I'm quite glad for God's plan. The way He stayed off the technologies of today until long after the Bible was written out in long hand. For the many beautiful phrases of poetry and letters from long ago would never have survived the 140 character limit were these prophets confined to tweet holy inspirations of the Spirit. But look here, in this summary of a letter from Paul to the Corinthians, as he uses a short form I had not noticed before... Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV The first verse almost reads like a tweet of today. Short, bullet points, as if they were military commands given... Watch stand fast, be brave, be strong. And the second verse, a softer, kinder, more loving note; that of a father, an older brother... Let all that you do be done with love. It's certainly wrapping up and reminding us of all the pieces and parts of the letter he had written. But these being the most important themes which he wanted remembered. Watch: stay awake, be vigilant and responsible Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 So do we remain watchful, keeping right company, guarding our hearts and minds? What relationship, that I know is dragging me away from God will I politely step away from today? Stand fast: persevere, stand firm. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So are we steadfast to persevere even in the trial, knowing that God is faithful, near us, and making our way out? What thought, which has been defeating me, will I replace today with encouragement and replace with God's word? Be Brave: responsible, courageous, taking initiatives God reveals through faith that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge... even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ... 1 Corinthians 1:5-7 ESV So are we brave enough to walk in the gifts He's given, believing they are enough to fulfill that burning passion within? What do I know God has asked me to do, that I have continued to put off until tomorrow? What one right action can I take toward it today? Be Strong: to prevail through God's persuasion Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 NLT So are we strong in our faith, in our belief that what God has given will carry us through to the end? What talent or gift do I envy in others that so distracts me from trusting God in myself? Am I willing to compliment that person to let go of my jealousy so that I can remove what blinds me from my God given gifts? And what of our LOVE? For no matter if we survive the trial, alert, awake, and watchful; no matter if we take initiative with gifts God has given through faith, or step forward in God's strength... if what we do is not executed in LOVE it is a noisy gong or clanging symbol. And who wants to be annoying, irritating, and distracting others? For any gift, act, or effort done in the absence of love, does not represent God. For God is love. Let all that you do be done with love. Word of God train me today... To be watchful, steadfast, brave and strong. To let all that I do be done with love.
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What gets you up in the morning? I don't mean an alarm clock, or a phone app that rings. I mean, what drives you? What makes you tick? What is the passion deep inside that burns and must be fulfilled? Are you chasing after it? Or does it lie dormant, only a wish, a hope that one day may come to pass? Because whatever it is that causes you to wake, what ever it is that burns down deep, is something that God placed inside. It's part of a purpose for which He fashioned you. He has given you gifts and talents, desires and drives that are meant to serve and be given. And only you, in your circle of influence can fulfill this purpose with His power and inspiration behind you. I think we all sense it. I think we all feel it burn within. I just don't think we are all willing to go deep down and acknowledge it. Because we think we will have to give up some part of our life... something we have, or want to achieve that's not somehow godly enough for God. But the silly thing is... God put it there, that burning desire. And the only way to really find satisfaction in life, is to get it worked from from the inside of us... out. The book of 1 Corinthians is filled with chapters on spiritual gifts and how we are to use them in conjunction with love and the church. But it also speaks much about our passion, talents and gifts. I think it's fair to say that some of us, maybe many, have reasoned that some of these gifts don't exist anymore... like healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues. Probably because we are personally too uncomfortable with them. But could it be that we dismiss them because we haven't experienced them in the right way? Could it be that we may not be given, or open to the right measure of faith in that area? But God is God. He hasn't changed since the creation of the earth, so why should the gifts He gives change? I believe He can move mountains. Even though I've never seen it happen. I think that's simply because my faith is not strong enough in that area. So could it be that things I struggle with considering to be, or not be, to exist, or not exist... the spiritual gifts I am unsure are still of God, could be things that I haven't seen, simply because I don't have the faith for them? Personally, I don't speak in tongues. But do I believe other people do... Yes. Tongues are simply another language spoken by the Spirit of God through people, Paul encourages us within the church to desire to have such spiritual gifts, along with teaching, and healing. And the gifts he most encourages are the ones that edify and encourage others... Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 Now what Paul is speaking of here does not simply reference the telling of the future, That's what most people think of when they hear the word prophecy. But the true definition to prophesy, means to speak forth and to reveal the mind and message of God. In some cases it may be predicting the future, if God reveals it. But even speaking the Word of God, which is the Bible, is revealing His mind and His message. And here Paul encourages us to... desire earnestly to prophesy. This figuratively means we should be so eager to share His word that we bubble over as the sound of water heated to boiling. This is truly a zeal for the Lord! But then he literally tells us not to forbid or hinder others from speaking in languages inspired by God. It doesn't sound as strange when we put it like that, does it? I just don't see why we get so bent out of shape over something we don't understand? Why is it that, if we are unable to do something, we must shame it or make it unacceptable to our standard of "normal?" Isn't that just childish behavior? Let us rather embrace all things gifted by the Holy Spirit, that we may be encouraged more. Who knows, maybe one day our faith will grow into understanding. Or perhaps, gifting and participation of the same. Now eagerly desire.., (find your ZEAL for) the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31 Word of God train me today... To embrace all the gifting of Your Spirit. To grow in faith as I lean into You, earnestly desiring to prophesy, always. You may not be old enough to remember a little book, or a series of cartoon that all began with the phrase, Happiness is... They were drawn by artist, Charles Schultz, and had some of my favorite childhood characters on them... Peanuts. There was this boy named Charlie Brown who had the cutest dog, Snoopy. Seems Snoopy was a bit brighter than good ol' Charlie Brown, but it was all ok with me. Then Charlie had his friends, Linus, Lucy and Pig Pen. Linus was the one with the blanket. Lucy was mean as heck, but once in a while we'd see her soft side. And then poor little Pig Pen... did that kid ever take a bath? We never saw their parents, only heard them, and I truly hope that I never sounded like that to my kids, but fear we all do at some point. But I had this little book called... Happiness is a Warm Puppy. It wasn't a book about puppies.
Rather, each page just had one simple sentiment which likened happiness to something a child might understand. Like... Happiness is sleeping in your own bed. Or... Happiness is knowing how to tie your shoes. All of them leading up to... Happiness is a warm puppy. And it was such a nice message to remind us, even as children, that the simplest things in life could bring us happiness. And while I believe God is certainly ok with us keeping life simple and seeking happiness, I don't know that happiness is the highest thing on His priority list for us. Simply because I don't find Jesus teaching a whole lot about seeking happiness in life. Rather, He seemed more concerned with teaching us love and how to love one another. And He came to show us, and to demonstrate that love for us, But He really couldn't have shown or expressed Himself any other way, because 1 John 4:8 tells us... God is love. Jesus didn't know how else to live, other than through love. He loved us first, so that we could know what love is, and pass it on to others in our life. But so many times in life I've gotten overwhelmed with verses about love, as if it's this "To Do List," that I will NEVER accomplish. I mean, when I read 1 Corinthians 13, I can't seem to get past, Love is patient. If I'm meant to master any of these "To Do's" of love, I'm in a heap-o-trouble. But something clicked with me one day, and this book on happiness kind of reminds me... keep it simple. This list of attributes on love is not a To Do list meant to overwhelm me. Or you, for that matter. None of us could ever master it in this lifetime, if that were true. We are fragile, frail and flawed humans incapable of perfect love. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't understand and recognize what love is. Jesus came teaching it. And since He IS love, we can literally substitute HIS name into each description of love given us in the love chapter, to better understand Him and how He can help us in life. God is patient; God is kind. God isn’t envious, God doesn’t boast, God doesn't brag, God doesn't strut about. There’s no arrogance in God's love; God is never rude, God is never crude, God is never indecent, God is not self-absorbed. God isn’t easily upset. God doesn’t tally wrongs God doesn't celebrate injustice; but God celebrates truth... yes, truth, is God’s delight! God puts up with anything and everything that comes along; God trusts, God hopes, and God endures no matter what. God will never become obsolete. God never fails Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 I love that list when I read it describing my God! It gives me so much hope. When I read it as a To Do list, I get overwhelmed. But when I realize that it's a description of Him and His perfection... of how He loves us and all He wants to do in, and through us, then my spirit is completely lifted rather than crushed. Read it again... slowly, line by line. It's breathtaking! Or rather... It's life giving! Happiness may be, for some, a warm puppy. But our God is LOVE! And that means so very much to me. He is a good GOD who wisely gives good gifts to His children. Let us receive them living in the abundance of His love; learning to love others because He first loved us. Word of God train me today... To realize the boundless way You love me. To be open to let You love others through me, a vessel wholly give to serve and to give. When I was little, I loved watching magic. No matter the magician, I was fascinated by the slight of hand and was always looking for how it was done. Somehow I knew there had to be a trick to it. For I never fully believed that it was mystical. I guess I always assumed that it was just another person trying to get away with tricking me into believing a lie. But this illusion of magic a most pretty lie. That, I guess might be a good description of sin, or temptation... a pretty lie. Because it seems to be a great idea, dangled just right, that my eyes should tell my soul to lean in a little closer. But then there's the slight of hand that whisks away the reward I somehow conjured up in my mind. Some sort of satisfaction, some kind of contentment, some distant dream I envision behind the curtain. And POOF! It vanishes in a flash and I'm left standing alone, holding the loser's card which I don't even remember drawing from the deck. No prize, no flashy fireworks, no pretty magician's assistant waving her arms about... not even a bunny, nor a hat to pull him from. So I've grown weary of the beautiful lie, the magic slight of hand that baits me and leaves me less than. But I hate those days spent in the heavy pit of thought that I'm stuck living my life skeptical and cautious. Which sadly, leaves me lonely sensing that I can't trust anyone. Until I read this... Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV Now this sounds like a magic act I'd like, not just to watch, but to be participating in. You see, I totally get that first part. I thought I was standing until the pretty lie knocked me off my feet. Temptation... it's not what it seems. You think you can handle it. Because it's light and pretty. But truthfully, it's bait... a trial, a testing to see if you're ready for the next level of experience. But if it overtakes you... lays hold of you, rather than you understanding it's borders and boundaries, then you become the victim of it's consequences. And you'll just have to take that test again and again until you pass it. But God is reassuring us that we are not alone in this. That is comforting to me because so often, I hear the voice inside telling me that I'm the only one with this temptation, this trial, this weakness to fall for, and fail. God says that every temptation is common to mankind and we won't experience one that is unique. It may be specific to our life, but other people will be able to relate to us and help us get through it if we let them. But for me, even better than that, was finding out that I won't have to bear up under anything that is too hard for me and there WILL BE an escape route waiting for me... I just have to realize it. As far as magic goes, that makes me think of Houdini. He seemed to always found a way out. And knowing that God is in control, I am relieved that He is measuring what we can and cannot handle, keeping an eye on that balance, not letting it tip out of our favor. And He has His hand on us as well, with a ready escape, if we will only call upon Him to rescue us. And this escape is forward, a new destination, successful and desirable; a way planned by the Lord. But let me tie this together with no slight of hand by saying that just reading this, just saying it, just considering it is truly not enough. When the verse says, literally... but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. It means that we can be empowered, dunamai, (doo-nam-ahee), thats the Greek word for power given by God... capable and strong to walk through the temptations of life and make it to a new destination in life as a better, stronger, more purposed person. His long arm reaching down to lift us out; His strong hand guiding us forward on a right path to a better way. But we must call upon the name of Jesus, and believe that He will help. Want to believe again? Want to escape? Me too! Jesus asked us to come to Him as little children, so let us believe... Call upon the name that is above all other names... Jesus! Word of God train me today... To thank You, Lord that You will not let us be tempted beyond what we are able. To call upon His name to rescue us and deliver us to a new destination on the other side of temptation and trial. Ask the wrong question in the just right situation and you can silence a room in a hot second. Fortunately, I was with some new friends who were willing to open up and give in to the spirit of the ice breaker question. "What is your guilty pleasure?" The prompt was given us to get us warmed up and talking before we dove deeper into the current week's study about finding freedom in our relationship with God and discovering our purpose in life. But who comes to church to lay something out before others that's a guilty pleasure... especially people we don't yet know very well? I'm sure they were all thinking... I don't know if I can share that? What will they think of me? Will they even understand? So to get them on the right track I had to define the term guilty pleasure as an activity that you do, or participate in which you know may not be best for you, or which you may be embarrassed to admit, but which you continue for some secret sense of pleasure. I held my breath a moment... I sure wasn't looking for anyone to give themselves up with a confession that would cause me to have to call the cops, or become a therapist. So I offered myself up to tell them about a TV show that I began to watch on Netflix which was so addictive I had a hard time not binging on it. And soon the circle was filled with discussion and laughter over what we shared and confessed. And I think we were all a bit relieved and surprised that what caused one person guilt was completely benign to another. And there was no judgement or condemnation in the room... only laughter at our own limitations. And I was brought to thinking on something Paul wrote in one of his letters to the church at Corinth... All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NJV As much as I kid about hoping none of them confessed a crime, nothing anyone said was illegal. So we certainly passed the first part. All things were lawful... But we also knew, that for each of us, at least personally, we were doing something that was not in our best interest. We struggled with realizing that all things are not helpful. And we were allowing a behavior or action to interfere with becoming the best version of us we could be. All simply because we sought some short burst of pleasure. For me, it was that silly TV show. But I just love a good mystery and seldom do I find something that holds my attention and actually surprises me as to "who done it," holding my attention to the end. But I honestly had this gnawing inside each time I watched it, knowing I was wasting my time. (not helpful) It not only kept me from my work, but there was simply no redeeming quality about the show. I mean it was a great mystery, with twist and turns that kept me intrigued. But it was also filled with violence and wrong relationships that I know serve no purpose to me. They only crowd my heart and mind, keeping the better things that God has for me from entering. It was believed when Paul wrote this, that this phrase... "All things are lawful for me" had become a common saying of the day. And he used their words, repeated, to make his point. And this his second point... All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Some versions say... I will not become slave to anything. That is how serious Paul was being. Some of these little things in our lives that we consider as our guilty pleasures may certainly be lawful, and we do not consider them as harming anyone around us. But if they are keeping us from being the best version of ourself then we are giving into the power of them... we have become slave to them. Even if they are something so small as a TV show. When I realized my guilty pleasure, I honestly had to delete my avatar on Netflix to stop watching it. And I kept the TV set that way for at least six months so I wouldn't be tempted to watch it. Sounds silly, I'm sure to some. But I did't want something so unimportant in the scope of my life stealing from me or controlling me. I didn't want to become a slave to anything, except for a willing servant to my Lord, Jesus Christ. And if binge watching a TV show, or eating a whole pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, or sleeping in until noon on Saturday, or late night shopping on Amazon gives you more pleasure than it does guilt, then more power to you. None of those are against the law! But if you feel the slightest twinge somewhere inside that says, maybe, just maybe this isn't the best for me... ask yourself if you could stop it. And if you can't... then maybe it has too much power over you. And then you know... it may be lawful but it's not helpful. it may be lawful, but it has too much power. So confess it to God. Ask Him to release you from it. He is more than able. And come up with a simple way to overcome it. Don't worry about what other people may say or think. It honestly doesn't matter. Other people can't possibly know what causes that gnawing inside of you. And they can't decide for you what is helpful and what controls. This is a decision only between you and God. Offer it up to Him.. Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NKJV Word of God train me today... To have right discernment as to what is helpful and what may control me. To commit my ways to You, Lord and trust that You will help me let go of anything that keeps me from my purpose. |
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January 2019
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