spiritual discernment

Living Words: How Scripture Changes Hearts

Living Words: How Scripture Changes Hearts

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Have you ever read something that seemed to read you right back?

That’s what happens with God’s Word. It’s not just ancient text on a page – it’s alive, active, and at work in your life right now.

Understanding Living Words

Think about your favorite song – how the lyrics seem to speak differently to you depending on what you’re going through.

God’s Word does this on an even deeper level.

It meets you exactly where you are, speaking to your current situation.

Sword of Truth

When Scripture describes God’s Word as sharper than a sword, it’s telling you:

  • It cuts through confusion
  • It separates truth from lies
  • It reveals what’s hidden
  • It brings healing through honesty

How God’s Word Works

In Your Mind

  • Challenges your thinking
  • Reshapes your perspectives
  • Questions your assumptions
  • Renews your understanding

In Your Heart

  • Exposes your motivations
  • Reveals your true feelings
  • Confronts your attitudes
  • Transforms your desires

Getting Personal

When you read Scripture, expect it to:

  1. Show you things about yourself
  2. Point out areas that need change
  3. Comfort you in pain
  4. Guide you in decisions

When It Gets Uncomfortable

Sometimes God’s Word might make you uncomfortable. That’s normal! Like a surgeon’s scalpel, it cuts not to harm but to heal.

Signs the Word is Working

  • You see yourself more clearly
  • Your attitudes begin to change
  • Your priorities shift
  • Your choices align with truth

Practical Application

Start your Bible reading by asking:

  • “What do You want to show me today, Lord?”
  • “Where do I need Your truth most?”
  • “What attitudes in my heart need examining?”

Making It Real

Choose one verse to carry with you today. Let it be your lens for:

  • Examining your choices
  • Checking your attitudes
  • Guiding your decisions
  • Shaping your responses

A Prayer for Openness

“Father, thank You for Your living Word. As I read Scripture, help me be open to what You want to show me. Give me courage to let Your truth examine my heart and change me from the inside out. Amen.”

Your Next Step

Pick a passage of Scripture today. Instead of just reading it, let it read you. Ask yourself:

  • What does this reveal about my heart?
  • Where does this challenge my thinking?
  • How should this change my actions?

Remember, when you open God’s Word, you’re not just reading – you’re engaging with living truth that has the power to transform your life.

What truth from God’s Word needs to go deeper in your heart today?

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

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.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • 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.
  • 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!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
Discerning Truth in Deceptive Times

Discerning Truth in Deceptive Times

Have you ever felt bombarded by different spiritual messages and wondered how to tell what’s true?

In a world full of competing voices claiming to have all the answers, it can be challenging to discern what’s genuinely from God or not.

Today, we’re going to look at a verse that warns us about this very issue and offers guidance on how to navigate it.

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Mark 13:22

The Warning

This verse is part of Jesus’ teaching about the end times, but it holds valuable lessons for us today.

Jesus warns that people will come claiming to be sent by God or even to be Christ Himself.

These false teachers won’t just talk; they’ll back up their claims with seemingly miraculous acts.

The Target: Even the Elect

The deception is so convincing that even devoted believers might be fooled.

You might be thinking, “That sounds scary! How can I protect myself?” Great question. Let’s look at what this verse means for our lives:

1. Deception is Real

Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. There are, and will be people who try to lead us astray spiritually.

2. Impressive Doesn’t Equal True

Just because someone can do amazing things doesn’t mean they’re sent by God. We need to look deeper.

3. No One is Immune

Even mature believers can be deceived. This calls for constant vigilance and humility.

4. Discernment is Crucial

Reading between the lines, this verse highlights the importance of spiritual discernment – the ability to distinguish truth from error.

Your Next Steps

So, how can you develop spiritual discernment and protect yourself from deception? Here are some practical steps:

  1. Know the Truth: Regularly study the Bible. The better you know God’s word, the easier it is to spot counterfeits.
  2. Stay Connected: Be part of a solid Christian community. Other believers can help you discern and offer different perspectives.
  3. Test Everything: Don’t accept spiritual claims at face value. Compare them to Scripture and seek godly counsel.
  4. Pray for Wisdom: James 1:5 promises that God will give wisdom to those who ask. Make this a regular part of your prayer life.
  5. Watch the Fruit: Jesus said you would know false prophets by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). Look at the long-term results of a teacher’s life and message.

