We are reading Believing God by Beth Moore in our Compass Ladies’ Bible Study.  This week we are reading about Knowing Who God Says We Are – Which led us to Abraham, which led us to recieving a promise and then waiting – which led to 1 Cor 3:6-10, but then I kept reading . . . I feel re-challenged to continue the work with Good News and Awana and this month with our Jesse Tree – to know that we are building layers that will last – Here are the words that stood out to me, I’m in my old NKJV because it was closest to my chair – look  up the whole chapter – it is delightful.

“9. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.  – laid the foundation another builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each ones work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.17”

I had always heard these last verses used to challenge youth not to smoke, or drink, or gain weight used for physical health.  But in respect to the previous verses, that would be out of context.  I ponder with great sadness what the Lord thinks of all of the people in print and in the media that want to say they under stand our foundation – but just want to add a little something to our building. It adds the warmth that a layer of straw would add to a  structure, maybe even insulation from hurt and harm, but it doesn’t feel right, it even pokes and itches – and in the end – its not worth it.

I pray that the layers that God allows me to add to these little precious buildings will enhance that foundation with the security of Gold and precious jewels that they may shine all the more in a world made of straw.