SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 11:31-32 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
OBSERVATION
In this chapter Paul is giving instructions on the proper way to take the Lord's Supper or communion. In verse 31 we are reminded to self examine our hearts before we partake, "judge ourselves". In other words take care of any sin in our life. Clean it up and get it out. We must be sure we are using God's Word to measure the standard we set for our life. If we follow the world's compass we will find ourselves falling far off the mark. The moral decay of our society is all around us and we must guard our hearts to not fall prey to it. If we choose to do this, verse 31 tells us "we would not come under judgment". However if we choose NOT to do this, verse 32 tells us we will be "disciplined". God doesn't want us to be condemned with the world. Jeremiah 29:11 tell us, "He has a hope and a future for us, not calamity".
APPLICATION
I must never take the Lord's Supper in a casual manner. In 1 Corinthians 11:24, Jesus said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me". When I pause and remember what Christ has done for me I am humbled. I must come before him and examine my heart and repent of any sin. He is faithful to forgive.
PRAYER
Father, I thank you for the high price that was paid for my salvation. Your love is an awesome and amazing thing. Help me to always be mindful to not only examine my heart each day and repent of the sin that is there, but also before I partake of your supper. Thank you for your mercy and your grace.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Look For The Exit Door
SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
OBSERVATION
When I read verse 12 . . . "so, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall"! I immediately remembered when my children were in high school choir. I can recall attending several rehearsals where the choir director would remind the students not to stand with their knees locked, instead the director would instruct the students to stand with their knees slightly bent. During wedding rehearsals you will hear the wedding coordinator say the same thing, "NO locked knees, you might faint". You cannot stand for very long in this manner. This passage reminded me that when I think I'm standing upright and firm locked knee, I'm not! The Lord tells us be careful so you don't fall. If I have slightly bent knees I can stabilize myself if something comes my way to knock me over. I'm also ready to flee! In verse (13) the Lord reminds us everyone will go through temptation, but NOTHING beyond what we can bear. He makes a way of excape. We need to be ready to take it.
APPLICATION
I will not be ruled by my feelings and emotions! When temptations comes I will stand on the truth of God's word putting on the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) and look for the EXIT door to escape temptation. He has already made the plan of escape for me, all I need to do is look for it, find it, and run through it. And with my knees slightly bent I will be ready to flee quickly when temptation comes.
PRAYER
Father, thank you that you will never give me more than I can bear, thank you that you love me so much you already have the plan of escape in place for me when temptation comes. Give me strength and wisdom Lord to run through the EXIT door when temptation comes calling. Help me to stand with knees slightly bent and ready to flee at all times. I give you praise for it Lord.
In Jesus name, Amen!
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
OBSERVATION
When I read verse 12 . . . "so, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall"! I immediately remembered when my children were in high school choir. I can recall attending several rehearsals where the choir director would remind the students not to stand with their knees locked, instead the director would instruct the students to stand with their knees slightly bent. During wedding rehearsals you will hear the wedding coordinator say the same thing, "NO locked knees, you might faint". You cannot stand for very long in this manner. This passage reminded me that when I think I'm standing upright and firm locked knee, I'm not! The Lord tells us be careful so you don't fall. If I have slightly bent knees I can stabilize myself if something comes my way to knock me over. I'm also ready to flee! In verse (13) the Lord reminds us everyone will go through temptation, but NOTHING beyond what we can bear. He makes a way of excape. We need to be ready to take it.
APPLICATION
I will not be ruled by my feelings and emotions! When temptations comes I will stand on the truth of God's word putting on the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) and look for the EXIT door to escape temptation. He has already made the plan of escape for me, all I need to do is look for it, find it, and run through it. And with my knees slightly bent I will be ready to flee quickly when temptation comes.
PRAYER
Father, thank you that you will never give me more than I can bear, thank you that you love me so much you already have the plan of escape in place for me when temptation comes. Give me strength and wisdom Lord to run through the EXIT door when temptation comes calling. Help me to stand with knees slightly bent and ready to flee at all times. I give you praise for it Lord.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It's All In The Approach
SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 9:21-22 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by possible means I might save some.
OBSERVATION
Paul is reminding the church in Corinth to approach people with the Gospel at their level. When sharing the Lord with others Christians often speak in their own language "Christianize". It can cause us to not effectively communicate the Gospel. It's important to meet people where they are. Just as God does for us. In my approach I must ask, does the tone of my voice reflect Christ, or am I jumping on some one's back beating them with the Gospel?
Working with children has helped refine my approach. An example of this would be; "all of us need Jesus to come in our heart and live inside". Children respond with; "How does he get in there? Does the doctor put him in there? Will it hurt? How long does he stay there? How will he eat in there"? But if I tell a child "Jesus loves you so much he wants to guide your life and help you do what's right. He wants to be the BOSS of your life". They get it! They understand authority and who's in charge. It's all in the approach.
APPLICATION
I need to seek God's guidance on my approach. At times I need to be quite and let my life speak to others. I need to put myself in a person's shoes to see where they are coming from. I know I can't do this on my own, I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. As I allow Him to guide me with the right words and the right approach for a specific person. I am reminded in verse 22 "by all possible means I might save some". Not all will be saved for some I am merely planting a seed for the Holy Spirit to do His work.
PRAYER
Father, Help me to communicate the Gospel to each individual as uniquely as they are. Thank you Lord that I will be lead by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!
1 Corinthians 9:21-22 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by possible means I might save some.
OBSERVATION
Paul is reminding the church in Corinth to approach people with the Gospel at their level. When sharing the Lord with others Christians often speak in their own language "Christianize". It can cause us to not effectively communicate the Gospel. It's important to meet people where they are. Just as God does for us. In my approach I must ask, does the tone of my voice reflect Christ, or am I jumping on some one's back beating them with the Gospel?
Working with children has helped refine my approach. An example of this would be; "all of us need Jesus to come in our heart and live inside". Children respond with; "How does he get in there? Does the doctor put him in there? Will it hurt? How long does he stay there? How will he eat in there"? But if I tell a child "Jesus loves you so much he wants to guide your life and help you do what's right. He wants to be the BOSS of your life". They get it! They understand authority and who's in charge. It's all in the approach.
APPLICATION
I need to seek God's guidance on my approach. At times I need to be quite and let my life speak to others. I need to put myself in a person's shoes to see where they are coming from. I know I can't do this on my own, I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. As I allow Him to guide me with the right words and the right approach for a specific person. I am reminded in verse 22 "by all possible means I might save some". Not all will be saved for some I am merely planting a seed for the Holy Spirit to do His work.
PRAYER
Father, Help me to communicate the Gospel to each individual as uniquely as they are. Thank you Lord that I will be lead by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Reminder: Not everyone knows this!
SCRIPTURE
I Corinthians 8:6-7 (6) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from who all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live. (7) But not everyone knows this.
OBSERVATION
In this passage Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. Located on the Mediterranean, the city of Corinth was a wealthy trading center and known to be a wicked place. Paul is writing to scold and teach them how Christians should act. He tried to teach practical lessons about the Christian life so that people in Corinth would know right from wrong.
In verse 6 we are reminded that there is ONE God! We live for him! I'm so glad that as a Christian I know this truth. But, in verse 7 he reminds us, but not everyone knows this. This was my ahh moment. As I encounter people and situations on a daily basis my mind set can forget we are not all believers! How this can be, I'm not sure. Sometimes we all can get in a spiritual bubble and we need to be reminded, but not everyone knows the Lord. They don't have their hope in Christ.
APPLICATION
So many people are hurting in our society. We don't know what a person we encounter may be going through. Did they just lose their job? Did they get a bad doctor's report? The list goes on and on. Instead of wondering why a person is acting that way, or why they are talking like that, or how can they be so rude, I can be praying for them because not everyone knows. I want to be used of God in bringing his peace, hope, joy and love! Even if it's a smile to someone who has just been NOT so nice to me. That's the only way others will know Christ! They'll know we are Christians by our LOVE!
PRAYER
Father, help me see past the situation and see the person's soul. Help me to be your hands and feet to a hurting world. Help me to show love even when others act unlovable. I want to see others as you see them so they WILL KNOW YOU.
In Jesus name, Amen!
I Corinthians 8:6-7 (6) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from who all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live. (7) But not everyone knows this.
OBSERVATION
In this passage Paul is writing to the church in Corinth. Located on the Mediterranean, the city of Corinth was a wealthy trading center and known to be a wicked place. Paul is writing to scold and teach them how Christians should act. He tried to teach practical lessons about the Christian life so that people in Corinth would know right from wrong.
In verse 6 we are reminded that there is ONE God! We live for him! I'm so glad that as a Christian I know this truth. But, in verse 7 he reminds us, but not everyone knows this. This was my ahh moment. As I encounter people and situations on a daily basis my mind set can forget we are not all believers! How this can be, I'm not sure. Sometimes we all can get in a spiritual bubble and we need to be reminded, but not everyone knows the Lord. They don't have their hope in Christ.
APPLICATION
So many people are hurting in our society. We don't know what a person we encounter may be going through. Did they just lose their job? Did they get a bad doctor's report? The list goes on and on. Instead of wondering why a person is acting that way, or why they are talking like that, or how can they be so rude, I can be praying for them because not everyone knows. I want to be used of God in bringing his peace, hope, joy and love! Even if it's a smile to someone who has just been NOT so nice to me. That's the only way others will know Christ! They'll know we are Christians by our LOVE!
PRAYER
Father, help me see past the situation and see the person's soul. Help me to be your hands and feet to a hurting world. Help me to show love even when others act unlovable. I want to see others as you see them so they WILL KNOW YOU.
In Jesus name, Amen!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Fruit of the Spirit
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
OBSERVATION
Of course, I had to blog on the fruit of the Spirit - this is my personal goal in life! As I studied this Scripture, I realized that to simply place these characteristics before me as something to work at is the same as what the Galatians were doing by reverting back to living by the law. Notice verse 25 - by keeping in step with the Spirit, by walking with the Spirit, fruit is naturally produced.
APPLICATION
So instead of striving to be loving, joyful, peaceful and patient, kind, good faithful, gentle and full of self-control, I just need to be filled with the Spirit. I need to walk with, cooperate with, and seek the Spirit of God. The fruit will come.
PRAYER
Father, please show me more and more ways to cooperate with Your Holy Spirit. Keep me in step with you. Amen.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sons (and Daughters) of God
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
OBSERVATION
Paul is explaining to the Galatians that they are free in Christ, based on faith, not on works or obedience to the law. He is telling them (and us) that all Christians, regardless of nationality, sex, or station in life, are equal heirs to the kingdom of God because of what Christ did and our belief in that fundamental. We cannot earn our freedom; it is a gift.
APPLICATION
Paul's message to the Galatians here was a reminder to those who were turning back to the law and away from the faith-based gospel they first received.
As I read it, I gleaned something else. I identified with the equality he describes for ALL Christians. It does not matter who we are, where we live, what we have . . . we are all equal inheritors of God's kingdom because of Jesus. I am to remind myself that 'the church' is every one of us who believes in Christ as our Redeemer. We may differ on many other things in life and in worship but if we share that belief, we are brothers and sisters - worthy of respect for we will share an eternity together.
PRAYER
Lord, let me look upon all of Christ's believers as equals. Even if I disagree with details of their lives or practices, they are Your church, of which I am a small part. Give me Your eyes to look upon Christians and non-Christians alike. I want to see the world as You see it. Amen.
Galatians 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
OBSERVATION
Paul is explaining to the Galatians that they are free in Christ, based on faith, not on works or obedience to the law. He is telling them (and us) that all Christians, regardless of nationality, sex, or station in life, are equal heirs to the kingdom of God because of what Christ did and our belief in that fundamental. We cannot earn our freedom; it is a gift.
APPLICATION
Paul's message to the Galatians here was a reminder to those who were turning back to the law and away from the faith-based gospel they first received.
As I read it, I gleaned something else. I identified with the equality he describes for ALL Christians. It does not matter who we are, where we live, what we have . . . we are all equal inheritors of God's kingdom because of Jesus. I am to remind myself that 'the church' is every one of us who believes in Christ as our Redeemer. We may differ on many other things in life and in worship but if we share that belief, we are brothers and sisters - worthy of respect for we will share an eternity together.
PRAYER
Lord, let me look upon all of Christ's believers as equals. Even if I disagree with details of their lives or practices, they are Your church, of which I am a small part. Give me Your eyes to look upon Christians and non-Christians alike. I want to see the world as You see it. Amen.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Am I Trying to Please Men or God?
SCRIPTURE
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
OBSERVATION
The apostle Paul is writing to the Galatians that they are not to listen to a gospel other than the one he received from Christ himself and relayed to them. He adds that even if he, himself, were to try to sell them a different gospel, he should be condemned. He offers this argument, explaining to the Galatians that he is not trying to please men, but God himself. He concludes by stating that if he were trying to please men, he would not be a servant of Christ. Paul considers himself a slave of God; a slave of righteousness.
APPLICATION
Who am I trying to please? I should be the unique person God created me to be. We all conform to our surroundings in simple ways - the way we talk, eat, manners and customs, the societal laws we follow. The Bible even instructs us to submit to the authority of the government when it comes to paying taxes, not breaking the law, etc.
Some choices are easier than others. How we dress; what we watch and listen to; how we spend our time and money; how we conduct ourselves in relationships and business. But, there are times when the choices will get harder and harder. There may come a time when what society says and what God says conflict.
We must establish a line that we will not cross when it comes to the morals, values, and directives the Lord gives us. It is then that we must seek God as our authority.
Am I trying to please men or God?
PRAYER
My wish is to please you Lord. I know that I fail miserably, perhaps each day. Keep me mindful of Your words and Your wishes for my thoughts, words, and behaviors. Guide me. Amen.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
OBSERVATION
The apostle Paul is writing to the Galatians that they are not to listen to a gospel other than the one he received from Christ himself and relayed to them. He adds that even if he, himself, were to try to sell them a different gospel, he should be condemned. He offers this argument, explaining to the Galatians that he is not trying to please men, but God himself. He concludes by stating that if he were trying to please men, he would not be a servant of Christ. Paul considers himself a slave of God; a slave of righteousness.
APPLICATION
Who am I trying to please? I should be the unique person God created me to be. We all conform to our surroundings in simple ways - the way we talk, eat, manners and customs, the societal laws we follow. The Bible even instructs us to submit to the authority of the government when it comes to paying taxes, not breaking the law, etc.
Some choices are easier than others. How we dress; what we watch and listen to; how we spend our time and money; how we conduct ourselves in relationships and business. But, there are times when the choices will get harder and harder. There may come a time when what society says and what God says conflict.
We must establish a line that we will not cross when it comes to the morals, values, and directives the Lord gives us. It is then that we must seek God as our authority.
Am I trying to please men or God?
PRAYER
My wish is to please you Lord. I know that I fail miserably, perhaps each day. Keep me mindful of Your words and Your wishes for my thoughts, words, and behaviors. Guide me. Amen.
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