Fear of the Lord

20
May
2024
True Beauty: Radiates From Within

True Beauty: Radiates From Within

Society screams that beauty is all about what you look like.

Airbrushed models and carefully curated news feeds, bombard us with a worldly definition. But is that all there is? Proverbs 31:30 reveals something different:

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30

More Than Skin Deep

We’re bombarded with messages telling us to chase the latest trends, buy expensive products, or even go have surgery to achieve some unrealistic ideal.

But true beauty isn’t about the outside; it’s about what shines from within. It’s a kind of beauty that doesn’t fade with time or circumstances.

The Bible offers a refreshing perspective. True beauty is about who you are on the inside, not some fleeting image.

It’s about your character, your spirit, and your connection to something bigger than yourself.

Power of Fearing God

The verse talks about fearing the Lord. Now, don’t confuse this with dread or terror.

It’s more about awe and respect, recognizing God’s majesty, holiness, and power. It’s about trusting Him, loving Him, and wanting to live according to His will.

Fearing God is the foundation of true beauty because it aligns your heart with His purpose.

It shapes your choices and makes you more like Jesus; and empowers you to resist temptation and grow in righteousness.

This mindset fuels your desire to serve others and reflect God’s love in the world.

Praised by God and Others

“A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

This praise comes from God Himself. He delights in those who follow Him and keep His commands. He blesses, protects, and rewards them. He calls them His daughter, friend, and bride.

True beauty attracts praise from others too. People see the genuine kindness, strength, and joy that radiates from you.

Your spouse will cherish your loyalty and love, and your children will see your nurturing spirit and godly example.

Friends appreciate your support and encouragement. Neighbors value your kindness and honesty.

Cultivating True Beauty

This verse applies to everyone, not just women. Men, young people, old people, single or married – we can all cultivate the fear of the Lord and the beauty that flows from it. Here’s how:

  • Get to Know God: Read the Bible and let it shape your thinking.
  • Talk to God: Pray and listen for His guidance and correction.
  • Worship God: Express your gratitude, love, and devotion to Him.
  • Obey God: Live according to His will, surrendering your plans to Him.
  • Serve God and Others: Use your gifts and talents to bring glory to Him and help others.

As you do these things, an inner beauty blossoms.

You become more radiant in God’s eyes and in the eyes of those around you.

You’ll experience more joy, peace, and purpose. And you’ll reflect God’s beauty to the world, drawing others closer to Him.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Humility
05
May
2024
Unleashing the Spirit’s Power: A Devotional on Isaiah 11:2

Unleashing the Spirit’s Power: A Devotional on Isaiah 11:2

You know, sometimes I read a verse in the Bible and I’m just blown away by how much power and potential it holds.

That’s exactly how I feel when I read Isaiah 11:2. It’s a verse that talks about the amazing gifts of the Holy Spirit, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer when you really understand what it’s all about.

The Transformative Gifts of the Spirit

The verse says, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.” Wow, that’s a mouthful, but let’s break it down.

The Holy Spirit comes with all these incredible gifts – wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.

These aren’t just neat little add-ons; these are life-changing, world-altering abilities that God wants to pour out on us.

Think about it – wisdom to make the right choices, understanding to grasp profound truths, counsel to guide us through tough decisions, and the power to actually live out our faith. That’s some serious stuff, my friend.

Accessing the Spirit’s Power

The crazy thing is, this isn’t just for a special few – this is meant for all of us who follow Jesus. When we invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, we’re tapping into the very same power that transformed the disciples from scared, confused followers into bold, world-changing leaders.

Now, I know it’s not always easy to access that power. Sometimes, we get caught up in our own agendas, or we let fear and doubt hold us back.

But the beautiful thing is, God is always there, ready to pour out His Spirit and unleash His gifts in our lives. All we have to do is be open and willing to let Him work.

Transformed to Transform Others

And let me tell you, when you start to experience the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s like everything changes.

Suddenly, you’ve got a wisdom and understanding that goes way beyond your own limited perspective. You find the courage to step out in faith and make a difference, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

But it’s not just about you! When the Holy Spirit fills us up, it’s so we can be a blessing to others. With the gifts of counsel and knowledge, we can come alongside our friends and family and help them navigate the challenges of life.

And with the power of the Spirit, we can be bold witnesses for Jesus, sharing His love and truth in a world that’s desperate for it.

