Christian hope

15
May
2024
The Joy of Your Name: Discovering Your Identity in Christ

The Joy of Your Name: Discovering Your Identity in Christ

Let’s talk about joy. What makes you happy?

Is it that new gadget you just bought, or maybe that upcoming vacation you’ve been dreaming about? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying these things, but what if I told you there’s a source of joy that goes way deeper?

The Bible tells us in Luke 10:20 that our true joy comes from knowing our names are written in heaven.

 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

That’s pretty powerful, right?

Your Name Matters to God

Your name isn’t just a random label. It’s a reflection of who you are to God. He chose you before you were even born to be His beloved son or daughter. (Ephesians 1:4).

Think about that for a second. You are chosen, loved, and accepted by God Himself, not because of anything you’ve done, but because of His amazing grace. That’s something to celebrate!

Living Up to Your Name

Having your name written in heaven comes with a responsibility – to live a life that honors God. It’s about loving Him with everything you’ve got and loving others the way He loves you.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31

It’s not always easy, but the good news is you don’t have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit is there to empower you to resist temptation, overcome challenges, and live a life that reflects God’s character.

Finding Joy in Your Name

So, how do you experience this joy that comes from knowing your name is written in heaven? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Your Identity is Secure: Your standing with God isn’t based on your feelings or circumstances. It’s based on His love and faithfulness.

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39
  • Your Purpose is Clear: God has a plan for your life, and He wants to use you to share His love with the world.

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10
  • Your Relationship Matters: Knowing God and experiencing His love is the greatest joy there is.

 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 15:11

Living the Joyful Life

As you grow in your relationship with God, you’ll discover a joy that goes beyond anything this world can offer. It’s a joy that comes from knowing you are loved, forgiven, and secure in God’s hands.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Thankfulness
14
May
2024
All In: Following Jesus Wholeheartedly

All In: Following Jesus Wholeheartedly

Have you ever felt a nudge towards following Jesus more diligently? Maybe a sermon resonated with you, a friend invited you to church, or a scripture passage spoke volumes.

Perhaps you felt God’s presence in prayer, a crisis, or a joyful moment. Whatever the case, you sensed a pull to follow Jesus and become His disciple.

But what exactly does that mean? Is it just a prayer, church attendance, or good deeds? Is it a one-time decision or a lifelong commitment? Easy or hard, or maybe both?

The Cost of Discipleship

For answers, let’s look at Jesus calling His first disciples (Luke 9). Traveling and preaching the Kingdom message, He encountered people interested in following Him.

However, Jesus didn’t sugarcoat the cost. He challenged them to consider the commitment and make a radical choice.

One person said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family” (Luke 9:61). Seems reasonable, right? Family is important.

But Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62)

Was Jesus being harsh? Unrealistic? Not at all. He used a farming analogy to illustrate a spiritual principle. Plowing required focus. Looking back disrupted concentration, creating crooked furrows, wasted effort, and a poor harvest.

Similarly, following Jesus requires focus. A disciple glancing back at their old life loses focus, leading to poor decisions and wasted effort.

Jesus wasn’t saying to abandon family, neglect responsibilities, or ignore relationships. He emphasized not letting anything distract from our primary allegiance to Him and His Kingdom. He wanted our wholehearted following.

Challenges and Rewards

Following Jesus isn’t a walk in the park. It involves sacrifice, surrender, and service. Leaving behind old ways, habits, attachments, and ambitions. Taking up our cross, denying ourselves, and following Him.

Facing opposition, persecution, and hardship. It’s about faithfulness, obedience, loyalty, humility, teachability, and willingness.

But it’s also incredibly rewarding. There’s grace, forgiveness, and love. A new life, identity, purpose, and hope. Experiencing God’s presence, power, peace, and joy.

Joining His mission, community, family, and Kingdom. Growing in faith, character, wisdom, and fruitfulness. Sharing in His glory, honor, inheritance, and victory.

Following Jesus is the best decision we can ever make. It’s the most meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying life. It’s the only path to true happiness, freedom, and life.

Following with All Your Heart

So, how do we follow Jesus wholeheartedly?

How do we avoid looking back or holding back?

How can we be fit for service in God’s Kingdom?

The answer is simple yet challenging. We need to love Jesus more than anything else – family, friends, possessions, comfort, reputation, dreams, plans, even our own preferences.

We need to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He’s our Lord, Savior, Master, Friend, Treasure, Delight, our Everything.

This isn’t achievable alone.

  • We need the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to love God and obey.
  • We need the Word of God, guiding us.
  • We need the support and encouragement of the Christian community.
  • We need God’s grace, which covers and sustains us in weakness.

Most importantly, we need the example of Jesus, who loved us enough to give Himself for us.

He followed the Father’s will wholeheartedly, even to death on a cross. He rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and intercedes for us. He will return and welcome us into His eternal Kingdom. He deserves our wholehearted devotion, unwavering attention, and unreserved commitment.

He is the one who says to us, “Follow me.” Are you ready to follow Him with all your heart?

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Faith, Trust
13
May
2024
Standing Strong: Facing Persecution with Faith and Joy

Standing Strong: Facing Persecution with Faith and Joy

Life as a follower of Christ isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Jesus himself warned his disciples that they would face opposition, even violence, for their beliefs.

They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.

(John 16:2)

This can be a scary thought. Why would anyone be persecuted for their faith? And how can we stay strong when things get tough?

Why Does Persecution Happen?

The truth is, the world doesn’t always understand or embrace what Jesus represents. He challenges the status quo, exposes darkness, and offers a different way of living (John 7:7).  This can feel threatening to those who cling to worldly values and priorities.

