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Monday, June 6, 2022

Rock-solid Build/ Race Route

I really enjoy the show Rock Solid Builds on HGTV.
This post however is about a different kind of Rock-solid build!

One of my favorite top ten things in the world is a baptism service.
Listening to testimonies of faith and witnessing the outward sign of an inward change
from the old man to the new rouses in me Joy Unspeakable and Sacred Sympathy.
Joy for the choice by the believer to receive the gift of salvation
and sympathy because the deceiver does not depart when someone takes this step of faith
but rather seems to amass its forces against the child of God, as he or she endeavors to
'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ' 
(This is the same Peter from Matt.16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.)

Growth; we cannot hurry it!
We can make wise choices so as not to hinder it but growth takes time!
Whether plant or child, whether physical or spiritual.
But until full maturity, growth is essential to reach the subject's full potential!
It takes time to grow a sprout to a tree/ sainthood..

...above, as attractive and tender as bindweed's first tendrils may appear
it is full of deadly evil!


On Saturday I once again tackled its tenacity
which has invaded my front flower garden, winding its visible tendrils
around anything it can bind. Left unattended it would dominate 
and terribly hinder healthy growth.
(below; network of roots)


A network of roots running deep below the surface makes it nearly
impossible to completely obliterate the pesky weed, 
but I noticed something as I pulled
at rocks to chase down the rampant roots. 
The weed could climb around and between but never penetrate the rocks!
What a parable as we battle the tendrils of temptation
and seek safety from deadly vices!
They cannot penetrate the Rock!
If we build our house on the Rock,
and embrace the cornerstone which is Christ
sin cannot prevail!
It is when we look away or step/slip from the Rock that we
become enticed and entangled...

Let's build and run on a rock-solid route!

Yesterday at the baptism service one of the young converts
received this verse as a memento of encouragement... 
“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.
Matt.7:24

This devotion from a few days ago also deals with the 'battle'
we encounter as we strive to live for Christ...
(full page below)


Temptation’s tendrils entice first and then entangle, oh
None can afford to wander from the grace whereby we grow
To grow in grace and knowledge of the truth requires grit
And diligent persistence by faith, to accomplish it

The gift of grace begins a race that we are called to run
For the redemption of our souls cost God His only Son
Thus, we are called to throw off all that would entangle us
Eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of faith; Jesus

This is no game, when we lay claim to salvation’s free gift
Without the steadfast anchor of God’s Word, soon we will drift
Without the armor of the Lord none are equipped fitly
To withstand the beguiling wiles of sin’s artillery

Upon the solid Rock of Christ alone we are secure
Do not despair; but pour to prayer the hunger to endure
For the joy set before us let us run and not grow faint
Temptation’s schemes cannot uproot the Rock-established saint

© Janet Martin



 

I looked up the stanza by Charles Wesley quoted above!
A beautiful hymn I had never heard before.











2 comments:

  1. Hi Janet, hope all is well. This post is a rock solid reminder that faith can help protect us from entanglement. Glad to see you're writing up a storm over here, God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rch, thank-you so much for your kind words and dropping by! Good to 'see' you again! God bless you too<3

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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!