Bible

11
May
2024
Who is Jesus? The Son of God Explained

Who is Jesus? The Son of God Explained

John 8:42  Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

Let’s talk about Jesus! We’ve all probably heard him referred to as the “Son of God,” but what exactly does that mean?

Is it just a fancy title, or is there something deeper going on here?

More Than Just a Son

The Bible actually mentions the “Son of God” in a few different ways. Sometimes it refers to the nation of Israel, or even kings who were chosen by God.

But when Jesus says it about Himself, it’s something totally different. He’s not just a son in the way you or I might be a son or daughter.

Here’s the thing: Jesus isn’t just a creation of God, He’s actually God himself, existing eternally alongside God the Father. Mind blown, right?

The Ultimate Son

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the one and only Son of God.

He’s not just another spiritual being, He’s the perfect reflection of God’s character. Think about it like a ray of light coming from the sun. The light itself isn’t the sun, but it reveals the sun’s brilliance. That’s kind of how Jesus is with God.

How Does This Affect Us?

Believing that Jesus is the Son of God is a game-changer. Here’s why:

  • Trust and Forgiveness: We can’t earn our way to heaven by being good people. We need forgiveness, and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provides that.
  • God’s Presence: By believing in Jesus, we invite God’s Holy Spirit to live within us, guiding and strengthening us.
  • True Worship: Jesus is worthy of all our praise and devotion. He deserves our whole hearts.
  • Living for Jesus: Loving Jesus means using our gifts and talents to serve him and share his message with the world.

Love the Son of God

Jesus isn’t just some historical figure. He’s alive and active today, waiting for us to accept His love and follow Him. So, how can you show your love for Jesus?

  • Read the Bible: This is God’s word to you, a love letter from the Son himself.
  • Pray: Talk to God, thank Him, and ask for His help.
  • Obey Jesus’ Teachings: The Bible is full of practical advice on how to live a life that pleases God.
  • Share Your Faith: Tell others about the amazing things Jesus has done in your life.

Believing in Jesus and loving him as the Son of God is the greatest adventure you’ll ever have. It’s a journey of transformation, purpose, and a love that will never run dry. So why not take that first step today?

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
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
01
Mar
2024
Sovereign Lord

Sovereign Lord

“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” (Acts 4:24)

As we read this verse, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring power of our God. He created absolutely everything – from the vast expanses of outer space, to the deepest oceans, to the tiniest microorganisms.

His creative abilities know no bounds. When we ponder the intricacies of His creation, it can only fill us with wonder.

Our Sovereign Lord holds ultimate authority over all He has made. He governs the universe and sustains all of life by His divine power. We can take great comfort in knowing that such an all-powerful Being cares deeply for us.

Even when chaotic storms arise in our lives, we need not fear, for our Lord reigns over every detail.

Unshakable Kingdom

What confidence and hope this truth instills in us as children of God! Though worldly kingdoms and rulers will crumble in due time, our Sovereign Lord’s kingdom shall never be shaken.

While others scramble after temporary power and riches, we can live at peace knowing our eternal destiny rests securely in His hands.

No agenda conceived in the halls of governments can overturn His purposes. No military force can overwhelm His angelic armies.

There is no philosophical argument can undermine the truth of His Word. Our Lord sits enthroned in the heavens; His rule and reign shall continue unhindered forever.

Our Eternal Security

We must continually renew our perspective and align our thoughts with this transcendent reality. When we face hardships, let us remember the one who spoke light into existence can certainly illuminate our darkness.

When we feel weak, let us draw strength from He who flung stars into space and still sustains them. Our security rests in Him alone.

As adopted heirs to His kingdom, we need not strive for status, provision or stability – these are gifts granted by His grace.

Our calling is simply to align our hearts with His – to love Him, trust Him, worship Him. He shall supply all our needs, now and for eternity.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Prayer
16
Feb
2024
The Soul That Sins Shall Die

The Soul That Sins Shall Die

“The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” Ezekiel 18:20

Context

This verse comes from a chapter in which the prophet Ezekiel addresses a common proverb among the exiled Israelites: “The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” (Ezekiel 18:2)

This proverb implies that the children are suffering for the sins of their ancestors, and that God is unjust in punishing them. Ezekiel rejects this proverb and declares that God judges each person according to their own deeds, not according to their family history.

He also affirms that God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but rather desires them to repent and live. (Ezekiel 18:23)

The Message

What can we learn from this verse and its context? First, we can learn that God is fair and righteous. He does not hold us accountable for the sins of others, nor does He let us off the hook for our own sins.

He evaluates us individually, based on our choices and actions. He does not show favoritism or partiality, but treats everyone equally and impartially. He is the perfect judge, who knows everything and sees everything.

Second, we can learn that we are responsible and accountable. We cannot blame our parents, our children, our circumstances, or anyone else for our sins.

We cannot rely on our heritage, our status, our achievements, or anyone else for our righteousness. We have to face the consequences of our own decisions and actions.

We have to answer to God for our own lives. We have to repent and obey God for our own salvation.

Third, we can learn that God is gracious and merciful. He does not want us to perish, but to live.

He does not take pleasure in our suffering, but in our joy. He does not condemn us, but offers us forgiveness.

He does not reject us, but welcomes us. He does not leave us, but helps us. He does not give up on us, but restores us. He does not hate us, but loves us.

Application

How can we apply this verse and its message to our lives? Here are some suggestions:

•          Examine yourself. Ask God to search your heart and reveal any sin that you need to confess and forsake. Do not justify, rationalize, or minimize your sin, but admit it and repent of it.

Do not compare yourself with others, but measure yourself by God’s standards. Do not presume on God’s grace, but appreciate it and respond to it.

•          Trust God. Believe that God is fair and righteous, and that He will judge you and others according to His justice.

Do not doubt, question, or resent God’s ways, but accept them and submit to them. Do not fear, worry, or despair about God’s wrath, but hope in His mercy and love.

•          Follow God. Obey God’s commands and do what is right in His sight. Do not rebel, disobey, or compromise with sin, but resist it and overcome it. Do not conform, imitate, or follow the world, but be transformed and renewed by God’s Spirit.

Do not seek, love, or serve the things of this world, but seek, love, and serve God and His kingdom.

The soul that sins shall die, but the soul that repents and believes shall live. This is the message of Ezekiel 18:20, and this is the message of the gospel. Let us heed it and live by it.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration