christianity

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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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Thankfulness
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
15
Feb
2024
Guarding Against Unbelief

Guarding Against Unbelief

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12

Subtle Danger

The author of Hebrews warns believers here about an insidious threat – creeping unbelief toward God resulting in heart-drift. How easily we become apathetic, cynical, or disillusioned in our walk with Christ.

Circumstances, disappointments, weariness or worldly values can slowly erode childlike trust. We begin questioning God’s goodness, minimizing sin, or casually skipping spiritual disciplines. Before we know it, an unbelieving heart has supplanted once-vibrant faith.

Scripture exhorts us to actively guard against subtle drift. Nurture a heart tender and receptive toward God. Shield it from faith-sapping lies or distractions.

Stay alert to unbelief’s danger. Protect the precious gift of childlike trust.

Exposing the Roots

To guard our hearts, we must identify unbelief’s roots. Often it springs from frustrated expectations – we didn’t get what we wanted from God.

Focus shifted from delight in God’s presence to treating Him as a means to an end. We sought His hand more than His face. Unmet desires bred resentment. True faith rests in God’s character, not just His benefits.

It cherishes intimacy with Him above all else. Even amid confusion, pain, or unanswered prayer, it still worships and adores.

Ask God to check your motivations. Are you seeking abundant life in Christ or just temporal blessings? Remain fixed on the Giver over the gifts.

Cultivating Childlike Trust

Unwavering faith requires nurturing childlike humility and wonder. We must cling to God with wide-eyed dependence, believing without demanding explanations.

Children trust easily – they ask few questions yet expect good from loving parents. Jesus said we must receive His kingdom as a child (Luke 18:17).

Approach your Father eager to obey, quick to believe. Don’t let past disappointments harden your heart into skepticism. God invites you to rediscover awe, delight, gratitude, and hope.

“Taste and see that He is good!” (Psalm 34:8) The joy of unconditional trust far exceeds the fleeting pleasures of unbelief.

Anchored in God’s Faithfulness

Lastly, guard against drift by anchoring in God’s proven faithfulness. Like the Israelites, we easily forget His past rescues, miracles, answers to prayer and provision. Our spiritual amnesia fuels faithlessness. That’s why God commanded His people to regularly recount His deeds (Deuteronomy 6).

We must rekindle amazement by remembering divine works. Review God’s track record in your life. Recall with specifics the times He answered prayer, guided, provided, intervened or redeemed.

Let these testimonies reignite childlike awe. Our faithful God is worthy of complete trust!

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
14
Feb
2024
Taming the Tongue

Taming the Tongue

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26

The Heart’s Overflow

In this sobering verse, James warns that unchecked speech exposes worthless religion.

Our tongues reveal the true state of our hearts. If our faith lacks authenticity, our mouths will betray us. They overflow with bitter criticism, gossip, lies, and impurity, exposing our spiritual bankruptcy. But the redeemed heart produces good fruit – words of grace, truth, encouragement, and worship.

Does your speech bless others and glorify God?

Or does a restless tongue reveal a wayward soul?

Pray for the Spirit to purify your heart’s wellspring. As you abide in Christ, your words will refresh many.

Danger of Verbal Toxins

Like toxic chemicals poured into a river, our unwholesome words pollute relationships and poison our witness. James says such careless language deceives us about our spiritual state.

We think ourselves godly while inflicting harm with verbal daggers. But true religion requires control of the tongue. With God’s help we can harness its potential for blessing rather than cursing.

Ask Him to check any impulse toward gossip, complaining, deception, or retaliation. Make your speech a fountain of life! Guard your mouth; season words with grace.

You will be amazed what fruit a tamed tongue can bear.

Choosing Edification

If our words regularly tear down rather than build up, something is amiss in our hearts. The Spirit produces speech meant to edify and benefit those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

God calls us to speak words of hope, truth, wisdom, gratitude, and testimony of His goodness. Through Spirit-empowered speech, we point others toward Christ.

We must tune our ears to Identify speech that dishonors God and redirect it toward praise. Pause frequently to ask, “Do my words build up or inflict harm?” Then adjust accordingly.

Blessing of Listening

Lastly, full control of the tongue requires learning the art of listening. We must temper our desire to be heard with an openness to understand others.

The book of James exhorts us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). Humility listens well. Choose to limit monologues and self-focused chatter. Offer your full attention when others speak.

Seek clarification before passing judgement. Listening earns the right to be heard. It fosters understanding and demonstrates Christlike honor.

As you listen deeply today, your words will be fewer but full of wisdom.

Tongue’s Power and Potential

Our tongues hold immense power, for good or evil. With the same mouth we can worship God or wound people. James likens the tongue to a small rudder steering a great ship or a spark igniting a forest fire.

Like a restless evil, it needs constant guarding. But controlled and consecrated to God, our speech blesses multitudes. Words heal wounds, lift hearts, spread truth and joy.

Determine today that your tongue will build up Christ’s kingdom. Yield it to the Spirit’s cleansing fire and fruitful purpose.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration