RECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part I

SCRIPTURE: “Have you not even read this Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’” Mark 12:10, 11 (NKJV)
There’s a program I sometimes catch, by happenstance, which centers around home interior
decorating that’s designed to enhance the re-selling of the featured home. Prior to their working their interior design “magic,” the renovating hosts ask the presumably thick-skinned sellers to view the tape of a hidden camera, after various prospective buyers have completed a walk-through of the house. A range of critiques such as, ‘Man, this is AWFUL!’ ‘Wow! Check out the ancient wallpaper!’ Or, ‘What’s that SMELL? They must have pets!’ ‘Who’d BUY this place?’ (The sellers, poised to have their home wonderfully transformed, sit there with the hosts listening to these strangers’ dishin’ out some major criticisms of their home.
Well, as comical or cringe-worthy as it is to hear the negative critiques of their homes, it makes you wonder if our Lord cringes as He observes our Christian walk from time to time. That’s something worth pondering, isn’t it? Being the proud owner of a “1,001 Homes & Gardens-type” domicile, while possessing an unregenerated heart, is a scenario that sadly describes many Christ-professing souls. Such hearts more closely resemble a run-down neglected house in the middle of a similarly neglected inner city, (or suburb)! Souls who remain “in Adam,” and not in Christ, are understandably oblivious to their true heart’s condition. They have no hope, and are without God in the world, says Ephesians 2:12. Alternatively, the true Christ follower is called to make his calling and election sure, by daily pursuing a clean heart-house, where walking worthily of Christ Jesus is concerned. {2 Peter 1:10; Ephes. 4:1} He is the Bread of Life and the Chief Cornerstone [John 6:35; Ephesians 3:20]. He is the ONLY One qualified to QUICKEN the spiritually dead and RENOVATE the heart that’s in need of more than merely
superficial repairs, like the forementioned houses. Praise God for His Spirit who is dedicated to
convicting us of our sins and inspiring us to daily enlist His loving support in heart purifications! If this spiritual quickening (i.e., the new birth) is what your “heart-house” needs today, dear reader, heed His solemn command: “You MUST be born again.” (John 3:7)
PRAYER: Dear Abba, we who belong to Christ were created by You to be living epistles of what a heart renovated by Jesus Christ looks like in this sinful world. May we be willing and cooperative participants in that life-changing process! Thank You, LORD! Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
decorating that’s designed to enhance the re-selling of the featured home. Prior to their working their interior design “magic,” the renovating hosts ask the presumably thick-skinned sellers to view the tape of a hidden camera, after various prospective buyers have completed a walk-through of the house. A range of critiques such as, ‘Man, this is AWFUL!’ ‘Wow! Check out the ancient wallpaper!’ Or, ‘What’s that SMELL? They must have pets!’ ‘Who’d BUY this place?’ (The sellers, poised to have their home wonderfully transformed, sit there with the hosts listening to these strangers’ dishin’ out some major criticisms of their home.
Well, as comical or cringe-worthy as it is to hear the negative critiques of their homes, it makes you wonder if our Lord cringes as He observes our Christian walk from time to time. That’s something worth pondering, isn’t it? Being the proud owner of a “1,001 Homes & Gardens-type” domicile, while possessing an unregenerated heart, is a scenario that sadly describes many Christ-professing souls. Such hearts more closely resemble a run-down neglected house in the middle of a similarly neglected inner city, (or suburb)! Souls who remain “in Adam,” and not in Christ, are understandably oblivious to their true heart’s condition. They have no hope, and are without God in the world, says Ephesians 2:12. Alternatively, the true Christ follower is called to make his calling and election sure, by daily pursuing a clean heart-house, where walking worthily of Christ Jesus is concerned. {2 Peter 1:10; Ephes. 4:1} He is the Bread of Life and the Chief Cornerstone [John 6:35; Ephesians 3:20]. He is the ONLY One qualified to QUICKEN the spiritually dead and RENOVATE the heart that’s in need of more than merely
superficial repairs, like the forementioned houses. Praise God for His Spirit who is dedicated to
convicting us of our sins and inspiring us to daily enlist His loving support in heart purifications! If this spiritual quickening (i.e., the new birth) is what your “heart-house” needs today, dear reader, heed His solemn command: “You MUST be born again.” (John 3:7)
PRAYER: Dear Abba, we who belong to Christ were created by You to be living epistles of what a heart renovated by Jesus Christ looks like in this sinful world. May we be willing and cooperative participants in that life-changing process! Thank You, LORD! Amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
3 Comments
Amen Sister Denise. Jesus Christ is the chiefcorner of our faith…
Amen..."Search me, O God, and know my ways. Try me and know my anxieties. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. " Psalm 139:23-24
Amen! He is the cornerstone of our faith today.