Building on God's Foundation for Lasting Impact

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Strategic Placements

Understanding that the environments and situations we find ourselves in are not random but are divinely orchestrated can transform how we perceive our challenges and opportunities. When we recognize that God has placed us in specific circumstances for a reason, it shifts our focus from questioning "Why me?" to seeking "What can I learn?" This perspective helps us to embrace even the most difficult situations as opportunities for growth and preparation for future responsibilities. By acknowledging that our current location, no matter how transient, holds valuable lessons, we can fully engage with the present with a purpose-driven mindset. [18:26]

Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV): "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."

Reflection: Consider a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might viewing it as a divine placement change your approach and attitude towards it?

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Day 2: Foundations for the Future

The strength and longevity of our endeavors, whether personal, professional, or spiritual, are determined by the foundations upon which they are built. A foundation laid by God ensures not only stability and growth but also continuity amidst change. Starting each project and each day with God at the core invites His blessing and guidance, which are essential for any lasting impact. This principle encourages us to evaluate our motivations and the spiritual health of our foundations regularly. [02:18]

Luke 6:48-49 (ESV): "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to reinforce your spiritual foundation? How can you start making changes today?

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Day 3: Building with an Eternal Perspective

When we construct our lives and our callings with eternity in mind, it changes our priorities and the impact of our actions. This eternal perspective encourages us to look beyond immediate gratification to the lasting effects of our endeavors. It challenges us to think about the spiritual legacy we are building and how our lives resonate beyond our time on earth. This mindset not only enriches our sense of purpose but also aligns our daily efforts with God's overarching plan for humanity. [11:41]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus today to prioritize activities that have eternal significance over those that offer temporary satisfaction?

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Day 4: The Discipline of Destiny

Discipline is often misunderstood as mere restriction, but in the spiritual context, it is about aligning our daily actions with our divine purpose. This disciplined approach ensures that each step we take is intentional and contributes to our ultimate calling. Embracing discipline in our spiritual lives, careers, and personal development is crucial for building character and achieving our God-given destiny. It prepares us to handle greater responsibilities and aligns us with God's timing and processes. [12:48]

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: Identify one discipline you can implement this week to better align your daily actions with your spiritual goals. What practical steps will you take to incorporate this discipline?

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Day 5: Consecrated Construction

Building anything of lasting value requires a dedicated, holy approach. Whether it's through prayer, fasting, or worship, consecrating our efforts sanctifies our work and aligns it with God's purposes. This approach not only ensures that our endeavors are blessed but also that they contribute to a greater spiritual narrative. By dedicating our tasks to God, we invite His presence into every aspect of our lives, leading to outcomes that are not only successful but also spiritually enriching. [04:19]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What is one aspect of your work or personal projects that you can consecrate to God this week? How will you go about setting this apart for His purposes?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, I emphasized the critical importance of building our lives, our ministries, and our communities on a foundation laid by God. I began by addressing the transient nature of our current church location, underscoring the necessity to extract every lesson from our experiences here before moving on. This transition is not just physical but deeply spiritual, teaching us to thrive under constraints and prepare for greater responsibilities.

I then delved into the concept of building—both literally and metaphorically. I stressed that what we build and how we build profoundly shapes us. Our constructions should not be based on fleeting ambitions or mere human effort but should be endeavors blessed and sustained by God. This ensures that what we build stands the test of time and adversity, reflecting God's permanence rather than our temporary desires.

A significant portion of the sermon was dedicated to the idea of divine placement and purpose. I discussed how God positions us in challenging environments, not as a punishment, but as a platform for growth and learning. Whether it's a difficult job or a strained relationship, these are not mere coincidences but divine appointments for us to develop virtues like patience, forgiveness, and resilience.

Moreover, I highlighted the dangers of building without God's guidance, which leads to structures—be they personal lives, businesses, or ministries—that crumble under pressure because they lack the divine blueprint. I called upon the congregation to embrace a builder's mentality, equipped with faith, discipline, and a readiness to act upon God's instructions without waiting for human validation.

Towards the end of the sermon, I focused on the theme of spiritual and communal construction. I urged the congregation to engage actively in building their spiritual lives and our church community with dedication to prayer, worship, and adherence to the Word of God. This foundation ensures that our efforts are not just structurally sound but also spiritually vibrant.

In conclusion, I reassured everyone that despite the challenges and changes, God is continually at work. By trusting in His process and timing, we are being built up for a purpose far greater than we can envision. As we align our building efforts with God's will, we prepare ourselves not just for temporary success but for eternal significance.

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Key Takeaways

1. given destiny. This disciplined approach is crucial in building not just our careers or ministries but our character. [12:48]
5. The Power of Consecrated Construction
Building anything of lasting value requires consecration—a dedicated, holy approach to the tasks at hand. Whether it's through prayer, fasting, or worship, consecrating our work sanctifies our efforts and aligns them with God's purposes, leading to blessed and fruitful outcomes.

