priorities

05
Mar
2024
Embracing God’s Wisdom

Embracing God’s Wisdom

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.” – Deuteronomy 18:9 (NIV)

Allure of Detestable Ways

In this world, we are constantly bombarded with temptations to embrace detestable ways – ways that promise fulfillment but ultimately lead us astray.

The nations around us often present a seductive allure, inviting us to adopt their customs, beliefs, and practices. Yet, beneath the surface, these ways are empty and destructive.

Resisting the Allure

Resisting the allure of detestable ways requires wisdom and discernment. It means recognizing that the ways of the world are not aligned with God’s design for our lives.

We must be willing to stand apart, to swim against the current, and to hold onto the truth that God’s ways are infinitely better.

Embracing God’s Wisdom

Embracing God’s wisdom is not just about avoiding the detestable ways of the world; it’s about actively pursuing a path of wholeness and fulfillment.

God’s wisdom is not a set of arbitrary rules but a framework for living that leads to genuine flourishing. When we embrace His wisdom, we discover that His ways are not burdensome but life-giving.

Path to Wholeness

By embracing God’s wisdom, we find ourselves on a path to wholeness – a journey of becoming fully human, as He intended.

This path is not always easy, but it is profound. It requires us to let go of the empty promises of the world and cling to the truth that God’s ways are the only ones that can truly satisfy our deepest longings.

As we walk this path, we find that God’s wisdom transforms us from the inside out. Our perspectives shift, our priorities align, and our lives take on a new depth and richness.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Trust
04
Mar
2024
Breathing In God’s Grace

Breathing In God’s Grace

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

Focus on What Truly Matters

Our hectic lives often leave us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters.

In the busyness of our days, we can lose sight of the essential things God desires from us: reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Yet, these requirements are not oppressive burdens but invitations to breathe in God’s grace and find fulfillment in aligning our lives with His purposes.

Reverence

To fear the Lord does not mean to cower in terror but to stand in awe of His majesty and power.

When we recognize our own smallness in comparison to His greatness, our perspective shifts. Reverence helps us realize that our lives are not our own, but gifts from the One who created us.

This humble acknowledgment opens the door to true obedience.

Obedience: Following God’s Path

Obedience is not mere rule-following but a response of love and trust. When we walk in obedience, we allow God’s wisdom to guide our steps.

His commands and decrees are not arbitrary restrictions but signposts pointing us toward the abundant life He desires for us.

As we follow His path, we discover that His ways are indeed for our good.

Embracing the Giver

Love is the heartbeat of our relationship with God.

It is more than an emotion; it is a deep commitment to embrace the One who first loved us. When we love God with our whole being, our priorities align, and our actions flow from a place of genuine devotion.

Love transforms obedience from a duty to a delight.

Living with Undivided Devotion

To serve God with our entire heart and soul is to live with undivided devotion.

It means bringing every aspect of our lives – our thoughts, desires, decisions, and actions – under the Lordship of Christ. When we do this, we experience a profound sense of purpose and unity, no longer fragmented by competing allegiances or divided affections.

As we breathe in God’s grace and align our lives with His desires, we discover the true freedom and fullness that come from walking in reverence, obedience, love, and wholeheartedness.

Let go of lesser things and cling to the essentials, finding our deepest satisfaction in the One who asks us to give Him our all.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Holiness, Humility
12
Feb
2024
Aligning Our Hearts with God

Aligning Our Hearts with God

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3

Ask with Pure Motives

This verse gives us keen insight into why some prayers go unanswered – wrong motives. We ask for things to satisfy our own selfish desires, not to align with God’s kingdom purposes. We pursue temporal pleasures rather than eternal significance.

But the Lord searches the heart, discerning why we ask for what we do. He refuses to fund endeavors fueled by fleshly appetites rather than spiritual ones.

