gratitude

22
Sep
2024
Bought for a Price

Bought for a Price

Have you ever felt like you were bought at a price? Maybe not in the literal sense, but in terms of the sacrifices and investments made for your well-being.

Think about the love and care your parents showed you, the friendships that have shaped you, or the opportunities that have come your way.

Today’s Scripture, 1 Corinthians 6:20, reminds us that we were bought at a price far greater than anything we can imagine. We were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies

1 Corinthians 6:20

Price of Freedom

When we were enslaved to sin, we were powerless to break free.

Our lives were a mess, and we were headed for destruction. But God, in His infinite love, sent His Son to die for our sins.

Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate act of love, a price paid to set us free from the chains of sin and death.

The apostle Paul reminds us of this in Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Honoring God with Your Body

Since we have been bought at such a high price, it is our duty to honor God with our bodies.

Our bodies are not just vessels for our souls; they are temples of the Holy Spirit.

When we honor God with our bodies, we are showing our gratitude for His sacrifice and demonstrating our love for Him.

How can we honor God with our bodies?

Here are a few ways:

  •     Avoid Anything That Dishonors God: This includes things like sexual immorality, drunkenness, drug abuse, and harmful behaviors.
  •     Take Care of Your Body: Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Your body is a gift from God, and it deserves to be treated with respect.
  •     Use Your Body for Good: Use your talents and abilities to serve others and glorify God.
  •     Focus on Your Spiritual Health: Spend time in prayer, Bible study, and worship. A strong spiritual foundation will help you make good choices and honor God with your body.

We were bought at a price far greater than we can comprehend.

The blood of Jesus Christ was shed for our salvation, and it is our responsibility to honor God with our bodies.

By avoiding sin, taking care of ourselves, and using your body for good, you can show your gratitude for the gift of life and demonstrate your love for your Savior.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy today! – Pray Upside

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
24
Apr
2024
Boasting in Christ Alone

Boasting in Christ Alone

Romans 15:17 – “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God”

As believers, we are called to serve God in various capacities, utilizing the gifts and opportunities He has graciously bestowed upon us.

However, the apostle Paul reminds us that the ultimate purpose, motivation, and attitude of our service should be to exalt and honor Christ, who is the source and goal of our service.

Purpose of Our Service

Exalting Christ Paul declares, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.”

His service was driven by a desire to glorify Christ, expressing love and gratitude to the Savior and Lord. This should be our aim, too – to depend on and trust in Christ, who is the power and wisdom behind our service.

Danger of Pride

Unfortunately, we often forget this purpose and fall into the trap of pride.

Pride is the sinful tendency to think highly of ourselves and lowly of others, taking credit for what God has accomplished and blaming others for our failures.

It alienates us from God’s grace, damages our relationships, blinds us to our faults, and robs us of joy and peace.

Remedy of His Grace

Overcoming pride and learning to glory in Christ alone requires acknowledging our need for His grace.

Grace is God’s undeserved favor and kindness towards us, not something we earn or deserve, but something we receive freely and generously from Him.

The supreme expression of God’s grace is the person and work of Jesus Christ. He humbled Himself, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again, defeating sin and death.

He offers us eternal life, reconciliation with God, and the gift of His Spirit and Word to guide and empower us.

Response of Our Faith

To receive this grace, we must respond with faith – trusting and relying on God’s promises, accepting His will, and obeying His commands with gratitude.

Faith is not a work we boast about but a gift we humbly receive, the means by which we are justified and sanctified by God’s grace.

When we receive God’s grace by faith, we are set free from the bondage of pride and enabled to glory in Christ alone.

We can serve God with joy, humility, love, gratitude, dependence, and trust, giving Him all the glory and honor, for He alone is worthy.

~ Check Out ~
“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
15
Mar
2024
Embracing Accountability

Embracing Accountability

Measure of Knowledge

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

In these verses, Jesus introduces a principle that emphasizes the importance of responsibility and accountability.

Weight of Understanding

Knowledge and understanding come with a certain level of responsibility.

Those who have been given insight into the will and character of God are held to a higher standard of obedience and faithfulness.

Consequence of Neglect

Jesus warns that those who have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, yet fail to act accordingly, will face greater consequences.

Neglecting the responsibilities that come with knowledge is a serious matter, one that will be met with “many blows.”

Call to Stewardship

However, this principle is not meant to be a source of fear or condemnation. Rather, it is a call to embrace our role as stewards of the knowledge and resources entrusted to us by God.

We are called to use our understanding wisely, to faithfully carry out the tasks set before us, and to honor the trust placed in us.

As you reflect on this principle, do not shrink back from the responsibilities placed upon you. Instead, embrace them with humility, diligence, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities you have been given.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Trust
10
Mar
2024
Finding Joy in Discipline?

Finding Joy in Discipline?

God’s Love

“Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” – Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

We are reminded of the deep and abiding love that God has for His children.

His discipline and punishment are not acts of cruelty or anger, but rather expressions of His love and care for us.

Purpose

God’s discipline is not meant to harm us or make us feel small. Instead, it serves a greater purpose – to shape us, refine us, and help us grow into the people He has called us to be.

Just as a loving parent corrects a child, so too does God correct us, not out of anger, but out of a desire to see us reach our full potential.

Process

Discipline is often uncomfortable and even painful. It can be easy to resent it or to feel like we’re being punished for our mistakes.

However, if we can shift our perspective and see discipline as a sign of God’s love and care for us, we can begin to find joy in the process.

Growth

When we embrace discipline with humility and trust in God’s goodness, we open ourselves up to growth and transformation.

Discipline helps us to shed our selfish tendencies and develop character, patience, and wisdom. It refines us, like gold being purified in the fire, so that we can better reflect the image of Christ within us.

Do not despise the discipline of the Lord, but rather embrace it with gratitude, knowing that it is a sign of His deep and abiding love for you. Through discipline, you can find joy and hope in the process of becoming more like Christ.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Faith
22
Nov
2023
Where’s the Gratitude?

Where’s the Gratitude?

Luke 17:18 – “Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Ingratitude Surrounds

Jesus healed ten lepers, an incredible act of compassion.

Shockingly, only one returned to thank Him – a despised Samaritan outsider. The remainder took Christ’s grace for granted.

Focused on Fleeting Gifts

In their excitement over physical healing, the nine overlooked the Giver.

They sought Jesus’ gifts more than His presence. We easily mirror such self-focus.

Give Thanks in All Things

Followers of Christ must cultivate gratitude, not just for big blessings but for His faithfulness in each moment.

Thankfulness acknowledges God’s ever-present grace.

Guard Against Entitlement

Seeking God’s gifts without praising Him breeds spiritual entitlement.

Thanksgiving keeps our hearts aligned with His undeserved generosity. Offer extravagant thanks!

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