Pastor's Corner: He is our Rock

Luke 6:47-48: As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Since the big hail storm last Fourth of July, our community has seen many different contractors working on home repairs. Some people have been extremely pleased by the results of their home improvement or repair projects while others have been thoroughly disappointed with the results of their projects. Some builders absolutely do their best to do a professional and satisfactory job while others don’t seem to last too long when word gets out about their ethics, financial situation, or quality of work.

What kind of a life are you and I building? Do we have a foundation in Jesus? He is our Rock. He does encourage us to build our lives in such a manner as to be able to withstand the storms. It is not a question of if there is a storm coming; the question is when will it come because in this world we will have trouble.

Many people are repairing their roofs rights now. The process involves measuring the roof and estimating the costs to complete the project. There is both time and materials involved in the project plus a permit and some stress.

The Bible tells us to count the cost. There is a cost to following Jesus. It will cost us our very lives. If we decide to give away our lives then we get to keep them. If we choose to save our lives for ourselves then we wind up losing them. Will you consider allowing Jesus to be Lord in your life? Please don’t say yes until you count the cost. It may cost you friends, social standing, scorn from others, jobs, and many other things. But you will have a peace that only God can give.

When replacing shingles on a roof you have to strip off the old shingles first. Shingles are heavy and while some people just cover up the old shingles with new ones, most people will take the time and pay the money to strip off the old shingles. If we confess our sins then we are forgiven by God. The weight of the sin is removed just like the shingles are stripped off and discarded. God chooses to remember our sins no more, just like we don’t think of the old shingles once they have been hauled away.

After the old shingles are disposed of then the roof is inspected and repaired if necessary before the paper and ice and water shield is put down. Sometimes there is damage to a roof that needs to be repaired before the new shingles can be installed. God is the healer who is able to heal us of any sickness, illness, disease, ailment, infection or affliction.

There are instructions on the bundles of shingles as to how to install them. There are many instructions in the Bible for us regarding how to live our lives. Just like the lead foreman on the roofing job has a plan for the installation of the new shingles, God has a plan for each one of us. His plan is for good and not for evil. His plan is that we might prosper and not perish.

Perhaps this week as we observe construction projects in our community, we can make sure that our foundation is in Jesus and that we are following His directions and instructions as we prepare for the coming storms.

May God bless you big.

Kevin Barsotti

Ark Church