The Overwhelming Wisdom of Building One’s Life on the Strong Foundation that’s Jesus!

28 Sep 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 September 2026   Matthew 21:42a.

Matthew 21:42a.         Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (chief corner stone):

And then it was Monday… So what else is new came the sullen reply. Nothing really, just another day in the life, where one is expected to get up and make one’s way to a job so you can keep life and limbs together in a fairly reasonable manner. (smile) Yes, we all know how it feels to get up oh so early on a Monday morning, after two wonderful days of sleeping in, and join the other aggravated souls making the long, slow trek to some distant point to earn a day’s wage. And though the early morning commute was somewhat disrupted by some cloud and drizzle, at midday it’s mostly sunny and dry.

Now, it might not be the best scenario, but it’s the best we have right now, so let’s learn to live with it, using our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as the corner stone for our lives, knowing that in the long run, the Lord’s promised to work everything out for our good. (Rom. 8:28) And what does building our lives on the foundation of Jesus mean? According to this overview: ‘Building your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ means anchoring your daily choices, values, and faith in His teachings rather than shifting cultural trends.’

And why is Jesus such a great choice on which to build our lives eh? Because as He points out in the parable of the vineyard. ‘Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (chief corner stone): this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?’ (Matt. 21:42)

There Jesus is referring to the words of Psalm 118:22-23, which prophesy about a stone rejected by the builders becoming the most important part of the building, the corner stone, which in ancient building, was the largest, strongest, and most carefully placed stone. Everything else was carefully aligned with it. Psalm 118:22 therefore signifies how Jesus was rejected by human builders yet chosen and exalted by God as the supreme foundation of faith. And believe me friends, there is no better foundation to build our lives on than Jesus.

Listen to the case Bruh Paul makes for it in his first letter to the Corinthians. ‘For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble (straw); Every man’s work shall be made manifest (become evident): for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide (endures) which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved: yet so as by (through) fire.’ (1 Cor, 3:11-15)

Yuh see mih bredrin, we must build strong works from strong stuff, like silver and gold that will endure the fire of the judgement day, so we can be well rewarded. As the scholars explain: ‘Fire is figurative for judgement, more specifically, the absolutely righteous judgement of God. Fire is used here to denote, not enlightening power, but consuming power. Of the six types of material mentioned, three are incombustible (silver, gold, precious stones) and three are combustible (wood, hay and stubble).

As per Reward (wages; cf. 3:8) And the “wages” mentioned here are entirely a gift of grace (cf. 1. Cor. 9:17; 2 John 8; Rev. 11:18). As per Saved: Such a one does not suffer the loss of his salvation, but the loss of reward. The stress in this entire passage is not on a person’s relationship to Christ, but on service to Christ.’

And to help us understand the situation a little better, we shall quote the first reference verse from the Reward section above. ‘Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.’ (1 Cor. 3:8) Meaning that you will only be judged on your own labour, not someone else’s.

And as per the other references, 2 John 8 says this: ‘Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought (worked for), but that we receive a full reward.’ That means we have to be careful and build on strong, incombustible material and then make sure we don’t do anything to lose our full reward.  

Now if you’re still uncertain about all we’ve said so far, then here’s some practical advice from Jesus on the subject, where He explains about the wisdom of two builders. ‘Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a (the) rock: 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 (the) rock.

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: 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.’ (Matt. 7:24-27) Oh friends, Jesus is there reassuring us that He is indeed the Rock, and we’d be wise to build our lives on Him! And for divine help to aid in doing that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!

And now, having been divinely inspired, let’s get out there and diligently and proudly spread the good news of Christ’s gospel to all we meet and thus turn our world around! Much LOVE!

…anything you build is only as strong as its foundation…and there’s nothing stronger than the Rock…that’s Jesus… 

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien    

The Great Need for Believers to Spread God’s Word ALL OVER this Evil and Ungodly World! Part 2.

12 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 9:37-38.        The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Oh brother! Friday has finally arrived, and in bright sunshiny form too. Praise the Lord! No wonder the many voices raised in that joyful shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Yes, that means the weekend is here, and we have a short break from our mundane work, but please, let’s remember to use those two short days off wisely, so that we come back refreshed to begin another same old, same old week of work. (smile) 

And today we’ll continue talking about the problem of getting missionaries out into the world to spread the gospel. That reminds us of Jesus reaction as He went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. The Bible says: ‘But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Matt. 9:36-38) 

Yes friends, Jesus saw that the multitude of people around him were distressed, lost and not knowing which way to turn, just like so many of us are today. And unfortunately, there is a very large crowd of us wandering lost, like sheep without a shepherd. And do we ever need a shepherd to lead and guide us, if our lives are to improve and be worth anything. And we know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He said it Himself: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11) And that’s exactly what He did; paid for our abominable sins with His sacrificial death on the cross. 

However, right now we don’t have enough people willing to go out and spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ sacrificial death that brings salvation and eternal life. Instead we, Christ’s church is fighting amongst itself over petty matters, and not doing what is necessary to further the kingdom of God. And remember yesterday we talked about Bruh Paul accusing the Corinthians of carnality because of their envying and infighting, talking about who belonged to Paul, and who belonged to Apollos, letting them know that one planted and one watered, but in the long run, it’s God who gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3) 

Consequently, we are all fellow workers in God, and it doesn’t matter what we do, once we sincerely help to build the kingdom. Then Bruh Paul makes some interesting comments, that we should all pay attention to. ‘According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation no man can lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ (1 Cor. 3:10-11) That’s the first thing we need to know; the only foundation worth building on is that of Christ! No other will make any substantial difference in our lives. 

However, as Bruh Paul continues, we do have to be careful what building materials we use. ‘Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble (straw); Every man’s work shall be made manifest (become evident): for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try (test) every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide (endures) which he hath built upon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by (through) fire.’ (1 Cor. 3:12-15) 

So friends, we not only need to build upon Christ’s foundation, but also to use good material, incombustible materials like gold, silver and precious stones, and not combustible stuff like wood, hay and straw, for our work will be tested by fire in the judgement day, and if it endures the fire then we will be rewarded, but if it doesn’t, we will lose any possible rewards, though we ourselves will be saved. 

So, having seen that lots of us are lost and need Christ, but not enough of us are going out into the field to find them, we come to this final part where we consider how to spread the gospel. And in Bruh Paul’s letter to the Roman Church, where he writes about Preaching to a Disobedient People, we find out how it’s done in a most beautiful interwoven passage of scripture. It shows Bruh Paul’s power as a writer, and it’s one of my favourite passages of scripture. 

He theorizes: ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias (Isaiah) saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ (Rom, 10:14-17) 

And I just LOVE how Bruh Paul interweaves the different aspects of missionary work. As the scholars explain: ‘In presenting the universal proclamation of the gospel, Paul presents the reasons why that’s necessary. First, because the call must be preceded by faith; second, because faith must preceded by hearing. This shows that knowledge is essential to belief. Faith must have valid content; third, because hearing requires a preacher; fourth, because preaching requires being sent. The One who sends is God. Salvation is completely from God.’ 

Yes my fellow believers, faith comes about by what is heard, the gospel, and to hear the saving faith of the gospel someone must preach it to you. Meaning, if we’re to spread it to all parts of the world, like Jesus desired of us in the Great Commission, then we need people willing to do so. And since we cannot do it on our own, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid. 

Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…  because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. 

We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

Now, all the prayer and supplication is fine, but we also need to do our part, which means improving our witness for Christ, which right now is not very good! Nuff said! Much LOVE!

…a word to the wise is sufficient…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien