Standing on Solid Ground

October 30, 2026

Opening Prayer

Lord, as we read Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Teach us by Your Spirit, help us hear Your voice, and give us grace to live what we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

Reflection

We conclude this week's devotions of looking at some outcomes of the period known as the Reformation. During this time believers sought to bring the church back to the truth of God's Word. Their goal was not to create something new, but to recover the gospel's beauty, clarity, and power. They called people away from trusting human traditions and back to trusting Jesus Christ.

The heart of that recovery is often summarized in the Five Solas:

Scripture alone is our final authority.
Grace alone is the source of our salvation.
Faith alone is how we receive Christ.
Christ alone is our Savior.
God's glory alone is the purpose of our lives.

These truths are more than historical statements. They are reminders of the foundation on which every Christian stands. God's Word still guides us. God's grace still saves us. Faith still rests in Christ alone. And our lives still find their highest purpose in glorifying God.

The Reformers understood that following Jesus is not about earning God's favor but responding to a grace already given. That same invitation comes to us today.

Both the scriptures and the leading voices of the Reformation challenged Jesus' followers to:  Return to God's Word. Trust the grace of Christ. Take the next faithful step toward renewal. 

As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3, we do not press on to earn Christ's love. We press on because Christ has taken hold of us. And we do not walk this road alone. Together, we follow Jesus, fixing our eyes on the One who has promised to complete the good work He has begun in us.

Reformed by the Word. 

Set free by the Gospel. 

Following Jesus together.

Knowing that God isn't finished with us yet.

Remember the promise "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Prayer

Gracious Father,

We thank You for preserving Your truth through the centuries and for the faithful men and women who called the church back to Your Word during the Reformation. Thank You that our salvation rests not in our efforts, but in Your grace alone, received through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Help us to cherish Your Word, trust Your promises, and follow Jesus with humble and obedient hearts. When we stumble, remind us that You have taken hold of us and will never let us go. Strengthen us to encourage one another as we walk together in faith.

May our lives reflect the gospel we proclaim, and may everything we do point to Your glory alone.

We pray this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Application

Make God's Word your first source of guidance. 

Rest in the fact that God's love is not earned, it is all GIFT!

Trust Christ daily, not just for salvation but for every circumstance. 

Keep Jesus at the center of your life. 

Live with a higher purpose by seeking to honor God in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.