Here’s the thing: persecution isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. It’s a sign that you’re living faithfully and making a difference.

Responding to Persecution

So, how do we react when faced with persecution? Here are some key takeaways from Jesus’ teachings:

  •     Don’t be surprised. Jesus warned us about this reality, so we shouldn’t be caught off guard

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:18
  •     Don’t be afraid. Our physical safety might be threatened, but our eternal soul belongs to God

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28
  •     Don’t be ashamed. Standing up for your faith, even in the face of opposition, is something to be proud of

Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:26

The core response to persecution is unwavering faithfulness. No matter the cost, we continue to:

  •     Obey Jesus’ commands and follow His example.
  •     Share the message of the gospel with love and compassion.
  •     Remain rooted in Him and allow His teachings to guide us.

Finding Strength in the Midst of Trials

Even the most courageous person can feel overwhelmed.  The good news is, we’re not alone!  Here are some promises from Jesus that offer strength and hope:

    The Holy Spirit is with us. We have a powerful comforter, advocate, and counselor by our side

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:16-18

    We have a purpose. Our trials can refine our faith and produce perseverance (James 1:2-4).

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

    Eternal life awaits. The temporary hardships we face pale in comparison to the joy and reward that awaits us in Heaven

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

Standing Firm in Faith

Persecution can be a difficult reality, but it doesn’t have to define us.  By remembering the reasons behind it, responding with unwavering faith, and clinging to the promises of God, we can face any challenge with courage and hope. 

Commit to following Jesus, no matter the cost, knowing that He is always with you.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Prayer
08
May
2024
Held in His Arms: Finding Comfort in Isaiah 40:11

Held in His Arms: Finding Comfort in Isaiah 40:11

Life can get overwhelming, right? To-do lists pile up, worries swirl in our minds, and sometimes we just feel lost in the crowd.

Maybe you’re facing a difficult situation, or perhaps the weight of daily life is simply getting you down. If you can relate, then this verse from Isaiah is for you:

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

This beautiful verse paints a picture of God’s tender care for His people. He’s not some distant, uncaring deity. Instead, the Bible compares Him to a shepherd, someone who watches over his sheep with attentiveness and love.

Imagine this:

  • You’re a little lamb, feeling scared and alone in a vast pasture.
  • Suddenly, the strong arms of the shepherd scoop you up, holding you close and safe.
  • You feel his steady heartbeat and the warmth of his presence.

That’s the kind of care God offers us. He sees your worries, your anxieties, and your weaknesses. And just like the shepherd with his lambs, He gathers you close, assuring us of His love and protection.

Here’s what this means for you today:

  • You’re not alone. No matter what you’re facing, God is with you. He carries you close, offering strength and comfort.
  • He understands your weaknesses. The shepherd doesn’t expect the lambs to be strong and independent. He knows they need extra care, and God does too.
  • He gently guides you. Even when the path seems uncertain, God will lead you with love and wisdom. Trust in His direction.

Feeling overwhelmed? Take a moment to reflect on Isaiah 40:11. Imagine yourself being held close by your loving shepherd, God. Let His peace wash over you, and allow Him to carry your burdens.

Here are some practical tips to help you experience God’s care:

  • Pray. Talking to God is a powerful way to connect with Him and share your burdens.
  • Read the Bible. God’s word is full of encouragement and promises of His love.
  • Seek support from other believers. A strong Christian community can offer love, guidance, and prayer.

Remember, you are never alone. God is your shepherd, and He will always carry you close.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Trust
20
Apr
2024
Hope in the Shadow of the Cross

Hope in the Shadow of the Cross

Matthew 27:45 – “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.”

The cross, a symbol of horrific execution, becomes a beacon of hope in Christianity.

The Crucifixion: A Profound Event

The cross wasn’t just physical torture.

It was a spiritual battle where Jesus, the Son of God, took on the weight of humanity’s sin. He endured unimaginable suffering, feeling forsaken, yet offering himself as a sacrifice.

This darkness paved the way for the light of His resurrection.

The Cross: Source of Hope and Freedom

The cross represents the core of Christian faith. Here, God’s love and justice meet, offering forgiveness and freedom.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can, by faith, be released from the burden of sin and fear.

We become children of God, reconciled and embraced by His grace.

Healing and Wholeness Through the Cross

The cross signifies healing and wholeness. Jesus carried our burdens, restoring what was broken.

He took our pain and infirmities, offering restoration and comfort. He shared our humanity, assuring us we are not alone.

Responding to the Gift of the Cross

The cross calls for repentance and faith. It reveals our need for God’s mercy, urging us to turn from sin and trust in Him. We are challenged to surrender to His will and follow His path.

The cross evokes worship and gratitude. It unveils God’s glory and compels us to praise and thank Him. We are inspired to adore, serve, and love Him, extending that love to others.

The cross ignites a passion for witness and mission. It proclaims God’s victory and empowers us to share the Gospel and make disciples. We are commissioned to expand His kingdom and await His return.

Finding Hope in Suffering’s Shadow

The darkness of the cross doesn’t signify the end, but a path to glory. Suffering, though difficult, can be used by God for good. He assures us of His presence in our trials, never abandoning us.

The cross reminds us of the unwavering hope in Christ, who conquered the world. We have a future with Him, secured by His love. Our suffering is not in vain, and an eternal reward awaits us.

The cross motivates us to persevere. Just as Jesus endured for the joy set before Him, we too can find strength. By fixing our eyes on Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we are empowered to run the race He has set before us.

The cross, though marked by darkness, is also a symbol of immense light. It represents the greatest tragedy and triumph, offering the most sorrowful yet precious gift. Through the shadow of the cross, we find the path to the light of His glory.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration