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15
Nov
2024
A Jealous God: Understanding God’s Deep Love for You

A Jealous God: Understanding God’s Deep Love for You

“Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Exodus 34:14

Understanding God’s Heart

Have you ever thought about the word “jealous” when it comes to God? It might seem strange at first.

After all, we usually think of jealousy as something negative – that uncomfortable feeling when someone has something we want.

But God’s jealousy is completely different.

A Different Kind of Jealousy

Think about a parent watching their child run toward a busy street. The parent’s protective response isn’t controlling – it’s love in action.

God’s jealousy works like that. He’s not insecure or needy; He’s protective and passionate about your well-being.

Why It Matters Today

In your world, there are countless things competing for your attention.

Your phone buzzes with notifications. Your calendar fills with commitments. Advertisements promise fulfillment through purchases.

But God says, “I want your whole heart” – not because He’s demanding, but because He knows what’s best for you.

The Heart of the Matter

Consider these truths about God’s jealous love:

  • He wants your best, not just your leftovers
  • His love is active, not passive
  • He sees when other things steal your heart
  • His jealousy protects you from harmful substitutes

Making It Real

Imagine you created something incredibly beautiful – perhaps a piece of art or music.

How would you feel if someone tried to give credit for your work to someone else? God created you, knows you, and loves you.

His jealousy means He won’t stand by while anything else claims the place in your heart that belongs to Him.

Practical Ways to Respond

Take a moment to think about what captures most of your attention and affection.

  • Your career?
  • Social media?
  • Relationships?

None of these things are necessarily bad, but they can easily become substitute gods if we’re not careful.

Your Daily Choice

Start your morning by acknowledging God’s rightful place in your life. Before checking your phone or reading the news, spend a few moments focusing on His love for you.

Let His jealous love remind you that you’re incredibly precious to Him.

Something to Think About

You might be wondering if you’ve disappointed God by placing other things before Him. Remember – His jealous love isn’t about condemnation. It’s about restoration and protection. He wants you back, not to scold you, but to shower you with true love.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving me enough to be jealous for my heart. Help me recognize anything that’s taking Your rightful place in my life. Draw me back to You, knowing that Your jealous love protects and provides what I truly need. Amen.

Reflection Questions

What areas of your life might God be jealous for today?

How can you respond to His passionate love?

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock
02
Sep
2024
Nothing is Hidden from God

Nothing is Hidden from God

We live in a world where it’s easy to keep secrets. We can hide things from others and even try to hide them from ourselves.

But the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 4:13 that we can’t hide anything from God. He sees everything, knows everything, and nothing is hidden from His sight.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:13

God Sees Everything

The verse starts with a powerful truth—nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.

Think about that for a moment. Every thought, every action, every motive we have is visible to God. There’s no such thing as a private moment when it comes to Him.

This can feel a bit intimidating, but it’s also incredibly freeing. Knowing that God sees everything means we don’t have to carry the burden of secrecy or shame.

We can live honestly, knowing that He knows us completely.

Living Transparently

If God already knows everything about us, there’s no point in pretending to be something we’re not.

Instead of hiding our flaws and mistakes, we can bring them to God. He’s not surprised by our struggles, and He’s always ready to help us grow.

Living transparently before God means being honest about where we are and allowing Him to work in our hearts.

Accountability Before God

The verse also mentions that everything is “laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

This is a reminder that our lives are not just our own. We are accountable to God for the way we live. This doesn’t mean we should live in fear, but rather in awareness that our actions matter.

God’s knowledge of us is a call to live with integrity, knowing that He’s the one we ultimately answer to.

Embracing God’s Grace

While the idea of God seeing everything might seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember His grace.

God’s omniscience is paired with His love and mercy. He sees our mistakes, but He also sees our potential. When we mess up, we can come to Him, not in fear of punishment, but in confidence of His forgiveness and guidance.

Now what?

Hebrews 4:13 challenges us to live openly before God.

Nothing is hidden from God’s sight, and that’s a good thing. It means we don’t have to hide. Instead, we can live in the light, secure in His love and committed to following His path.

A wise man once said: “Come clean with God and you will be clean with God”

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy today! – Pray Upside

Posted by onthesolidrock
24
Aug
2024
Prayer of Jabez: Asking Big, Believing Bigger

Prayer of Jabez: Asking Big, Believing Bigger

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut, unable to move forward in life? Maybe you’ve been afraid to ask God for more, thinking you don’t deserve it or that it’s selfish.

Well, let me introduce you to a guy named Jabez from the Bible. His story might just change your perspective on prayer and what God wants for your life.

Who Was Jabez?

Jabez shows up in a pretty unexpected place in the Bible – right in the middle of a long list of family trees in 1 Chronicles. But his brief mention is quite notable.

The Bible tells us that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mom named him Jabez because she gave birth to him in pain. Talk about a rough start!

