SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(2 Timothy 2:19) "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
(Isaiah 28:16) "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
(1 Corinthians 3:10-11) (10) "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." (11) "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
(Matthew 7:24-25) (24) "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:" (25) "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."
(Matthew 7:26-27) (26) "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:" (27) "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."
(Luke 6:47-48) "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:" (48) "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." (49) "But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Dear Saints, When I begin this message, I think of an old song that begins with, "Hold to God's unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand."
Beloved, one verse said, "When it looks like the sun will not shine anymore, hold to God's unchanging hand."
Beloved, I'm on a roll now as I hear another song in my spirit that goes something like, "Put your hand in the man who walked on the water, put your hand in the man who calmed the sea. Take a look at yourself, and you will look at others differently. Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee."
Dear Saints, I shall never forget my first encounter with the Holy Spirit of the Living God, which occurred in the late 1970s in a mighty revival at my home church in Lynn Garden, Tennessee.
Beloved, my Pastor had arranged a church revival that would allow the young preachers at our church to exercise their gifts, and I was one of those newly called preachers.
Beloved, I had sat under his powerful preaching for over three years, hardly ever missing a service. When my time came, I remember standing and taking my text from the second book of Timothy, chapter two and verse nineteen.
(2 Timothy 2:19) ‘’Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the lord knoweth them that are his, And let everyone that nameth the name of the Christ departs from iniquity”.
Saints, I began my sermon thinking of how I had helped my dad construct a foundation to support a structure we were attempting to build, which would become an oversized garage to maintain heavy trucks.
Beloved, I spoke of digging deep until we hit a solid rock or a complex texture in the dirt. We would secure the digging measurements with wood to keep our concrete intact like a mold, which would be poured into its formation. My job was to get the sand and concrete mixed up with the right amount of water until it was ready to be poured into our foundation.
In childhood, I learned a valuable lesson about construction from my father. He emphasized the importance of having a solid foundation to support any building. He would carefully calculate the concrete required to ensure the structure remained stable and sturdy.
My father was a person who believed in taking every necessary step to ensure that the building was safe and secure. He would determine the structure's height and width and then calculate the required concrete. He would make sure that the concrete mixture was perfect, with the right amount of water and cement, to ensure that the foundation would be strong enough to support the weight of the building.
His attention to detail and his commitment to safety inspired me to learn more about construction. I have since learned that a strong foundation is crucial for any building, whether a small house or a skyscraper. The foundation provides stability and support for the entire structure, and without it, the building would collapse.
Saints, did you know that Dad would carefully insert metal rods in our mold, saying to me, "Jerry, these metal rods will give our foundation greater strength, which will support the weight of the heavy trucks we intend to drive into our building for maintenance to be performed on them?"
Saints, when we talk about "building on the right foundation," we're referring to the importance of establishing a solid base before proceeding with any significant endeavor. This foundation could take many forms, such as a solid educational background, a supportive network of friends and family, or a clear set of values and principles that guide your decision-making.
Building on the proper foundation is critical because it lays the groundwork for success. Just as a house cannot stand without a firm and level foundation, so too can our personal and professional endeavors not succeed without a strong support base. A solid foundation provides the stability necessary to weather any storm, whether financial hardship, personal setbacks, or unexpected obstacles.
"THE FORST TIME I ENCOUNTERED GOD"S SPIRIT."
Dear reader, when I was a young Preacher, I remember preaching a message on the Foundation of God and spoke of the Apostle Paul and Silas being beaten with stripes, including being cast into the jail cell at Philippe, which can be found recorded in the 16th chapter of the book of Acts. (Acts 16:33-40)
Beloved, in this chapter, we find these men of God in the inner prison with their backs no doubt still bleeding from the recent beating; however, even in their suffering condition, they began to lift their voices in a song of praise unto the Living God and saints, suddenly without warning, a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison.
Church, all the bands of confinement were supernaturally loosed from the prisoners, which caused the jailer to awaken out of his sleep and pull his sword to take his life, for he became afraid that some of the prisoners had escaped in the quake, which would cause the authorities to demand his life for theirs.
Beloved, in my sermon, I could not remember what the jailer said when Paul informed him that they were all there and none had escaped, causing the jailer to tremble and bring a light, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved as he later washed their wounds from the beatings."
Saints, my mind went into an elapsed state, and I could not think of anything. Everyone in the service seemed to know the scripture that I was trying to quote, including the pastor’s wife, who was trying frantically to use her mouth in slow motion to quote the scripture to me.
