A SURE FOUNDATION

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JESUS THE CORNERSTONE
Read: Read Acts 4:1–22

     This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Acts 4:11 NKJV

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     The religious leaders were in a dilemma: A man had been healed and Peter and John insisted that the healing was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One they had crucified.

     The apostles claimed that Jesus was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." (Isaiah 28:16 NIV) But this same Jesus had become to them "…A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." (Isaiah 8:14 NKJV)

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     They stumbled because they refused to receive the Lord as Savior, in spite of His miracles and fulfillment of prophesy. But God has something better in mind for those of us who have received Him:
     "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," (Jude 24 NKJV) to Him be the glory! Thank You Lord Jesus!

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     'Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NKJV

IN THE NAME OF JESUS

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A LAME MAN HEALED

Read Acts 3

        Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6 NIV

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     After Pentecost the Apostles were granted the gift of healing that Jesus had promised they would have after He went to the Father. When this man began to walk and praise God, the people were astonished because they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (3:10) Peter said, “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (3:12b)

     This was a moment when Peter and John could have taken credit, but instead Peter began to preach a disturbing message: He proclaimed to them, “you killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this…” (3:15)

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     Lord, I pray that whatever ministry you accomplish through my life, that I will always give glory to You. Help me to be sensitive to the kind of message that will be received, speaking boldly or gently as the occasion requires. You have promised to give the wisdom I need. Thank You, Lord.

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     By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. (Acts 3:16 NIV)

A FIRM FOUNDATION

THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK

Read: Luke 6:39–49

"I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice." Luke 6:47 NIV

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After appointing the twelve apostles, Jesus came down from the mountain and began to speak to a large crowd of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.

His message was different from any they had heard before – He told them, “love your enemies,” “do to others as you would have them do to you,” (vv. 27, 31) “do not judge,” “forgive, and you will be forgiven.”(v. 37) He finished with, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (6:46) – they looked for healing and He looked for a life change.

If there is going to be lasting change in my life that can withstand the storms, I must spend quality time getting to know God’s Word and applying it to my everyday circumstances.

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Lord, Thank You for the timeless principles You have given in Your Word. Help us to understand and apply this wisdom to our lives and to teach them to our children so that our home will have a firm and lasting foundation.

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"He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it …" Luke 6:48 NIV