This thought comes from 1 Corinthians 13 - the famous "love" chapter. This is a huge chapter that has so much in it - how do you touch it? Humbly I will point out a couple of things that struck me, knowing there is so much more!!
Part of verse 7 says: Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way for it is not self-seeking...
- For the first time I noticed that this continues on a theme I've noticed in 1 Corinthians about
the rights we have in Christ and yet it's those same rights we must lay down. When we lay
them down, more in concern for others than ourselves, this shows true love.
Verse 5 also continues: it (love) takes no account of the evil done to it
-Wow! That is quite a challenge to live up to!
Verse 7 states: Love...is ever ready to believe the best of every person...
-It struck me that when I think of this verse, I have always focused on that I should believe
the best of somebody who I could easily believe "bad" about for whatever reason. But, how
about that I should think the best of somebody who has thought bad of ME. Now, that is
much more of a challenge...to lay down my rights to be angry and upset that they dare
accuse ME of something...and instead to believe the best in them. That is love!
.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday's Thought
1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and choicest graces)....
This chapter focuses on the spiritual gifts God gives His church. Everybody receives gifts from God. This last verse talks about desiring the "greater gifts". However, what really caught my eye is the "earnestly desire and zealously cultivate". Gifts are just that - gifts. I can't, in my own strength, get a gift. However, God does seem to favor those who REALLY want it. Now, in non-spiritual things, if I REALLY want something, I start doing something to get it. I think about it, research about it, lay a plan to get it, and probably drive everybody nuts talking about it. So, that makes me wonder, in spiritual things, if I REALLY want something, do I show that type of enthusiasm? Do I think about it, research it, dream about it, and talk about it? Or do I just mumble a prayer every now and then and think about how nice it would be?
Oh, if my heart would change and desire these spiritual things as much as "regular" things! If I would truly "earnestly desire and zealously cultivate" and my actions would reflect this, I wonder what the result just might be?
This chapter focuses on the spiritual gifts God gives His church. Everybody receives gifts from God. This last verse talks about desiring the "greater gifts". However, what really caught my eye is the "earnestly desire and zealously cultivate". Gifts are just that - gifts. I can't, in my own strength, get a gift. However, God does seem to favor those who REALLY want it. Now, in non-spiritual things, if I REALLY want something, I start doing something to get it. I think about it, research about it, lay a plan to get it, and probably drive everybody nuts talking about it. So, that makes me wonder, in spiritual things, if I REALLY want something, do I show that type of enthusiasm? Do I think about it, research it, dream about it, and talk about it? Or do I just mumble a prayer every now and then and think about how nice it would be?
Oh, if my heart would change and desire these spiritual things as much as "regular" things! If I would truly "earnestly desire and zealously cultivate" and my actions would reflect this, I wonder what the result just might be?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday's Thought
1 Corinthians 11:1, 31: Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ...for if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed.
I must evaluate myself prayerfully on a regular basis, and then ask God to change my nature and cover my shortcomings with the blood of Jesus so that I am followable.
I must evaluate myself prayerfully on a regular basis, and then ask God to change my nature and cover my shortcomings with the blood of Jesus so that I am followable.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday's Thought
This thought comes from 1 Corinthians 9: 16, 22, and 27
My heart needs a change. Father, give me the heart of Paul - that I would be COMPELLED to share You with others. Not because I HAVE to, but because it is my nature to do so, and that it wouldn't even dawn on me to do anything else. Missionary Dick Flores said, "The wishbone will never replace the backbone." Oh, how true. I can WANT to do this all day long, but wishing and doing are two very different things. Let me become who I need to be to reach each person You have planned for me to reach. And always keep me close to You so that I may never become unfit for the destiny You have for me.
My heart needs a change. Father, give me the heart of Paul - that I would be COMPELLED to share You with others. Not because I HAVE to, but because it is my nature to do so, and that it wouldn't even dawn on me to do anything else. Missionary Dick Flores said, "The wishbone will never replace the backbone." Oh, how true. I can WANT to do this all day long, but wishing and doing are two very different things. Let me become who I need to be to reach each person You have planned for me to reach. And always keep me close to You so that I may never become unfit for the destiny You have for me.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday
I have a thought today, but I am going out of town tomorrow and have not had time to post it. I also won't have internet access while I'm gone. I plan on posting again next Monday. Be blessed!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday's Thought
1 Corinthians 7:17 - Only, let each one seek to conduct himself and regulate his affairs so as to lead the life that the Lord has alloted and imparted to him and to which God has invited and summoned him....
This is the cry of my heart. I looked up a few of the words from good 'ole Webster's to get a better understanding:
allot - to assign as a share or portion
impart - to give, convey, or grant from; to communicate the knowledge of
invite - to request the presence or participation of
summon - to bid to come; send for; to call upon for specified action
So, to rephrase: Let me seek to conduct myself and regulate my affairs so as to lead the life that the Lord has assigned and granted me and to which God has requested my presence to participate and bid me to come.
It's all my choice...and what an honor! Lead and guide me, Lord, that I may accomplish Your purpose in my life.
This is the cry of my heart. I looked up a few of the words from good 'ole Webster's to get a better understanding:
allot - to assign as a share or portion
impart - to give, convey, or grant from; to communicate the knowledge of
invite - to request the presence or participation of
summon - to bid to come; send for; to call upon for specified action
So, to rephrase: Let me seek to conduct myself and regulate my affairs so as to lead the life that the Lord has assigned and granted me and to which God has requested my presence to participate and bid me to come.
It's all my choice...and what an honor! Lead and guide me, Lord, that I may accomplish Your purpose in my life.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday's Thought
This came to be from 1 Corinthians 6, specifically verses 7, 12, and 19-20.
Even though everything is allowable for me to do, not everything is helpful and good for me to do. And for the sake of others, there are things that may be ok for me, but I need to let go of my right to do them so that I don't cause harm to others. I am not my own because Jesus purchased me. Now that sounds wonderful and all Biblical, but it's hard to let go of something that is "my right". What do I feel is "my right" to hang onto in my life that really isn't beneficial to myself, either for my sake or for others? What actions or what thoughts cause my life to be less than God wants it to be?
Even though everything is allowable for me to do, not everything is helpful and good for me to do. And for the sake of others, there are things that may be ok for me, but I need to let go of my right to do them so that I don't cause harm to others. I am not my own because Jesus purchased me. Now that sounds wonderful and all Biblical, but it's hard to let go of something that is "my right". What do I feel is "my right" to hang onto in my life that really isn't beneficial to myself, either for my sake or for others? What actions or what thoughts cause my life to be less than God wants it to be?
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