He Laid the Foundation
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, to the end that the temple might be built…”  Zechariah 8:9

“He laid the foundation, opened up the way, what more can He do?” The seasoned saints will remember that song from days of old. Sadly, we don’t sing those songs much anymore; the songs were simple, yet powerful and gave us strength to keep going, motivating us to run on. The words let us know that God has already laid the foundation and given us all we need to build on. There’s not much more that He can do and the rest is up to us. It’s a choice we make, a decision to continue on because our hope and future lies in Him. We, who desire to make a difference according to Jude, should be building up ourselves on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

In the passage today, Zechariah is encouraging the children of Israel to complete their unfinished responsibility in the rebuilding of the temple of God. He doesn’t rebuke or speak harshly to them but gently encourages them on how important it is that the temple is completed. He tells them that their future blessings were contingent or dependent upon their present obedience to God’s instructions. Only then would the promised restoration and consolation come. This also stands true for us today because God’s word has not changed and is applicable to our lives. We too, have been given the opportunity to build on the foundation that is Jesus Christ (I Cor 3:9-14).

We are a work in progress; working on a building; the temple of God, which is our body (II Cor 6:16-18). Definitely, this requires preparation with diligence and dedication, which is the key in the building of it. This comes about by prayer, fasting, studying and meditating on the word of God. We should be doers and not just hearers of the word as well (James 1:22). Looking and listening to the voice of God who is the author and the finisher of our faith. He is concerned about us as we build. He gently encourages us and reminds us how important it is to build for our future, just like the children of Israel, because our blessings depend on our obedience. God tell us, if we are listening, when He wants us to move and how; He directs our path (Prov 3:5-6). He provides the strength and support we need (Ps 46). Truly, Father knows best.

We are not just working on a building but a future in Christ and this should be our motivation to build. And honestly, there is none other for which we could build. It's important that we continue the work that has He has begun in us. Christ has come and laid the foundation and all we have to do is build wisely which comes from listening attentively to the Master Builder.

Regardless of what comes to try to hinder, distract or prevent us from building, don't stop, keep building. Press on and God will bring comfort in the midst of your building. The Lord is saying, “hear what I am saying in these days, stay on course, stay focused, and be confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it and complete it (Phi 1:6). He has laid the foundation, so keep building because the rewards are great!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

 
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We Carry Life
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Cor 4:5-7, 10
 
This past week has been extraordinary and beyond measure; one full of birthday celebrations and love from so many directions. However, there was a love gift in particular that I received and it was the best gift a girl could ask for. The Lord dropped some additional knowledge in my spirit that you can’t get on a natural level. He gave me the gift of insight; a higher level of divine learning. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! Priceless.
 
I also begin to reflect on how God has been blessing me with His word over the past couple of months and how valuable the information has been to me personally ,as well as collectively for the body of Christ. What He’s been giving me and revealing to me has catapulted me into another realm. Not to sound deep but you can’t stay in the same place when God has supped with you. So, while spending time in His word and listening, I am thoroughly convinced that we have to study to be better listeners than talkers, because listening is a learned attribute. He confirmed this to me while reading this week. I came across the Latin term "lectio divina" which means divine reading. It’s a method of reading that involves listening to the heart. It’s also an ancient tradition that the Hebraic called Shema which Involves reading passages with specific pauses and concentration in certain areas of the scriptures. You must read slowly, over and over; reflecting on each word and each phrase while paying attention to the impact the words have on the heart. I love that because I have experienced this over the years without knowing this information.
 
It made me think about Mary of Bethany, who stayed at the feet of Jesus listening; mesmerized by everything He spoke. She was at His feet at every given opportunity and clung to His every word, His wisdom, and His teaching. This is what I've been doing, staying at the feet of Jesus. The Lord is seeking those who desire to sit at His feet and listen. No, we don’t have Jesus here physically with us but we can spend time in His presence and we still have His word. The word tells us, “He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying...” (Rev 2:7). Listen to the Spirit of God or how will we be able to fully understand the treasure that we possess in this earthen vessel? This valuable and powerful and precious gift. Not every one will except it but we've been given the opportunity to carry it; to carry life. This light of the knowledge of God’s glory; wisdom and secrets (Deut 29:29), His insight that enlightens, along with His Spirit all wrapped up and given to us to deposit where needed. And it’s not just for us – but to be given out freely.
 
We are chosen to carry this great treasure, this light of God’s glory and grace, that has been put into these earthen vessels with this all surpassing power of the gospel to enlighten the mind, to convince the conscience of man, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the heart. Our obligation to the world is to advance the kingdom and make known Jesus because He is the only Saviour of men. We, the ministers of this great gospel, were designed to be the weaker vessels, yet stronger only because of His power so that the treasure we carry would be valued more. When we know who we are and whose we are, we begin to understand the value of what we possess. We then become the light that shines to those who are lost because we carry around in this body the life they need.
 
I absolutely love this letter written by Paul to the Corinthians. I’ve read it many times over the years, quoted it, spoke on it but it has never resonated “in” me like has this past week. He let them know that you have this treasure and an obligation to the ministry because it is the power for the effectual working of the kingdom. This treasure, this valuable, powerful and precious gift given to us in these earthen vessels, so that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. And that we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our body. We carry life.  
 
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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