righteousness

13
Feb
2024
Faith Through Action

Faith Through Action

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:18

Faith Lives Out Loud

James makes a bold statement here – true, living faith will inevitably result in action and good works. Faith is more than internal belief or vocal proclamation. It reveals itself outwardly through changed priorities, Christlike character, and hands put to work for God’s glory.

Vibrant faith cannot stay bottled up inside. It overflows into practical deed and selfless service. Is your faith loudly on display through works of mercy and ministry? Or does it stay hidden in silent profession lacking outward proof?

Ask the Lord to ignite action born of devotion. Let your faith roar to life through tangible expressions of His love. Your beliefs were meant for breathing, moving, and serving. Put feet to your faith!

No Room for Complacency

It’s easy for faith to grow stale, sedentary, and complacent over time. We settle into routines of religious habit but lose spiritual vitality. Our talk exceeds our walk.

James will not allow such lifelessness! He understood that faith demands ongoing action and energy. We cannot rest on past deeds but must actively exercise faith daily through righteous works. Regularly examine your life for areas of complacency.

Are you holding back from acts of compassion, forgiveness, or generosity? Shake off sluggishness through fresh obedience. A dynamic faith will not permit passivity. Ask God to awaken new purpose and zeal.

Bearing Kingdom Fruit

So what does authentic faith look like in action? The Book of James provides vivid pictures – caring for orphans and widows, taming the tongue, resisting worldliness, submitting to God’s will. In other words, faith is revealed through bearing spiritual fruit that honors the Lord.

As Jesus taught, we recognize true disciples by their fruits of righteousness. Is your life marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the other fruits described in Galatians 5?

God desires to cultivate an abundant harvest through you! Stay rooted in Him and watch your faith multiply into righteous action.

Stepping Out In Courage

Vibrant faith requires courage to step out of comfort zones. We must take risks, seize opportunities, and boldly obey God’s voice. The righteous life is an adventure!

When we feel the nudge to minister to someone in need, share a testimony, give generously, or pray a daring prayer, faith propels us forward despite fears or inconvenience. We trust God to use faltering but willing vessels.

Ask Him to enlarge your capacity for courageous action. Move ahead in the power of the Spirit! Our small steps of obedience make a big difference in advancing God’s work.

Affirming Our Hope

As we walk by faith through trial or uncertainty, our actions affirm hope in God’s promises. We cling to truth, obey despite unanswered questions, and serve others despite personal need.

We choose to believe God’s plans are good, His purpose unshaken, His redemption near.

Even simple acts like praising in pain, forgiving amid injustice, or giving in lack express faith that our God holds the future. He is pleased by such courageous trust. Hold fast to hope through obedience!

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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
29
Jan
2024
Instruments of Righteousness

Instruments of Righteousness

Romans 6:12 – Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Deceptive Allure of Sin

Though Christ has broken sin’s control, its residual influence remains while we’re on earth. If given an inch, sin will seize a mile in our lives. So we must be vigilant guarding our minds and bodies.

Sin employs clever deception – enticing us by omission of consequences and overstating temporary pleasures. We must recognize its tactics rather than blindly cooperate.

Yielding Our Bodies to God

As an act of worship, actively present your body to God daily as an instrument of righteousness, not wickedness. Ask Him to govern your eyes, hands, and speech for holy purposes.

Consciously yielding control protects us from drifting into sinful complacency. Regularly re-consecrate your body to purity and righteousness.

Lord, Guard My Vulnerable Heart

Lord, sin still crouches at my door, desiring to devour me. Daily I confess my weakness and total dependence on Your Spirit to restrain evil desires. Make my body an instrument You wield for righteous purposes.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
30
Oct
2023
Living in the Kingdom

Living in the Kingdom

In Romans 14:17, the Apostle Paul unveils a profound truth about the Kingdom of God that resonates with the core of Christian living.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Nature of God’s Kingdom

Paul begins by clarifying the nature of God’s Kingdom. It’s not about external rituals or regulations, like what we eat or drink.

Instead, the essence of the kingdom resides in internal realities. This understanding challenges the legalistic tendencies that can sometimes hinder our faith.

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

The heart of this verse lies in the three pillars of God’s kingdom: righteousness, peace, and joy:

  • Righteousness refers to our right standing with God through Christ.
  • Peace signifies the reconciliation we have with God, resulting in inner and outer harmony.
  • Joy is the natural outflow of our relationship with the Holy Spirit, bringing delight even amidst life’s challenges.

In the Holy Spirit

Paul emphasizes that this righteousness, peace, and joy are found “In the Holy Spirit.” It’s a reminder that the Christian life isn’t merely about moral efforts but is profoundly influenced by the presence and work of the Spirit in our lives.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the values of God’s kingdom.

Apply It

As you contemplate on Romans 14:17; evaluate your priorities.

  • Are you overly fixated on external religious practices or legalistic rules?
  • Are you experiencing the transformative power of righteousness, peace, and joy that comes from living in God’s kingdom?

Focus on the heart of your faith, cultivate a life marked by these attributes, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
01
Jul
2023
Our All in All

Our All in All

Do you ever felt inadequate or unworthy? Like you just don’t measure up to the standards set by society or even by yourself?

It’s a struggle many of us face at some point in our lives. But here’s the amazing thing: according to God, our worth is not determined by our own achievements or qualifications. In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth in his letter to the Corinthians.

He writes, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

We are reminded that our identity and worth are found in Jesus Christ. It’s not about what we can accomplish or how knowledgeable we are. Rather, it’s about our connection to Christ and what he has done for us.

In Christ, we find wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and redemption. He is the source of all these qualities in our lives.

So often, we try to find our worth in external things: our career, our relationships, our achievements. But the truth is, these things can be fleeting. They can change or be taken away.

Our true worth and identity are found in Christ alone. He is the solid foundation that we can build our lives upon.

When we understand this, it brings freedom and peace. We no longer have to strive to prove ourselves or earn God’s love. Instead, we can rest in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator.

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Holiness