Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 78

5 Reasons Real Prayer is Hard

I’m going to be completely honest with you. I struggle with prayer.

I don’t doubt the need for prayer. I need it desperately; I want it desperately. In fact, I strongly believe that without real prayer, a believer’s relationship with God will only be superficial.

Unfortunately, many of us practice a watered down version of prayer. We sit with our Bible and our “prayer list” and spend 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even an hour telling God how we’d like Him to work in and around our lives.

Has that ever been you? My hand is in the air.

What “real prayer” is not

That kind of “praying” is fairly easy if you can stay focused and take the time. But real prayer is a lot harder – at least for me.

Real prayer is not running down our list and explaining to God how He can take care of things. Real prayer is simply giving our needs to God and allowing Him to meet them in His way.

Real prayer doesn’t seek to change God’s mind to do our will, but instead seeks God’s mind and will. Our goal in prayer is to allow God to change our heart and mind to reflect His.

What is “real prayer?”

Real prayer is not an activity limited to a time slot in our day, but an ongoing relationship with the living God. In her book “Live a Praying Life,” Jennifer Kennedy Dean describes prayer like this:

Prayer is opening our lives to God, acknowledging our total dependence on Him. It is an attitude of receptivity in which we live every moment. It is being open to Him at all times. It is living in the presence of God, always in the process of being reshaped and recreated by Him.

Yes, we need times of focused prayer when our attention is focused solely on God. But real prayer never ends. It permeates and invades every moment of our lives. And as we practice real prayer, we will develop an intimacy with God that’s not possible in any other way.

Why is Real Prayer so Hard?

So if real prayer is so wonderful, why is it so hard for me? I’ve been thinking about this question. Here are a few things that have hit me between the eyes:

Real prayer requires time and discipline – Although prayer is a way of life, I also must regularly shut out everything else and spend intense, focused time with just God. But I often yield to the calls of the to-do list or sleep or a thousand other less important things.
Real prayer requires humility – I like to think I’m pretty smart. I can see how my problems could be solved. I know what my future should look like. I even dare to tell God how I think I could serve Him best. I must set aside my foolish pride and humbly go to the only One who really knows best.
Real prayer requires stillness and quietness – The world bombards us with entertainment, emails, news, social media, and more. But all that is just noise and distraction that keeps me from hearing God’s voice. I have to be purposeful in keeping the laptop closed, the TV off, and my heart and mind tuned in to the Creator.
Real prayer requires waiting – I have a hard time waiting on God’s answer. Sometimes He answers right away and other times He wants us to wait. To lean in to listen. He has much to say to us if we will but wait long enough for Him to speak. And sometimes, the answer is in the waiting.
Real prayer requires obedience – If I seek God’s will or ask Him to meet a need and fail to do what He says I essentially cut off that communication. My lack of obedience tells God I don’t believe His way is best. That I think I can do it better myself. Obedience proves my trust and reliance and builds the relationship.

Time, humility, stillness, waiting, and obedience. Real prayer. My sinful human nature fights it. My spirit longs for it. So I’ll keep practicing. And praying.

Are these things hard for you? What do you find the most difficult?

Don’t Settle for Cheap Imitations

The tag on the jacket read “genuine faux leather.” Seriously, right there in big red letters they wanted everyone to see, a declaration that this slightly leather-looking jacket wasn’t really leather.

The tag probably had something to do with some “truth in advertising” law, but they did their best to make the ugly truth look better by using a fancy sounding word – “faux.” Really? Maybe they hoped people would be impressed with their use of French, but not know that “faux” means “false.”  It also means artificial or imitation.

We could call margarine “faux butter.” It sounds better than “I Can’t Believe It’s Not.” “Press On” finger nails could be “faux nails.” Turkey bacon could be “faux bacon.” The possibilities are endless.

Our culture is quick to accept substitutes. There’s a huge market for fake butter, fake leather, and fake nails. Unfortunately, a lot of people accept fake saviors too. Some fall for self-proclaimed messiahs like Jim Jones and David Karesh. But most simply settle for inferior substitutes hoping to fill the hole that only Jesus can fill. They try to find satisfaction in jobs, relationships, money, entertainment, or a host of other temporal things.

Jesus is the real deal.  He is our only hope of eternal salvation.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“Salvation is found in no one else, there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

I want to share with you a small passage in Colossians that is packed with fact after glorious fact about the divinity and superior nature of our Savior. Let’s do a quick run-through:

Jesus is the visible image of God. (Colossians 1:15)
Jesus is the agent of creation. (Colossians 1:16)
Jesus is eternal. (Colossians 1:17)
Jesus is the sustainer of all things. (Colossians 1:17)
Jesus has supremacy in all things. (Colossians 1:18)
Jesus is filled with all the fullness of God. (Colossians 1:19)
Jesus is reconciler and peacemaker. (Colossians 1:20)

Jesus is God. Only God can provide our salvation. He is faithful to all His promises. (Unlike margarine’s claim that it tastes just like butter.) Don’t settle for cheap imitations. Don’t be fooled into embracing temporary substitutes. All Jesus. Only Jesus.

What substitutes have tempted you away from the real thing?

 

Learning Trust in Murky Waters

I am so excited to share my new friend with you today! The following post is from Elizabeth Anne at Seasons with Soul. She is learning to trust God even when the going is a bit slippery. Please encourage her today with some comments!

I take his hand in mine, and off we wade.

Here, the current is stronger; tugs ankles, pulls at shoes. Translucent brown water swallows our feet, calves, then thighs, as we approach our destination – a cluster of rocks in the creek’s center.

I dart for floating-away Crocs multiple times, and then it happens. I can’t see where I’m stepping, and the creek bed is rocky and uneven, the current yanking at us. I lose my balance and practically sit down in the creek. {There go the clean shorts.}

But, I quickly regain my footing, and my five-year-old buddy is still firmly attached to my hand, and upright.

“Mommy!” he says suddenly {though his mommy stands on the bank, out of sight, having a murky water phobia}.

“I’m here,” I reply gamely.

“I’m afraid of sharks.”

“There are no sharks here,” I tell him with conviction. Minnows, maybe. Crayfish, for certain. Lots of little freshwater clams.

***

I have plenty of creek experience. Growing up on a 220-acre farm in Southeastern Ohio, one of my favorite pastimes as a kid was hiking out to our cave {a large rock overhang really}.

I’d walk down the length of the stream that runs from the cave’s mouth, all the way to where it empties into the larger Wolf Creek {often barefoot the whole way, hopping rocks and getting wet}. I also became adept at finding salamanders and crayfish in those waters, even capturing a few for temporary pets before re-releasing them into the wild.

Today, I’m lucky enough to live in a suburban neighborhood with a forest-like backyard, complete with huge old-growth trees and a large creek – right off our back yard. I love that I can hear the stream-shush from my kitchen window. I still get a kick every time I see Canada geese, mallards, and egrets fly over. And, I can spend hours rock-skipping and crawdad-capturing with my kids.

***

Uneven footing, poor visibility, strong currents, sharp, slippery rocks. I may embrace these challenges in the creek behind my house when I take my kids and their friends on fun, muddy adventures, but I don’t like them so much in life. No thank you.

Clean, clear, flat, smooth, calm. That’s what I like. Planned, organized, neat.

When God calls me to a messier, deeper life, I balk. For most of my adult life, I’ve chosen to stay ashore because I know I will get dirty and wet. And, worst of all, I will fall in – many times over.

Late last summer, I spent a few weeks of afternoons sitting by the creek, while my girls were at school and my toddler napped, just staring at the water. Letting the current tug at lodged rocks, firmly wedged into my imagination. Little by little, as I slowed and stared, the water nudged and loosened those obstacles and washed them away.

I decided to quit my part-time job {freelance marketing writer} of nine years. I launched a blog. And I gave myself over to God’s plan for me.

True, He has not promised me crystal-clear ease on a sandy white beach, but He has reminded me that He won’t fall. When I place my trust in Him, I fix my sights on the unmovable rock that no current can capsize, no flood can submerge. When I reach that point in the middle of the flow, far from either shore, and I can’t see where to put my feet … when I stumble and even fall … His is the hand that reaches out.

“There are no sharks here,” he assures. “Only me.”

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

~ Psalms 56:3

 

Elizabeth grew up on a small farm in the Midwest and lives today in the suburbs with her three littles (10,8, and 3), her husband, and their ditsy but lovable English Springer Spaniel. She’s a food freak, lover of all things DIY, and a reformed perfectionist. A professional writer who’s worked in higher education and health care for the past 15 years, Elizabeth gave up her paying clients in September to work for a new boss. {She’s says He’s divine.} You can find her writing about faith, family, and nature at Seasons With Soul, follow her on Twitter @seasonswithsoul or like Seasons with Soul on Facebook.

10 Blogs You Might Like and the Death of Google Reader

Google Reader is Dead

I’ve been putting this off. I’ve known for weeks and weeks that Google Reader is on the way out, but I haven’t told you. Well, if you didn’t know, you know now!

As of July 1, Google Reader will cease to exist. So, if you have subscribed to all your favorite blogs – perhaps this one! – in Google Reader, you will need to choose a new format very soon. Most of these options will help you transfer your feeds over from Google Reader.

Here are several articles to help you find an alternative:

Life Hacker – Best Alternatives to Google Reader
Site Point – Free Alternatives to Google Reader
Steam Feed - Who wants an Alternative?

If you have not subscribed to my blog, you can do that by clicking on “Subscribe to my blog” at the top of this post.

10 Blogs You Might Like

Rather than simply share some negative news with you today, I thought it would be fun to share a few blogs with you that I love. Check them out. You may want to subscribe to a few and try out your new reader!

Permission to Live Well with Teri Lynne Underwood – encouragement and practical help for women who want to embrace abundant living; lots of encouragement for the parental journey
The MOM Initiative – Mothers on a Mission to Mentor Other Mothers
Come Have a Peace with Julie Sanders – Connecting God’s Truth with Life; Marriage Mondays
Hello Mornings – a challenge and help to maximize your mornings with Christ
Do Not Depart – Tools and encouragement to abide in the Word
To Overflowing with Lara Williams – Stirring Up a Wildly Vibrant Faith
Blog in My Eye by Cynthia Hopkins – devotional, “List Wednesday,” and parenting
Stuff Christians Like with Jon Acuff – humorous observations on the Christian life
The MOD Squad – encouragement & inspiration for Mothers of Daughters
The MOB Society – For Moms of Boys by Moms of Boys

I love that I’ve been so informative and shared so much wonderful stuff with you today! Chime in and share your favorite blogs!

More Powerful than a Tornado

Four weeks ago today, a tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma. This powerful funnel cloud tore through schools, businesses, and the hospital. It killed 24 people and left thousands homeless. The tornado, with winds exceeding 200 mph, was given an EF5 rating, the strongest ranking possible. This rare twister left a path of destruction 17 miles long and almost 1½ miles wide. Powerful and destructive.

No one could stop it. No one could divert its course. No one could change the outcome. That’s the power of nature. Yet the power of that tornado – and the ones that hit Oklahoma again 10 days later – cannot compare to the power of Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark gives us a glimpse at His power in action. It had been a long day in Galilee. The people kept coming and Jesus kept teaching. But when evening fell, Jesus and His disciples climbed into boats and headed across the unpredictable Sea of Galilee.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  Mark 4:35-41, NIV

Jesus’ power is not destructive power like the storm, but rather authoritative power. All it took was a word. And there was calm.

