Jesus

24
Dec
2023
Good News of Great Joy

Good News of Great Joy

Luke 1:30-31 – “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.'”

Imagine Mary’s shock when the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared and called her “highly favored” by God!

Just an ordinary young woman engaged to the village carpenter, she could hardly grasp Gabriel’s astounding message.

In an instant, her quiet life was powerfully interrupted by divine plans to birth the Messiah through her willing womb. Though the road ahead would be difficult, a joyful privilege awaited.

God Notices the Humble

God delights in choosing the humble and lowly to accomplish His great plans. Despite her humble state, the Lord selected Mary for the highest honor – to bear the Savior of the world.

Her beautiful surrender reminds us that God notices and exalts the faithful.

An Impossible Promise

Gabriel’s announcement went against all logic and human ability. A virgin conceive and bear the Son of God?

This promised conception could only be explained as a miracle of the Spirit.

Yet Mary responded in faith not doubt, exalting God’s power. She modeled bold trust in His supernatural ability to fulfill His Word, no matter how improbable. Her example challenges our closed minds.

Take God at His Word

When facing impossibilities, take God at His Word. Recall His miraculous works.

Praise Him as mighty to do the unimaginable, just as He promised. Set your gaze on the God of the impossible, not the obstacle.

Believe He will accomplish His purposes.

Name Above All Names

“Jesus” was a common name meaning “Yahweh saves.” As the divine Son in flesh, Jesus embodied the glorious truth that God had come to rescue His people from their sins.

This lowly infant cradled in a manger would fulfill the meaning of His name in cosmic proportions.

His death and resurrection would accomplish the greatest salvation mission history would ever know.

Our Savior

In times of trouble, take comfort in the powerful name of Jesus. He is still the mighty God who saves.

Call upon His name and experience His deliverance. Worship Him for ransoming your life from destruction. Jesus – the name above all names!

Undeserved Grace

Even in her humble state, the Lord called Mary “highly favored.” She did nothing to earn this status apart from saying yes.

Yet by pure grace, God selected her for an honor exceeding all others.

We too are highly favored not through effort but solely by God’s gracious choice to lavish His love upon the undeserving. In awe we receive His blessings and bear the fruit He enables by His Spirit.

Offer Songs of Praise

Like Mary, respond to God’s amazing grace with worship and gratitude. Sing joyful songs that you too are highly favored.

Proclaim His goodness for looking upon you in loving-kindness through no merit of your own. Rejoice in your honored place in His story.

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
23
Dec
2023
The Peril of Pride

The Peril of Pride

    “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

Allure of Pride

We all want to feel good about ourselves. There’s nothing inherently wrong with healthy self-esteem. But when our sense of self becomes inflated and disconnected from reality, that’s when pride takes root.

The temptation is to see ourselves as better than others, to take credit for our talents and accomplishments without acknowledging God’s role.

Pride whispers that we are supremely competent, extremely knowledgeable, and utterly impressive. It’s seductive but dangerously deceptive.

Pride causes us to focus on promoting ourselves rather than pursuing God’s kingdom. We become consumed with preserving a flawless image rather than developing Christlike character.

Pride prevents us from being teachable because we already think we know it all.

It blinds us to our own flaws and leads us to look down on others. A prideful person is never satisfied, constantly chasing after more admiration, power, and success to feed their inflated ego.

Pitfalls of Pride

Proverbs warns that pride leads to destruction. A haughty spirit precedes a fall. When we think too highly of ourselves, we inevitably stumble. Pride makes us resistant to correction and unable to admit fault.

We refuse to take responsibility for our mistakes which can then spiral into bigger problems.

Pride isolates us from community and authentic relationships, as no one wants to be around someone with an superiority complex.

It also limits our capacity to show grace, empathy and compassion to others.

Pride prevents us from acknowledging our deep need for God. We start to operate independently, trusting in our own wisdom and strength rather than seeking the Lord’s.

We become blind to our weaknesses and inadequacies apart from Christ. Relying on self rather than surrendering to God is a sure path to ruin.

All it takes is one gust of adversity to blow over a house of cards built on the shifting sands of pride.

Cultivating Humility

The antidote to pride is humility. This begins by recognizing that every good thing we possess comes from God. Our talents and abilities are gifts from Him.

Any wisdom or knowledge we’ve gained is by His grace.

When we start each day acknowledging our dependence and need for God, it puts us in the right posture before Him.

Regularly confessing our sins and weaknesses also keeps us humble. Spending time serving others shifts our focus off ourselves.

Practicing gratitude fuels humility as we become aware of just how much God and others contribute to our lives.

As we grow in humility, we become more open to correction, eager to learn, and willing to submit to God’s will over our own.

We develop compassion, patience, and grace for others. And we experience the true freedom of resting in who God made us to be, without pretense or self-reliance.

For “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6). The path of humility leads to wisdom, joy and closeness with God.

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
21
Dec
2023
Finding Rest for the Weary

Finding Rest for the Weary

Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

In this tender invitation, Jesus beckons all who are weary and burdened to exchange their heavy load for His light yoke that leads to soul rest. Let’s reflect on how we can accept His offer.

Weighed Down and Worn Out

Life in a fallen world leaves many battered, burned out, and overwhelmed. We run hard striving for success, yet even achievement often rings empty. Despite our best efforts, we lack deep soul rest.

Christ’s words give hope – there is rest for the weary found in relationship with Him!

But it requires exchanging our burden for His yoke. This metaphor offers life-giving insight.

Taking His Yoke Upon Us

In Jesus’ day, a yoke joined two animals to work together. Christ invites us into a shared yoke with Himself where we walk in gentle companionship, learning as we labor.

The old yoke of performance and self-effort only oppresses us.

Jesus’ yoke is tailor-made to match His strength and pace. Joined to Him, His power propels us.

Walk with Jesus

Are you exhausted and powerless? Surrender your burdensome yoke for Jesus’ light one. Let His gracious stride set the pace. Follow His lead into soul rest and purpose.

Jesus, I Need Your Rest

Lord Jesus, I’m tired and burned out from striving. Thank you for offering me Your yoke of companionship, purpose, and gentle rest. Teach me Your heart of humility. I accept Your invitation to walk beside You, learning in step with You.

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
20
Dec
2023
Precious in His Sight

Precious in His Sight

Matthew 10:29 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

Jesus shares this reassuring truth – if God cares about insignificant sparrows, how much more does He care about us, His children?

Consider the Sparrows

Sparrows were common birds that people regarded as virtually worthless. Yet Jesus says God cares when even one sparrow falls.

If He minds seemingly trivial things in creation, we can trust He attends to our lives.

Our problems and pains are not trivial to God. He cares deeply when one of His beloved children suffers, no matter how small we feel. Our weakness moves His heart.

We Are Far More Valuable

Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater – if God cares for sparrows which offer little value, how much more does He care for humans made in His image?

We possess immeasurable worth to Him.

God sees each tear, hears every cry, and catches all our falls.

No detail of our lives escapes His notice or concerns. He treasures us as His prized possession.

Living in Light of God’s Care

May this truth anchor us when turmoil strikes. God is mindful!

Cast all cares on Him, trusting His watchful eye. There’s no need to unravel when we’re precious in His sight. You are noticed. You are not alone.

Lord, Thank You for Caring

Lord, the immense problems of life often cloud my view of Your intimate care. Thank You that not even a tiny sparrow escapes Your sight. Remind me I’m precious to You. Quiet my heart to receive Your comfort anew.

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
19
Dec
2023
Worshiping the One True God

Worshiping the One True God

Matthew 4:10 – Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

When Jesus was tempted to worship Satan in exchange for earthly power and glory, He responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13. This verse helps anchor our worship as well.

Worship Defined

To worship is to attribute supreme worth, honor, and glory to someone or something.

It signals our deepest allegiance and shapes our priorities. Worship is the human heart’s ultimate posture.

God Alone is Worthy

Because He alone is the infinite, perfect Creator deserving total allegiance, God commands that we worship and serve Him exclusively.

No idol compares to the true God.

Unfortunately, we easily grant “functional worship” status to things like wealth, success, relationships, or popularity by allowing them to rule our hearts and shape our desires.

Our Life’s Throne

Take an honest inventory – what occupies your thoughts and passions?

What do you esteem and rely on above all else?

Ask God to reveal anything commanding your heart’s worship other than Himself.

Re-centering Our Worship

By God’s grace, dethrone false gods and continually re-center your worship on the true God.

He created us for relationship with Himself. As our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, only He is worthy of life’s supreme worship.

Capture My Heart Afresh

Lord, reveal any area where my adoration has shifted from You to lesser things. Forgive me for functionally worshiping the temporal rather than eternal. Recapture my heart and realign my life so You alone are central. You created me to worship You.

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