Root Before Fruit PART 1: CHRIST OUR FOUNDATION

There is so much uncertainty in today's world. You wake up and turn to every news channel all you hear is war. This somehow, makes us to be uncertain about our future and the future of our children. Is the world ever going to change? Are we ever going to experience a warless society? Why does it seem like everything is growing worse? Are things going to be better? We look at our everyday lives we seem to be surrounded by insurmountable challenges. Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to my beloved ones? This happen and that happens. Why can't we just have peace? We often ask ourselves when we find ourselves caught up in the midst of turmoil. But what is the way forward? My friend I am here to speak to you that there is hope for you. In the midst of chaos you can still hope. You can still have peace which surpasses every negative situation. There is always wisdom found in the scriptures to help us with life's challenges. Let us dive a little bit into the wells of wisdom to hear what God said concering this issue.

CHRIST THE FIRM FOUNDATION 

Matthew 7:24-27

[24]“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

[25]and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

[26]“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

[27]and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Jesus knowing very well about the trials and persecutions that befalls on people uses the above illustration to show people how they can withstand life's hurdles. The winds, the flood represents life's challenges, temptations and trials. The builders represents people. And the foundation represents what people put their trust in. I couldn't explain it better than this. All humans whether you are a believer or not face difficulties. It doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor. It doesn't matter whether you have a title or not. It doesn't matter whether you love scriptures or not. It doesn't matter whether you are prayerful. Challenges befalls everybody. But note that the challenge was not the major focus of the Lord's teaching but the heart condition. What befalls a believer may befall a non believer. What's important is their response to life's challenges. The principles that guide a person's life determines whether or not he will survive life's obstacles. Our ability to overcome challenges is determined by what or whom we put our faith in. When Christ becomes the foundation upon which you build your life, you can withstand any obstacle. The rock represents Jesus. He is unmovable. He is unshackable. He is undefeatable. He is greater than any trial. 

Our focus must be on Jesus. We must move our focus from the trials and tribulations of life to JESUS. So you know what that also means? That means His Word must be our top priority. We must be preoccupied by His word more than the hurdles that life throws at us. Putting our trust in His word does not take away the challenges neither does it make us ignore them but it empowers to fight and give us a way out of the challenges. The writer of the Psalms 23 had to write it this way:

Psalms 23:4

[4]Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Oh! Hallelujah. The valley of the shadow of death my friend resembles dark times. The writer admits that dark times may befall me, as long as the Lord is with me I am safe. Oh praise the Lord! How encouraging this is. The reason why we can overcome any obstacle is because there is someone whom we have decided to put our trust in and He is always there with us in every situation. In bad times He stands with us. In good times He stands with us. When we are busy with life and there is money in the bank, He stands with us. When we don't have money in the bank, He stands with is. Oh, Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. This is Who He is. When there is chaos we can still be joyful like no man has got business to do because He is always with us. 

Having Jesus as the foundation of our daily living means being rooted in Him. The healthy of any tree and the fruit it bears is based on it's root system. The healthy of the roots determines the healthy of the fruit. Our relationship with Jesus determines whether we are going to experience victory. How rooted we are in Him determines whether we are going to walk and overcome life's hurdles. The fruit we will experience from the battles of life is largely based on our level of trust in Jesus. When our roots are in Him we can withstand any flood. Every wind that blows trying to sweep us out can not completely shutter our hope. 

Having Christ as our foundation means we can be certain that even if our current capacity can not handle what befalls us we can still have faith that Christ who lives on the inside has that capacity. 

John 16:33

(AMP) I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]