Remember, the goal isn’t to become paranoid, but to be wisely cautious. God has given us His Spirit and His Word to guide us into all truth.

Next time you encounter a new teaching or hear someone claiming to speak for God, think back to this verse. Let it remind you to engage your spiritual discernment.

A wise man one said regarding the Word of God:
If it’s new, it’s probably not true; it it’s true, it’s probably not new”

In a world where truth and deception often wear similar masks, choose to be a thoughtful, discerning follower of Christ. It may require more effort, but it leads to a robust, grounded faith that can withstand the storms of deception.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

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.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • 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.
  • 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!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
The Test of Love

The Test of Love

In a world filled with love songs, romantic movies, and countless declarations of affection, it can sometimes be difficult to discern what true love really is. The apostle John provides a powerful test for love.

 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

1 John 4:3

True Love

According to John, everyone who is born of God recognizes him, and everyone who loves God recognizes the one who was born of God.

This verse implies that true love is a distinguishing characteristic of those who are born of God.

So, how can we use this verse to test the authenticity of love? Here are a few key points to consider:

  • Love for God: Those who are born of God have a deep and abiding love for God. This love is not merely an emotion; it is a commitment to following God’s ways and seeking to do His will.
  • Love for Others: True love extends beyond our own personal desires and interests. It includes a genuine concern for the well-being of others, especially those who are marginalized or in need.
  • Love that Does Not Sin: The Bible tells us that love does not sin (1 John 3:15). Those who truly love God and others will seek to live a life that is free from sin.

Contrast with Counterfeit Love

In contrast to true love, counterfeit love is characterized by selfishness, jealousy, and a lack of concern for others. It may appear loving on the surface, but it ultimately leads to harm and destruction.

The world is full of counterfeit love, and it can be tempting to be deceived by it. But by applying the test of love found in 1 John 4:3, we can discern between true and false love.

Fruit of the Spirit

Another helpful way to recognize true love is to look for the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These qualities are all hallmarks of genuine love.  

Take a moment to examine your own life; are you exhibiting these qualities? Do you have love for God and love for others? If not; perhaps it is time for you to talk to Jesus about these things; and work it out; after all, lack of these qualities in your life indicates that you may not be the Christian person you thought you were!

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

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.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • 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.
  • 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!

Get your copy today! – Pray Upside

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Love
Things Freely Given

Things Freely Given

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

As Christians, we have been given an incredible gift – the very Spirit of God dwelling within us, providing divine wisdom, revelation, and discernment. Through the Spirit, we can grasp the depths of what God has graciously given us in Christ.

Seeing With Spiritual Eyes

Paul tells the Corinthians that believers have “not received the spirit of the world.” On our own, we are like blindfolded people, unable to comprehend spiritual truths.

God has given us His Spirit to open our eyes. He enlightens the eyes of our hearts, revealing the hope and riches of God’s glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).

The Spirit searches the deep things of God and makes them known to us (1 Corinthians 2:10). With the veil removed, we can understand gospel truths that seem absurd and offensive to the darkened minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Ask the Spirit to illuminate Scripture and give insight into the precious realities you have in Christ.

Discerning All Things

The Spirit enables us to “discern all things” (1 Corinthians 2:15), sifting truth from falsehood. As we stay connected to God in prayer and saturate our minds with Scripture, the Spirit will lead us into truth and prompt our conscience.

We can check ideas, philosophies, and advice against biblical wisdom – assessing if they align with God’s character and priorities. The Spirit guards us from deception, protecting the gospel message entrusted to us. Let us cling to the Spirit’s discernment each day.

Living By the Spirit When we received Christ, we gained the Spirit’s indwelling power and presence. Paul urges us to “live by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) – submitting to His leadership continually. As we walk in step with the Spirit, He will bear good fruit in our lives.

By God’s amazing grace, we have inherited blessings that go far beyond earthly wealth. Cherish this gift of the Spirit and rely fully on His divine enabling.




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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration