Darkness

26
Apr
2024
The Armor of God

The Armor of God

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

The Bible verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:8 serves as a powerful reminder that we are children of the light, not darkness.

As such, our vigilance and preparedness for the day of the Lord are crucial. Let us explore the significance of the spiritual armor described in this verse.

Breastplate of Faith and Love

In our spiritual journey, we are called to put on the breastplate of faith and love. These two virtues serve as our protective armor:

  • Faith: Our unwavering trust in God’s promises forms the foundation. It shields our hearts from doubt and fear.
  • Love: The love we extend to others—our fellow human beings—acts as a barrier against the attacks of the evil one. Love binds us together and guards our souls.

Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation is a vital piece of our spiritual armor. It symbolizes the assurance of our salvation through Christ:

  • Secure Salvation: Just as a helmet guards the head, our salvation is secure. We hold onto the hope of eternal life, knowing that Christ’s sacrifice has redeemed us.
  • Protection for Our Minds: The helmet shields our minds from the enemy’s lies and deceptions. We stand firm, knowing our identity as redeemed children of God.

Call to Action

1 Thessalonians 5:8 is not merely a passive reminder; it’s a call to action:

  • Vigilance: Remain watchful, knowing that the day of the Lord approaches.
  • Spiritual Armor: You must intentionally put on the full armor of God—faith, love, and salvation—to protect yourself from the evil one.
  • Living as Lights: As a child of the light, your life should reflect God’s love and truth; be a beacon in a world often shrouded in darkness.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
31
Mar
2024
Shining Brightly in a Dark World

Shining Brightly in a Dark World

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3, NIV)

Darkness Around Us

In our world, darkness often seems to prevail.

We see injustice, corruption, and a lack of moral clarity all around us. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the weight of the darkness.

Call to Shine

In this verse, the prophet Daniel offers a powerful reminder that God’s people are called to be a light in the midst of the darkness.

Through our wisdom, our righteousness, and our commitment to leading others to the truth, we can shine brightly like the stars in the night sky.

Path to Wisdom

To shine brightly, we must first seek wisdom.

This means diving into God’s Word, studying his teachings, and allowing his truth to transform our minds and hearts.

As we grow in wisdom, we become more equipped to discern right from wrong and to make choices that honor God and bring light to those around us.

Leading Others

Our calling goes beyond personal growth and transformation.

We are also called to lead others to righteousness, to be beacons of hope and truth in a world that often settles for darkness.

This involves sharing your faith, living out your values, and serving others with compassion and humility.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
20
Mar
2024
Guided by God’s Wisdom

Guided by God’s Wisdom

Promise of Divine Guidance

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

In this verse, we are given a beautiful promise from God: that He will be our guide, our teacher, and our counselor, leading us in the path we should take.

Need for Guidance

Life’s journey is often filled with uncertainty, confusion, and difficult choices. We can easily lose our way, stumbling through the darkness without a clear sense of direction.

But we are not alone in this journey. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, offers to guide us.

Wisdom of God’s Counsel

God’s guidance is not a mere set of instructions or a map to follow blindly. It is a personal, loving counsel that takes into account our unique circumstances and needs.

With His loving eye upon us, God offers wisdom that is tailored to our specific situation, helping us navigate the complexities of life.

Path of Trust

To receive God’s guidance, we must cultivate a heart of trust. We must be willing to surrender our own limited understanding and lean on His wisdom.

As we walk in obedience and faith, God will illuminate the path before us, step by step, leading us into the fullness of His plan.

It takes humility to recognize our need for divine guidance and the courage to trust in God’s wisdom as we journey through life. For in doing so, we can experience the joy and peace of walking in the path He has prepared for us.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Humor
12
Mar
2024
Living in the Light

Living in the Light

Invitation to Truth

“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – John 3:21 (NIV)

In this verse, we are presented with a powerful invitation to live our lives in the light of truth, without hiding or pretense.

Choice We Face

Each of us has a choice: we can continue to dwell in darkness, hiding our true selves and actions, or we can step into the light of truth and authenticity.

The darkness may seem comfortable and safe, but it ultimately leads to a life of deception and isolation.

Courage to Be Seen

Living in the light requires courage and vulnerability. It means being willing to let our lives be exposed to the scrutiny of God and others, with all our flaws and imperfections laid bare.

But it is only in this place of transparency that we can truly experience freedom and healing.

Assurance of God’s Presence

When we choose to live by the truth, we can be assured that our actions are being done “in the sight of God.”

We are not alone in our journey toward authenticity. God sees us, knows us, and invites us to walk in the light of His presence, where there is no need to hide or pretend.

As you embrace the call to live in the light, you may face challenges and criticism from those who prefer the darkness.

However, you can take comfort in knowing that your life is being lived out in the open, with integrity and honesty, before the God who loves you and desires your true freedom.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Trust
05
Feb
2024
Dawning of a New Day

Dawning of a New Day

Malachi 4:1 – “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.

The prophet Malachi lived during a spiritually dry time for the people of Israel. They had grown apathetic and nonchalant about following God’s ways.

Their worship had become empty ritual devoid of meaning. Spiritual blindness clouded their vision.

Yet Malachi assured the people that better days were coming. The present darkness would give way to a new dawn. God’s light would pierce the gloom and usher in an age of righteousness, justice and restoration.

Arrival of the Son

Malachi spoke of this coming day being heralded by a messenger who would prepare people’s hearts. This messenger turned out to be John the Baptist, who proclaimed the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom and called people to repentance.

Not long after John, God’s own Son stepped onto the stage of human history. In Jesus, the rising Sun arrived to scatter the darkness of sin and death.

Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus made a way for people to be reconciled to God and experience new life in relationship with their Creator.

Judgment of Evil

Malachi warned that while the coming day would bring salvation, it would also bring judgement on the wicked and unrepentant.

Jesus affirmed this, stating that his return would be accompanied by a separation of good from evil, light from darkness. Those who stubbornly clung to sin would face the fire of God’s refining judgment.

The prophets used vivid imagery to depict this purging of evil. Now, having heard the good news and seen the light, no one has any excuse to remain in darkness. The day of reckoning is coming.

Hope for the Future

For those who follow Jesus, his return is not something to dread but to eagerly anticipate. It represents the full realization of God’s purposes – justice, peace and the restoration of all things.

On that day, the darkness will be banished for good and the Son will shine in all his brilliance. What a glorious future we have to look forward to!

Until then, we live faithfully in the present, reflecting God’s light to others and pointing them to the Son.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration