Faith

31
Mar
2024
Hatred vs Rabies

Hatred vs Rabies

Rabies is a life-threatening condition that causes about 60,000 deaths annually worldwide. It is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system.

The virus is transmitted via bites and scratches from infected animals. History reveals the gruesome fate of those infected; they literally go mad; insanity sets in; and without treatment, it is almost always fatal!

Hate begins and ends in much the same way. It usually starts with nips and bites from infected people, and if left untreated, ultimately it will destroy the host, leading to frothing of the mouth and death of the heart.

There seems to be an awful lot of frothing-at-the-mouth going on these days; a clear indication that the disease of hate is spreading; I pray it does not affect you; the outcome is fatal, if not caught early.

Symptoms:

  • Rabid hatred (hostility, loathing, resentment, revenge) toward a certain person, group or idea
  • Reluctance or inability to consider alternate viewpoints on certain subjects
  • Cutting off lifetime friendships, due to opposing opinions or world views
  • Uncivilized dialogue and demeaning talk toward persons with whom you disagree

The Cure

The only cure for hate is love; and true love is only found in one spot, and that is in the heart of the Man we call Jesus. The day of this post, is the Day many celebrate His resurrection from the dead. He was crucified three days earlier by a crowd that was infected by the very disease I am describing.

If you think you may have been infected by this awful disease, there is a cure, but the time to receive that cure is very short, so don’t hesitate. Seek out this Jesus and He will administer the Cure and you will be set free and filled with love.

You will see clearly, and the very people you thought you hated; you will see through a different set of eyes; the eyes of Jesus. You will have compassion instead of animosity, empathy instead of indifference.

Jesus said concerning this generation . . . “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”

Let it not be said of you!

Pastor Rock

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
30
Mar
2024
Affirming Your Calling

Affirming Your Calling

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10, NIV)

Calling of God

God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives.

He calls us to be his children, to walk in his ways, and to participate in his redemptive work in the world.

This calling is not based on our merit or achievements, but solely on his grace and love.

Assurance of Election

Along with this calling comes the assurance of our election – the knowledge that we have been chosen by God to be his own.

This election is not a matter of favoritism or partiality, but a reflection of God’s sovereign will and his desire to redeem a people for himself.

Responsibility of Confirmation

While our calling and election are gifts from God, we have a responsibility to confirm them through our actions and our lives.

The apostle Peter urges us to “make every effort” to affirm our faith and walk in a manner that reflects our identity as God’s chosen ones.

Promise of Stability

When we take this responsibility seriously and confirm our calling and election through our words and deeds, we are promised a life of stability and steadfastness.

The path of obedience and faithfulness will lead us away from stumbling and falling into sin, and will enable us to stand firm in our faith.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Trust
26
Mar
2024
Clothed in Christ

Clothed in Christ

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Romans 13:14 (NIV)

Struggle

As believers, we often find ourselves in a struggle against the desires of the flesh.

These desires can manifest in various forms, such as pride, greed, lust, or envy, and they can lead us astray from the path of righteousness.

Clothing Ourselves in Christ

In this verse, the apostle Paul provides a solution to this ongoing battle. He exhorts us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This metaphor encourages us to put on the character and attributes of Christ, allowing His righteousness to permeate every aspect of our lives.

Living a Righteous Life

When we clothe ourselves in Christ, we begin to live a life of righteousness.

We no longer focus on gratifying the desires of the flesh but instead seek to honor God in our thoughts, words, and actions.

This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but as we continue to clothe ourselves in Christ daily, we gradually become more like Him.

Power of the Holy Spirit

As we strive to live a righteous life, we must remember that we do not do so in our strength alone.

The Holy Spirit, who resides within us, empowers us to resist the desires of the flesh and to live in a manner that honors God.

Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength, we can overcome temptation and walk in the path of righteousness.

Living a life of righteousness is not an easy task, but it is possible when we clothe ourselves in Christ and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

By focusing our thoughts and actions on Christ and seeking to honor Him in all we do, we can experience true freedom from the desires of the flesh and live a life that brings glory to God.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Holiness
25
Mar
2024
Fulfillment of God’s Law

Fulfillment of God’s Law

“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4 (NIV)

The Pursuit of Righteousness

Throughout history, humanity has sought to achieve righteousness through various means.

The law, given by God to the Israelites, outlined a path to righteousness, but it ultimately proved insufficient.

Despite our best efforts, we consistently fell short of meeting the demands of the law.

Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law

In this verse, the apostle Paul declares that Christ is the culmination of the law, the ultimate fulfillment of its purpose.

By living a sinless life and sacrificing Himself on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the law’s requirements and paved the way for true righteousness.

Righteousness through Faith

The remarkable truth is that Christ’s fulfillment of the law enables us to find righteousness through faith in Him.

We no longer need to rely on our own efforts to achieve righteousness but can receive it as a gift through our belief in Jesus Christ.

A Life of Freedom and Fulfillment

When we place our faith in Christ, we experience a profound transformation.

We are no longer bound by the weight of our sin and the constant pursuit of righteousness through our own works. Instead, we are set free to live a life of fulfillment, guided by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God’s grace.

This freedom allows us to find true purpose and meaning in our relationship with Christ. We no longer strive to earn God’s favor but can rest in the assurance of His love and acceptance.

We can live each day with joy, knowing that our righteousness is not dependent on our own efforts but on the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Christ’s fulfillment of the law has opened the door to righteousness for all who believe.

Through faith in Him, we can experience true freedom and fulfillment, no longer bound by the pursuit of righteousness through our own works.

Embrace this truth and live in the joy and freedom that comes from finding our righteousness in Christ.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Holiness