Beloved, this embarrassing situation was overwhelming, and just as I was about to give up and cry, out of nowhere there was an airplane appeared in my mind, pulling a sign with the message embedded in bold letters: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
Church, when this happened to me, I almost had to laugh, as the living God let me know right then and there that he had chosen me and would be there with me wherever he sent me to do his work in building up his Kingdom, which he has faithfully done these many years of ministry through my magazine, radio, and Television programs.
As we come to the end of this discussion, I would like to stress the significance of taking the time to lay a solid foundation when embarking on any significant endeavor. Establishing a strong base is essential because it enables us to efficiently achieve our goals and objectives. A weak or shaky foundation can lead to the collapse of our efforts, making all our hard work go in vain.
Therefore, it is essential to take the time and effort to establish a robust base that can withstand any challenge that may come our way. A strong foundation provides stability, which allows us to maintain focus and progress towards our goals. It also makes it easier to overcome any obstacles and challenges that may arise during the project's course.
Laying a solid foundation is crucial for any significant project. It involves taking the time to carefully plan, prepare, and establish a strong base before starting the actual work. This foundation serves as a solid framework for the project, providing stability and structure that helps to ensure its success.
Without a firm foundation, you may face numerous difficulties and challenges that can hinder your progress and jeopardize your goals. For example, you may encounter unexpected obstacles or have to deal with unanticipated setbacks that can set you back and cause frustration.
That is why it is essential to devote sufficient time and effort to establish a strong foundation for any significant project. This includes identifying the key objectives, developing a clear strategy, assembling the right team, and securing the necessary resources.
Moreover, applying the same principles to our daily walk with God is essential. Establishing a solid foundation for our spiritual life requires us to set aside time for prayer and reflection, study the Bible, and cultivate a deep and personal relationship with God. This foundation can help us stay grounded and rooted in our faith, giving us the strength and resilience to navigate life's challenges.
We must prioritize laying a sturdy foundation to ensure a stable and straightforward path to success. This involves investing time, effort, and resources to ensure that our base is strong enough to support the weight of our endeavors. By doing so, we can build upon a solid foundation that can withstand time and adversity.
This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. While some people are only familiar with Christ and what he has done to save us from destruction, others have gone further and developed a deep personal relationship with him. They do so by spending time in prayer and studying his word. This enables them to build a solid spiritual foundation to withstand life's challenges and provide a stable path to spiritual growth and fulfillment.
" IF THE FOUNDATION IS GOOD, EVERYTHING ELSE CAN BE FIXED."
"IS YOUR FOUNDATION SECURE?"
(2 Timothy 2:19) "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, and Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Dear Reader, did you know that many times in our Christian Pilgrimage, God will allow trouble to come our way to test our inner strength and we can liken this to contractors hired to refurbish or restore an old house.
First they must strip the house to make sure the foundation is not cracked and do a check to make sure the structure is secure but beloved, to an outsider, the work they are doing would look like they are destroying the house when in reality, they are making sure that the joists are strong, are secure in their proper place and checking to make sure that no termites have damaged the old wood.
Beloved, once they are satisfied that the foundation and structure is ok, they can begin the process of restoring the home to a beautiful dwelling that will stand for many years and beloved, this is exactly what God will allow to happen to those whom he has purposed to be leaders in his service especially in the end time outpouring of his glory that is soon to be released upon his church throughout the world.
Church did you not know that God sometimes will allow people, circumstances and things to come into our life that designed to strip us of everything we are holding onto and the reason he does this is because he knows what he wants especially in those he has predestined to become leaders in the coming clash with the kingdom of darkness.
Beloved, it is not so bad if we fail short of the mark during target practice because the trials of life are stripping us of all our desires, plans, stubbornness and impurities that the master designer can pick us up out of our shame, up out of our ashes and rebuild us to be steadfast, unmovable abounding in his grace love and purpose because after this process, we no longer fear what others may think or say about us for we have become hardened to the temptations and schemes of the enemy.
Dearly beloved. did you know that day after day enduring the inward pressures of life will soon take its toll wearing us down both physically and emotionally but thank God, his word declares in (Romans 5:20) "where sin abounds ( free reign), the Grace of God did much more abound;"
Saints of God, I want to re-emphasize again that we are not in this alone for Christ is in this place of hard trials to deliver us by his Grace, mercy and love also assuring us that we are completely grounded in him therefore saints, when we realize this in its fullness, we do not feel the pressure of the trial, but we feel his abiding presence and grace. Glory!!!