Living in the Spirit’s Fullness

My challenge to you today is to ask God to pour out His Spirit on you in a fresh way.

Open your heart and your mind to receive all that He wants to give you – the wisdom, the understanding, the counsel, the might, the knowledge, and the reverence for Him. When you do that, get ready, because your life is about to be transformed in ways you never imagined.

So, let’s step into the fullness of the Spirit’s power together. Let’s be people who don’t just talk about it, but who actually live it out, bringing the light of Christ to a world that’s in desperate need of His hope and healing.

Who knows what God might do through YOU TODAY!

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
11
Feb
2024
Value of Wisdom

Value of Wisdom

“And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

Wisdom Begins with Reverence

In a world obsessed with wealth, power, and pleasure, we need to refocus on what holds real value. This verse teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

More than mere respect, the fear of the Lord is deep awe, reverence, and submission to God. It’s recognizing His unmatched greatness and bowing humbly before Him.

Do you approach God with a trembling, obedient heart?

Proper fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. It realigns our priorities and perspectives. When we stand in awe of the Almighty, earthly troubles grow smaller. Pursuit of selfish gain loses appeal.

Focusing our minds on His majesty floods our hearts with priceless wisdom. Ask the Spirit today to instill godly fear and wisdom within you.

Understanding Through Obedience

The second half of this verse equates understanding with shunning evil. As we walk closely with God, listening to His voice, wisdom produces moral discernment. We gain ability to spot wickedness and walk the other way.

Understanding guards us from foolish choices and the heartache they bring. We develop spiritual instincts to flee anything disruptive to our intimacy with Christ. But this understanding only flourishes through obedience.

As James 1:22 states, we must “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Active surrender to God allows Him to sharpen our discernment.

Obedience and wisdom feed one other in a beautiful cycle. Are there areas of obedience God is calling you to? Take steps to submit today. Watch understanding blossom!

Greater Worth than Riches

Proverbs 8 lavishes praise on the excellency of wisdom, declaring it more valuable than rubies, gold, or silver. All the money in the world cannot purchase wisdom! It springs from a heart surrendered to the fear of the Lord.

A life applied in obedience to God blooms with discernment and insight no amount of wealth can replicate. Don’t envy those with overflowing bank accounts or prominent positions. Covet instead the priceless wisdom only God provides to the humble and obedient.

He is eager to grant it to those who earnestly seek Him. Treasure time spent in the Word, in prayer and worship, allowing healthy fear to take root. This is investment into eternally precious wisdom!

Pillars of Spiritual Maturity

As we journey through life with Christ, may we build our homes on the twin pillars of godly fear and spiritual understanding. One leads to the other in a cycle of growth and maturity.

When we awake with an awe-filled heart, eager to revere and obey God, He directs our paths and grants keen discernment. As we then walk out that obedience, the wisdom He imparts strengthens our resolve to honor Him above all.

This day, commit yourself fully to this beautiful process. Determine to treasure nothing above intimacy with God. The rewards of wisdom He bestows on the faithful heart are beyond measure!

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock
26
Nov
2023
Pathway to Wisdom

Pathway to Wisdom

Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Where Wisdom Starts

In a world offering shallow, fleeting wisdom, Psalm 111 compels us back to the true starting point – reverence for the Lord.

As we humbly honor God, wisdom blossoms.

Cultivating Awe

Developing a holy awe of the Lord realigns our perspective.

As we grasp His power, otherness, and glory, we find our proper place as dependent creations.

Obedience Opens Eyes

The pathway of wisdom is obeying God’s instructions. As we walk in holiness and truth, we gain insight.

Spiritual understanding arrives through active obedience.

Fear to Wisdom to Praise

This lifelong cycle propels us forward.

Awe of God inspires obedience, obedience yields wisdom, and wisdom overflows in heartfelt praise of our wise, loving Father.

Lord, Teach Me Your Ways

Lord, instill in me a holy awe that drives me to walk closely in Your ways. As I follow Your precepts, flood my heart with wisdom and understanding. May praise, not doubt or fear, be my response as I grow in knowledge of You.

If you enjoy these daily devotionals, you may be interested in our short One Minute With God daily audio and visual thought provoking Scripture snippets to get your day started.

Check them out at @faithupsidedown on YouTube.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration