Trust

24
Apr
2024
Boasting in Christ Alone

Boasting in Christ Alone

Romans 15:17 – “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God”

As believers, we are called to serve God in various capacities, utilizing the gifts and opportunities He has graciously bestowed upon us.

However, the apostle Paul reminds us that the ultimate purpose, motivation, and attitude of our service should be to exalt and honor Christ, who is the source and goal of our service.

Purpose of Our Service

Exalting Christ Paul declares, “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.”

His service was driven by a desire to glorify Christ, expressing love and gratitude to the Savior and Lord. This should be our aim, too – to depend on and trust in Christ, who is the power and wisdom behind our service.

Danger of Pride

Unfortunately, we often forget this purpose and fall into the trap of pride.

Pride is the sinful tendency to think highly of ourselves and lowly of others, taking credit for what God has accomplished and blaming others for our failures.

It alienates us from God’s grace, damages our relationships, blinds us to our faults, and robs us of joy and peace.

Remedy of His Grace

Overcoming pride and learning to glory in Christ alone requires acknowledging our need for His grace.

Grace is God’s undeserved favor and kindness towards us, not something we earn or deserve, but something we receive freely and generously from Him.

The supreme expression of God’s grace is the person and work of Jesus Christ. He humbled Himself, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again, defeating sin and death.

He offers us eternal life, reconciliation with God, and the gift of His Spirit and Word to guide and empower us.

Response of Our Faith

To receive this grace, we must respond with faith – trusting and relying on God’s promises, accepting His will, and obeying His commands with gratitude.

Faith is not a work we boast about but a gift we humbly receive, the means by which we are justified and sanctified by God’s grace.

When we receive God’s grace by faith, we are set free from the bondage of pride and enabled to glory in Christ alone.

We can serve God with joy, humility, love, gratitude, dependence, and trust, giving Him all the glory and honor, for He alone is worthy.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
23
Apr
2024
Grace Abounds All the More

Grace Abounds All the More

Romans 5:20

“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

Challenge of Sin

Sin profoundly impacts everyone. It represents rebellion against God’s will, the violation of His holy law, and the corruption of His good creation.

Sin severs our connection with God’s love, exposing us to His wrath and judgment. It also damages our relationships with others and ourselves, leading to misery and death. Ultimately, sin lies at the root of all evil and suffering in the world.

Our own efforts and merits cannot free us from sin. We cannot flawlessly adhere to God’s law, nor can we erase our past transgressions.

Our sinful nature remains unchanged, and the power of sin overwhelms us. In our helpless state, we deserve God’s condemnation and punishment.

Precious Gift of Grace

Yet, in His boundless love and mercy, God provides an escape from sin and its consequences. He bestows upon us the gift of grace—an undeserved favor and kindness.

Grace is not something we earn; it is freely and generously given by God. It serves as the wellspring of our salvation, sanctification, forgiveness, transformation, peace, and joy.

The pinnacle of God’s grace is found in Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior. Jesus entered our world as a human, lived a sinless life, and willingly died on the cross for our sins.

His resurrection conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life and reconciliation with God. Through Jesus, we can receive the Holy Spirit and His life-transforming Word, guiding and empowering us.

His unconditional love intercedes for us.

Response of Faith

  • How can we access this abundant grace?
  • How do we experience it?

The answer lies in faith. Faith involves trusting God’s promises, surrendering to His will, and obeying His commands. It justifies and sanctifies us, declaring us righteous and holy through God’s grace.

Faith is not a self-generated work; it is a divine gift. We humbly receive it, recognizing that boasting has no place.

Faith is our lifeline to God and His grace—a channel through which His abundant blessings flow into our lives.

Fruit of Joy

What happens when we embrace God’s grace through faith? Joy blossoms. This deep and lasting delight transcends circumstances, rooted in God’s goodness.

Joy evidences the work of the Holy Spirit, the reward of faith, and the ultimate goal of salvation. It fuels our service and witness, comforts us during trials, and directs praise and glory to our God and Savior.

Joy isn’t a mere feeling we manufacture; it’s a reality we discover. We don’t chase after it; we possess it. Joy overflows from God’s grace within us, radiating outward to bless others.

Remember this kids song . . . it’s not just for kids!

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

Chorus

And I’m so happy, so very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
Down in my heart.
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
20
Mar
2024
Guided by God’s Wisdom

Guided by God’s Wisdom

Promise of Divine Guidance

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

In this verse, we are given a beautiful promise from God: that He will be our guide, our teacher, and our counselor, leading us in the path we should take.

Need for Guidance

Life’s journey is often filled with uncertainty, confusion, and difficult choices. We can easily lose our way, stumbling through the darkness without a clear sense of direction.

But we are not alone in this journey. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, offers to guide us.

Wisdom of God’s Counsel

God’s guidance is not a mere set of instructions or a map to follow blindly. It is a personal, loving counsel that takes into account our unique circumstances and needs.

With His loving eye upon us, God offers wisdom that is tailored to our specific situation, helping us navigate the complexities of life.

Path of Trust

To receive God’s guidance, we must cultivate a heart of trust. We must be willing to surrender our own limited understanding and lean on His wisdom.

As we walk in obedience and faith, God will illuminate the path before us, step by step, leading us into the fullness of His plan.

It takes humility to recognize our need for divine guidance and the courage to trust in God’s wisdom as we journey through life. For in doing so, we can experience the joy and peace of walking in the path He has prepared for us.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Humor
18
Mar
2024
Keeping Calm in Chaos

Keeping Calm in Chaos

Unavoidable Turmoil

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” – Matthew 24:6 (NIV)

In this verse, Jesus warns His disciples about the inevitable turmoil and chaos that will come upon the world. Wars, conflicts, and upheaval are an unavoidable part of the human experience.

Temptation to Fear

When confronted with such distressing news and events, our natural response is often one of fear and anxiety.

We may feel overwhelmed by the chaos, uncertain of what the future holds, and tempted to give in to panic or despair.

Call to Trust

Yet, Jesus offers a profound and comforting message: “See to it that you are not alarmed.”

He urges us not to be consumed by fear, but to trust in the sovereignty and control of God, even in the midst of turmoil.

Source of Peace

By anchoring our hearts in the knowledge that God is still in charge, we can find a deep and abiding peace that transcends our circumstances.

We can choose to focus not on the temporary upheavals of this world, but on the eternal promises of our Heavenly Father.

As we navigate times of chaos and uncertainty, cling to the truth that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

In Him, we can find the courage to face whatever comes our way, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Prayer, Trust
15
Mar
2024
Embracing Accountability

Embracing Accountability

Measure of Knowledge

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” – Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

In these verses, Jesus introduces a principle that emphasizes the importance of responsibility and accountability.

Weight of Understanding

Knowledge and understanding come with a certain level of responsibility.

Those who have been given insight into the will and character of God are held to a higher standard of obedience and faithfulness.

Consequence of Neglect

Jesus warns that those who have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, yet fail to act accordingly, will face greater consequences.

Neglecting the responsibilities that come with knowledge is a serious matter, one that will be met with “many blows.”

Call to Stewardship

However, this principle is not meant to be a source of fear or condemnation. Rather, it is a call to embrace our role as stewards of the knowledge and resources entrusted to us by God.

We are called to use our understanding wisely, to faithfully carry out the tasks set before us, and to honor the trust placed in us.

As you reflect on this principle, do not shrink back from the responsibilities placed upon you. Instead, embrace them with humility, diligence, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities you have been given.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Discipline, Trust