Saints and fellow peers, did you know that the trials we face every day help produce patience in our life, and patience beloved, is the crowning glory of grace in our life and ministry.
Beloved, when we show that we have patience in a trial, especially while waiting on God to deliver us out of it knowing that he will in his time.
Saints, this waiting will help produce patience which will help develop character and that is what our God is after because this process gives us more courage to be examples to others by showing what Christ has done through us including what he can do for his children.
Beloved, the bottom line to this message is, "We are not in this alone and when we know him as Lord and Savior, we can rest in knowing that we have a firm foundation, for we are standing on the rock of ages which is an anchor of our soul.
Dear Saints, did you know that those chosen before the foundation of the world to be leaders in the end time revival, are usually the ones that have had to brave the hardest trials in life and have become overcomers because the Lord stated in his word that he knoweth them that are his and we are never alone.
The underlying principle of this part of our message is that fixing any other issues becomes a much simpler task if the foundation of anything is good. A strong foundation provides support and stability and serves as a base for all other elements to be built upon. This applies to various aspects of life, from personal relationships to business ventures.
By taking the time to establish a strong foundation, it becomes much easier to address any problems that may arise in the future. Remember that a solid foundation is about physical strength and a robust set of principles and values that guide your decisions and actions. By building on a solid foundation, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for any challenges that come your way.
" WHAT FOUNDATION ARE YOU BUILDING ON?"
Dear valued reader, in our recent discussion, we delved into the significance of laying a solid foundation and the importance of being mindful of how we build upon it. While exploring this topic, we realized that the foundation we build speaks volumes about the gift of life granted to us by a holy God and how we can fulfill our purpose on earth.
To provide a more in-depth understanding of this message, let us turn to the teachings of the greatest preacher of all time, who shared a parable with his disciples. This parable is a powerful reminder of the importance of laying a solid foundation, building upon it with care, and following God's plan to fulfill our purpose in life.
(Matthew 7:24-25) (24) "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:" (25) "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."
(Matthew 7:26-27) (26) "And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:" (27) "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."
As we read the scriptures, it is essential to understand that the Lord often used physical events to reveal spiritual truths to his disciples. In the same way, we read the daily news to stay informed. In this parable, the Lord is walking down a road that a flood has washed out. The houses in the area keep getting destroyed by floods, but there are also rock houses that have stood firm for centuries.
This reminds me of the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. One pig was smart and built his house out of stone, which withstood the wolf's attempts to blow it down. He also had a fire in his fireplace, which burned up the wolf when he attempted to come down the chimney.
The message of this parable is that we should not only listen to the preaching of Jesus but also heed the warning of Paul in 1st Corinthians, chapter three. Our work will be tried with fire, so we should ensure that our work is built on a solid foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) (13) "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (14) " If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward." (15) "If any man's work is burned, he shall suffer loss: but he shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
(1 Corinthians 3:21-23) (21) "Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;" (22). "Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;" (23) "And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's."
Dear reader, I want to stress the importance of maintaining a relationship with Jesus Christ, the foundation that will endure time. Even though we may experience failures in financial institutions, falter in our relationships, or even lose our faith, we can always rely on Jesus Christ to provide us with the strength and guidance we need to overcome any obstacle.
When we do God's work, it's important to remember that we shouldn't place our faith in human resources. Instead, we should trust in God's provision, which is already available to us. As Paul reminds us, we can claim the resources we need by faith. This means that we must be confident that God will provide for us, even if we can't see the solution immediately. We must not believe what we see but see what we feel and trust that God's Word is true.
Beloved, if we ask for what we need in faith, God promises we will receive it. This doesn't mean that we will always get exactly what we want, but it does mean that we can trust in God's goodness and provision. So, let us continue to build our foundation on faith in Jesus Christ and trust that He will provide for all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
MY CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved Saints of God, I am glad that the Lord knows them that are his and cherished; this gives us hope and stability in our walk with God, which is called the anchor of our soul, yes dear, we have assurance in knowing that if this Earthly house were dissolved (which means our earthly body made of flesh), we have a home in the heavens not made with hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Saints, did you know that the word of God teaches that the child of God may leave their body, but they will never lose consciousness during their transition at death, for God states in his word that the death of his saints is precious in his eyes. (Psalms 116:15)
Thank God, beloved, I may be weak, but I will be raised in his power as death gives way to victory, for this mortal shall put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53-55)
Church, what I am going to say next may cause some to think that I have lost my marbles, but beloved, rest assured that one day I shall be changed and bear the image of the Heavenly, just as Christ bore the image of the Earthly in becoming our sin substitute, satisfying the law and wrath of God.
Yes, dear Saints and fellow peers, I feel like singing part of a song that stirs my soul. It goes something like this: "I walked out of sins' burdens, from my chains set free, I don’t have to pay sins' awful penalty (of death), for the Shepherd gave his life. The wrath of God was satisfied when the Shepherd gave his life for the sheep."
Saints of God, I want to close this message with (Romans 8:35-37) “Who can separate us from the love of Christ, shall trouble, hardship, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or death, Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
As we navigate life's journey, we often encounter uncertainties and challenges that can shake our confidence and leave us feeling overwhelmed. However, we can find reassurance and strength in the love and support of those who care for us.
Beloved, we can take comfort in knowing that the one who loves us unconditionally is always by our side, ready to help us overcome any obstacle that comes our way. With his guidance and support, we have the power to face life's difficult trials and emerge victorious, stronger, and more resilient than ever before. So, let us hold fast to this truth and trust in his love to carry us through the storms of life.
Beloved, we are living in critical times. We have reached a point in history where unsupervised children are growing up in homes with access to MTV, social media, and porn sites. Some parents are more focused on pursuing the fleeting pleasures the world offers rather than teaching their children about God and Christian morals. But fear not; we can make a change and guide our youth towards a brighter future.
Beloved saints, this lost generation places no value on human life, and why should they? Because they have been taught about evolution in our public schools. Therefore, if they are a product of evolving from a protoplasm that one day had a thought evolving into a person, why should they regard any thought of a master creator who one day will require everyone born on this planet to stand before him and give an account of the lifestyle they were privileged to live on his planet.
Church, if we view the facts, including the statistics of our world today, we would be correct in saying that we have lost an entire generation, which at present is growing up to become teachers in our schools and hold positions in our government institutions, not realizing what socialism and communism tested in other countries have done to destroy civilizations, the institution of marriage, and the freedoms we all enjoy.
Beloved, did you know that in the closing days of grace, we have come to a climax in church history, and if we are going to continue to enjoy the freedoms we love so well, we must come to repentance and have a spiritual cleansing that will bring a visitation of God’s power to burst forth and conquer the darkness of sin, declaring the righteousness of Jesus including his lordship honoring him as being the one true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world? (John 1:9)
Beloved, God is raising up people who will spend time with him in prayer. God’s plan for this hour is for his people to turn from their worldliness, yes, living careless lives, and repent of their selfish fleshly cravings for power and positions.
If we see a change in our government, it must start in the church because God desires people to repent of their church quarrels and denominational jealousy, which are prevalent in some churches today.
Dear reader and fellow believers, God desires our pulpits to once again thunder and burn with the power of the cleansing fire of His Holy Spirit. This can be achieved through men and women determined not to compromise the truth for a meal ticket.
Many people are yearning for a move from heaven that will set the atmosphere for true revival in our land and nation. Through the obedient virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has made a way for us to be restored and have fellowship with Him that was lost through the fall of Adam.
Dear reader, when we accept God's free plan of redemption and invite Christ into our lives as our Lord and Savior, we become a part of the family of God as His beloved sons and daughters. This adoption ensures our position in His royal family and instills a steadfast faith that endures even when everything else fades away. God's enduring and providing love becomes a solid foundation for our lives and ministries.
Beloved, in closing, if this message has been used by God to enrich your life and your walk with God, or if you have made a decision to ask Christ into your heart through reading this book, please feel free to go to our website and fill out the contact form located on the Contact Us page. Allow us to share in your new experience with God.
As we approach the end of our lives, it is essential to reflect on our impact on others. Our ultimate goal should be to have poured ourselves so entirely into the lives of those around us that we have nothing left to give. This requires a deep understanding that our accomplishments and achievements are not what matters most.
Instead, what is truly important is our identity as part of the body of Christ. We must recognize that our role in the community of believers is far more significant than our contributions. While focusing on our goals and ambitions is tempting, we must never forget that our purpose is serving others.
Ultimately, our works will be judged by fire. This means that all of our good and bad deeds will be evaluated to determine their true worth. It is not enough to go through the motions or to act out of self-interest. We must strive to live a life of genuine love and service, putting the needs of others before our own.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
