S: 1 Cor. 1:18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 cor 3:18 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.
O: Paul was contrasting the world's wisdom with God's wisdom. The "foolish plan of God" is wiser than the greatest human wisdom. In order to become "truly wise" we must "become a fool".
A: Today over lunch I start an I AM SECOND group. This is foolishness to the world and probably to my coworkers. This is wisdom to God and I need to realize this. It is the power of salvation to all. 50 years from now, it is the only thing that will matter.
P: Jesus, give me strength today as I get this group started in your strength. would you bring people there who need to hear your message of hope and salvation. calm my fears and anxiety, may i understand being second is foolishness to the world but wisdom with you.
"S: Psalm 107:8 (AMP) , Psalms 107:15,21, 31 (4 times he says the same thing 8 Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:9 (AMP) 9 For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:22 (AMP) 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing! "
O: 1) Four times the psalmist says the exact same idea. Oh that men would praise…. 2) He mentions thanksgiving as a "sacrifice". Sacrifices cost the people something, they gave up money or possessions to offer a sacrifice. The sacrifices were a sweat aroma to God. They also covered people's sins until the time of Christ. 3) How is thanksgiving a sacrifice? It costs me time and energy. It is a sweat aroma to God. It doesn't cover my sins (because Jesus blood did that). But I do think it changes me, so that I either see my sin more (and confess it), or sin somewhat loses its hold on me. Maybe because as I praise and worship God, I'm looking into his face, and I'm being changed into his likeness.
A: So why don't I praise more? God is definitely worthy. Because I'm selfish with my time and energy. They are limited in quantity, and I want to accomplish things for God more than to please him with praise. Praise isn't measureable. I can't quantify it. I can't make progress. So what. If that is God's "love language" then it should be my highest priority, my highest joy. This week, I want to spend at least 10 minutes a day thanking and praising God for all he has done for me, as well as for his character.
P: Lord, please forgive me for putting everything ahead of this one thing. You are worthy of all praise. Even now as I look out at the beautiful day, I'm overwhelmed with your love for me. I don't deserve such beauty, especially in NOVEMBER. But you give such beautiful surprise gifts every day and I take them for granted. Lord, as I just read Ezekiel and Psalms I caught a glimpse of your heart. We have been so faithless, even running after other God's. And yet, when we come back to you and ask forgiveness, you take us back, cleanse our consciences, cleanse our hearts, and change us so that we don't want to sin against you. Your goodness and loving-kindness is everywhere in nature. You put so many unique tastes, so many completely different beautiful scenes, you have my best interests at heart, even on days that I doubt your goodness. How can you have loving-kindness for me when I constantly mess up. And you see the problems in my heart. I can hide some of my selfishness from others, but not you. Lord, I praise you for your love, which is absolutely without end in time or dimension.
S: 1 Cor. 1:18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 cor 3:18 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.
ReplyDeleteO: Paul was contrasting the world's wisdom with God's wisdom. The "foolish plan of God" is wiser than the greatest human wisdom. In order to become "truly wise" we must "become a fool".
A: Today over lunch I start an I AM SECOND group. This is foolishness to the world and probably to my coworkers. This is wisdom to God and I need to realize this. It is the power of salvation to all. 50 years from now, it is the only thing that will matter.
P: Jesus, give me strength today as I get this group started in your strength. would you bring people there who need to hear your message of hope and salvation. calm my fears and anxiety, may i understand being second is foolishness to the world but wisdom with you.
"S: Psalm 107:8 (AMP) , Psalms 107:15,21, 31 (4 times he says the same thing
ReplyDelete8 Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:9 (AMP) 9 For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good. Psalm 107:22 (AMP) 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing! "
O: 1) Four times the psalmist says the exact same idea. Oh that men would praise…. 2) He mentions thanksgiving as a "sacrifice". Sacrifices cost the people something, they gave up money or possessions to offer a sacrifice. The sacrifices were a sweat aroma to God. They also covered people's sins until the time of Christ. 3) How is thanksgiving a sacrifice? It costs me time and energy. It is a sweat aroma to God. It doesn't cover my sins (because Jesus blood did that). But I do think it changes me, so that I either see my sin more (and confess it), or sin somewhat loses its hold on me. Maybe because as I praise and worship God, I'm looking into his face, and I'm being changed into his likeness.
A: So why don't I praise more? God is definitely worthy. Because I'm selfish with my time and energy. They are limited in quantity, and I want to accomplish things for God more than to please him with praise. Praise isn't measureable. I can't quantify it. I can't make progress. So what. If that is God's "love language" then it should be my highest priority, my highest joy. This week, I want to spend at least 10 minutes a day thanking and praising God for all he has done for me, as well as for his character.
P: Lord, please forgive me for putting everything ahead of this one thing. You are worthy of all praise. Even now as I look out at the beautiful day, I'm overwhelmed with your love for me. I don't deserve such beauty, especially in NOVEMBER. But you give such beautiful surprise gifts every day and I take them for granted. Lord, as I just read Ezekiel and Psalms I caught a glimpse of your heart. We have been so faithless, even running after other God's. And yet, when we come back to you and ask forgiveness, you take us back, cleanse our consciences, cleanse our hearts, and change us so that we don't want to sin against you. Your goodness and loving-kindness is everywhere in nature. You put so many unique tastes, so many completely different beautiful scenes, you have my best interests at heart, even on days that I doubt your goodness. How can you have loving-kindness for me when I constantly mess up. And you see the problems in my heart. I can hide some of my selfishness from others, but not you. Lord, I praise you for your love, which is absolutely without end in time or dimension.