Faith

06
Mar
2024
Path to True Freedom

Path to True Freedom

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Trap of People-Pleasing

In our pursuit of acceptance and validation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing.

We can become consumed by the desire to win the approval of others, tailoring our words, actions, and even our beliefs to fit the expectations and preferences of those around us.

But this path is ultimately a dead end, leading us into a prison of conformity and inauthenticity.

Pursuit of God’s Approval

In contrast to the endless chase for human approval, there is a higher calling – the pursuit of God’s approval.

This is not about earning His favor through our own efforts or trying to impress Him with our accomplishments; it’s about aligning our hearts and lives with His will, seeking to honor Him in all that we do.

Freedom of Serving Christ

When we shift our focus from pleasing people to serving Christ, a remarkable thing happens: we experience true freedom.

No longer bound by the ever-changing demands and expectations of others, we find liberation in the knowledge that our identity and purpose are rooted in the unchanging love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father.

Living as Servants of Christ

Living as servants of Christ means embracing a life of radical obedience and surrender to His will.

It requires us to let go of our own agendas, ambitions, and desires for approval, and to instead seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else.

As you do this, you discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving, leading you into a deeper experience of joy, peace, and purpose.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Holiness, Humility, Trust
05
Mar
2024
Embracing God’s Wisdom

Embracing God’s Wisdom

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.” – Deuteronomy 18:9 (NIV)

Allure of Detestable Ways

In this world, we are constantly bombarded with temptations to embrace detestable ways – ways that promise fulfillment but ultimately lead us astray.

The nations around us often present a seductive allure, inviting us to adopt their customs, beliefs, and practices. Yet, beneath the surface, these ways are empty and destructive.

Resisting the Allure

Resisting the allure of detestable ways requires wisdom and discernment. It means recognizing that the ways of the world are not aligned with God’s design for our lives.

We must be willing to stand apart, to swim against the current, and to hold onto the truth that God’s ways are infinitely better.

Embracing God’s Wisdom

Embracing God’s wisdom is not just about avoiding the detestable ways of the world; it’s about actively pursuing a path of wholeness and fulfillment.

God’s wisdom is not a set of arbitrary rules but a framework for living that leads to genuine flourishing. When we embrace His wisdom, we discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving.

Path to Wholeness

By embracing God’s wisdom, we find ourselves on a path to wholeness – a journey of becoming fully human, as He intended.

This path is not always easy, but it is profound. It requires us to let go of the empty promises of the world and cling to the truth that God’s ways are the only ones that can truly satisfy our deepest longings.

As we walk this path, we find that God’s wisdom transforms us from the inside out. Our perspectives shift, our priorities align, and our lives take on a new depth and richness.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Trust
04
Mar
2024
Breathing In God’s Grace

Breathing In God’s Grace

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

Focus on What Truly Matters

Our hectic lives often leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters.

In the busyness of our days, we can lose sight of the essential things God desires from us: reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Yet, these requirements are not oppressive burdens but invitations to breathe in God’s grace and find fulfillment in aligning our lives with His purposes.

Reverence

To fear the Lord does not mean to cower in terror but to stand in awe of His majesty and power.

When we recognize our own smallness in comparison to His greatness, our perspective shifts. Reverence helps us realize that our lives are not our own, but gifts from the One who created us.

This humble acknowledgment opens the door to true obedience.

Obedience: Following God’s Path

Obedience is not mere rule-following but a response of love and trust. When we walk in obedience, we allow God’s wisdom to guide our steps.

His commands and decrees are not arbitrary restrictions but signposts pointing us toward the abundant life He desires for us.

As we follow His path, we discover that His ways are indeed for our good.

Embracing the Giver

Love is the heartbeat of our relationship with God.

It is more than an emotion; it is a deep commitment to embrace the One who first loved us. When we love God with our whole being, our priorities align, and our actions flow from a place of genuine devotion.

Love transforms obedience from a duty to a delight.

Living with Undivided Devotion

To serve God with our entire heart and soul is to live with undivided devotion.

It means bringing every aspect of our lives – our thoughts, desires, decisions, and actions – under the Lordship of Christ. When we do this, we experience a profound sense of purpose and unity, no longer fragmented by competing allegiances or divided affections.

As we breathe in God’s grace and align our lives with His desires, we discover the true freedom and fullness that come from walking in reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Let go of lesser things and cling to the essentials, finding our deepest satisfaction in the One who asks us to give Him our all.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Holiness, Humility
03
Mar
2024
Putting Away All Malice

Putting Away All Malice

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8)

Examining Our Hearts

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs believers to meticulously examine their hearts and cast off any sins that have taken root. Although we have been made new in Christ, vestiges of our old nature still rear their ugly heads.

As redeemed saints, we must be brutal in ripping out these sins from our lives. Paul lists several specific ones – unchecked anger, raging fury, spiteful malice, abusive speech.

Like persistent weeds, they can quickly overrun our souls if not eliminated.

Malice in Our Midst

Malice is an especially dangerous weed – its roots dig down deep into the soil of our inner being. It springs up slowly, often unnoticed, but silently chokes out the fruit God desires.

This bitter root produces resentment, jealousy, distrust, and hatred towards others.

Even fellow believers can become targets of our malice. We begin viewing them through suspicious eyes, questioning their motives.

We withdraw, murmur, divide. Unchecked, malice metastasizes, poisoning our fellowship. As God’s chosen ones, we must purge this evil from our midst.

Cultivating Clean Hearts

Eradicating malice requires brutal honesty and courage. We must allow the light of Christ to shine into the hidden crevices of our hearts, exposing malicious motives.

Repentance and forgiveness will wash away past offenses.

Moving forward, we must nurture hearts soft to the leading of the Spirit, quick to extend grace. As malice withers in fertile soil of love, joy and peace will blossom, enriching all our relationships.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
02
Mar
2024
Set Your Mind on Things Above

Set Your Mind on Things Above

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)

Transcending the Temporal

As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to become consumed by earthly concerns – jobs, money, possessions, problems.

These things demand our attention and weigh heavily on our minds. However, Paul exhorts us to lift our thoughts above the temporal things of this world.

Rather than focusing downward on the fleeting things on earth, we are called to gaze upward and set our minds on the eternal realities of God’s kingdom.

We must transcend the temporal mindset that traps us in trivial anxieties. Our perspective should be heavenly, not earthly.

Visualizing Our Eternal Destiny

What does it mean to set our minds on things above? Certainly we must think deeply about our Lord – His character, His promises, His works. But more so, we must visualize by faith the glorious future that awaits all God’s children.

Picture in your mind the splendors of heaven – the radiance, the joy, the beauty beyond measure. Envision the coming Day when you’ll see Christ face to face, perfected in His presence.

When our thoughts are occupied and enthralled by these coming eternal realities, our earthly troubles fade into proper perspective.

Living in Light of Eternity

Setting our minds above transforms how we live each day. Material possessions lose their grip as we realize our true treasures await in heaven.

Status and fame seem foolish pursuits when our names are already written for eternity in God’s book.

Even painful earthly troubles become light and momentary when weighed against the coming glory. By keeping our eyes fixed on the unseen eternal world, we can walk through this present darkness with hope, courage and purpose.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Thankfulness