Did you know we are all in the construction business? You might think you are a teacher, a nurse, a lawyer, a mother or a clerk, but that's not all you are. You are also a master builder—make no mistake about it! You are building a masterpiece that will hopefully stand the test of time for generations to come.

We are all building a life one decision at a time, one word at a time and one reaction at a time. The lives we build are not determined by the way others treat us, by our educational opportunities in life, by our nationality, by our circumstances or even by our socio-economic level. The lives we are building are being constructed based upon how we choose to respond to events, storms, disappointments and blessings.

When building a home, the first thing a builder does is to obtain the blueprint of the dwelling he or she is constructing. Once the final draft of the blueprint is agreed upon, the builder dare not deviate one inch from the designated plan. Changing the blueprint by even a fraction could prove to be disastrous in other areas of the home.

Do you have a blueprint? Have you determined the master code of your home? For me, it is the Bible. Whenever I must make a decision, I go for this blueprint. Whenever I am hit by an unanticipated storm, I open my Bible. Whenever someone tries to do structural damage to my life, it is the Bible that does the repair work.

After choosing the blueprint, a builder then begins to lay the foundation of the building. What is your foundation? What are you building your life upon? What are the raw materials that can be found in the foundation of your life? Many people build a life upon entertainment or recreation. Others might choose a high-level education or the stability that finances bring. You must determine the quality of the materials you are using in the foundational issues of your life.

In my foundation, you will find a commitment to the Word and worship. Also in the foundation of my life, you will discover the importance of family and of friendship. The foundation I have chosen to build a life upon will also contain prayer, ministry and the faith that nothing is impossible to the God whom I serve.

As the home begins to take shape and begins to rise from the solid foundation that you have chosen, the fun begins! That is when you get to add your own personal touches to the life you are living. You will find, in my life, music filling every room of my house, pictures of grandchildren on the refrigerator and books galore! In the life I have built, you will quickly discover that there is a Christmas room and a room in which I serve others and exhibit hospitality often. You will also find power in my prayer closet and a place of sacred rest behind my bedroom door.

You are a builder, so build well! Build a strong life that will exhibit honor for the kingdom of God long after you step into eternity.

"Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms will be filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (Prov. 24:3-4).

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written 10 books, including The Rooms of a Woman's Heart; Defiant Joy!; Holy Estrogen!; No More Ordinary; Refined; Joy For All Seasons; Let There Be Joy!; Pass the Joy, Please!; Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue; and Stormproof, which released on March 1, 2019. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at carolmcleodministries.com.

Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

Dr. Mark Rutland's

National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)

The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!

FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.

The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.