New Series ~ Before The Bricks Went Up; Brick By Brick!

There are moments in life when a single phrase unlocks an entire revelation. This devotional series was born in one of those moments. I was in conversation with my coworker, Dr. Karen Jackson, and in the middle of what seemed like a simple exchange, she made a statement that stopped me in my spirit: “Before the bricks went up…” And my God; the thoughts started pouring in. Not just a thought, but a download. Not just a phrase, but a process. Not just words, but a revelation.

Brick by brick. Have you ever heard someone say that? Or maybe you’ve said it yourself…“We’re building this, brick by brick.” “I didn’t get here overnight; it happened brick by brick.” But have you ever stopped and asked yourself,  what does that really mean?

What Does “Brick by Brick” Really Mean? It means to build something brick by brick means that it is constructed step by step, layer by layer, process by process. It means nothing is rushed, nothing is skipped, and nothing is accidental. Every piece matters. Every placement counts.

It speaks of intentional building. It means that what you see now, the structure, the strength, the stability, did not appear overnight. It came through time, pressure, alignment, and persistence. And spiritually, it means this, God does not build your life all at once, He builds you in stages. “Line upon line, precept upon precept…” Isaiah 28:10 (KJV). He forms you. He positions you. He strengthens you. He covers you. And then, He fills you. Brick by brick.

But Here’s the Question…How Are Bricks Really Made? Because before the bricks ever go up, they have to be made. And the process is deeper than most people realize. Bricks begin as raw earth, clay and dust, materials pulled from the ground. On their own, they are loose, shapeless, and unstable. But when water is added, they are mixed together. That mixture is then pressed into a mold, shaping it into form. After shaping, the brick is left to dry, removing excess moisture. Then comes the most critical part, the brick is placed into intense fire, a kiln, where it is hardened and strengthened. Only after all of that is it ready to be used. Gathered. Mixed. Molded. Dried. Fired. Placed. That is how bricks are made. Bricks have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt. They were essential for building homes, cities, walls, and temples. Why? Because bricks are durable, structured, and able to carry weight.

But here’s what makes them so powerful; They are made to endure pressure. They are made to stand together. They are made to last. And that is exactly why God began to speak through this analogy. Because your life is not random, it is being constructed. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…” 1 Peter 2:5 (KJV). You are not just going through things; you are being built through things. Every season you have experienced, every breaking, every pressing, every waiting, every fire, it was not punishment, it was preparation. Before the bricks went up, something had to be made strong enough to stand. And before God elevates you into what others can see, He develops you in what only He can see.

This series is not just about understanding a phrase, it is about understanding your process. Because many people want the structure, but they don’t understand the making. Many people want to be seen standing, but they resist what it takes to be built. This devotional will walk you through the journey, from being formed; to being placed; to being strengthened; to being covered; to being filled. So that you no longer question what you are going through; but you recognize what God is doing in you. So, the next time you hear the phrase; “Before the bricks went up…” I want you to remember this, before anything in your life stands strong, God will take you through a process that makes you able to stand. And He will not rush it. Because what He builds, He builds to last. You are not behind; you are being built. Before the bricks go up, God is making you strong enough to stand. Brick by brick, He is building your life with purpose.

Good Morning Sunshine! You Are Being Formed, Shaped In The Process And Prepared To Stand, Brick by Brick!

Psalm 127:1 (KJV) ~ “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Psalm 127 is a wisdom song written by Solomon, a master builder who understood both construction and consequence. He built temples, cities, and structures that stood with beauty and strength, yet he paused to declare something deeper than architecture, if God is not the one building, everything else is empty effort. The context of this scripture is not just about physical houses, but about lives, destinies, families, and purpose. It is a warning and an invitation: you can build, but only what God builds will stand.

There are two stories that help us see this truth clearly, one we learned as children, and one we have seen in real life.

The first is the story of The Three Little Pigs. Three pigs each had the same goal, to build a house. The first chose straw because it was quick and easy. The second chose sticks, slightly stronger, but still rushed. The third chose bricks, and though it took longer, required more effort, and demanded patience, it produced something that could withstand the storm. When the wind came, when pressure showed up, only what was built with process remained.

The second story is one that reflects real life. A man desired to build his dream home. He had vision, resources, and excitement, but he lacked patience. He rushed through the preparation, skipped key steps, and built quickly. On the outside, everything looked complete, even impressive. But when the first storm came, cracks formed, weaknesses were exposed, and eventually, the structure failed. Broken but wiser, he rebuilt, this time respecting the process, taking his time, and ensuring that every layer was properly formed. And this time, it stood.

Now here is the connection, both stories are not about houses, they are about process. Both builders had vision.
Both had opportunity. Both had the ability to build. But only the ones who honored the process built something that could stand under pressure. And this is where God begins to speak to us. Before the bricks ever go up, something has to be made strong enough to carry weight. And that is something to you.