The roaring waves had made the disciples fear for their lives, but the calm terrified them even more. Who was this man who had authority and power over nature? They should have worshipped Jesus. They should thanked Him for their safety. Instead Jesus’ holy power frightened them.

Jesus’ power is mightier than any tornado or army. Stronger than any natural or supernatural force. He is able to heal bodies, restore relationships, instill faith, give hope to the hopeless, comfort the grieving, and save the lost.

What situation in your life needs the power of Christ? Cry out to Him today!

 

It’s Rich, Lavish, Abundant, Generous – and FREE!

About six weeks ago I won a Keurig Office Pro Brewing System. It sounds fancy because it is! It brews coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or the iced beverage of my choice in under a minute. It costs $130, but for me, it was FREE!

When I received the email saying I’d won the Keurig, I almost deleted it. After all, I never win anything and so much spam comes through the inbox. But then I remembered I had entered a contest. But I was still skeptical. Still afraid to click any links or send any shipping information.

So I contacted Constant Contact, the email marketing company I use for my ministry newsletters. It was their contest and they confirmed I had indeed won! So, I clicked the links, sent my shipping information, and started watching the front porch.

My shiny Keurig now occupies a prominent spot on the kitchen counter. I love using it. Everybody can have the coffee they want – bold, light, decaf. I can quickly make a cup on my way out the door to take with me in the car. But one of the best things about it is getting to tell people it didn’t cost me anything!

We don’t often get things of value for free.  Sayings like “you can’t get something for nothing” and “you get what you pay for” caught on because they’re usually true. So unfortunately, I tend to undervalue the grace of God because it didn’t cost me anything.

We humans tend to not put much value in things that are free. And while God’s grace may be free to us, it cost God His Son. Today, let’s spend a few minutes contemplating the great value of God’s free grace.

Here are a few phrases from the book of Ephesians Paul used to describe our condition before God applied His grace to our lives:

Dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1)
Disobedient to God and obedient to Satan (Ephesians 2:2)
Gratifying the cravings of our sinful desires (Ephesians 2:3)
Deserving of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:3)
Excluded from God’s family (Ephesians 2:11)
Without hope and without God (Ephesians 2:12)

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy saved us by His grace (Ephesians 2:4-5).

 Paul uses beautiful, flowery speech in an attempt to help us understand God’s glorious grace, which He poured out on us:

Has freely given us in the One He loves (Ephesians 1:6)
Showed His rich kindness to us (Ephesians 1:7)
He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding (Eph 1:8)
Incomparable riches of His grace (Ephesians 2:7)
Gift from God (Ephesians 2:8)

Free, rich, lavished, incomparable, gift

Paul also clearly tells us what God’s grace has accomplished in us:

New life in Christ (Ephesians 2:4)
Raised up, seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6)
Objects of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)
Brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13)
Reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:16)
Member of God’s family (Ephesians 2:19)

“Grace Greater Than Our Sin,” a hymn by Julia Johnston in 1911, came to mind as I searched through Ephesians:

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Share with us today! What’s your favorite hymn or verse about God’s lavish grace?

 

Loose Lips Sink Ships and Ruin Lots of Other Stuff Too

During wartime, soldiers and sailors have to carefully watch what they say. Sometimes what they think are harmless, casual remarks can give the enemy information to use against them. For instance, sailors on shore leave can get too chatty and accidentally spill facts that lead to disastrous results – even the sinking of their ship.

I don’t think I’ve ever said anything to endanger an aircraft carrier, but I know my words have hurt people again and again. The careless words of my mouth have wounded, discouraged, grieved, and angered. My unchecked speech has torn down, set back, and destroyed.

Sometimes I realize what I’ve done even before the last word has stopped its echo. I am witness to their impact. Like the tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma last week, my words have the power to level. But it’s not man-made structures they demolish. Instead my words rip apart relationships. Fragment fragile hopes. Tear down trust.

God does not pull any punches when He talks about the power of tongue to do evil:

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6, NIV

Serious business, isn’t it. Thankfully, we don’t have to let our tongues have the last word. (Yes, pun intended.) We may not be able to control our tongues, but the Holy Spirit can! Believer, we can submit ourselves and our tongues to Him.

This morning I read a prayer of David that I so desperately need. I know I’ve seen it before, but it really impacted me today.

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3, NIV

I have a friend who is outspoken like me. He often refers to his “filter.” When he actively stops things from coming out of his mouth, his filter is “working.”

The Holy Spirit wants to be our “filter.” Let’s allow Him to be the guard over our mouths. Then everything we say would first pass the Holy Spirit filter test. Then our words would only be edifying and encouraging. They would build up (Ephesians 4:29), not tear down!

Is your Holy Spirit filter working? When was the last time your words sunk a ship?

Plague of Frogs, Texas Style

Enough is enough. Those small, bright green tree frogs are really cute when they’re hanging on the outside of your widow by their little suction-cupped feet. They’re even cute when you open the front door and one is sitting there waiting, hoping to be let in.  But when they start invading my space, they’re looking at cute in the rear view.

We have no clue how they’re getting in the house, but over the last few weeks I’ve found about a dozen inside. Some are already dead – and a quite a bit dehydrated – when I find them. Like the one hanging out from underneath the dishwasher and the one on the window sill between the glass and the plantation shutter.

Others are still very much alive and hopping like the one in the house plant. And the one I chased down the hall. And the one my son found on his toilet seat when he came home for a visit. And friends, that bathroom is upstairs!

I told my husband he should replace that black, strippy stuff around the back door. I think they’re getting through the gap between the double doors. There are a lot in the yard. We have dozens of trees, so I guess the tree frogs take that as an invitation to make themselves at home. I just wish they’d stay in the yard.

But as of today, I declare a frog war. I guess I should be thankful that my frog problem isn’t like the plague in Exodus 8. Those poor Egyptians had frogs in their bedrooms and ovens and kneading troughs. In fact, verse 4 said the frogs would be on the people.

It didn’t take long for Pharaoh to be done with the frogs though. God had sent the plague because Pharaoh wouldn’t let the children of Israel leave Egypt. But when the frogs leaped into his bed he called for Moses.

Pharaoh called in Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to God to rid us of these frogs. I’ll release the people so that they can make their sacrifices and worship God.”

Exodus 8:8, The Message

So Moses prayed and God killed off all the frogs. But no sooner had the Egyptians swept the last ones out of their homes, Pharaoh had a change of heart.

But when Pharaoh saw that he had some breathing room, he got stubborn again and wouldn’t listen to Moses and Aaron. Just as God had said.

Exodus 8:15, The Message

Pharaoh only yielded to God because the palace was overrun with frogs. As soon as things were frog free, he went right back to his stubborn, disobedient ways.

Unfortunately, many Christians are like that too. When times are hard, we cry out to God, ready to do whatever He asks if only He will get rid of the frogs. But when life is easy again, we forget about God and do our own thing. Until the gnats fly in.

What about you? Do you find it easier to obey God in hard times or easy times? Have you ever cried out to God in trials and then forgotten Him when things were easier?

 

Praise Practice

I know what you will be doing in heaven. The same thing I will be doing. Praising God for eternity!

 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb Be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!”

Revelation 5:13, NIV

Just imagine what it will be like in the visible presence of God. Freed completely from our sinful, earthly shackles we can praise God with total abandon. That will be our primary heavenly activity. And it will be sweet!

Yet how often do we praise God here on earth? God deserves it. He also commands it. And frankly, I need the practice. What about you?

Why should we praise God?

He is worthy. God deserves our praise. In fact, He alone deserves all praise.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 4:11

He commands it. Throughout Scripture, the summons to God’s people to praise Him is most often in the imperative form. God commands us to praise Him. And like all His commands, praising God is not only fitting because He is worthy, it ‘s also for our good. He created us to worship and praise Him. So when we do, we are fulfilling the purpose of our lives.

