PART TWO: HOW DO WE ESTIMATE THE COST?

 

 

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After you have bought the entire field, you must work out the cost of the building material, the labour and the subcontracting work needed for the building. Like with anything else that needs a plan, you need to count the cost when you enter the Kingdom of God. You must have a building plan.

In the beginning, we are stirred by emotions. But once the “honeymoon” phase is over the hardships kick in. now you are no longer moved by emotions by every word that comes from God’s mouth. Instead of submitting to the word, they give up. They become distant and negative about the Word and the church.

· The problem is that there are no teachers to teach the word.

· The culture has not been added and,

· Many people think they know the scripture without ever opening the Bible.

Studying the Bible is a big step in laying a foundation.

This is also the stage where many people are easily influenced by mysticism, mixtures, and promises of grandeur.  

What do we have to look at when we want to build?

BUILDING PLAN

· How big is the project? You must have the end in mind. Why do you want to follow Christ? What is your motive? 

· How much will you need of each item? How much do you need to spend in the Word, away from all the stuff that keeps you busy?

· What must you remove to get to walk in victory? This is where many stop or linger for a long time. But the longer you spend time here, the more baggage will be added. The heavier it will become, so much so that you will dump everything and think it is not for you. Or you will run around for prophetic word and motivational messages to keep you sane. This is not a good to place to be at. It makes you lazy and dependent on others.

· What subcontractors do you need? Each phase in the building plan needs skilled personnel. The Issachar company who knows the times and seasons.

o Here you need the:

§ Second man - architect

§ Sons—builders: foundation, walls, doors, windows, floors, roof, electricity, sewerage, etc.

§ Leaders—trusted men. Electrical contractor, plumbers, tilers, carpenters, painters. Gardener, security… Skilled men and women for each task. People who just came into the kingdom cannot be a leader. They are still babes. The problem is, the moment a person is born again, he/she is given the mic. This is where many false teachings come from. Skilled people have learned, therefore are equipped to do the work.

· They have studied and,

· they have the experience.

· They are people with integrity and walk in righteousness.

· They listen to the voice of God. They are led by the Holy Spirit.

· They are sober.

· They have the nature of Christ.

· They have overcome.

These are the people you need to help you build in your own life and in your ministry or workplace.  

· Does the land have a good enough slope to drain all water away from the foundation?

O Did you install a sump pit for drainage? And is it working?

o Pumping is a continuous action. Studying the Word is not a once in a lifetime thing but a continuous action. You must remove all the water until you come to the Rock. And who is the Rock? Jesus Christ.

You must build your house on a firm foundation first.

Here are a few scriptures you can study and make your own. 

Take the time to examine your motives. Examine your lifestyle. 

What do you need to do to step into what God expects from you? 

Laying a foundation is the hardest part of this new journey. If this is not in place, you will make very expensive mistakes that can cost you dearly. This is not a threat, but born from experience. 

Grace and peace to you. 

THE ROCK OF ALL AGES.

All scriptures are from the English Standard Version.

Exodus 33:22

And while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by.

Deuteronomy 32:4 

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Deuteronomy 32:18

You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth.

Deuteronomy 32:15

“But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.

2 Samuel 22:2

He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

2 Samuel 22:32

“For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:31

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?

Psalm 31:3

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

Psalm 61:2

From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Psalm 62:2

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 95:1

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Psalm 118:22

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Matthew 7:24-27

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Acts 4:11

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

Romans 9:33

As it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Corinthians 10:4

And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Peter 2:4-8

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 

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