In 1981, at the Harbor Cay Condominium in Cocoa Beach, Florida, a building collapsed killing 11 workers. Later, an investigation revealed that the floor slabs in the five-story building had not been poured at the code-specified depth of 11 inches. Instead, they had been cut short to eight inches. Eleven workers died, 27 people were injured, reputations were destroyed, and a lot of money was lost, all for the sake of three inches of concrete. God has a building code also: it’s the Bible. He promises to reward those who follow it. He also warns those who want to take shortcuts. Don’t invite catastrophe by pouring 8 inches of concrete when all 11 are required. Don’t build a gospel for yourself based on just the parts of the Bible that you like. A contractor studies the plans before construction, and constantly checks them as the building goes up. In the same way, refer to your plans—the Bible—often as you build a life that seeks to honor and follow Christ. WEEK Week 6 36 Monday—November 13•Following God’s “Building Code” For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. (1 Corinthians 3:9–10) In your own words, describe the danger of not following God’s building code when you are building your life. Daily Reading: Ezekiel 27:1–28:26, Hebrews 11:17–31, Psalm 111:1–10, Proverbs 27:15–16 Tuesday—November 14•The Foundation Is Jesus For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11) You probably know the importance of having a good foundation for a building. The same is true for your life. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25). The opposite is true for the one who hears Jesus’ words and does not act upon them. Jesus compared that to building on soft sand, so that when life’s storms come, the house falls “with a great crash” (Matthew 7:27). In writing to the Corinthian believers, the apostle Paul compared the work he and other leaders performed among them to constructing a building. He did not claim to be the foundation of their lives. He simply said he laid the foundation, which is Jesus. No other foundation will stand up to life’s tempestuous times. WEEK Week 6 Suppose your friend was having a house built, and upon inspection you realized the foundation was not strong enough. How would you know? How does that relate to a spiritual foundation for building a life? Daily Reading: Ezekiel 29:1–30:26, Hebrews 11:32–12:13, Psalm 112:1–10, Proverbs 27:17
20514 Man in Mirror
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