From Pity to Praise

In every aspect of life, a foundation is crucial. Just like a foundation on a house it has to be stable and stand the test of longevity. The quality of our foundation physically and spiritually determines the stability and success of our endeavors.

Foundational problems are the most challenging issues we can face. When our foundation is corrupt, it affects our entire destiny. A faulty foundation limits our potential and hinders our progress. A healthy foundation, on the other hand, leads to a healthier life and better outcomes.

The concept of foundation includes our birth, family history, and activities of the past. It includes our roots, our parents, grandparents, and even the community we come from. Understanding and addressing these aspects is crucial for building a strong foundation.

Jesus’s parable of the house built on sand or rock in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49 teaches us that building our lives on Jesus’s teachings (the rock) provides stability againest lives storms, while ignoring them (the sand) leads to ruin. It highlights that hearing God’s Word alone is insufficient, and that obedience is the true foundation.

There are many people who are currently living confused lives not because of their present actions, but because of past mistakes. I believe we cannot work toward a strong foundation until we address our past foundation. Thank God even if we didn’t have a strong foundation in the past God allows us to have a chance of a strong foundation in the future.

We see in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 that, “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, ‘because I bore Him in sorrow.” Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from, evil, that I may not cause pain!” God granted Him that which he requested.

These verses show us that even if we have a faulty foundation, it is not the end. We can change and rebuild our foundation if we are determined.

No matter what challenges we face due to a faulty foundation, we can choose to take a different path. We have the power to break free. It’s important to realize that it is not enough to simply wish for deliverance or speak empty words. We must have a clear desire to change and take action to rebuild our foundation.

By tapping into the power of Jesus, we can take action to rebuild our foundation and transform our lives, and break free from the limitations of a faulty foundation.

Having a strong foundation is key to a successful and fulfilling life. It is essential to address any negative influences from our past and align ourselves with God’s principles. By doing so, we can rebuild our foundations and experience the transformative power of Jesus in our lives.

God is asking us to take the step of faith in the face of fear, uncertainty and apprehension. He will give us what we go after. If we settle for “normal” the “same” that’s exactly what we will get. There comes a time when we have to stretch for more, enlarge our capacity and raise the bar of our expectations. God will meet every one of us where we are and go beyond.

God will never force us. He’ll give us what we choose.

There has been days when I’ve seen evidence where I should pull back. I’ve been waiting on the “right time” to test my resolve. But it’s time to press through into what I know God has said.

If we look at Jesus’s time on earth, He always heals people according to their faith. In Matthew 9:29 “Then He touched their eyes, saying according to your faith let it be to you.” In Matthew 9:22 and Mark 5:34, He says, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus often pointed to the recipient’s faith as a means of receiving faith as a means of receiving.

According to your faith, it will be done to you. Push through the fear, see beyond the obstacles, press through the limitations. On the other side is a whole new level of living in which we are being invited to – but only we can make the decision to step forward and take the leap.

Matthew 17:20 Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Hebrews 11:1 tells us “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

It’s time to test our resolve and determination to press through into what we know God has said.

God gives according to faith, acting as a reward to those who earnestly seek Him.

“Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” -Hebrews 11:6

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” -1 John 6-7

Life in dark cannot coexist, we must leave from the darkness of this world and clean to the light of Jesus. Light and darkness have nothing in common. 2 Corinthians. 6:14 tells us, “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light and darkness.” This is light and darkness cannot exist together, righteousness, and unrighteousness cannot have a true fellowship, this refers to spiritual, moral, and deep relationAl alliances.

Light represents goodness, divine truth, and wisdom, while darkness represents evil, ignorance, and immorality. In physics, darkness is not a forced by itself, but is simply the absence of light. Therefore, they are not equal that can mingle. The opposites were one identifies the absence of the other..

Righteousness and wickedness cannot exist in harmony, and believers of Jesus are called to stand apart from darkness.

God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Walking in the light involves a commitment to truth, holiness, and community with fellow believers, reflecting the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives..

My head is so full of knowledge about God and His Word, I sometimes think I’m on overload. Yet, I know at some point that knowledge will come in handy in matters of the heart or someone else’s.

Head knowledge is a personal study or pastoral teaching. And had to do with what we know about God and His Word. It is the truth I have learned, studied, and retained. Heart knowledge had to do with feeling and experiencing the truth of God’s Word. Head knowledge should always result in heart knowledge. It’s important not only to know what God’s Word says in our minds, but we should also believe what God’s Word says in our hearts.

When head knowledge becomes heart knowledge, we can know and experience the beauty of God’s Word and the gift of the gospel.

Yet, moving from the head to the heart can prove to be difficult. In my own life, I struggle to allow what I talk to God about in my mind to sink into my heart. I may know that God is in control but I hesitate to allow the truth to calm my fears.

I know a lot of us know about what the Word of God says, but feel as if our hearts aren’t always moved or captivated by what scripture says. We struggle as believers to allow head knowledge to become heart knowledge. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can move from the head to the heart by meditating on God’s Word, and connecting God’s Word to our lives.

I just pray I’m ready when it’s time to put the knowledge of God’s Word into practice.

Head knowledge becomes heart knowledge when we not only know God’s Word but also do what’s in God’s Word. Head knowledge becomes heart knowledge when we seek to apply what Scripture says, in obedience, and allow the Holy Spirit to do His sanctifying work.

Faith is like a muscle because it grows stronger through resistance, exercise, and constant use, but will atrophy if neglected.

Like physical training, spiritual faith is developed by enduring challenges, applying trust in difficult times, and relying on God, ensuring it becomes stronger under pressure.

Like our muscles it needs resistance to grow. When faith is stretched, strained, and tested, it strengthens, much like lifting weights tears muscle tissue to rebuild it stronger.

There’s a common saying, “use it or lose it.” This applies to our faith too. Faith requires daily exercise, if not used it becomes weak and can fade.

Just as muscles develop, regular exercise of faith prepares us to handle larger challenges and trials.

Faith is a conscious choice and discipline, especially during difficult times.

We can exercise our faith by engaging in consistent prayer. This strengthens us particularly in challenging times.

Obedience is key. Acting on God’s Word, even when it’s difficult, builds spiritual strength.

Moving towards fear rather than away, allows our faith to mature.

Relying on God’s promises rather than just our human strength is what builds spiritual muscle.

There are moments in life when friends let us down, doors close, and circumstances feel overwhelming. It’s in those moments that we realize the world isn’t reliable. But this is also when God shows up.

When the world walks out God walks in. His presence fills the emptiness left behind by disappointment. His strength carries us when we feel weak. His love reassures us when hearts are broken.

What ever season you’re going through, we should take a moment everyday to rest in His presence. Release the hurt, the fear, and the unmet expectations into His hands. Let His peace replace the chaos. Remember: God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are unshakable-even when the world turns away.

If you ever have one of those days where it feels like the world forgets about you, pray this prayer from your heart:

Lord, when the world walks out, walk in. Be my strength, my comfort, and my guide. Help me trust You above all else and rest in Your everlasting love. Amen