Humility

17
Mar
2024
Overflow of the Heart: Guarding Our Speech

Overflow of the Heart: Guarding Our Speech

Revealing Words

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Matthew 12:34 (NIV)

In this verse, Jesus addresses the root of our speech – the condition of our hearts.

He reminds us that our words are a reflection of what truly fills us, whether good or evil.

Heart’s Condition

Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to bring life or to inflict harm. But they are merely symptoms of a deeper reality – the state of our inner being.

If our hearts are filled with bitterness, envy, or selfishness, our speech will inevitably reflect those qualities.

The Need for Transformation

As followers of Christ, we are called to cultivate hearts that are aligned with the love and compassion of our Savior.

We must allow God’s truth to penetrate the deepest parts of our being, transforming us from the inside out.

Guarded Tongue

When our hearts are renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit, our speech will naturally follow suit.

We will find ourselves speaking words of encouragement, grace, and truth, as we reflect the character of Christ to those around us.

But this process requires vigilance. We must guard our hearts and minds against the influences that would corrupt them, and be intentional about filling ourselves with the Word of God and the things that are pure, noble, and praiseworthy.

May your speech be a testimony to the transformative work of Christ within you, as you strive to let your words flow from a heart that is fully devoted to Him.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Holiness, Humility
11
Mar
2024
Encountering the High and Exalted One

Encountering the High and Exalted One

Majestic God

“For this is what the high and exalted One says—He who lives forever, whose Name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”” – Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)

In this verse, we are introduced to a God who is both high and exalted, yet also intimately present with those who are humble and lowly in spirit.

Exalted One

God is described as the “high and exalted One” who “lives forever” and whose “Name is holy.”

These words paint a picture of a God who is supreme, sovereign, and transcendent. He is far above and beyond our understanding, dwelling in a “high and holy place.”

Intimate Presence

Yet, despite His majestic nature, God chooses to live and abide with those who are “contrite and lowly in spirit.”

He does not remain distant or aloof but instead comes near to the humble and brokenhearted, reviving their spirits and hearts.

Reviving Power

This is a profound truth: the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, stoops down to dwell with those who acknowledge their own limitations and brokenness.

He does not demand perfection or self-sufficiency but instead offers His reviving presence to those who recognize their need for Him.

As we gaze upon the majesty of God, we are invited to approach Him with humility and reverence; we also take comfort in knowing that He is not a distant deity but a loving Father who desires to revive our spirits and heal our hearts.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Humility, Thankfulness, Trust
09
Mar
2024
Clean Heart – Confident Faith

Clean Heart – Confident Faith

Invitation

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)

We receive a beautiful invitation to approach God with confidence, knowing that our hearts have been cleansed and purified by His grace.

Cleansing

The imagery used here is striking – our hearts are “sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience,” and our bodies are “washed with pure water.”

This speaks to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, which cleanses us from sin and guilt.

Assurance

But it’s not just about being cleansed – it’s also about having “the full assurance that faith brings.”

We can come before God with a sincere heart, confident in the knowledge that our faith has been made complete through Christ’s work on our behalf.

Nearness

And because of this cleansing and assurance, we are invited to “draw near to God.”

No longer do we have to stand at a distance, separated by our sin and guilt. Through Christ, we can approach the very throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we are accepted and welcomed by our Heavenly Father.

This is the beauty of the gospel – that we can have a clean heart, a confident faith, and a close relationship with the One who created us.

So draw near, with sincere heart and full assurance, to the God who loves you and has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Forgiveness, Holiness, Humility
07
Mar
2024
Embracing Freedom: Living Under Grace

Embracing Freedom: Living Under Grace

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.” – Galatians 3:23 (NIV)

Imprisoned by the Law

Before the coming of Christ, we were held captive by the law – a system of rules and regulations that, while intended to guide us, ultimately became a prison of sorts.

The law exposed our inability to live up to its demands and left us feeling condemned, trapped in a cycle of sin and guilt.

Revelation of Faith

But then, something remarkable happened: the faith that was to come was revealed. Jesus, the Son of God, broke into our captivity and opened the way to freedom.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, He fulfilled the law and offered us a new way to live – a way of grace and faith.

Stepping into Freedom

Embracing this freedom is not a license to sin or to disregard God’s standards. Rather, it’s an invitation to step out of the prison of the law and into the wide-open spaces of God’s grace.

In Christ, we are no longer bound by the constant demand to measure up, but are empowered to live according to a new principle – the principle of love.

Living Under Grace

Living under grace means allowing the love of God to transform us from the inside out. It means resting in the security of our salvation, not by our own efforts but by the finished work of Christ.

As we lean into this grace, we find that our hearts are changed, and obedience becomes a natural expression of our love for God, not a burdensome duty.

Through Christ, we have been set free from the bondage of the law and invited into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Embrace this freedom and live as those who are truly free, empowered by grace to love God and others with all your heart.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Humility, Trust
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