Two years ago, our immediate family had a gingerbread house contest. We teamed up family members (no spouses allowed together) and let everyone go wild.
We created some very creative dwelling places. One leaned precariously, icing and candies falling from the collapsing roof. Another house intimated with its beautiful windows, precise candy edgings, and edible landscaping.
Both kinds of houses, the pretty ones, and the . . . ahem . . . “needs help-kind” were built on the same foundation—a piece of cardboard covered in aluminum foil. But still, after a couple of months, both types of gingerbread houses came to the same fate.
They sat in ruins.
Gingerbread was never meant to last. And no matter the outside appearance, neither is building our lives on anything else besides Jesus Christ.
Instead of building on other people’s opinion of us, we build on our identity in the Lord. Instead of focusing upon what we have done in the past or what others have done to us, we focus our eyes on who God is and our relationship of reconciliation and peace. Instead of listening to satan’s accusations, we focus on the truth that has set us free.
When our belief systems are built on truth, we live securely, knowing nothing or nobody will ever comprise this house. How glorious it is that we now live from a person who will never crumble and fail.
Immanuel.
God with us.
Our sure foundation.
The foundation of my life is fixed on Jesus Christ. He is my strong rock. When I face storms that rock my world, I know that I will be safe and secure in Him. God is my refuge and strength. He is in my midst. I will not be moved. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High. He is Jesus Christ, my Lord. The God of hope is filling me with all joy and peace in believing. I will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord of Hosts is with me. The virgin was with child and brought forth a son. Immanuel. God with us. God with me. Forever.
(Based on Matthew 1:23, 7:24-29, Romans 15:13, and Psalm 46:1-7)
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Aleisha
*I am praying specifically Romans 15:13 over anybody reading this right now! Hope. Joy. Peace. Glory!