Built on Rock – (Dawie) 25/09/09

It is nine months since we left Windhoek for our around the world tour. I am writing this blog in the mountains in the north of Italy in a former priest house, built in the twelfth century. The walls of the priest house and the next-door church are almost a meter thick. Despite being built in an earthquake-prone are, they've stood firm for more than 800 years... They are built on solid rock...

It let me think of early one morning when my father-in-law woke us up, so excited; " The Lord gave me a name for your lodge! It has to be 'The Rock Lodge', it has to!" Approved! As the French traffic officer told me in his typical accent: "No discuszioon". There was also no discussion on Charles Ralph Brockelbank von Gericke's suggestion...because through him the Lord has spoken. "Rock lodge" it was.

Since that day more than 13 years ago, we held more than 500 training days of seminars to help people to build their lives, marriages, families, businesses, churches, schools, organizations, governments, countries etc. on the Rock.

More than 2000 years ago Jesus asked his disciples who do they think He is. Matthew 16:15-18 (NLT)
¹⁵ Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?"
¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." ¹⁷ Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
¹⁸ Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

We all know that the "rock" Jesus referred to, is not Peter himself, but more his testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, the savior of the world.

Everyone of us is building something. We all would like to build things that will last...that will stand the test of time...like the priest house and the church I am writing of. Like the Church of Jesus.

Jesus is aware of our desires. That is why he gave us guidelines on how to build.

Matthew 7:24-28 (NIV)
²⁴ "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.
²⁵ 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.
²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

The lesson is clear after the "therefore" in vers 24: those who have heard Jesus' words AND put them into practice, they are building on rock, only their "buildings" will stand against the trails of this world and the storms of life.

Joshua said after a successful life as a leader in difficult circumstances, as recorded in Joshua 24:15 (NLT):
¹⁵ But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."

After 47 years, more than 500 training days at the Rock Lodge and a nine months around-the-world-tour, I am more convinced than ever before that if we would like to leave worthwhile legacies or want to build buildings that will last, then we should build on rock...that is to seek God's guidance through His Word and Spirit AND put His ways into practice.

Therefore if you are unwilling to serve the Lord His way, you can choose today who and how you will serve, but for me and my family, we will serve the Lord in His ways. We will build on the rock...

Its seems to me that it is not only the confession and commitment that is important, but also the outcome...because the quality of our building work will be tested.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (GNT)
¹⁰ Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. ¹¹ For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid. ¹² Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. ¹³ And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. ¹⁴ If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if anyone's work is burnt up, then he will lose it; but he himself will be saved, as if he had escaped through the fire.

I believed that through God's grace, some of our building work will stand the test of time and the storms of life. I further believe that through God's grace, this world tour will bear much fruit for God's Kingdom. When my words proved to be right, may our Lord Jesus get all the glory, because all the glory is due to Him and Him alone.

Therefore, our Heavenly Father, please guide us through the powerful work of your Holy Spirit to know how we should build once we put our feet back into our wonderful country, Namibia...the land of the brave!