Jesus

04
Jan
2024
Guarding Against Deception

Guarding Against Deception

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Serpent in the Garden

The serpent slithered and whispered, slyly questioning God’s command. Eve tuned her ear, debated his lies, and took forbidden fruit. With one bite, paradise perished as deception dragged humanity down.

Satan’s cunning scheme made trusting God seem unreasonable and restrictive. The serpent cast doubt on God’s goodness through clever half-truths. Led astray from childlike faith, Eve discovered the devastation of disobedience.

Centuries later, Paul warned against satanic deception hijacking devotion. The same hissing voice in Eden now stalks Christ’s Bride, seeking to seduce and lead astray.

Devious lies still parade as enlightenment. Without vigilance, even sincere hearts drift.

Stay Alert!

Paul urged caution because he knew how alluring deception can be. Its subtle slide seems harmless until we are deep in darkness.

Staying devoted to Christ requires purposeful alertness. We must test every thought and teaching against Scripture’s truth. The Spirit is given so we can discern between God’s voice and the serpent’s hiss.

Eve’s mistake reminds us that no one is above deception’s reach; be wary of thoughts breeding mistrust in God’s goodness. Lies may be packaged as revelations, but they lead only to brokenness.

Cling to the Shepherd

The surest protection against straying is clinging closely to the Good Shepherd. As we abide in Christ’s presence, our ears tune to His voice.

We learn the sound of truth. Only Jesus can be trusted fully and followed completely. When we lose sight of Him, we become vulnerable prey.

Stay near the Shepherd, beloved sheep. In His care, deception loses its power. Even the serpent cowers before the watchful eyes of the One who holds us fast.

Discern and Reject

By God’s grace, we can reject deception and enjoy undivided devotion to Christ. Immersing ourselves in Scripture builds spiritual discernment. Meeting regularly with other believers reinforces our defense.

And when twisted thoughts creep in, we capture them and make them obedient to Christ. We reject ideas that diminish His glory and grace.

Standing firm with watchful hearts, we avoid Eve’s error and embrace the unrivaled truth of our Savior.

If you like these daily devotionals; you may be interested in our daily
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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
03
Jan
2024
Light of the Gospel

Light of the Gospel

2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

In the beginning, God created light to pierce the darkness that shrouded the formless void. With His powerful word, brightness exploded into the blackness. God called forth light.

Later, the hearts of humankind were darkened by sin. Mankind groped in the shadows, unable to grasp the knowledge of God’s glory.

But once again God powerfully proclaimed “Let there be light!” This time, the light illuminated our shadowy hearts.

The same God who created physical light now shined His glorious light into our inner darkness. This spiritual light reveals the truth and hope of Jesus Christ to lost souls wandering in night’s gloom.

Brightness of the Gospel

The light God sent is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the radiance of God’s glory and nature is made known to us. Without this light, we are blind to the beauty of God’s love and salvation.

But by God’s Word, the brilliance of this good news floods eyes once darkened by deception and ignorance.

Christ’s light allows us to perceive and receive the free gift of grace. Now we walk in the glowing truth of God.

Like the sun rising after a long night, the gospel illuminates our path so we can know and enjoy God. What matchless light!

Reflecting God’s Light

Scripture calls Christ “the light of the world” and exhorts us to also be light. When we receive Christ, we begin reflecting His illuminating truth to others trapped in darkness. His light within starts shining through us.

As reflections of God’s truth, we carry the hope of the gospel into dark places plagued by suffering and deception.

Even a small light overpowers immense darkness. The Spirit helps our feeble flames grow into a bonfire of Christ’s love.

In a world searching for light, we mirror the Son by sharing the good news that gives light and life.

Walk as Children of Light

God’s Word urges us to live as children of light, bearing the fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth. When the light of Christ shines in us, it changes how we walk through this dark world.

We must reflect this light consistently, not hiding or extinguishing it. As Christ is the unwavering morning star, we are called to shine steady rays of hope despite surrounding gloom.

Even on the darkest nights, the flame of the gospel within reminds us we are not alone. We walk confidently with the Light of the World.

If you like these daily devotionals; you may be interested in our daily
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Posted by onthesolidrock
02
Jan
2024
Call to Reverent Living

Call to Reverent Living

1 Peter 1:17 “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”

Imagine standing trial before a judge who knows you fully and judges you only by your actions, without bias or preconceived notions. This illustration gives us a glimpse into how God judges us.

God knows our hearts intimately. Yet He judges each person’s work impartially, not showing favoritism.

This means we cannot take God’s mercy for granted or presume upon His grace. Our relationship with Him as His children does not exempt us from His impartial judgment.

Recognizing that we will stand before our impartial Father and Judge should inspire reverent fear and Motivate us to live uprightly. We answer to a perfect standard of justice.

Foreigners in a Fallen World

As followers of Christ, we are foreigners and strangers in this world. Our true home is with our Father in heaven.

We know this world is corrupted by sin, injustice, suffering and death. One day God will make all things right, but for now we live as temporary residents of a deeply flawed place.

Being a foreigner elicits a sense of displacement and non-conformity. We cannot fully assimilate into the values and practices of this fallen world because our allegiance is to a much greater Kingdom.

We are called to live as pilgrims on a journey homeward.

This identity as foreigners should keep us from becoming too settled or invested here. Our hope remains set on our eternal destination.

Living in Reverent Fear

What does it look like to live in reverent fear as foreigners? Firstly, reverent fear entails an awe and respect for God, regarding Him as holy and glorious.

Casualness has no place in how we approach our Father and Judge.

Secondly, this reverent posture will permeate our actions. Knowing God sees all we do, we will strive to walk uprightly and honor Him.

Sin’s allure loses its grip as we live every moment before His searching yet loving eyes.

Thirdly, fearing God includes turning from evil. Just as we avoid actions that would displease an respected earthly authority, so we flee anything that would mar our relationship with our perfect Heavenly Father.

Motivated to Please God

Standing between the judgment seat of Christ and the lure of the world, we fix our eyes on Jesus.

Only His grace empowers us to live as faithful foreigners revering God in awe and action.

God’s impartial judgment and our displacement as pilgrims motivates us to live Holy Lives. When tempted, may we remember we will give an account to our Father who sees all.

As citizen of heaven, refuse conformity to the sinful patterns of this world.

If you like these daily devotionals; you may be interested in our daily
“One Minute with God”
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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
01
Jan
2024
Communion: An Invitation to Unity

Communion: An Invitation to Unity

1 Corinthians 10:16 – “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”

Grab a loaf of bread and break off a piece. Feel its soft texture between your fingers before taking a bite. As you chew, contemplate the significance of this simple food.

Bread nourishes our physical bodies, but it also represents something much greater spiritually.

When we partake of the bread during communion, we signify our participation in the body of Christ. Just as bread is broken and shared among many, Christ’s body was broken and shared for the salvation of all.

As we eat the bread together, we are unified in recognizing Christ’s sacrifice that enables our relationship with God.

The bread of communion is no ordinary food – it is a sacred symbol that bonds us to our Savior and to one another. May we receive it with reverence and gratitude.

Cup of Thanksgiving

Raise your cup, filled with the fruit of the vine, in celebration of the goodness of God. This cup overflows with meaning as we give thanks for Christ’s blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

In ancient times, covenants were sealed with the sharing of a cup. Through communion, we renew our covenant with God, confirmed by the blood of Jesus.

This cup is a declaration of gratitude for the redemption we have through the cross.

As we drink together from this cup of blessing, we proclaim our unity in Christ.

Though we come from diverse walks of life, communion reminds us that we are one body, cleansed by one blood; we rejoice in this amazing grace!

An Invitation to Community

Approach the communion table with joy and anticipation. Here awaits a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, where people of every nation will dine together in God’s presence.

Lay aside earthly labels that divide – rich or poor, old or young, different cultures and customs. At this table, we are one, linked by the unifying love of Christ.

Differences fade in light of what we share – our need for grace, our gratitude for the cross.

Communion calls us to live in fellowship, not just with God, but with one another. It beckons us to extend relentless compassion as freely as we have received it.

Remember and Rejoice

As you eat the bread and drink the cup, remember what Christ has done for you. Give thanks for His body, broken that you may be healed. Give thanks for His blood, shed that you may be set free from sin.

Rejoice in the loving communion you can have with God through Christ.

This nourishment for your soul ushers you into holy community. Together, we bear witness to the power of the gospel that transforms each of us into one body. May this fellowship challenge and change us all.

Communion is no mere ritual. It is a vibrant invitation to oneness with Christ and His people. Accept this gift with a joyful and grateful heart.

If you like these daily devotionals; you may be interested in our daily
“One Minute with God”
YouTube videos.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
31
Dec
2023
Old Yeast

Old Yeast

“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Examining Our Hearts

During the Passover feast, God commanded His people to remove all leaven from their homes.

Yeast causes bread to rise, picturing how sin swells up and permeates our lives.

This yearly ritual reminded Israelites to examine their hearts and take sin seriously.

As believers in Jesus, we also must regularly inspect our lives and root out “old leaven” – attitudes and behaviors that displease God.

Christ’s sacrifice frees us from sin’s power, making us new creations. However, we still struggle with remnants of our old nature that lead us astray if left unchecked.

Pride, greed, lust, bitterness, and selfishness can puff us up like yeast if not confronted and confessed.

Getting rid of sinful leaven requires brutal honesty. We must ask God to reveal blind spots and things sabotaging our spiritual growth.

While painful, facing the truth positions our hearts to be purified and transformed by the Holy Spirit’s cleansing fire.

Removing sin restores the sweet fellowship with Jesus that yeast corrodes.

Crumbs of Compromise

It only takes a small amount of yeast to leaven an entire lump of dough. Similarly, “little” sins or compromises spread and damage our whole lives if tolerated.

Believers often excuse gossip, white lies, inappropriate media, anger, or addictions as harmless. But these behaviors grieving the Spirit, have profound consequences if left unchecked.

Rationalizing and downplaying sins gives the enemy footholds. As issues accumulate over time, we become desensitized until flagrant wickedness seems normal.

Yeast is insidious and penetrating. The only solution is to sincerely confess specific sins and turn away from them.

We must remove even small bits of leaven to remain unleavened bread.

Living holy requires vigilance. Regularly evaluating our lives identifies areas needing God’s cleansing fire.

Even after cleansing, we must guard our hearts since sin crouches at the door.

Staying unleavened means promptly repenting when we stumble. God uses our trials to reveal and refine away sinful impurities.

Becoming New

Christ sacrificed Himself as the ultimate Passover Lamb to free us from sin and death.

Now saved by grace, we have a new unleavened identity in Him. Our old selves died on the cross so that we might live free in the Spirit.

However, living into our new natures requires intentionally removing the old leaven of wickedness.

As we increasingly yield control to the Spirit, He empowers us to reject temptations and walk in holiness.

Staying unleavened is only possible through relying on Christ’s strength. Our part is submitting our wills completely to Him.

God is pleased when we actively participate in the process of sanctification. Regular self-examination and repentance keep our lives pure and unleavened for Jesus’ glory.

If you like these daily devotionals; you may be interested in our daily
“One Minute with God”
YouTube videos.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration