A Firm Foundation
Words from Jesus
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“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 3:111
I am the foundation and focus of your life. I am a firm Foundation: one that will not be shaken. Before you knew Me as Savior, you had nothing to build your life upon. Every time you tried to create something meaningful, it would eventually collapse—like a house of cards. Without Me, everything is ultimately “Meaningless! Meaningless!”2
Ever since I became your Savior, you have been building on the Rock of My Presence. Some of the things you’ve worked on have flourished and others have not, but you always have a firm place to stand—on the foundation I’ve provided for you.
The key to steadiness in your life is to set Me always before you. When you make Me your Focus, you can walk steadily along your life-path. Many distractions will vie for your attention along the way, but I am the Guide who is continually before you. So keep looking ahead to Me. See Me beckoning you on—step by step by step—all the way to heaven.
Learn to live from a place of resting in Me. Since I—the Prince of Peace—am both with and within you, you can choose to live from this peaceful place of union with Me. This enables you to stay calm in the midst of stressful situations, by re-centering yourself in Me. We can deal with your problems together—you and I—so there is no need to panic. However, the more difficult your circumstances, the more tempting it is for you to shift into high gear and forget My peaceful Presence.
As soon as you realize you have wandered from your place of Peace, return to Me immediately. Call upon My Name, for this reconnects you with Me and helps you feel safe... The more you return to Me—to our resting place—the more peaceful and joyful your life will be.3
Seeking first
“My soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”—Psalm 42:1–24
Lie still, My child. Put aside other things, other activities, other work and hubbub for a while, and take time to be still. Take time to be holy—wholly Mine.
Observe moments of silence and communion with Me. Let Me commune with you and speak to you through times of quiet reading, meditating and absorbing My Word. Take time daily to enter into My presence. I wish to rest assured that it will not be overlooked, that it will not be forgotten, that it will not be crowded out by the myriad of details and pressing work which you have always at hand.
Choose My love above all else. Seek to retain Me in your thoughts, talk with Me throughout the day, and keep Me abreast of what is happening in your life, heart, and mind.
Remember that nothing lasting can be built upon any other foundation than Me. I have created a vacuum in your heart that can only be filled with My love and truth. Without these, you will be spent and left dry. For your heart and your soul were created to pant for Me; your spirit cries out for Me. Take the time to fill the void, satisfy the vacuum, and quench the thirst. I am the great satisfier.
Connection
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out…? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”—Matthew 11:285
Let Me show you the secret of maintaining your connection with Me. At any moment, any time, if you feel yourself slipping just a little, your courage fading, your spirit falling, your happiness and joy being lessened through some encounter, through some words you have heard, or some setback or loss, My dear child, stop for a moment and concentrate on Me.
Focus your mind’s eye on a mental picture of Me as your Good Shepherd who loves and cares for you, his little sheep. Picture Me in your mind’s eye, and then slip out of the work mode. Slip out of the business gear, away from accomplishing, away from the busyness, away from the working.
My Spirit will comfort you and give you My peace and even contentment at every moment, at every turn, at every crisis point, if you will but stop and seek Me and My kingdom. You may not have a long stretch of time, but you can connect with Me even in short moments where you seek to put Me first in your thoughts and purposes consistently throughout the day.
In this way you can seek to keep Me first in your heart, your mind, and your life, by keeping Me ever-present in your mind and thoughts in all that you do. This will not take away from your work, it will enhance it. As you take a few moments to come into My presence, you take with you a glow of My aura, wisdom, and Spirit. And this will aid you in your work and in the decisions you make.
Come to Me and rest in My love.
Be renewed
“Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things.”—Matthew 6:336
Take the time to give your burdens to Me, and learn to work in My Spirit by committing all your concerns and all your ways to Me. When you commit your thoughts to Me, I strengthen your mind so that it won’t faint in adversity. Your mind will hear and receive My Word—the same Word that created the universe. Commit your thoughts and your ways to Me, and look to Me, the author and finisher of your faith.
Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. By taking time to rest in Me and to cast your cares upon Me, you will be calmed and strengthened, your faith will be renewed, and your spirit will be uplifted. Time spent resting in Me is time in My presence, time receiving My love and My strength. You will be renewed and refreshed for the challenges that you face. When you face these difficulties and tests, you will have a renewed strength and a renewed vigor.
As you seek first the kingdom of God, all of these other things will be added to you—the strength, wisdom, and faith that you need. As you take time to seek Me first, I will answer and guide you, I will speak to you and give you renewed strength that you know not of to face the challenges of life.
Take time resting in Me to build up a reserve of strength, wisdom, and faith. Seek Me first, and I will provide all that you need to do the things you must do. Be renewed by My Spirit.
Originally published in 1997, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished February 2019. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.
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