God’s Word

Sword of the Spirit

Sword of the Spirit

The Apostle Paul introduces us to the powerful spiritual weapon of the “Sword of the Spirit.”

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

Ephesians 6:17

The “Sword of the Spirit” represents the Word of God, which is a vital part of our armor. Just as a soldier wields a sword in battle, we are called to use the Scriptures as a weapon against the enemy’s attacks.

The Word of God is living and active, capable of penetrating our hearts and minds, bringing truth, conviction, and guidance. It equips us to discern the lies of the enemy and stand firm in our faith.

As followers of Christ, it is crucial that we engage with the Word of God consistently. Studying and meditating on Scripture, sharpens our understanding and deepens our relationship with God.

I encourage you to hold fast to the Word of God as your Spiritual Weapon. Dive into Scripture, seeking its truth and allowing it to transform your life.

In times of doubt, temptation, or adversity, let God’s Word guide and strengthen you. Remember that the “Sword of the Spirit” is not merely a passive tool but an active force that empowers us to live victoriously in Christ.

Arm yourself with God’s Word, and you will find the wisdom, strength, and courage needed to navigate and win, every spiritual conflict you encounter!

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Faith
Flawless

Flawless

As you study the Word of God, it’s important to keep in mind the wisdom of Proverbs 30:5, which tells us that every word of God is flawless.

This means that we can trust in God’s word completely, and find safety and protection when we take refuge in Him.

Think about the different ways in which you can take refuge in God. For some, it might be through prayer and meditation, while for others it might be through worship or fellowship with other believers.

Whatever it is that brings you closer to God, make sure you take the time to prioritize it in your life.

One way to ensure that you are taking refuge in God is by studying His word. When we take the time to read and meditate on the Bible, we allow God’s truth to penetrate our hearts and minds, providing us with guidance and wisdom for our daily lives.

It’s also important to remember that God’s word is not just a set of rules or guidelines, but rather a living and active force that has the power to transform our lives.

As you read and reflect on Scripture, ask God to reveal Himself to you in new and meaningful ways, so that you can experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Let the wisdom of Proverbs 30:5 guide you, reminding you of the flawless nature of God’s word and the refuge He provides to those who trust in Him.

Take the time to study and meditate on Scripture, allowing it to transform your life and draw you closer to God.

Remember that His word is not just a set of rules, but a powerful force that has the ability to bring about real and lasting change in your life.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
This is Love

This is Love

God’s love is truly amazing. As we read in 1 John 4:10, we see that God loved us first, even before we loved Him. It was out of His great love for us that He sent His Son Jesus to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

God’s love is not like the love that we often see in the world. His love is pure, selfless, and unconditional. It is not based on what we do or how we behave, but rather it is a gift freely given to us.

The fact that God sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins shows us just how much He loves us. He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have a relationship with Him. Let us never forget the amazing love that God has for us and let us strive to love others with the same selfless love that God has shown us.

1 John 4:10 reminds us that God’s love is selfless and unconditional. He loved us first and sent His Son Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Let us remember this amazing love and strive to love others with the same selfless love that God has shown us.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Love, Thankfulness, Trust
Watch Out!

Watch Out!

The Bible passage from Romans 16:17 reminds us to be cautious of people who cause division and create obstacles that go against the Biblical teachings we have learned. We must be careful of who we choose to associate with and the beliefs they follow. It is important to stay true to our faith and to seek guidance from trusted sources to avoid being led astray.

We can apply this lesson to our daily lives by being mindful of the people we surround ourselves with and the messages we consume.

It is easy to be influenced by the opinions and beliefs of those around us, but we must remember to stay grounded in our own values and convictions.

This can be challenging, but seeking the wisdom and guidance of those we trust can help us stay on the right path.

As we reflect on this passage, let us remember to be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against those who would lead us astray. Let us seek the truth and wisdom of God’s Word and those who have studied it deeply. By doing so, we can grow in our faith and become better equipped to navigate the challenges of life.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Faith, Trust
Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt

As we read in Romans 11:33, we find that the wisdom and knowledge of God are deep and unsearchable. We may try to understand God’s ways, but we may never fully comprehend His ways. This verse reminds us of the vastness and mystery of God’s nature. As we seek to know more about God, we can find comfort in knowing that He is infinitely wiser than we are.

God’s ways are beyond our understanding, but this does not mean that we should give up trying to know Him. The more we seek God, the more we will see His hand in our lives.

We can trust that God is always working for our good, even if we do not understand the details of how He is doing it. We can also trust that God is always faithful to His promises, and that He will never leave us or forsake us.

As we contemplate the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge, we can also be encouraged by the fact that He desires for us to know Him more. We can approach God with a childlike faith, seeking to learn more about Him and His ways. God invites us to come to Him, to ask questions, and to seek His guidance. As we do so, we can trust that He will reveal Himself to us in ways that are beyond our imagination.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Trust
So . . . You are Not Being Fed?

So . . . You are Not Being Fed?

Having been in Christian ministry for over 25 years, I have seen and experienced just about everything you can imagine used as an excuse to leave a church.

I have seen the power plays certain folks have used to manipulate and influence the pastor or his leadership board. I have witnessed total fabrications to bring down pastors and leaders; some have worked and some have failed.

I recall years ago, going to an event in Chicago; it was a seminar titled; “Turnaround Churches.” It was a seminar designed to help struggling churches move forward after a difficult leadership breakup or church split.

Our church happened to be doing very well at the time I went to the seminar, and I felt somewhat out of place.

We were going around the room hearing horror stories of church splits and dysfunctions from various pastors, who had come from all over the country, to attend this seminar.

I recall sitting next to one pastor from a large Midwest church. I asked him what brought him to the seminar. He told me, that about a month ago, over 100 families walked out of his church! I was stunned; I thought to myself, it must have been a very serious moral failure of some sort.

I asked him what happened; I was not prepared for his answer. He looked at me with frustration and sorrow in his eyes, then said; “The families left because we chose the wrong color of carpet for the sanctuary.” That’s just crazy!

Having spoken to dozens of folks who have left churches for various reasons, one of the more prominent excuses I have heard over the years is this one . . . “I left the church because I was not getting fed by the pastor.”

This excuse places the fault squarely with the pastor and releases the churchgoer from any responsibility. When this excuse is given, it casts doubt on the ability of the pastor to give that person the type of “spiritual food” they want to consume.

It is a clear indication that the person making this accusation, possibly has come to the church as a consumer, not as a true follower of Jesus. It reminds me of this warning given to Timothy from the apostle Paul . . .

2 Timothy 4:3

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires . . . “

After a great deal of consideration, I have concluded that the role of a pastor is not to feed the people, but rather it is to teach them how to cook! Let me explain my thoughts . . .

The pastor spends each week considering what type of dish to serve; sometimes he plans far in advance, making sure that all the ingredients come together in just the right fashion.

He works to prepare a single dish; tasty and full of spiritual nutrients; not loaded down with excessive sweetness; but balanced and appropriate for the day at hand.

Occasionally the dish will be heavy with items not usually served; but necessary. Just like trying to get children to “eat their greens” so a pastor may serve meals that look unsavory at times.

The dish is prepared and served, typically on a Sunday morning. Remember, it is only one dish; not enough for everyone to gorge themselves, but enough for everyone to get a taste; enough to make them hungry for more.

The idea is for the churchgoer to want more; a good pastor will invite them into the kitchen; showing them how to prepare their own meals, so they don’t have to go on a spiritual “fast” all week.

The problem with some folks is that they only get a taste on Sunday, they go away hungry (which is the point of the dish served) unwilling to take off their bib and put on an apron; they complain that the pastor did not feed them enough, when in fact that is really, not his job.

Now to be sure, some pastors cannot cook, and may need to go back to culinary arts school for a season. There are pastors who are serving a dish that is, rancid and inedible; if this is the case, it may be time to find a new restaurant.

Study the ingredients your pastor uses; are they listed in the Cookbook? If they are, then it may be that your palette needs a little cleansing.

Therefore, I encourage you to keep sampling the dish your pastor offers each week. Get involved with a small group and learn how to cook; how to prepare your own tasty dishes and share yours with others.

Come on . . . you can do it!

Besides, you look silly, sitting back there with your arms crossed and bib on!

Open wide . . . num num!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by onthesolidrock in Discipline, Faith, Humility, Trust, 0 comments
Learn the Word

Learn the Word

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.   Colossians 3:16

The Scriptures call us to become students of the Word of God. We MUST apply all of our abilities to this task. We live in a day and age of information; we have access to computers, bibles, books, commentaries, etc.

If there ever was a generation that is WITHOUT EXCUSE for learning the Word of God, it is this generation.

You MUST engage yourself in the study of God’s Word. To avoid this most elementary part of Christianity shows your lack of desire to, really know, the God you say you love!

Posted by onthesolidrock in Discipline, Faith, Holiness, Humility, 0 comments
Martha, Martha

Martha, Martha

Martha’s idea to invite Jesus to her home was turning out to be a problem for her. This was supposed to be a good thing. The Son of God is in my home! We had better get the best dishes out, the choicest drink and food; prepared just right! Everyone had better be on their best behavior too!

Mary, Martha’s sister, knew what was most important, and was not about to be moved. She decided to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to the Words of Life He would speak. She hung on every word! Martha was missing out, distracted by the busyness of preparations.

Martha was so distracted that she even complained to Jesus; “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  She now wanted her distraction to be everyone else’s distraction too, even Jesus!

Jesus was quick to set Martha straight, showing her that what Mary was doing was the best thing. Not that dinner preparations are not important, but sitting with Jesus is even better!

When faced with a distraction that threatens to pull your focus off Jesus, do what Mary did, and just sit still, and listen to Jesus. Rest assured that you are doing the right thing; the distraction will wait.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42

Posted by onthesolidrock in Discipline, Faith, Family, Holiness, Humility, Thankfulness, Trust, 0 comments