Is Your Inner Home Solid or Shaky

Proverbs 21:5 "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." 

Following S.O.A.P.

S - Scripture: (above)

O - Observation: I had a MEF (minds eye flash) with this one. I saw a blueprint of a very detailed, tall building. A building that was going to be used for something that required extra strength, security, and a firm foundation. Then looking up, there were several hands that were apart of this project. It is like I saw two different 'completions' of the building, done by two different sets of hands/crews. 

    The first crew, were all diligent in searching the blueprints every step of the way. (Like us reading the bible and turning to God with every step in our day.) At the end of the project, they had a building that was sturdy, strong, able to withstand anything that came at it. Also, because of the good, hard work done, everyone on the crew was rewarded with a bonus. Plus paid time off. The building, is a building for high-up-there people and businesses. Due to the security of the building, it becomes a place that holds many investments of many people.

     The second crew, only checked the blueprints here and there. They bought less than quality supplies. They chose to use short-cuts in any and every aspect of the building. They took took much time in getting to work each day, so near the completion time, in order to get paid for the project, they made quick, poor decisions in the building and finishing of the project. It "looked" really good from the outside, but on the inside, between the walls, it was disorder and chaos! At the completion of the project, a storm came in. It was the day the crew was going to be paid for a job well done. However, as the winds blew, and the rain fell, the building started to move, sway, crack, crumble, leak, and in some parts, it even fell. This crew, took just as long time wise, to build this building, yet - it was all false hours. As the building began to fall apart in front of the investors, they started deducting from what they were paying this crew for their work. In the end, the building fell completely, demolishing all of the work that had gone into the project. So much damage was done, that the investors, actually owed nothing, and the crew owed THEM for their work!! The whole crew, ended up in poverty, debt, and prison.

A - Application: Wow! This is just like us and our time and relationship with Jesus!! When we spend quality time with Him, in both reading and prayer - we are lifted up and filled with wisdom, joy, peace and understanding. We can stand in situations and circumstances, that would have broken us before meeting Jesus. When we try to take short-cuts in our time with Jesus, giving Him our "seconds', if anything at all - we usually end up hurting. Both emotionally and often physically. When we only give Him 'short-cuts' in time, reading, prayer, and or helping others... we are walking a thin line, and poverty in ALL areas, soon follows. 

P - Prayer: Of Heavenly Father, forgive me for anything I have put myself "first" in, instead of turning to You first. Forgive me for taking short-cuts in my time and relationship with You. Lord, I do not want to fall and or become poor in the family of God, and I really don't want to become poor in life as a whole. Father, I ask, that You show me any areas where I am being hasty or using short-cuts in life. As in my home, work, friendships, and neighborhood/community. Show me the ways I need to go and follow Your guidance in my work both physically and emotionally. Father, I pray for us to build a better relationship together, one that prospers in all of the good things You have for me and my family. I pray, that I can be a blessing to others, which is a reward all its own. Thank You Father, for being patient, kind, merciful and full of grace towards me and all of the 'growing' I need to do and go through, to be pleasing in Your sight. I pray, that I make You proud, and that together, we can and will get through anything! I pray in Jesus name, amen.

Today, I pray that we can all examine the "house we have built" in and with Jesus. Is it on a firm foundation, with good sturdy walls? Or is it a falling apart mess, with patches all over, just barely holding up? Jesus is the Carpenter that can and WILL fix it for us! All we need to do, is turn to Him and ask. Yes, some areas will need to be taken down or apart, to get back to basics. However, it also allows for even stronger supports to be in place, for the rest of our future and life! Trust Him - He holds it all in His hands.