Examine your recent prayers. Do they center on comfort, entertainment, or success? Shift your focus to intercession for others, petitions for spiritual growth, requests for open doors to share Christ. Pray with pure motives – to know Jesus more, to make Him known.

As your heart realigns with His, you’ll find prayers powerfully answered!

Desires Versus Needs

Our wants and wish lists often reflect surface-level desires rather than core needs. We ask for vacations, purchases, or experiences that may provide fleeting enjoyment but not deeply satisfy.

Meanwhile, we neglect to request provisions for growth in grace, passion for the lost, or boldness to follow Jesus wherever He leads. But when we pray for courage to share our faith or opportunity to serve, God delights to grant these needs.

As David sought after God’s own heart, he discovered lasting joy. As Paul prayed for spiritual power, churches were planted. Ask the Lord to exchange your desires for His – to crave steady communion with Christ above all else. Watch needs eclipse wants.

Kingdom Focus Over Personal Fulfillment

It’s tempting to view prayer as a path to personal fulfillment, comfort, and success. But its truer purpose is aligning our hearts with God’s kingdom goals. We don’t pray primarily to enhance our lives but to exalt His name, establish His reign, and enrich others.

As Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer, we petition first for His name to be hallowed and kingdom to come. When our motives elevate His glory over our gratification, prayer grows powerful and effective.

We gain holy boldness to ask great things of God, knowing He desires to display His might through humble, trusting hearts. He invites us to partner with Him through kingdom-focused prayer

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
11
Feb
2024
Value of Wisdom

Value of Wisdom

“And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

Wisdom Begins with Reverence

In a world obsessed with wealth, power, and pleasure, we need to refocus on what holds real value. This verse teaches that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.

More than mere respect, the fear of the Lord is deep awe, reverence, and submission to God. It’s recognizing His unmatched greatness and bowing humbly before Him.

Do you approach God with a trembling, obedient heart?

Proper fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. It realigns our priorities and perspectives. When we stand in awe of the Almighty, earthly troubles grow smaller. Pursuit of selfish gain loses appeal.

Focusing our minds on His majesty floods our hearts with priceless wisdom. Ask the Spirit today to instill godly fear and wisdom within you.

Understanding Through Obedience

The second half of this verse equates understanding with shunning evil. As we walk closely with God, listening to His voice, wisdom produces moral discernment. We gain ability to spot wickedness and walk the other way.

Understanding guards us from foolish choices and the heartache they bring. We develop spiritual instincts to flee anything disruptive to our intimacy with Christ. But this understanding only flourishes through obedience.

As James 1:22 states, we must “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Active surrender to God allows Him to sharpen our discernment.

Obedience and wisdom feed one other in a beautiful cycle. Are there areas of obedience God is calling you to? Take steps to submit today. Watch understanding blossom!

Greater Worth than Riches

Proverbs 8 lavishes praise on the excellency of wisdom, declaring it more valuable than rubies, gold, or silver. All the money in the world cannot purchase wisdom! It springs from a heart surrendered to the fear of the Lord.

A life applied in obedience to God blooms with discernment and insight no amount of wealth can replicate. Don’t envy those with overflowing bank accounts or prominent positions. Covet instead the priceless wisdom only God provides to the humble and obedient.

He is eager to grant it to those who earnestly seek Him. Treasure time spent in the Word, in prayer and worship, allowing healthy fear to take root. This is investment into eternally precious wisdom!

Pillars of Spiritual Maturity

As we journey through life with Christ, may we build our homes on the twin pillars of godly fear and spiritual understanding. One leads to the other in a cycle of growth and maturity.

When we awake with an awe-filled heart, eager to revere and obey God, He directs our paths and grants keen discernment. As we then walk out that obedience, the wisdom He imparts strengthens our resolve to honor Him above all.

This day, commit yourself fully to this beautiful process. Determine to treasure nothing above intimacy with God. The rewards of wisdom He bestows on the faithful heart are beyond measure!

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock