“Living a life of excellence no mater what the world throws at you.”

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.   Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

Three Foundational Principles for Building and Rebuilding

I. A solid FOUNDATION is critical.

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.”   Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.   Psalms 127:1 (NIV)

7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.  Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

II. Building and rebuilding is a continual PROCESS.

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.   Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

III. Get a clear PERSPECTIVE from God.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.    Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

3 Call to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you great and mysterious things that you do not know.  Jeremiah 33:3 (GW)

How Do I Get Started?

Step 1: Make a Decision.

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.    Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

“An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.” Winston Churchill

Step 2: “Measure Twice Cut Once”

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.   Matthew 7:26

Step 3: Clear Away the Old

Step 4: Build Before You Decorate

10 God was kind and let me become an expert builder. I laid a foundation on which others have built. But we must each be careful how we build, 11 because Christ is the only foundation. 12 Whatever we build on that foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Then everyone will find out if we have used gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw.    1 Corinthians 3:10-12 (CEV)