What does “praise” mean?

I looked up a few of the words used in the Psalms as a call to praise – words like praise, extol, bless, exalt, glory, and laud. I will attempt to wrap it all up in one summary.

Praise is an act of humbling and submitting ourselves before the One who is worthy. It is recognizing God’s high and lofty position and expressing adoration for Him and His divine qualities. It is voicing sincere and deep gratitude for who He is and what He has done.

What does “praise” look like?

Our creative God has given us a variety of ways to praise Him. Praise can be expressed through speaking, singing, dancing, and music:

Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

Psalm 149:1-3, NIV

Let’s Practice Praise

Is your praiser a little rusty? Spend a few minutes practicing today. If you need help getting started, turn to the end of Psalms. The last six, 145-150 are particularly heavy with praise.

King David was the ultimate worship leader. The Psalms are filled with his songs of praise. Not only are they models for us, they can also “prime the pump” for our own praise. Here are a few ways we can use them:

Prayerfully read them out loud back to God.
Reword them as your own and pray them back to God.
Use David’s praise as your starting point. Elaborate on them in prayer.

Let’s fill the comments with praise today! God calls us to individual praise and corporate praise. Today, let’s share words of praise with each other here in the comments. You can use a verse from one of the Psalms that reflects your heart or use your own words. 

Give Faith Diamonds

Have you ever wondered why the diamond became the traditional engagement ring? It began in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave one to his betrothed and it caught on.

The choice makes sense. The diamond’s beauty, rarity, and strength reflect the qualities we all want in our marriages. We give diamonds because they have long-term value. They make an impact that lasts. At least in this life.

Believers can give spiritual “diamonds” to the loved ones in our lives. These faith jewels have value that will last into eternity.

In this last post of the series on leaving a spiritual legacy, we’ll explore four “diamonds” from the book of Ephesians that will encourage your loved ones to embrace faith in Christ. You can purposefully pass these precious characteristics down to the next generation.

Four Faith Diamonds to Mine and Give

Adopt a new attitude (Ephesians 4:2-3) – A Christ-like attitude promotes unity and intimacy in all our relationships. When we adopt Christ’s humility, gentleness, patience, and concern for others we will stand out like a rare gem!
Get Growing (Ephesians 4:11-16) – The more we learn about Christ and grow in our relationship with Him, the more we will have to share with others! Our growth must be intentional. It won’t happen by accident, so dig deep for those jewels!
Hold Tight to Holy (Ephesians 4:17-24) – The fewer the flaws in a diamond, the more the light can shine through. Impurities in a diamond block the reflection. Similarly, believers contaminated with the stuff of the world are poor reflectors of the light of Christ. But when we rid our lives of sin and embrace God’s call to holiness, our lives will shine brightly, clearly pointing people to Christ.
Love Lavishly (Ephesians 4:32, 5:1-2) – These verses describe Christian love in action. “Agape” is love of volition, a choice to act in love. It is not based on the worthiness of the one we love. This kind of love in action is a powerful and persuasive message that demonstrates the love of Christ. A choice to love is a choice to share Christ with those who need Him.

Are we giving faith diamonds? Are we purposefully passing down things of eternal value or wasting our time with temporary things of little value? The apostle Paul clearly taught that how we spent our lives will be revealed when Christ returns.

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, NIV

Beginning with the solid foundation of Christ, each believer must choose how to build on our life. Will we use materials of eternal lasting value? Or will we waste our time with the inferior materials of this world that do not last? Our choices will impact the ones that come after us. Will we leave anything of worth behind?

Are you building with diamonds or wood, hay, and stumble? It’s not too late to give things of lasting value. What one change can you make today?

If case you missed the previous posts in this series:

  Building a Rock-Solid Legacy
3 Ways to Pass it Down with Purpose
Be a Rock in Hard times
They are Watching You!