Below are some additional interactions on the article: Finding Your Foundation. Read it first.
411:
If you are interested in reading a great article that’s a little more intellectual and theological, take a look at Dallas Willard’s Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation and the Restoration of the Soul. It’s a really great hunk of truth to sink your teeth into!
Challenge:
My challenge for you this time is kind of multi-leveled. You can take it as far as you want. The minimum is this: read this psalm aloud 3 times right now and 1 time each day for the next week. I want you to immerse yourself in the Word of God and practice getting up close and personal with the truth revealed to us. Taking it further is up to you, but I would encourage you to push yourself beyond where you have gone in the past. Memorize it, rewrite it in your own words, write music for it, do research on the original Hebrew and study up on Psalms and their composition, design a tattoo that condenses the truth, just have a conversation with another person about it! There are lots of ways to further interact with Scripture and it will amaze you to see how God’s truth will begin to seep into your heart and transform your life!
Psalm 19
God’s Glory in Creation
How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory!
How plainly it shows what he has done!
Each day announces it to the following day;
each night repeats it to the next.
No speech or words are used,
no sound is heard;
yet their message goes out to all the world
and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;
It comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
like an athlete eager to run a race.
It starts at one end of the sky
and goes across to the other.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The Law of the LORD
The law of the LORD is perfect;
it gives new strength.
The commands of the LORD are trustworthy,
giving wisdom to those who lack it.
The laws of the LORD are right,
and those who obey them are happy.
The commands of the LORD are just
and give understanding to the mind.
Reverence for the LORD is good;
it will continue forever.
The judgments of the LORD are just;
they are always fair.
They are more desirable than the finest gold;
they are sweeter than the purest honey.
They give knowledge to me, your servant;
I am rewarded for obeying them.
None of us can see our own errors;
deliver me, LORD, from hidden faults!
Keep me safe, also, from willful sins;
don’t let them rule over me.
Then I shall be perfect
and free from the evil of sin.
May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my refuge and my redeemer!
Quizical:
Lying is a pretty clear indicator that we are not living our lives in pursuit of truth. If you’re curious how well you do at staying truthful, take this short quiz! And be sure to spend some time talking with God about how you interact with truth.
Audio:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Scripture:
Colossians 3:16–17
Joshua 1:7–9
Proverbs 4:6–9
Mark 7:20–23
John 3:3
1 Timothy 4:6–10
Luke 6:47–49
Video:
Take a look at this video of Mandisa’s “He is With You.” Let the truth of who God is seep into your heart and bring peace and stability to your life.
While you may not care about building a house of your own, the principle of building a proper foundation in this video is transferable to life. You should note that as this foundation is poured, it prepares the way for everything else to come in building the entire house (the part you actually see!).
Life Questions:
- Rewrite Romans 1:16–25 in a journal or notebook. Use your own words and emphasize the parts that you think are important. You can even try drawing, rhyming, or writing some words creatively (like making the work “look” have eyes or the word fool have a jester’s hat) This is great practice at pulling truth out of Scripture. If you like it, this counts as one of those little daily tasks you can do to spend time in the Word of God and talking with him about the truths he wants to teach you.
- Look at the Supporting Scripture section and choose one to memorize this week. Put it by your bed, fridge, locker, or somewhere you will see it multiple times a day. Tell a family member or close friend why you chose that verse and what you need to understand about Jesus Christ’s presence in your life.
- Make a list of things that you want to build your life on (a foundation). Consider how it compares to what God says we should build upon?
Reflect:
Take some time going over this Scripture from a letter written by St. Paul and looking up some common spiritual disciplines. Then take each part of the armor and identify one or more disciplines that develop that section. It would be really great if you had an internal, external, and corporate example for each (look those up!) Make sure to talk to God as you do this and be ready to listen to his response.
Ephesians 6:10–20
The Whole Armor of God
Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel’s secret. For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.