Power-Packed Prayer

Here’s what 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) says:

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10

Let’s break this down and see what we can learn from Jabez’s prayer.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Blessings

Jabez starts by asking God straight-up for a blessing. He’s not beating around the bush or being super humble about it. Sometimes we feel guilty for asking God to bless us, but Jabez shows us it’s okay to be direct.

2. Dream Big

“Enlarge my territory” – Jabez wasn’t content with the status quo. He wanted to grow, to expand, to have a bigger impact. What’s your “territory”? Your skills, your relationships, your influence? Don’t be afraid to ask God to help you grow in these areas.

3. Seek God’s Presence

Jabez asks for God’s hand to be with him. He knows that true success comes from having God by his side. It’s not just about getting stuff from God; it’s about experiencing His presence in our lives.

4. Ask for Protection

Lastly, Jabez asks God to keep him from harm and pain. He’s not pretending life is all sunshine and rainbows. He knows there are challenges out there, and he’s asking for God’s protection.

The Result: God Said Yes!

Here’s the kicker – God granted Jabez’s request! This short verse packs a powerful punch. It shows us that God listens to our prayers and that He’s not offended when we ask for big things.

Applying Jabez’s Prayer to Our Lives

So, how can we take this ancient prayer and make it relevant to our lives today?

  1. Be specific in your prayers: Don’t just ask for general blessings. What exactly do you need God to do in your life?
  2. Dream bigger: What would it look like if God really expanded your “territory”? In your job, your family, your community?
  3. Invite God into every part of your life: Ask for His presence in the good times and the tough times.
  4. Acknowledge your need for protection: We all face challenges. It’s okay to ask God to shield us from harm.
  5. Believe that God wants to bless you: Jabez’s story reminds us that God is a generous Father who delights in blessing His children.

Conclusion

Jabez’s prayer might be short, but it’s packed with faith, courage, and a big vision. It challenges us to approach God with boldness, to dream big, and to trust that He wants to bless us and use us in mighty ways.

So, why not give it a try? Take a page from Jabez’s book and start praying bigger prayers. You might just be surprised at how God responds when you ask Him to expand your territory and keep His hand on your life.

Remember, it’s not about becoming rich or famous. It’s about growing in your faith, expanding your influence for God’s kingdom, and experiencing more of His presence in your life. That’s a prayer worth praying every single day.

Pray Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy today! – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock
19
May
2024
God’s Goodness: Beyond Anger and Judgment

God’s Goodness: Beyond Anger and Judgment

Nahum 1:2 – The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.

Have you ever read a Bible verse like this one, that kinda left you scratching your head? A verse that talks about God’s anger?

It can be tough to reconcile the idea of a loving God, with a jealous or angry one.

Good News: God’s Love is Real

The Bible overflows with God’s love for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, proving just how much He cares. (John 3:16)

He longs for a relationship with us, filled with joy, blessings, and His presence. He’s faithful and keeps His promises.

But Here’s the Thing: God is Also Just

God is perfectly holy and righteous too.

Sin and evil go against everything He stands for. He hates injustice and the suffering it causes. He’s not some indifferent observer; He’s actively involved, a God of justice and judgment.

Understanding God’s Anger

So, why the anger? God’s jealousy isn’t like petty human jealousy.

It’s a fierce defense of His glory and His name. His anger is a response to evil and the harm it inflicts on His creation and His people.

He’s not impulsive or vengeful, but sovereign, patient, and wise.

How This Impacts Us

This verse shouldn’t make us fearful, but grateful for God’s amazing grace.

He hasn’t punished us as our sins deserve. He offers forgiveness and welcomes us as His children.

This should also make us respectful and obedient. It’s a wake-up call to the seriousness of sin and the importance of turning away from it.

Putting It All Together

Here’s how this truth can be a guiding light in our lives:

  • Facing Troubles: When life throws punches, trust that God is in control. He’ll see you through and deliver you.
    • (Psalm 46:1) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

  • Seeing Injustice: When you witness unfairness, pray for God to intervene and bring peace and justice.
    • (James 5:16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

  • Overcoming Temptation: When tempted, resist the devil and flee from sin. God is your protector and helper. (James 4:7)
    • Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • Seeking Forgiveness: When you mess up, confess and ask for forgiveness. He’s your Savior and healer. (1 John 1:9)
    •  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

  • Living for God: As you worship and serve Him, express your gratitude for His goodness and faithfulness. He’s your Lord and King. (Romans 12:1)
    • Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

God’s character isn’t a confusing puzzle. He is both loving and just. He’s not a tyrant, but a loving judge. He’s not distant, but a personal Father. He’s not a weak ally, but a strong and faithful friend.

Let’s rejoice in His goodness, with a healthy respect for His anger, and yes . . . His Wrath! Let’s love and obey Him, worshiping and serving Him with all our hearts. He deserves nothing less.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock