When I was younger, I would make card houses often. We had a folding table that we used when we were going to play cards, and this is usually what I used as my “foundation” for my cards. I varied my designs, some I tried to make as tall as I could, and others wide. But one thing almost always happened while I was building. Because the table that I was using to build on was the folding leg type, the table was very wobbly and not stable. Sooner or later I would bump into the table and cause it to shake and all my cards would come tumbling down.
But when I chose to build my card houses on the floor, instead of the table, there was nothing for me to bump into and knock the cards down. The cards were on a firm foundation.
That is how we want our faith in Christ to be. Strong and unshakeable. When we are founded on Christ, we will be firm and strong when we encounter times of temptation or persecution for our beliefs. Look at what happened to the apostles. They were thrown in jail, persecuted, stoned, and even killed for what they believed in. But did all of that persecution shake their faith in Christ or cause them to waver? No, in fact it filled them with joy that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. (Acts 5:41). We too should be filled with joy when we are persecuted for our faith in Jesus.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23
Pray that your faith would be increased everyday, so that when times of persecution arise you will stand strong for Christ. When your faith is founded firmly in Christ, there will be no one who can cause it to fail.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27
Remember that they persecuted even Jesus. The Lord of lords and King of kings! So when you are persecuted for your beliefs you can know that you are standing up for your faith.
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20
Place your faith in Christ the Rock of our salvation, and stay strong!
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 