1 Samuel 24, 1 Corinthians 5, Ezekiel 3, Psalm 39

 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you… 1 Samuel 24:10

 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:4-7

And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. Ezekiel 3:1-4

King Saul threatened David’s life. The Lord turned the tables on the chaos and confusion, putting the control into David’s hands.

This past week an earthquake and a hurricane put many people at risk. With no electricity, no running water and no ability to cook food, my life felt fleeting and unstable. My security blew away with Irene’s wind.

Thankfully, no trees fell on my house, but the damage done area wide humbled me. Water became precious.

Ezekiel 3 reminded me that I had “eaten the scroll” for years as I read, meditated and studied the Scripture daily. Most of God’s word flows through my blood, dictating my philosophy, yet my trust during this time of stress did not seem to lie with my Maker.

Now I ask myself, Lord what do I look for? Is my hope really in You?

yicareggie

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1 Sam. 23; 1 Cor. 4; Ezek. 2; Ps. 38

I can recall several occasions during a message when the speaker discussed the reasons for Paul’s letter(s) to the Corinthians.  How he had heard that there were factions at work that were (perhaps unconsciously) splitting the church apart. How they were proud of their tolerance of immoral practices. How they were proud of their “righteousness.”     It wasn’t until I studied this chapter in preparation for this blog, that I really got how Paul was feeling.  He was PO’d them.

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings—and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 1 Cor 4:8-10

I’d never picked up on the fact that Paul was actually being sarcastic here.  This spiritually immature church was thinking they were “it!”  Paul’s admonition, though, must have hit hard.  He was trying to get them to see that their haughtiness was actually having a negative effect.  That in their pride over being “righteous” they were causing division.

How often does that happen to me?  How many times have I looked at someone else, usually a non-believer, and passed judgment.  Heck, I did it this morning, even after I had read this passage.  How many times have I felt proud that I am an “authentic Christian?”  Paul’s point was, it wasn’t about them – and it isn’t about me.  I need to remember that I still have a long way to go – that even though it’s been many years since I accepted Christ, I am still spiritually immature. I need to resist becoming disconnected from God.  I need to seek fellowship. I need to pray continually.  I know I am saved, that part was easy.  The gift of salvation is free after all.  The hard part is not letting the “world” get the better of me.

God, my prayer today is that I can continue to stay truly connected to you.  That I can live each day as you would live it.  To love everyone as you do.  Thank you for your Gift.  AMEN

Jim (jmitch1)

1 Samuel 21, 22; 1 Corinthians 3; Ezekiel 1; Psalm 37

“…do not fret.” ~Psalm 37: 1, 7, 8

“Trust in the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 3
“Delight in the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 4
“Commit your way to the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 5

I have had a really tough week.  It seems like the stress just keeps piling up and I can’t see an end in the near future.  I had one very restless night where I worried and got no sleep.  This psalm is a perfect reminder that we need not worry, but instead trust in the Lord.  Instead of worrying we can praise Him; delight in Him; trust Him.  He is in control of my life and this entire world.  The Lord will deliver me from this stressful time and instead of worrying I just need to praise Him.

I am reminded of an old song by the Imperials; Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord
He work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you when you praise Him

Praise You, Lord!!  You are greater than all of my struggles and I do not need to worry!

kathleenathome

I Samuel 20; I Corinthians 2; Lamentations 5; Psalms 36

Left to my own devices, I march about the day as the big game changer. I,  Kathy Luehman make things happen. I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I am maker of meals, healer of wounds, payer of bills, road warrior… the list goes on. But God, in his  mercy and infinite grace kindly takes me off my throne and seats me where I can get a much better view of life as it really is. He invites me into the mystery of his grace at work in a beloved sin wracked world. He plants the seed of hope deep in the heart. Because of his great love and delight in us, we become part of this mystery.

We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  None of the rulers of this age understood it for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  However, as it is written:  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.  I Corinthians 2:7-10

So today, I step away from the busyness of life to revel and bask in that secret wisdom God has called me into. May I treasure this privilege always.

Kathy

A song to listen to and celebrate if you like:

1 Samuel 19; 1 Corinthians 1; Lamentations 4; Psalm 35

I admit that I am ashamed of the Gospel sometimes. I know I’m not supposed to be, but I am. I think our reading in 1 Corinthians hits the nail on the head regarding why.

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. ¹⁹As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”^[e]

²⁰ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. ²¹ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. ²² It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. ²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. (1 Corinthians 1: 18-23, NLT, bold added)

I am an engineer and I work with mostly engineers. This is not a very Christian bunch as a whole. For the most part, this is a smart bunch of folks. And this smart bunch of folks generally see the message of the cross as foolish nonsense, just like Paul says. But while I admit that I sometimes have doubts or struggle, for the most part I think the world makes the most sense through the lens of the Christian worldview. Sometimes I’m baffled at how the smartest people just don’t see it that way. How can this be?

When I read 1 Corinthians I am reminded that we will seem foolish to “those who are headed for destruction”. I am reminded of what true wisdom is. I am encouraged.

Lord, help me to get over this embarrasment I sometimes feel over my faith. Remind me that you truly are the way, the truth and the life.

Sue