How Firm a Foundation
When the crisis comes and courage is required God expects his men to be the reliable ones. Dependability is hard to find these days. Our culture and our families are in crisis. A crisis is a point of imminent danger; an emotionally charged situation where there is a distinct possibility of a catastrophic failure. In the midst of a crisis, what would Jesus do? Jesus said that I am the vine and you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing. There are many storms of life. Jesus did not come to deliver us from the storm. Rather, he came to deliver us through the storm.
There are three foundational verses for reconciling men with God. Only when we’re reconciled with God can we men reconcile with others and especially with our own wives. The first foundational verse is Psalm 127:1: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it… The second verse is 1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. The third verse is in Matthew 7 about the wise man that built his house upon the rock. “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” When the storm beat against the house, that man’s house stood. Its foundation was the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ himself. The foolish man built his house on the sand and when the storm came, great was the fall of it. You can’t avoid the crisis. According to the Word, don’t tell God how big the storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is.
Of ourselves and in our own power, we are but dust…here today and gone tomorrow. Our life is hid in Christ with God. It is he that has made us and not we ourselves. Insecurity is relying on that which cannot stand. However, the word of God liveth and abideth forever.
Pete asked Suzan before she died, “how can I live without you?” Suzan understood her husband’s concern. Her response to Pete was, “the lord will provide.” Only he is our strength and our sufficiency. He is our secure foundation. Everything else will take wings and fly away.
Men are encumbered with guilt and shame, even after salvation. The question is, “how do I deal with my sin nature?” Pete recalls that while in college, he read that Jesus Christ is on a rescue mission to deliver desperate men. When we come clean before the Lord, he will deliver us from our sin and iniquity. Not because we deserve forgiveness, but because love and forgiveness is His nature. A loving Christian brother once asked Pete, “If you died today, are you sure that you’ll go to heaven?” In his desperation Pete prayed, “Lord, I know I’m not the man you created me to be.” Then Pete asked God an honest question, “God, would you please make me that man?” That night, the spirt of God showed Pete that He had blotted out all of his transgressions. Pete knew that he knew that he was saved by grace and would inherit eternal life.
The nature of sin is pride… Pride says, I’m the captain of my own destiny. I’ll save myself and I’m my own sufficiency. The point of repentance, of turning from self to God is when we realize that as Paul said, “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Like the prodigal son, when we “come to ourself” we can turn around and run back to our forgiving father.
Salvation is through faith alone by grace alone in Christ alone. The purpose is that we will become the praise of the glory of his grace who has made us acceptable in the beloved.
Pete recalls that when he played Baseball after college he was traded to the Minnesota Twins farm team. Even though he had been an all star he was put on the bench. Pete was frustrated and thought that should have been in the starting lineup. At a game in Indianapolis he was called in to pinch hit. On the mound was another minor leaguer, Pedro Borbon. He struck Pete out that evening. Pete jokes that Pedro was one of the pitchers that he helped graduate to the big leagues. Pedro was eventually was drafted by Cincinnati and was a relief pitcher for the “Big Red Machine” that won several World Series. After the game in his hotel room, Pete was reading the bible. God spoke to him and said, “You’re used to being an all star but there are some things that you can only learn on the bench. You need to learn to cheer for your team mate while you’re on the bench. You’ll learn character by sitting on the bench…things like humility, patience, endurance and putting others first.”
In Rocky Mount, NC while playing in the Southern League Pete prayed the sinners prayer. When we come to the Lord he will exchange our desperation for peace. Therefore, be anxious for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The standard for truth is Jesus Christ himself. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ and him crucified. The Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God unto salvation.” We were dead in the sinfulness of our flesh. For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I now live I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael