Wisdom in Building Up | Daily Devotional by T.D. Jakes
In the following passage we find some of the simplest and most profound truths in all the Word of God. But everything hinges on the truth stated in verse 20:
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 20-23).
WE can build up ourselves, cultivate a sense of expectancy about the coming of the Lord, have compassion on those who have fallen, and be moved with zeal to make a difference in the lives of those who have spotted their garments.
Let’s look at the ability to “build up.” The word build is an architectural word that means “to cause a building to stand.” It means “to lay a good foundation.” In the natural realm, it is always important to leave yourself the ability to add on to your building in case you need to expand in the future.
If you have outgrown your spiritual house, the Holy Ghost gives you the resources to add on to meet your demands.
If you have more ministry, then you have a place to house it, to build on. Are there weak areas in the structure? Build them up. You do this by praying in the Holy Spirit. This will build up your faith so that you can stand against Goliath and know that your God is bigger than the giant who defies you.
God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath, which means “to refine as in a melting pot.” Gold is not pure in its original form. It must be refined, which is done by heating it to boiling.
The heat separates the raw substance from its impurities which sur- face and are skimmed off. God does the same for us using the heat of trials to separate the gold from the dross in our lives.
God leads you through a progressive path, but the ultimate goal is to be on Mount Carmel and to be fruitful.
He wants you to be able to call fire down from Heaven, to see into the Spirit as Elijah saw, and to persevere in prayer until God intervenes in your situation.
The answer to your drought may appear to be a cloud the size of a man’s hand, but you know a refreshing rain is about to fall.
If you feel a hunger to go on with God, the Holy Ghost is telling you that your current spiritual house is too small.
He is urging you to build on your current foundation. In order to do this, however, we must pray in the Holy Ghost.
T.D. Jakes
T.D. Jakes founded The Potter’s House (TPH), a non-denominational, multicultural church and global humanitarian organization, in Dallas, Texas. Recognized as America’s Best Preacher by Time Magazine, as well as One of the Nation’s Most Influential & Mesmerizing Preachers by The New York Times
