Pray

Close the Door

Close the Door

In Matthew 6:6, we find Jesus’ teaching about the importance of prayer and the manner in which we should approach it.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

He encourages us to go into our private rooms, close the door, and pray to our Heavenly Father in secret. This verse reminds us of the significance of cultivating a personal and intimate relationship with God through prayer.

Jesus’ instruction to pray in secret is not about hiding our prayers from others, but rather about creating a sacred space where we can truly connect with God without distractions.

It is in these moments of solitude and vulnerability that we can pour out our hearts, share our deepest concerns, and seek God’s guidance.

This kind of prayer allows us to experience the presence of God in a profound way and strengthens our relationship with Him.

By emphasizing the private nature of prayer, Jesus highlights the authenticity and sincerity that should characterize our conversations with God. We are invited to come before Him with humility, honesty, and transparency, knowing that He sees and knows the depths of our hearts.

In this intimate exchange, we can find solace, encouragement, and the assurance that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers according to His will.

As you embrace the practice of private prayer, remember that it is not about performing or impressing others but about deepening your connection with God. In the quietness of your private space, freely express your thoughts, emotions, and desires to Him who loves you unconditionally.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Prayer
Pray Upside Down – 15 Week Small Group Bible Study

Pray Upside Down – 15 Week Small Group Bible Study

We are pleased to announce that our Pray Upside Down – 15 Week Bible Study has officially been published by Abiding Line Publishing and is now officially available on Amazon.

We have updated all Scripture verses to the NASB (New American Standard Version) and added a few graphics, and made some slight modifications to the original lesson plan.

 

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. 

You will head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.

You will 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.

You will 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!

Available on Amazon now!

 

 

Posted by onthesolidrock
The Strength of my Heart

The Strength of my Heart

We frequently get perplexed in this crazy, upside down world.

The ramifications of sinful, power-hungry world leaders can be brutal, unloving, and harsh! Coupled with the unforeseen outbreaks of disease, famine, and death can quickly cause even the stoutest of individuals to lose heart.

Yet, even in the midst of these daunting circumstances, we are reminded that God is still here; we have not been abandoned. His plan of redemption is still unfolding even as we read these words today!

As the Scripture reveals, even though our heart and flesh fail; God is the strength of our heart, and He IS our Portion forever!

Take courage; lean into the arms of God; trust Him, and let His strength be yours today!

Psalm 73:26

 

 

Posted by onthesolidrock in Faith, Trust
Turn

Turn

Nations that turn away from God, inevitably embrace that which is evil; and historically, those nations have ceased to exist. God, in His anger, brings judgement, followed by destruction to that nation and it’s people.

However, God in His mercy and grace, offers a solution to the problem; turn away from that which is evil. This “turning” always begins with the people who are called by His Name; the Christians.

The lost people of this world; which all Christians were once a part of, are prone to do evil; it is the Body of Christ; His Church, that is responsible for the fallen state of a nation.

Will the church (you) turn?

Jeremiah 18:8

 

Posted by onthesolidrock in Holiness, Humility, 0 comments
Ask, Seek and Knock – Do It!

Ask, Seek and Knock – Do It!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:7-11

This is a very familiar Scripture that many of us have read dozens, if not hundreds of times. We often refer to this Scripture when talking about prayer, as we should!

This section begins with the admonition to ask, seek and knock. As we read this, we get the feeling that these are not simply suggestions; perhaps the words carry just a little more weight than that!

Jesus does not frame these words with any kind of condition associated with the request; He simply says to; ask, seek and knock! Therefore, these three words come with an expectation that you will do it.

Jesus further indicates that those who ask, seek and knock, will receive, find, and gain entrance. Again, there is no hesitation in Jesus very straightforward statement here.

He says that if you ask, you will receive, if you seek, you will find, and if you knock, the door opens for you. I find this to be very exciting indeed!

In the following verses, we get a partial idea of where the answers to the asking, seeking, and knocking are coming from. Jesus begins verse 9 by asking the crowd a rhetorical question:

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

I can see the crowd laughing as he makes this statement; some parents are no doubt planning a practical joke on their kids later in the day!

Jesus then contrasts the crowd; sinful humanity, against a holy and righteous Father; by saying:

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

We see that “good gifts” come from our Father in heaven. James echoes this truth in the Book he wrote:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

So, we see clearly that Jesus is saying if you ask, seek and knock, then God Himself will respond with good gifts.

I have heard it said by well meaning Christians that we need to be careful what we ask God for, we might just get it! I think that is an ugly statement, one in which we think that God our Father, who is incredibly good and holy, who has our best interest at heart, would somehow give us a bad gift!

I think that if I am knocking on a door that is going to lead me astray, God will not open it.

When God opens a door, gives a gift, or reveals Himself to His children, according to Jesus, it is going to be good!

Now to be sure, we can go beyond knocking, and go get a crowbar and force open a door that God is unwilling to open for us.

Remember, He knows what is best, and if the door will not open by knocking on it, it is best to leave it shut.

So go ahead; ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK . . . this is going to be good!

Posted by onthesolidrock in Discipline, Faith, Family, Holiness, Humility, Prayer, Trust, 0 comments
Let it Shine

Let it Shine

I have been watching with great interest, the ongoing vilification of proposed Supreme Court appointee, Brett Kavanaugh. It is breathtaking to watch, as these allegations of sexual misconduct seem to appear out of nowhere, just days before his confirmation; should his nomination derail; woe to the next one to be chosen!

 

I have also watched how many people; consumed with utter hatred toward the current president, Donald Trump and the party he represents, seem to have lost their minds. I have never seen such hatred and vile comments ever made toward anyone . . . ever, let alone a sitting president.

 

As I have pondered these things, I realize too, there is a growing hatred toward those of the Christian faith. We are mocked, ridiculed, vilified, silenced if possible, and are becoming nearly as despised as Mr. Trump!

 

I have concluded that all these things must come to pass, and what we witness playing out before our eyes, is simply confirmation of what Jesus said to expect.

 

None of this is new; it has happened before in every generation since Jesus was crucified, buried and rose again.

 

What we are seeing displayed is the very reason that Jesus went to the Cross in the first place, which was to make it possible for the very people who wanted to kill Him, to have life!

 

So I watch with curiosity, the brutal and vile hatred demonstrated daily, and I pray!

 

I pray for those unjustly considered guilty of crimes they never committed.

 

I pray for those with utter hatred and contempt for those who believe differently than they do.

 

I pray for opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those who will listen, and I pray for those who despise me because of that!

 

Finally, I believe this is the greatest time to be a Christian; as darkness settles across the land, those with the Light of the Gospel, which by the way, is the Glory of Christ, will find the light brilliantly showing the way to thousands who simply want to stop stumbling in the darkness!

 

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2 

 

So I think I will sing the little kid’s song which is familiar to many from Sunday School . . . sing it with me!

 

This Little Light of Mine

 

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

 

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I’m gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I’m gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

 

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

 

Don’t let Satan blow it out,

I’m gonna let it shine

Don’t let Satan blow it out,

I’m gonna let it shine

Don’t let Satan blow it out,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

 

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by onthesolidrock, 0 comments
Mocked

Mocked

The recent senseless destruction leveled against a gentle Christian congregation has left our nation stunned. Tremendous questions that are difficult to answer emerge?

 

Why would God allow this to happen?

What motivates a person to be so full of hate that they would do such a thing?

 

The tragic way that death comes; whether at the hands of a lone deranged lunatic, or a band of Isis fighters, causes us to recoil. The level of hatred and evil is intense today, and according to Jesus, will be on the increase.

 

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold . . .”  (Matthew 24:12 New International Version)

 

When these questions come to mind, we find the answers are fleeting. So, the Christian responds by doing what they have been instructed by their God to do, and that is to pray.

 

We call out to God asking Him those questions; we call out to God for extra grace to forgive those who would harm us. We call out to God on behalf of those who have suffered heart-wrenching loss. We call out to God!

 

Our public, prayerful response, often brings a swift and heartless rebuke from people who have no faith, no God, and no hope.

 

We are mocked on account of our faith, our prayers, and our forgiving heart. Pundits take to the stage and scoff at our backward, silly ways. They shout out

 

“Where is your God?” Where was He when the man came and shot up the church? Where is your God now?

 

Those who are faithful to Christ know exactly where God was and what He is doing. He is on a mission to redeem a broken and fallen world. We know that those who have come to Jesus by faith are redeemed, rescued and brought into the family of God.

 

These rescued ones have been given everlasting life and at the moment of death are immediately in the presence of God Himself.

 

So, what are we to do about the ugly attacks on our Christian character and our foolish praying to an unseen God? I have seen dozens of Christians take to Facebook and other social media platforms and they enter into a debate; trying to reason with those who would mock them. It is really quite unfruitful to do this.

 

I have witnessed some Christians become defensive and rude, even getting crude in statements to those who would condemn their faith.

 

Jesus reveals how we should react when we are mocked and ridiculed on account of following Him, and it is quite different than what I see taking place today.

 

Jesus said something amazing about this . . .

 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

 

The word Greek word “agalliaō” which we translate rejoice, literally means to “jump for joy.” So when in the course of your journey with Jesus, you are being degraded by a mocker, a hater, or a persecutor, you ought not to feel awful about it; but rather you might consider jumping high and clicking your heels! Go on . . . dance a little!

 

 

Go ahead and shout “Praise the Lord” go on and celebrate, because according to Jesus your reward is outstanding!

 

Persecution, while not pleasant at the time, reveals to whom you truly belong!

 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Posted by onthesolidrock in Faith, 0 comments