Go up into the mountains…
This past Sunday Elder Don Longworth brought us an excellent message from Haggai about our responsibility to “give careful thought” to our lives (Hag. 1:7)… to build them for the glory of God and not for personal glory, or gain, or honor.
Jesus said something very similar. He said: “…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock… But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Matt. 7:24-27)
Paul tells us what, or rather Who, this Rock is: “…that rock was Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:4). He is our Foundation.
Paul also identifies the materials we must use in construction: “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.” (1 Cor. 3:12-13a)
It is important that we build rightly for this structure must withstand the mental, physical, social and spiritual forces likened to “rain, flood, wind… and fire” (Matt. 7:25; 1 Cor. 3:13b)
Haggia tells us from whence me must acquire these materials: “Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the LORD.” (v.8).
The stuff with which to build eternal things must come from that eternal place… from up high… “up into the mountains.” We do not build such structures for personal honor, but that the Lord “may take pleasure in it and be honored.”
We are that structure. Daily we build into it, and only heavenly materials will lastingly seal the cracks and holes. Stuff them with “wood,” “hay” or “stubble” and it will burn. The gaping hole will be back again. Fill these areas with a new affection, a new addiction, a new dependency: Fill them only with Christ! Only He has power to hold all things together. “…in Him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:17).
Get down on your knees, get deep into His Word, get out among your brothers and sisters in Christ, and get up into the mountains.
More tomorrow…
To hear Elder Don’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
thebrokenrunner 
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