A brick does not begin as a finished product. It begins as dust, ordinary, overlooked, and unformed. Yet even in that state, it carries potential. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground…” Genesis 2:7 (KJV). God has always started with what seems small and insignificant, because He is the one who gives it form. The process begins with gathering. Clay is pulled from the ground, removed from where it once rested. This is often how God begins with us, He pulls us out of places, patterns, and environments we once found comfort in. It may feel uncomfortable, even unexpected, but it is necessary. “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country…” Genesis 12:1 (KJV). Separation is not loss, it is preparation.

Then comes the mixing. Water is added, and everything begins to blend together. This is the stage where your life may feel messy, uncertain, and unclear. But what feels like confusion is actually God combining every part of your story, your experiences, your pain, your growth, into something purposeful. “And we know that all things work together for good…” Romans 8:28 (KJV). Nothing is wasted in God’s hands. After mixing comes molding. The clay is pressed into shape and no longer has the freedom to form itself. This is where surrender becomes necessary. The pressure you feel is not punishment, it is purpose. “We are the clay, and thou our potter…” Isaiah 64:8 (KJV). God is shaping you into something that can carry His glory.

Then comes the drying season. The brick must sit still. It cannot rush forward. It cannot move ahead of its process. This is the waiting season, the quiet place where you may feel unseen or forgotten. But God is strengthening your foundation. “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10 (KJV). In your stillness, He is stabilizing you. And then comes the fire. The fire is where everything is tested. It is where what has been formed is made strong. Without the fire, the brick would crumble, just like the houses built of straw and sticks could not withstand the wind. But what has gone through the fire, what has endured the heat, what has been processed properly, it stands. “When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…” Isaiah 43:2 (KJV). The fire is not there to destroy you, it is there to develop you.

What you are going through right now may feel like pressure, delay, or even breaking. But it is not destruction, it is development. “The trial of your faith… though it be tried with fire…” 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV). God is not weakening you, He is strengthening you. Because before God ever places you, He makes sure you can stand. Before the bricks went up in those stories, there was a decision, rush the process, or respect it. And the same decision exists in your life.

You can rush and build something quickly, or you can trust God and allow Him to form something that will last. You are not behind. You are not stuck. You are not falling apart. You are being formed. And what God is forming in you will be able to stand when pressure comes, when storms rise, and when life tests what has been built, because it was built the right way. Brick by brick.

Let’s Pray:

Father, in the name of Jesus, I come before You with a heart of surrender and gratitude. Thank You for being the Master Builder of my life. Your Word declares that unless You build the house, the labor is in vain, and today I acknowledge that I need You in every part of my process. Lord, when I feel like I am in the dust, remind me that You specialize in forming something powerful from what looks ordinary. According to Genesis 2:7, You formed man from the dust, and I trust that You are forming me with the same intentionality. Father, when You begin to pull me out of places that once felt familiar, help me not to resist You. Give me the courage to move when You say move, and the faith to trust that where You are leading me is greater than where I have been. Lord, in the seasons where my life feels messy and unclear, remind me that You are working all things together for my good. Even when I cannot see it, even when I do not understand it, I trust that You are combining every piece of my life with purpose. Father, when the pressure of molding feels heavy, help me to surrender. Let me not fight Your hands but yield to Your shaping. Form me into what You have called me to be. Lord, in the waiting seasons where I feel still and unseen, give me peace. Teach me how to be still and trust You, knowing that You are strengthening me in ways I cannot yet see. Father, when I walk through the fire, let me not be afraid. Remind me that the fire is not to destroy me, but to develop me. Let every trial make me stronger, wiser, and more anchored in You. Lord, refine my faith. Let every challenge produce endurance and let every moment of pressure build strength within me. Do not let me break, build me. Father, when I am tempted to rush the process, remind me of the foundation You are laying. Help me to choose patience over pressure and trust over control. Lord, build me in a way that I can stand. Establish me so deeply in You that nothing can shake what You have placed within me. Father, search my heart and remove anything that is not aligned with Your will. Cleanse my thoughts, purify my intentions, and align my desires with Your purpose so that what You are building in me is pure and strong. Lord, strengthen my spirit when I feel weak. When I grow tired in the process, renew my strength and remind me that You are with me in every stage. Let me not grow weary but remain steadfast in You. Father, help me to trust You not only in the beginning, but in the middle of the process. When I cannot see progress, give me faith to believe that You are still working behind the scenes. Lord, teach me to embrace every stage of building. Let me not despise the small beginnings, the slow seasons, or the hidden places, but let me see them as sacred parts of what You are doing. Father, guard my mind against doubt, fear, and comparison. Help me to stay focused on what You are doing in my life and not be distracted by what I see in others. Lord, let my life be a testimony of Your workmanship. When the storms come and I am still standing, let it be evident that it was You who built me, You who sustained me, and You who carried me through. Father, I declare that I trust Your process. I trust Your timing. I trust Your hands. And I trust the structure You are building in me. Brick by brick, layer by layer, build my life for Your Glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

Nugget ~ Before God can place you, He must form you, so what feels like pressure, delay, and fire is actually God preparing you to stand.

Blessings…

Love, Dr. Jean…