### [12:48]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - The Impermanence of Our Current Location
[01:37] - Building with God's Blessing
[02:18] - Foundations of Divine Approval
[03:02] - Calling for Builders with Tenacity
[04:19] - Consecration in Construction
[05:20] - Prophetic Call for Resources and Builders
[06:19] - Preparing for a Movement
[07:29] - From Affliction to Acceleration
[08:27] - Avoiding Misaligned Building Efforts
[09:27] - The Growth Testimony
[10:01] - The Significance of the Seed Season
[11:41] - Lessons from Our Current Location
[12:48] - Discipline as a Vehicle to Destiny
[13:44] - Empowering the Congregation to Build
[14:12] - Principles of Building with God
[15:57] - Growth in Hidden Seasons
[17:13] - Learning from Unliked Situations
[18:26] - Divine Placement for Purpose
[19:34] - Building Beyond Current Circumstances
[20:40] - Excellence in Execution
[21:56] - Releasing Unfit Connections
[23:06] - Training and Deploying Believers
[24:06] - Selecting Right Partnerships
[25:23] - Learning from Unlikely Teachers
[26:51] - Lessons from Judas
[28:56] - Necessity of Deconstruction for Reconstruction
[30:00] - Seeing Potential in the Process
[31:27] - The Impact of Collective Obedience
[32:44] - Surrendering to God's Will
[33:50] - Building Dependence on God
[35:09] - Sensitivity to God's Guidance

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Psalm 127:1 suggest about the importance of God's involvement in our efforts and projects?
According to Ecclesiastes 7:8, why is the end of a matter considered better than its beginning?
How does James 1:2-4 describe the purpose of facing trials and challenges in our lives?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of building without God's guidance and the consequences of such actions? ([01:37])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of divine placement and purpose, as discussed in the sermon, align with the message in James 1:2-4 about facing trials? ([18:26])
What does it mean to build with an eternal perspective, and how does this shift our focus from temporary achievements to lasting contributions? ([11:41])
How does the sermon explain the role of discipline in achieving our God-given destiny, and why is it crucial for building our character? ([12:48])
What are the dangers of building without God's guidance, as highlighted in the sermon, and how can we ensure that our efforts are aligned with God's will? ([08:27])

Application Questions

Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you view this as a divine placement for growth and learning? ([18:26])
Think about a project or goal you are working on. How can you ensure that God is at the foundation of this endeavor? What steps can you take to invite His guidance and blessing? ([02:18])
In what ways can you build with an eternal perspective in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can shift your focus from temporary success to lasting impact. ([11:41])
How can you incorporate more discipline into your daily routine to align your actions with your divine purpose? What specific habits or practices can you adopt? ([12:48])
Consider a recent decision or action you took without seeking God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might it have been different if you had consulted God first? ([08:27])
Identify a task or responsibility that you find difficult or unpleasant. How can you approach it with a consecrated mindset, dedicating it to God through prayer, worship, or fasting? ([04:19])
Reflect on a time when you felt the need for human validation before acting on God's instructions. How can you cultivate a readiness to act upon God's guidance without waiting for external approval? ([13:17])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's happening all around us. One of the things that God has challenged me to teach and to preach about is what we are building. What are we? Winston Churchill admonishes us that we may shape buildings, but after it's built, it really shapes us because there are some things that you learn in building that you would never learn on the sideline." [00:56](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "If we're going to build it, we've got to build it on the foundation of God. And we've got to build with the end in mind. What does the end mean? What does the vision look like? What does the fruition of the vision look like? We talk about mission and we talk about vision. But mission is the vehicle that moves us to the destination called vision." [14:12]( | | )

3. "The investors you've been waiting for, you're about to bump into in the mall. You better hear the word of the Lord. The builders are coming. The builders are coming. If you've got enough faith, call your address. Call your address. Call your job. Call where you need help at. The builders are coming. The builders are coming." [06:19]( | | )

4. "We're in the dark doesn't mean we're not growing. The best things grow in the dark. Too much light can kill the potential. Too much light can kill the purpose. That's why God sometimes has to pledge you under the ground when he calls you into a season where you can't be on every scene and you can't be in every place." [15:57]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "I've been teaching and I've been preaching, I've been prophesying that we have to make sure that we maximize the seasons and the time that we had in this building. Because the day was going to come where we would have to leave this building. But I won't leave a building until I get every lesson." [11:41]( | | )

2. "It takes a certain mindset. It takes a certain caliber of believer who knows how to get in where they fit in and put a hammer in their hand and begin to build. Who don't require consistent affirmation and celebration, but they understand that I must work the works of Him who has sent me while it is day because night is coming and no man can work." [03:39]( | | )

3. "And that's okay. Everyone is not attracted to the season that we're in and that's okay. There are some people in your life that got to leave and you got to let them go and understand it's okay. God is building something in me. God is building something in me and I'm in a season I'm only attracting those who are like-minded." [20:55]( | | )

4. "Learn to see what God's doing in C4. You're not here to stay. You're here to be developed so you can be deployed. I don't have a ministry where we're just gathering together but I have a ministry where we've got to train and develop you so we can release you to where you're supposed to be." [23:06]( | | )

5. "We have to consider the foundation by which we are building something. If God is not in the foundation, if the flesh is in the foundation, all it's going to attract is people who are full of the flesh. But if God, hey, Mr. Preach, but if God is in the foundation, in the blueprint, in the template, then he will call, he will call, he will call for those who are builders and architects and plumbers and those who have the necessary skill sets and tools to make sure that the building is complete and furnished." [02:18]( | | )

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Transcript

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