Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love".
Observation: Paul in his closing remarks to the church in Corinth says to be on guard (to protect something), firm in the faith ( your convictions ) , be courageous (moving forward in midst of fear) and to be strong. You can do these things with love or without love. Paul seems be making sure that these actions be surrounded by love.
Apply: Paul is hitting me hard here. I can have strong convictions, I can protect and be on guard, however I many times don't do this in love. I can lose relationships because of my passions, even though the passions are good.
Prayer: Lord help me to be strong, courageous, be firm in my convictions....but find a way of doing this in love.
Where is God's Temple? SCRIPTURE "Deuteronomy 16:2 (AMP) 2 You shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord your God from the flock or the herd in the place where the Lord will choose to make His Name [and His Presence] dwell. Compare with: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. "
OBSERVATION 1. This group of words is used 4 times in this passage. 2. It is used 9 times in the old testament. 3. In the Old Testament, God had 1 special place where he chose to dwell on earth. That place was special 4. In the New Testament, God's Spirit dwells in believers, including me.
APPLICATION I want to meditate throughout the day on the great priviledge and responsibility of God's Spirit dwelling in me. It means that I can worship 24/7. I can enter the Holy of Holies and actually communicate with the God of the Universe. But…. Do I treat this responsibility correctly. In the Old testament they spent great time and expense to make sure it was clean, and beautiful, and followed God's regulations to the letter. I'm not sure exactly how this applies to my outside, but to my soul... am I calling sin, sin in my life and confessing and forsaking it? I want to meditate throughout the day on this.
Prayer Lord, it is breathtakingly amazing that you choose to dwell in me. God, I can talk with you all day long. I don't need to travel to another city on appointed days of the year, just to fellowship with you. What a priveledge. But I also know the stuff in me is not perfect. I am not a Holy vessel. I know that I can't make myself Holy. But you can. Lord, I ask you to open my eyes to areas of sin (especially not doing things that you want me to do) that I don't even see. Help me to confess these, and allow you to cleanse me from all unrighteousness and to mold me into a vessel that you can use. Amen
Scripture: "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him." (Psalm 49:15-17)
Observation: The contrast of life with riches here on earth, prosperity and the tomb of temporal poverty - - that is what the Psalmist lyrics describes.
The plight to desire and seek riches and rewards here on earth seems to be "too alive" in my heart at times. The awe of other peoples accomplishments and successes warps my thoughts and I get wrapped up in day dreaming for the temporal treasures of this world.
C'mon Rod!!! You should know better!!!! (slap face, slap face!) Wake up Rod!!
Application: Whew!!!! I needed those spiritual slaps - one on the right and one on the left side of my spiritual heart!!!!!
Living in an unfinished house can be stressful. The responsibility and desire to finish can linger firmly on Beckie's and my minds. It's easy in vulnerable times to be "overawed" with someone else's riches and treasures. It's my responsibility to Wake up - to be alive in spirit and know God's heart involving the benefits of laying up treasures in heaven, versus, building up temporal riches here on earth.
So Rod...
Don't live for temporal riches that end up becoming rags anyway. Everything temporal thing under the sun will get worn, old and ragged. Even the most well kept house, car, item...will turn to a "rag" someday...time will tell.
Prayer: Dear Daddie, May I always be overawed with who You are rather than the riches, treasures, successes or applause of this world! I know my splendor is to be fully surrendered to You in heart, word, thought and life!! I love You and am so—o-oo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Very Thankful that You have given me abundant life!!!
Scripture: "Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, & follow me. if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will live." Luke 9:23-24
Observation: Jesus was teaching the crowd what it meant to follow him. He said in orderto be a true follower of Christ you need to deny yourself & the plans you have for your life & embrace his will for your life. You need to be willing to give up your life for the sake of spreading the gospel in order to truly live.
Application: denying my flesh & the plans I have for my life is not easy or natural. I need to remember that my life is really not my own & that Jesus paid a high price for my sould - with that in mind, how can I not turn frommy selfishness & my own plan to pursue God's will? How can I not fivemy life completely to the One who suffered much to save me?
Prayer: Father God I am thankful for the sacrifice you made in sending Jesus to die for my sins. Help me to remember that my life is not my own. Enable me to truly deny myself & the plans I have for my life in order to pursue your will. Let me me be willing to lay down my life for the sake of the gospel - give me the courage to do this. Thank you for your patience & grace as I wrestle with this truth. Thank you for laying your life down so I may truly live - may I lay mine down in return. In Jesus Name Amen
Scripture: Mark 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Observation: He seeks the unhealthy souls in our world so that he can heal and save lives. Not heal or save for this earth but for the expansion of the kingdom. I am a sinner and need healing.
Application: Confessing daily the sin in my life and FLEEING that sin, turn my back on that sin. Then being trusting and obedient in Gods promptings, listening well and being willing to reach out to others who are ill.
Pray: Father God I pray that I will be a clean vessel so that I can be a scalpal and so that you can do healing work through me. I confess my own self rightousness and pray that I will remain humble in you! Help me to first look inward so your teachings will heal my sickness so I can be most effective for you on the earth. I pray that I will never lose sight of your grace and blood that covers me, I also pray that the sacrifice that occurred on the cross will never be forgotten and will remain my focus. Your are the ultimate healer who sacrificed the most and gave us the ultimate gift!
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love".
ReplyDeleteObservation: Paul in his closing remarks to the church in Corinth says to be on guard (to protect something), firm in the faith ( your convictions ) , be courageous (moving forward in midst of fear) and to be strong. You can do these things with love or without love. Paul seems be making sure that these actions be surrounded by love.
Apply: Paul is hitting me hard here. I can have strong convictions, I can protect and be on guard, however I many times don't do this in love. I can lose relationships because of my passions, even though the passions are good.
Prayer: Lord help me to be strong, courageous, be firm in my convictions....but find a way of doing this in love.
Where is God's Temple?
ReplyDeleteSCRIPTURE
"Deuteronomy 16:2 (AMP)
2 You shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord your God from the flock or the herd in the place where the Lord will choose to make His Name [and His Presence] dwell. Compare with: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. "
OBSERVATION
1. This group of words is used 4 times in this passage. 2. It is used 9 times in the old testament. 3. In the Old Testament, God had 1 special place where he chose to dwell on earth. That place was special 4. In the New Testament, God's Spirit dwells in believers, including me.
APPLICATION
I want to meditate throughout the day on the great priviledge and responsibility of God's Spirit dwelling in me. It means that I can worship 24/7. I can enter the Holy of Holies and actually communicate with the God of the Universe. But…. Do I treat this responsibility correctly. In the Old testament they spent great time and expense to make sure it was clean, and beautiful, and followed God's regulations to the letter. I'm not sure exactly how this applies to my outside, but to my soul... am I calling sin, sin in my life and confessing and forsaking it? I want to meditate throughout the day on this.
Prayer
Lord, it is breathtakingly amazing that you choose to dwell in me. God, I can talk with you all day long. I don't need to travel to another city on appointed days of the year, just to fellowship with you. What a priveledge. But I also know the stuff in me is not perfect. I am not a Holy vessel. I know that I can't make myself Holy. But you can. Lord, I ask you to open my eyes to areas of sin (especially not doing things that you want me to do) that I don't even see. Help me to confess these, and allow you to cleanse me from all unrighteousness and to mold me into a vessel that you can use. Amen
Title: Tomb of Temporal Riches
ReplyDeleteScripture: "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him." (Psalm 49:15-17)
Observation: The contrast of life with riches here on earth, prosperity and the tomb of temporal poverty - - that is what the Psalmist lyrics describes.
The plight to desire and seek riches and rewards here on earth seems to be "too alive" in my heart at times. The awe of other peoples accomplishments and successes warps my thoughts and I get wrapped up in day dreaming for the temporal treasures of this world.
C'mon Rod!!! You should know better!!!! (slap face, slap face!) Wake up Rod!!
Application: Whew!!!! I needed those spiritual slaps - one on the right and one on the left side of my spiritual heart!!!!!
Living in an unfinished house can be stressful. The responsibility and desire to finish can linger firmly on Beckie's and my minds. It's easy in vulnerable times to be "overawed" with someone else's riches and treasures. It's my responsibility to Wake up - to be alive in spirit and know God's heart involving the benefits of laying up treasures in heaven, versus, building up temporal riches here on earth.
So Rod...
Don't live for temporal riches that end up becoming rags anyway. Everything temporal thing under the sun will get worn, old and ragged. Even the most well kept house, car, item...will turn to a "rag" someday...time will tell.
Prayer: Dear Daddie, May I always be overawed with who You are rather than the riches, treasures, successes or applause of this world! I know my splendor is to be fully surrendered to You in heart, word, thought and life!! I love You and am so—o-oo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Very Thankful that You have given me abundant life!!!
Title: "Stand Firm"
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong."
Observe: Paul is saying to have lots of belief in God and not be foolish and be courageous, and powerful.
Apply: Everyday I should ask God for lots of belief in Him, and not be foolish in what I do and be courageous and powerful.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to have lots and lots of faith in you and be courageous and powerful and not be foolish in what I do. Amen.
Title: "Die to self and LIVE"
ReplyDeleteMentor: Jesus
Scripture: "Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, & follow me. if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will live." Luke 9:23-24
Observation: Jesus was teaching the crowd what it meant to follow him. He said in orderto be a true follower of Christ you need to deny yourself & the plans you have for your life & embrace his will for your life. You need to be willing to give up your life for the sake of spreading the gospel in order to truly live.
Application: denying my flesh & the plans I have for my life is not easy or natural. I need to remember that my life is really not my own & that Jesus paid a high price for my sould - with that in mind, how can I not turn frommy selfishness & my own plan to pursue God's will? How can I not fivemy life completely to the One who suffered much to save me?
Prayer: Father God I am thankful for the sacrifice you made in sending Jesus to die for my sins. Help me to remember that my life is not my own. Enable me to truly deny myself & the plans I have for my life in order to pursue your will. Let me me be willing to lay down my life for the sake of the gospel - give me the courage to do this. Thank you for your patience & grace as I wrestle with this truth. Thank you for laying your life down so I may truly live - may I lay mine down in return. In Jesus Name Amen
Title: Healing Me....
ReplyDeleteScripture:
Mark 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Observation:
He seeks the unhealthy souls in our world so that he can heal and save lives. Not heal or save for this earth but for the expansion of the kingdom. I am a sinner and need healing.
Application:
Confessing daily the sin in my life and FLEEING that sin, turn my back on that sin. Then being trusting and obedient in Gods promptings, listening well and being willing to reach out to others who are ill.
Pray:
Father God I pray that I will be a clean vessel so that I can be a scalpal and so that you can do healing work through me. I confess my own self rightousness and pray that I will remain humble in you! Help me to first look inward so your teachings will heal my sickness so I can be most effective for you on the earth. I pray that I will never lose sight of your grace and blood that covers me, I also pray that the sacrifice that occurred on the cross will never be forgotten and will remain my focus. Your are the ultimate healer who sacrificed the most and gave us the ultimate gift!