kingdom of God

22
Mar
2024
Overcoming the Dragon

Overcoming the Dragon

Enraged Enemy

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” – Revelation 12:17 (NIV)

In this verse, we see the ferocity of the enemy’s rage against those who follow Christ.

The dragon, a symbol of Satan and his forces, is described as enraged, waging war against believers who remain faithful to God’s commands and testify to the truth of Jesus.

Perseverance of the Faithful

Despite the intensity of the enemy’s assault, this verse reminds us that there are those who “keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

These are believers who persevere, standing firm in their faith and obedience, even in the face of adversity and opposition.

Spiritual Battle

This passage is a stark reminder that as followers of Christ, we are engaged in a spiritual battle against forces that seek to undermine our faith and cause us to stumble.

The enemy is relentless in his attacks, using fear, temptation, and persecution to try to wear us down and turn us away from God.

Victorious Outcome

Yet, even as we recognize the reality of this battle, we can take heart in the knowledge that the ultimate victory belongs to Christ.

He has already triumphed over the dragon, and through His power and strength, we too can overcome the enemy’s assaults. As we persevere in faith and obedience, holding fast to our testimony of Jesus, we will share in His victory.

Stand firm, with unwavering faith and courage, knowing that your perseverance will not be in vain. For the one who overcomes will inherit eternal life and a place in the Kingdom of God.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
06
Mar
2024
Path to True Freedom

Path to True Freedom

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Trap of People-Pleasing

In our pursuit of acceptance and validation, it’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing.

We can become consumed by the desire to win the approval of others, tailoring our words, actions, and even our beliefs to fit the expectations and preferences of those around us.

But this path is ultimately a dead end, leading us into a prison of conformity and inauthenticity.

Pursuit of God’s Approval

In contrast to the endless chase for human approval, there is a higher calling – the pursuit of God’s approval.

This is not about earning His favor through our own efforts or trying to impress Him with our accomplishments; it’s about aligning our hearts and lives with His will, seeking to honor Him in all that we do.

Freedom of Serving Christ

When we shift our focus from pleasing people to serving Christ, a remarkable thing happens: we experience true freedom.

No longer bound by the ever-changing demands and expectations of others, we find liberation in the knowledge that our identity and purpose are rooted in the unchanging love and acceptance of our Heavenly Father.

Living as Servants of Christ

Living as servants of Christ means embracing a life of radical obedience and surrender to His will.

It requires us to let go of our own agendas, ambitions, and desires for approval, and to instead seek His kingdom and righteousness above all else.

As you do this, you discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving, leading you into a deeper experience of joy, peace, and purpose.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Holiness, Humility, Trust
08
Feb
2024
Representing the One Who Sent You

Representing the One Who Sent You

Luke 10:16 – “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Authority Not Our Own

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples to preach and heal, he gave them authority to carry out those ministries in his name.

Their authority came directly from him. Jesus said whoever listened to them, listened to him. And whoever rejected them, rejected him and the One who sent him – God the Father.

The authority of the seventy-two was not their own but derived from being representatives of Jesus.

Weight of His Commission

This is an immense responsibility! The disciples went out proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God with authority from heaven’s throne room.

People’s reception or rejection of them meant reception or rejection of Christ himself and the Father. That’s no small commission!

The disciples represented a direct delegation from the highest possible authority. Their message and actions carried eternal weight.

Faithfulness in Small Things

At first glance, the disciples were a seemingly ragtag group to bear such a sacred charge. Yet God often chooses the small, unimpressive and ordinary to carry his authority.

It’s easy to feel our words or deeds for Christ are insignificant. But there is no greater privilege than representing the Son of God to the world, no matter how humble the assignment.

Each act of faithful service matters.

Hearing from a Holy Envoy

The flip side is that every Christian today carries this same gravity as the seventy-two. Those we interact with are, in effect, hearing from a representative of the Lord himself through us.

Our character and conduct have significance beyond ourselves.

We must consider carefully how to represent Jesus well to others through both speech and action. What an honor to serve as His envoy!

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration