I felt like there was so much richness in this morning's readings!! From the warnings to have more faith and to listen to the men of God in 2 Kings, to the warnings for backsliders and the encouragement for those who love God in Jeremiah...and then to 1 Corinthians!
I know I posted something about chapter 13 a couple months back, but we read three chapters this morning, and several other things stood out...
From chapter 12:
vs. 4-6 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in men."
vs. 22-26 "...those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor...But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it...If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Some of us are weaker, or may not have as obvious of gifts. But GOD has combined us together to work for His glory! He made the body of Christ to honor and glorify Him! The same Spirit is working in each of us...so let's listen to Him!
From chapter 13:
vs. 2,3 "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing."
If we use our gifts that God gave us without love, they mean nothing. If we don't use our gifts with love, we give God no glory. NONE. If we 'sacrifice' for others without love, it means NOTHING. Does that scare anyone else?? If we go about life without love, we are not obeying what God commands. Well, what is love? Well, read the rest of the chapter :) It so easy to trick ourselves into thinking what we're doing is right yet do it without love! Especially in this chapter, the phrases "love is kind" and love "keeps no record of wrongs" stick out to me. How do YOU want to be loved? Told that you're loved and then have something held over your head? I don't!
From chapter 14:
vs. 12 "...Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church."
I was really convicted by this, because I am not as eager to have spiritual gifts as I should be. Yes, I want God's blessings and temporal things (like a job...) but how much do I crave spiritual gifts? How much do I desire to build up the church? Do I desire gifts for the right reason? Do I strive to bring glory to God in everything I do? Definitely not as much as I should...
The Bible is starting to become so ALIVE to me!! So many things speak DIRECTLY to me! And even 'just' the encouragement from 1 Corinthians 13 about how God loves me...AMAZING love indeed!!!
Showing posts with label morning reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morning reading. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Burnt Offerings
Hey girls,
In our reading the other day we read "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
It made me think of 2 things:
1. Our offerings have to cost us something. Confession is difficult, yes, but not really costly. Maybe our reputation or people's view of us, but obedience is what really makes is hurt. You have to say no when you want to say yes, to die to self, to take up the cross. Wow. That makes confession look almost easy.
2. They have to burn. I keep thinking about putting things up on the altar, but we can't just set them there and walk off. That makes it way too easy to come back and try to sneak things back off. We have to burn them, cut off all contact, make a clean break, replace them with something new, leaving nothing of the old. That's painful.
Praise God he gives grace! I was talking to Mrs. Perry the other day, and we would be so lost, so exhausted and unable if it weren't for the power of the Holy Spirit. But to get that: disciplined, holy life.
In our reading the other day we read "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
It made me think of 2 things:
1. Our offerings have to cost us something. Confession is difficult, yes, but not really costly. Maybe our reputation or people's view of us, but obedience is what really makes is hurt. You have to say no when you want to say yes, to die to self, to take up the cross. Wow. That makes confession look almost easy.
2. They have to burn. I keep thinking about putting things up on the altar, but we can't just set them there and walk off. That makes it way too easy to come back and try to sneak things back off. We have to burn them, cut off all contact, make a clean break, replace them with something new, leaving nothing of the old. That's painful.
Praise God he gives grace! I was talking to Mrs. Perry the other day, and we would be so lost, so exhausted and unable if it weren't for the power of the Holy Spirit. But to get that: disciplined, holy life.
Monday, August 17, 2009
From Our Reading...
This morning in Isaiah 45:9...
"Does the clay say to the potter, 'what are you making?'"
So right before this, there is a woe to those who quarrel with God. But I wanted to apply it to me. I realized there are several ways that I wrongly ask this question. It sometimes is in the form of an argument with God--"God, why are you making me like this? I wanted to be THIS. I wanted things to turn out this way." It would be as if the clay spoke to the potter saying, "A brown vase, really? I wanted to be a blue teacup. I think I would be much better suited for something delicate, pretty, and attention-grabbing. Brown vases are just functional and boring. No one looks at them or compliments them, and they don't have any fun. You're obviously doing this wrong!"
Or what if the clay is constantly questioning the potter? "What are you doing NOW? Are you done yet? What's next? What detail are you going to carve right there? Are you sure you wanted to make that cut?" Constant questioning of God's plan and God's will is mistrust in God. I need to be quiet and do what He commands and trust that He has a plan for me that He will work out for my good. Instead of always trying to see what is around the next corner, I need to focus on God's will for me now. Glorify God in the mundane!
My other thought on this is how the clay could be asking the potter about other pieces of pottery. "What about that lump? What are you making it into? I only see a lump of clay, I don't think it can be made into anything beautiful. Or that cup. It's starting to come together, but I don't see it ever changing anymore. I think it'll just have to stay undone." Do you ever question God's work in others? Especially during this revival, when we are hearing the encouragement to not quench the Spirit's fire. Don't stop someone else from being moldable for Him! Encourage them in their walk! Be excited at the change in someone else! This is really difficult for me, but we are called to trust Him, not people.
Is there a right way to question our Maker? I think so. We are to "work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling"(Philippians 2:12). We are to ask Him which way He wants us to go. God, how can I be more humble and moldable for Your purposes? Please give me that humility and help me to be totally bendable according to Your will. Show me Your purpose for me today, and help me to live in a way that pleases You. I don't know exactly what You have for me, but I am trusting You that You will fulfill your good plan in accordance with Your will."
And lastly, a verse we all know but a good friend shared with me at church yesterday:
" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
Let's start our week out trusting God!!
"Does the clay say to the potter, 'what are you making?'"
So right before this, there is a woe to those who quarrel with God. But I wanted to apply it to me. I realized there are several ways that I wrongly ask this question. It sometimes is in the form of an argument with God--"God, why are you making me like this? I wanted to be THIS. I wanted things to turn out this way." It would be as if the clay spoke to the potter saying, "A brown vase, really? I wanted to be a blue teacup. I think I would be much better suited for something delicate, pretty, and attention-grabbing. Brown vases are just functional and boring. No one looks at them or compliments them, and they don't have any fun. You're obviously doing this wrong!"
Or what if the clay is constantly questioning the potter? "What are you doing NOW? Are you done yet? What's next? What detail are you going to carve right there? Are you sure you wanted to make that cut?" Constant questioning of God's plan and God's will is mistrust in God. I need to be quiet and do what He commands and trust that He has a plan for me that He will work out for my good. Instead of always trying to see what is around the next corner, I need to focus on God's will for me now. Glorify God in the mundane!
My other thought on this is how the clay could be asking the potter about other pieces of pottery. "What about that lump? What are you making it into? I only see a lump of clay, I don't think it can be made into anything beautiful. Or that cup. It's starting to come together, but I don't see it ever changing anymore. I think it'll just have to stay undone." Do you ever question God's work in others? Especially during this revival, when we are hearing the encouragement to not quench the Spirit's fire. Don't stop someone else from being moldable for Him! Encourage them in their walk! Be excited at the change in someone else! This is really difficult for me, but we are called to trust Him, not people.
Is there a right way to question our Maker? I think so. We are to "work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling"(Philippians 2:12). We are to ask Him which way He wants us to go. God, how can I be more humble and moldable for Your purposes? Please give me that humility and help me to be totally bendable according to Your will. Show me Your purpose for me today, and help me to live in a way that pleases You. I don't know exactly what You have for me, but I am trusting You that You will fulfill your good plan in accordance with Your will."
And lastly, a verse we all know but a good friend shared with me at church yesterday:
" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
Let's start our week out trusting God!!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Surrender
I want to tell you guys a little story. There's not much detail, but I hope you can understand what I'm saying.
I was having my devotions one morning ago and I felt like God was really speaking to me to get rid of idols. I prayed He would show me specific things, because I didn't feel like I had anything huge (materially or physically) that I could give up. God pointed out a box to me that I had in my closet. The box was full of things that on their own were not sinful, but symbolized my idolatry. It was pretty difficult, but I went through the contents of the box and threw everything away.
Nice story, right? Not done. The next morning, God brought to mind something I had recieved as a gift that I needed to give up. "No, God. THAT'S not that big a deal. I don't even think about that very much. It's not important. Plus look, God. It's in its own box. It's hidden from view...out of sight, out of mind." "Jenna, throw it away." "Wait, hold on, God. It's so important to me! I CAN'T give that up! I'll give anything else up! Plus it cost a lot of money. That's wasteful. That's not good stewardship. And it has so much sentimental value. Please don't make me throw that away, God!!"
God brought the following things to mind:
*In Old Testament times, many people hid idols--even think of Jacob's wife Rachel, who tried to hide idols from God, her husband, and her father. Think of how severely God punished those people! He even opened up the earth and swallowed one person and his family! God does NOT tolerate idolatry!
*If it means so much to me that I don't want to give it up, it is an idol.
*If it is in a box, it is no less hidden from God. He is a jealous God, and idolatry sickens Him.
*If I try to pretend it is not important, why can I not give it up?
*If I try to rationalize it, it is probably an idol.
*If I try to hide it, it is probably an idol.
*If I want to keep even 'only' that, it is probably an idol.
Guess what ladies? God gave me grace to throw that item away, and He kept showing me more and I kept throwing them away. God can give you grace to throw out the idols in your life, and He can give you the grace to truly surrender. We learned today in adult Sunday school that the power of grace is greater than the power of sin!
He is mighty to save, our God is MIGHTY to save!
He rose and conquered the grave!
Praise God!
P.S. I'm still learning to surrender. Daily process, daily struggle.
Love you ladies! :)
I was having my devotions one morning ago and I felt like God was really speaking to me to get rid of idols. I prayed He would show me specific things, because I didn't feel like I had anything huge (materially or physically) that I could give up. God pointed out a box to me that I had in my closet. The box was full of things that on their own were not sinful, but symbolized my idolatry. It was pretty difficult, but I went through the contents of the box and threw everything away.
Nice story, right? Not done. The next morning, God brought to mind something I had recieved as a gift that I needed to give up. "No, God. THAT'S not that big a deal. I don't even think about that very much. It's not important. Plus look, God. It's in its own box. It's hidden from view...out of sight, out of mind." "Jenna, throw it away." "Wait, hold on, God. It's so important to me! I CAN'T give that up! I'll give anything else up! Plus it cost a lot of money. That's wasteful. That's not good stewardship. And it has so much sentimental value. Please don't make me throw that away, God!!"
God brought the following things to mind:
*In Old Testament times, many people hid idols--even think of Jacob's wife Rachel, who tried to hide idols from God, her husband, and her father. Think of how severely God punished those people! He even opened up the earth and swallowed one person and his family! God does NOT tolerate idolatry!
*If it means so much to me that I don't want to give it up, it is an idol.
*If it is in a box, it is no less hidden from God. He is a jealous God, and idolatry sickens Him.
*If I try to pretend it is not important, why can I not give it up?
*If I try to rationalize it, it is probably an idol.
*If I try to hide it, it is probably an idol.
*If I want to keep even 'only' that, it is probably an idol.
Guess what ladies? God gave me grace to throw that item away, and He kept showing me more and I kept throwing them away. God can give you grace to throw out the idols in your life, and He can give you the grace to truly surrender. We learned today in adult Sunday school that the power of grace is greater than the power of sin!
He is mighty to save, our God is MIGHTY to save!
He rose and conquered the grave!
Praise God!
P.S. I'm still learning to surrender. Daily process, daily struggle.
Love you ladies! :)
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