. To discover God’s Purpose and Plan for your life requires nothing less. We must live on top of the circumstances and situations that once governed our life to discover God’s Will and Way of doing things so His Word will be manifested by His Power.

Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

God has given us a choice of building sites for our life. We can choose to build on the Rock or on bedrock. These are two very different foundations that are easily confused. However, when the rain comes, the storm rages and floodwaters rise – our choice is easily discernible. A life built on the empty philosophies will give up and collapse but those who choose to build a foundation of faith in the Rock who is Jesus Christ remain on top of things no matter what the storm is or how hard the wind blows – you will not be moved. What is the foundation that you seek? Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise. The Word of God is the foundation of life. It is the firmament of faith where we invest the measure given and God supernaturally will increase it as we find ourselves in the Word and begin to claim each Promise in the Covenant of Salvation. Religion makes us think we need to compromise God’s Word to have the best in both worlds. This is so untrue. God is in Heaven and Earth so by simply handing over our life to Him and releasing our hold of sin and need for control, we can trust Him to make our life good now and for all Eternity. God is not limited in His Power over the earth. We limit His Access to our life by Calling on the Name of the Lord but refusing to let go of sin. His Power will struggle with you for control. You must relent. God is good God who knows our weaknesses so when we don’t let go, He begins to shake things up a bit. Unlike Paul and Silas, most people would have prayed in jail but not praised. When the earthquake came, they would have been dismayed and mad at God for yet another setback. Perhaps God is just trying to get you to let go and move a little higher to where He is so that the Lord can reveal His Love to you once more. He wants you to see His Faithfulness and Unconditional Love. If you won’t look for it, maybe God is allowing these things to get your attention. Has He got it yet?

I Kings 19:11-12 (NLT)
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

I love, love, love this scripture as I find myself in this exact place many times. God has been good to me. He has shown me that He is faithful, loving and good. Yet there are still times that I run for cover afraid of the enemy’s threats against my life. The Blood of Jesus covers my family and me but I still become afraid at his taunting sometimes. It feels so real. It seems so close. God doesn’t care what makes you come to Him as long as you get there. Elijah was a mighty man of God. He had rallied in his faith but the voice of a woman filled his heart with fear. How can faith collapse so easily? I don’t know you tell me. What has you sinking into the depths of despair today? Why are you depressed? Why do you live a defeated life when you are created and called to victory? Only you know what has engulfed you with fear, doubt and distrust in the Rock of your Salvation but He is calling you higher today. Will you go?

I Corinthians 3:11 (NLT)
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Faith and trust in Jesus Christ is the only foundation worth building on. All other ground is sinking sand and will collapse under pressure. His Grace allows us to access this place and place our life firmly into this foundation. It will require your whole life so count the cost before you make such a claim. (Luke 6:49) We have responsibility to live by faith and continually seek good over evil. His Word reveals the Truth. Jesus Christ is the Word wrapped in flesh. To grow in knowledge and understanding strengthens our hold and anchors us to the Rock of our Salvation. In this place, we are sheltered from the storms of life.

Psalm 27:4-6 (NLT)
The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.

Do you desire to live in the House of the Lord forever? It is unclear the residency of most Christians today as they say they have faith yet do not trust the Lord. Their actions speak of empty philosophy and a weak foundation clearly not found in the Kingdom of God. So the world looks at the Body of Christ as just another failing religion that offers no hope. Those who want to live in the House of the Lord must commit their life to one thing and seek it above all others. Intentional Christians live in the holiness and righteousness of God all the days of their life, spending time in His Word, digging in by faith, releasing fear and planting all that they are in Knowing God through Jesus Christ. These are the people who stand strong in storms and are victorious over opposition as they rely on the Strength of God found in obedience, submission and prayer. They can hold their heads high looking over the troubles of today into the Promise of God that is on the way. They will not be moved. They delight in doing the Will of God. They seek to follow His Way with every footstep. These are the ones who Jesus place on a high rock out of reach of the enemy. You must make the choice. (Deuteronomy 30:20) But do not start what you cannot finish. (Luke 14:28-30) It does more harm than good. Instead, make a commitment to know the Lord. God’s Promise those who do will be safely hidden in His Hand. Safe and secure in every situation and circumstance that we face. (Isaiah 51:15-16)

I Samuel 2:1-2 (NLT)
Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

Hannah prayed for a child. The Lord granted her request. She raised the child until he could be dedicated to the Lord for service and then let him go. This is her song of thanksgiving to God because her faith was strongly established in the Rock. God is our Rock and there is no other like Him. Can you join her in this song today? Hannah had faith that could see beyond today including the higher thoughts of God that make our perspective unlimited by this life. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Will you allow the Lord to lead you to higher ground and move you forward into firm footing? “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”(Psalm 143:10-12) When the Lord rescued David from Saul and his enemies, he sang this song: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.” (2 Samuel 22:2-3) Can you see God’s Hand of Intervention in your life? If not, it may be time to head for higher ground!

Proverbs 10:25 (NLT)
When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

In order to live above the storms of life, we must get on top of it before it comes by building a lasting foundation of faith. Grabbing a shovel in the midst of a flood will hardly allow time to dig a trench before the floodwaters come. It must be a lifestyle of living in rightstanding with God. He has reserved a place for you. You have property in Heaven on which you can build your life today. This world has nothing for you. It is all temporary and will be gone one day. The only thing lasting is in Heaven. Begin to invest in your future. Race to the top and live in the shelter of His Grace, Mercy and Love. The Lord is your sanctuary. Thanks to Jesus Christ, His Door is always opened to those who knock. He promises to, “He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

What is the foundation of your life? Where do you run in times of trouble? Do you fear disaster? We are called to live on guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous and be strong. This is impossible without faith in God who is our Rock. He is the firm foundation accessible through Jesus Christ. He is our refuge in the storm and strength in the battle. Release your hold on comfort and complacency allowing God to reposition you on higher ground. Count the cost. To follow Jesus will require your whole life to live in the Strength of His Power and Love. It will require effort to let go of this life and embrace His Kingdom. Invest it today! You will live on top of your circumstances. You will not be overcome by the consequences of life as you remain in His Presence surrounding by the Light of His Love. Get on top of it today. Move your life to the Rock!

Hebrews 3:13-14 (NLT)
You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.