Solid Rock Devotional
15th January, 2018
CONVICTION OF SIN
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. unless I go away, the advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. when he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me.
John 16: 7-9
The Bible tells us that both the Holy Spirit and the devil talk to us about our sins but their voices are very different.
When God speaks to us about our sin, He convicts. When the devil speaks about our sin, he condemns. He is called ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ (Revelation 12:10).
The difference between his voice and God’s is this: The devil’s condemnation is like a wet blanket that sits on us, we can’t move from under it. The devil heaps on us a sense of guilt and condemnation.
The Holy Spirit’s conviction however, makes us aware of our sin but at the same time, an awareness of the way out.
The Holy Spirit has no interest in exposing our sin simply to condemn us, or humiliate us. The reason the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin is so that He may remove it and liberate us. *With conviction of sin comes the awareness of the Cross of Christ by which we may be forgiven, and the resurrection of Christ by which we are equipped to live a new life.*
PRAYER: Precious Holy Spirit, please strongly convict me of any sin that I might desist from them, in Jesus mighty name....Amen
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 10:32-42
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
HAVE A FRUITFUL WEEK.
Monday, 15 January 2018
Saturday, 13 January 2018
TOGETHER AS ONE
Solid Rock Devotional
13th January, 2018
TOGETHER AS ONE
‘This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.’ Ephesians 3:6
When God created Adam, He created an individual. When He created Eve, He created something different. He created community. With the sin of Adam and Eve, individuals fell and community fell apart. The fragmentation of humanity comes to a climax in only eight more chapters of Genesis, at the Tower of Babel where humanity became utterly fragmented geographically, socially, linguistically and spiritually.
We know the Gospel reconciles us as individual men and women to God. That’s the message of Romans. However, the Gospel also restores community. That’s the message of Ephesians. Christ is the answer to fallen individuals, but the Church is the answer to fragmented society. The Church is a demonstration of a new unity of humankind.
The Apostle Paul wrote of the Jew and Gentile divide, ‘For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near’ (Eph 2:14-17).
How are you experiencing the unity of His people, purchased by Christ? *The dream of the world living together as one is a God-given dream.*
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that you continue to help the world to love you and to live in harmony in Jesus name....Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 10:1-15
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
13th January, 2018
TOGETHER AS ONE
‘This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.’ Ephesians 3:6
When God created Adam, He created an individual. When He created Eve, He created something different. He created community. With the sin of Adam and Eve, individuals fell and community fell apart. The fragmentation of humanity comes to a climax in only eight more chapters of Genesis, at the Tower of Babel where humanity became utterly fragmented geographically, socially, linguistically and spiritually.
We know the Gospel reconciles us as individual men and women to God. That’s the message of Romans. However, the Gospel also restores community. That’s the message of Ephesians. Christ is the answer to fallen individuals, but the Church is the answer to fragmented society. The Church is a demonstration of a new unity of humankind.
The Apostle Paul wrote of the Jew and Gentile divide, ‘For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near’ (Eph 2:14-17).
How are you experiencing the unity of His people, purchased by Christ? *The dream of the world living together as one is a God-given dream.*
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that you continue to help the world to love you and to live in harmony in Jesus name....Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 10:1-15
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
Thursday, 11 January 2018
TRUE LAMP
Solid Rock Devotional
11th January, 2018
TRUE LAMP
‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’ Psalm 119:105
When we see Scripture as a self-help manual for living our lives well, a handbook on psychology, or a manual on fixing problems, the focus is on us, instead of God. We have active responsibility of course, but our responsibility is our ‘response to His ability’. The initiator and enabler of our lives is God.
The Gospel is firstly about being reconciled to God, in order that He becomes the source of our strength. Paul writes, ‘It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). He has not given us a manual for do-it-yourself improvement, but He has given us Himself to be our redemption and righteousness. *Therefore we read the Scripture that we might get to know Christ, and as we get to know Christ we increasingly relate everything to His sufficiency, not our own* . This does not leave us passive, but active in our response to His presence and agenda in our lives.
He has given us Himself (Word) as our guiding lamp.
Unless we take the Scriptures as the source of our spiritual sustenance, we will wallow around in shallow and stale waters.
PRAYER: Teach me thy ways oh God and let thy word guide my path in Jesus mighty name....Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 9:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
11th January, 2018
TRUE LAMP
‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’ Psalm 119:105
When we see Scripture as a self-help manual for living our lives well, a handbook on psychology, or a manual on fixing problems, the focus is on us, instead of God. We have active responsibility of course, but our responsibility is our ‘response to His ability’. The initiator and enabler of our lives is God.
The Gospel is firstly about being reconciled to God, in order that He becomes the source of our strength. Paul writes, ‘It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). He has not given us a manual for do-it-yourself improvement, but He has given us Himself to be our redemption and righteousness. *Therefore we read the Scripture that we might get to know Christ, and as we get to know Christ we increasingly relate everything to His sufficiency, not our own* . This does not leave us passive, but active in our response to His presence and agenda in our lives.
He has given us Himself (Word) as our guiding lamp.
Unless we take the Scriptures as the source of our spiritual sustenance, we will wallow around in shallow and stale waters.
PRAYER: Teach me thy ways oh God and let thy word guide my path in Jesus mighty name....Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 9:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
Wednesday, 10 January 2018
A HEART AFTER GOD
Solid Rock Devotional
10th January, 2018
A HEART AFTER GOD
‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ Psalm 51:10
David was described as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). This did not mean he floated twenty inches above the ground, with no cares, trouble, failure or sin. David experienced all of those. Human frailty does not permit perfection, but the issue of the heart lies in how we relate to the life of God who indwells us in all of our imperfections.
The Holy Spirit, who by definition is holy, indwells our unholy fallen humanity. Do we face everything in life with dependence on Him, or do we relate things only to human perspectives and abilities? Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba. He is utterly honest about his transgressions and sin, he pleads for mercy and cleansing, but then he addresses the heart: ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ (Psalm 51:10).
The word translated ‘pure’ has connotations of ‘clean’ but also of single mindedness. David pleaded for a clean conscience, but now he prays for ‘purity’. He is asking for a heart that does not deviate from God, that is single minded in love, allegiance, dependence and obedience to God. This is the antidote to his failure.
A person with a heart after God does not model perfection but knows where to go when he or she fails.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please create in me a pure heart which will always be after you, in Jesus mighty name....Amen
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 8:18-34
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
10th January, 2018
A HEART AFTER GOD
‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ Psalm 51:10
David was described as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). This did not mean he floated twenty inches above the ground, with no cares, trouble, failure or sin. David experienced all of those. Human frailty does not permit perfection, but the issue of the heart lies in how we relate to the life of God who indwells us in all of our imperfections.
The Holy Spirit, who by definition is holy, indwells our unholy fallen humanity. Do we face everything in life with dependence on Him, or do we relate things only to human perspectives and abilities? Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba. He is utterly honest about his transgressions and sin, he pleads for mercy and cleansing, but then he addresses the heart: ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ (Psalm 51:10).
The word translated ‘pure’ has connotations of ‘clean’ but also of single mindedness. David pleaded for a clean conscience, but now he prays for ‘purity’. He is asking for a heart that does not deviate from God, that is single minded in love, allegiance, dependence and obedience to God. This is the antidote to his failure.
A person with a heart after God does not model perfection but knows where to go when he or she fails.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please create in me a pure heart which will always be after you, in Jesus mighty name....Amen
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 8:18-34
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
Tuesday, 9 January 2018
LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD
Solid Rock Devotional
9th January, 2018
LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD
‘In those days the word of the lord was rare; there were not many visions.’ 1 Samuel 3:1
The Book of 1 Samuel records the transition of Israel from a theocracy, to a monarchy. As a theocracy, it was a nation which operated under the rule of God. After the conquest of Canaan, some 250 years earlier, God raised up judges to govern the nation, and poured His Spirit on them to equip them to lead.
The people did not elect them, but in time they would recognize them as God’s appointee for the task. In the course of time, the people of Israel wanted to be like all the other nations around them. They grew tired of their uniqueness, of having to explain their lack of a king, of not knowing where the next leader was coming from until God revealed him.
Their desire for a king was an act of rebellion against God, but though it appeared as a material and nationalistic issue, its roots were spiritual. Before the rebellion took place, in the days when Eli was judge, scripture tells us, ‘ *In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions’ (1 Samuel 3:1).*
When a people no longer hear the Word of the Lord, they have only their own voices to listen to.
God’s ways are different to ours so we often don’t like His ways, and it becomes convenient to substitute them with our own good ideas, and not to listen to the Word of God.
The moment we stop listening to God, everyone’s opinion is as good as the next.
*Is the Word of God getting rare in your life?*
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to hear and listen to your voice. I humbly ask for divine assistance.... in Jesus' name I have prayed.....Amen
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 8:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
9th January, 2018
LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF GOD
‘In those days the word of the lord was rare; there were not many visions.’ 1 Samuel 3:1
The Book of 1 Samuel records the transition of Israel from a theocracy, to a monarchy. As a theocracy, it was a nation which operated under the rule of God. After the conquest of Canaan, some 250 years earlier, God raised up judges to govern the nation, and poured His Spirit on them to equip them to lead.
The people did not elect them, but in time they would recognize them as God’s appointee for the task. In the course of time, the people of Israel wanted to be like all the other nations around them. They grew tired of their uniqueness, of having to explain their lack of a king, of not knowing where the next leader was coming from until God revealed him.
Their desire for a king was an act of rebellion against God, but though it appeared as a material and nationalistic issue, its roots were spiritual. Before the rebellion took place, in the days when Eli was judge, scripture tells us, ‘ *In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions’ (1 Samuel 3:1).*
When a people no longer hear the Word of the Lord, they have only their own voices to listen to.
God’s ways are different to ours so we often don’t like His ways, and it becomes convenient to substitute them with our own good ideas, and not to listen to the Word of God.
The moment we stop listening to God, everyone’s opinion is as good as the next.
*Is the Word of God getting rare in your life?*
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to hear and listen to your voice. I humbly ask for divine assistance.... in Jesus' name I have prayed.....Amen
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 8:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
Sunday, 7 January 2018
WORRIES OF THE WORLD
Solid Rock Devotional
8th January, 2018
WORRIES OF THE WORLD
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. Without being simplistic, I believe that many anxieties have a spiritual cause. Certainly not all anxieties are spiritual there are also clinical, biological and circumstantial causes; but it’s the spiritual causes of anxiety that Jesus addresses in the Sermon on the Mount.
Five times Jesus says, ‘ *Do not worry,’* (Matthew 6). In case His listeners didn’t understand, Jesus gives a whole range of things that people might worry about. He made mention of clothing, food, the body, length of life etc.
Jesus wasn’t just randomly talking about worry. This section begins with Jesus talking about having treasure, either on earth, or in heaven. The reason this is important is that, ‘ *where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’* (Matthew 6:21)
Our treasure is whatever our heart is pre-occupied with. It is either earthly, or heavenly; human-oriented, or God-oriented. When our hearts are fixed on things eternal, we have no reason to worry about events on earth for our trust is in God.
In this world, it is that which captivates us that motivate us, and that which motivates us will control us, so let us be vigilant.
PRAYER: My Father and my Lord, please enable me to cast my cares on You.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 3:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
8th January, 2018
WORRIES OF THE WORLD
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. Without being simplistic, I believe that many anxieties have a spiritual cause. Certainly not all anxieties are spiritual there are also clinical, biological and circumstantial causes; but it’s the spiritual causes of anxiety that Jesus addresses in the Sermon on the Mount.
Five times Jesus says, ‘ *Do not worry,’* (Matthew 6). In case His listeners didn’t understand, Jesus gives a whole range of things that people might worry about. He made mention of clothing, food, the body, length of life etc.
Jesus wasn’t just randomly talking about worry. This section begins with Jesus talking about having treasure, either on earth, or in heaven. The reason this is important is that, ‘ *where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’* (Matthew 6:21)
Our treasure is whatever our heart is pre-occupied with. It is either earthly, or heavenly; human-oriented, or God-oriented. When our hearts are fixed on things eternal, we have no reason to worry about events on earth for our trust is in God.
In this world, it is that which captivates us that motivate us, and that which motivates us will control us, so let us be vigilant.
PRAYER: My Father and my Lord, please enable me to cast my cares on You.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 3:1-17
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
Friday, 5 January 2018
MORE THAN HISTORY
Solid Rock Devotional
6th January, 2018
MORE THAN HISTORY
When jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
A man once said that eventually, ‘Jesus would be relegated to a footnote.’ It hasn’t happened, and it will never happen ever. After 2000 years, Jesus Christ stands as the pivot of history, split into BC and AD.
Every time we write the date, we acknowledge Him. People have opposed Jesus throughout history but His truth marches on because He Himself lives on. Historical figures die, are buried and quickly forgotten and some become footnotes of history. But Jesus, though He died, was raised from the dead on the third day and today He lives.
We do not follow only a historical figure, but are in relationship with the living, active Christ who through His Body, the Church, is still making His presence felt in the world today, and still transforming lives.
His invitation remains the same, ‘ *Come to me’, ‘abide in me’ and ‘learn of me’.* As we do so, we experience His presence that gives to us the ‘light of life’ that keeps us from walking in darkness and confusion.
Christianity is all about Jesus and if we get the person of Jesus wrong, we’ll get everything else wrong about the Christian life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to trust Your living presence in me today.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 2:1-12
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
6th January, 2018
MORE THAN HISTORY
When jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
A man once said that eventually, ‘Jesus would be relegated to a footnote.’ It hasn’t happened, and it will never happen ever. After 2000 years, Jesus Christ stands as the pivot of history, split into BC and AD.
Every time we write the date, we acknowledge Him. People have opposed Jesus throughout history but His truth marches on because He Himself lives on. Historical figures die, are buried and quickly forgotten and some become footnotes of history. But Jesus, though He died, was raised from the dead on the third day and today He lives.
We do not follow only a historical figure, but are in relationship with the living, active Christ who through His Body, the Church, is still making His presence felt in the world today, and still transforming lives.
His invitation remains the same, ‘ *Come to me’, ‘abide in me’ and ‘learn of me’.* As we do so, we experience His presence that gives to us the ‘light of life’ that keeps us from walking in darkness and confusion.
Christianity is all about Jesus and if we get the person of Jesus wrong, we’ll get everything else wrong about the Christian life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to trust Your living presence in me today.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 2:1-12
http://www.solidrockchapel.org/site
Facebook Page: Ambassadors for Christ@solidrockchapelint
Email: solidrockchapel.cityoffaith@gmail.com
+233277605065
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