• Home
  • Store
    • See All Products
    • Celtic Rhythms Film
    • Abba's Heart
    • Fine Art
    • Celtic Films
  • About
    • About
    • Booking
    • Press
  • E-Devotional
  • Donate
  • Prayer Cabin
  • Gather
    • Potters House
    • Spiritual Retreats
    • Cabin Collective Music
  • Online Classes
    • All Classes
    • How to Write a Book
    • Passover Online
  • Creativity Retreat 2023
  • Podcast
  • Prophetic School
Rebecca Friedlander
  • Home
  • Store
    • See All Products
    • Celtic Rhythms Film
    • Abba's Heart
    • Fine Art
    • Celtic Films
  • About
    • About
    • Booking
    • Press
  • E-Devotional
  • Donate
  • Prayer Cabin
  • Gather
    • Potters House
    • Spiritual Retreats
    • Cabin Collective Music
  • Online Classes
    • All Classes
    • How to Write a Book
    • Passover Online
  • Creativity Retreat 2023
  • Podcast
  • Prophetic School

Foundations

10/14/2018

6 Comments

 
Picture
For myself and many people I know, "transition" seems to be the recent life trend. In the middle of releasing old things and determining what the future holds, God has been slowing me down from my usual pace and asking me to dream with Him. Then, instead of immediately running with those dreams, He's been speaking to me about the importance of laying foundations, which is the subject of this week's photo.

Ugg, I love to build, but don't relish the idea of spending too much time on preparation. For someone who enjoys action, it's difficult for me to slow down and truly think about how to invest in the big picture... but recently the Holy Spirit shifted my perspective with a passage in Revelation.

"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.... and the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones." Revelation 21:14, 19a

In His city, foundations are made of precious stones and people, and they are built to carry the Presence and glory of God.  (Read Revelation 21 for context-- you'll be amazed at this city!) All of a sudden it struck me that God wants to build the next season of my life with these things as well: people, and precious jewels of revelation that come from my time with Him. In God's city, even the foundations are beautiful. 

How do you lay a good foundation? I did some internet research and discovered five crucial DIY steps for building well that also apply to our life journey. Some of these "jewels" are a bit uncomfortable, but they are so applicable!


  1. Investigate the soil. Poor soil that shifts easily or carries too much moisture is the most common problem in defective foundations. Question: what “soil” am I sowing into? Will it have the strength to hold up under pressure?  Am I sowing my time and energy into something that will last?  Matthew 13:19-23 
  2. Survey the lot and establish your boundaries. Question: am I respecting the boundaries of others and myself? Or am I compromising here and there to “make something happen?” Scripture says our boundaries are attached to our inheritance! (Deuteronomy 19:14) There was also a curse released upon tampering with the boundaries of others, so I think God is pretty serious about this!  Deut. 27:17.
  3. Start digging and go deep. A good foundation is laid underground, which means that “staying on the surface” is not enough. What questions should I be asking myself as I prepare for the next season? Jesus said the wise builder “digs deep” before building. Luke 6:47
  4. Install footings. The Word of God has so much to say about Jesus being the cornerstone, and He makes everything square and straight when we build around Him. Question: do my goals have the character of Christ attached to them, or are they ego-driven or full of self-initiative? Am I building my goals around the character of Christ?
  5. Pour and seal the cement: the seal makes it waterproof and able to stand the test of time. Our “seal” is the Holy Spirit who has sealed our hearts with His grace. Are my goals something that the Holy Spirit will rest upon? Am I asking Him to make the work “built to last,” weatherproofing it against the storms to come?


    Some of these things can be messy and uncomfortable topics to deal with, but it sure does pay off when we take the time to do it!  If our goal is perfection, we won't achieve it.  But if our goal is to lay a healthy foundation, we can ALL make choices toward  that end!  It's part of embracing the call to be Christ's Bride, the city that carries His glory well. 

    Blessings,
    Rebecca
6 Comments
Bryan
10/15/2018 12:15:12 am

What great insights this image and the devotional thoughts bring to light!! So true.

I noticed that the builder is standing on a precarious stool to place the next gem in a place that is almost out of reach. Eventually, the wall will be too high for her to place any more precious stones, and yet it still won’t be complete. Like Abraham, she will unite her efforts in faith with the mighty hand of God, and He will complete the work that she could never do alone. Incarnation - the power of Christ in us. “By faith Abraham made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” - Hebrews 11:9-10

Reply
Rebecca
10/16/2018 01:54:23 pm

Thanks for sharing, Bryan, great insight! Yes- He takes the little seeds we plant and makes them far greater than we can imagine. Yes!

Reply
perla martinez
10/16/2018 06:40:21 am

I see the builder setting the bigger and stronger stones at the bottom because at some point they will have to carry the smaller ones. I also notice the wall has different size and color stones.

Reply
Rebecca
10/16/2018 01:55:20 pm

This is so true-- thanks for commenting!

Reply
Darren Smalley
5/16/2019 02:14:08 pm

Patience and waiting for cement to cure is a vital part.
James 1:4

We really cannot build anything without Him. And if we do happen to build something, it is considered nothing if HE didn't build it.
John 1:3

I so need to be reminded of these things...

Thank you for this post.
Parhaps it is Him I should thank for no doubt you could not do this on your own efforts only. It all inspires me to make every effort to sit with Him awhile.

Reply
Darren Smalley
5/16/2019 02:47:28 pm

The chair.
Interesting that you (He) chose the chair for her to stand on; her foundation of sitting with Him.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Sign up for Rebecca's weekly photo devotional!
    * indicates required

    Rebecca friedlander

    Blog starting October 15th!

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

All rights reserved.  Website and contents (c) Rebecca Friedlander.  No duplication permitted.

  • Home
  • Store
    • See All Products
    • Celtic Rhythms Film
    • Abba's Heart
    • Fine Art
    • Celtic Films
  • About
    • About
    • Booking
    • Press
  • E-Devotional
  • Donate
  • Prayer Cabin
  • Gather
    • Potters House
    • Spiritual Retreats
    • Cabin Collective Music
  • Online Classes
    • All Classes
    • How to Write a Book
    • Passover Online
  • Creativity Retreat 2023
  • Podcast
  • Prophetic School