Post by mommadee48 on Aug 18, 2022 13:10:43 GMT -5
OUR DAILY BREAD: (1CORINTHIANS 13: 1-7).
USELESS WITHOUT LOVE;
AFTER TAKING THE PIECES FOR MY SPECIAL-ORDER table from the box and laying them out before me, I notice something wasn't quite right. The beautiful top for the table and other parts were accounted for, but it was missing one of the legs. Without all of the legs, I couldn't assemble the table, rendering it useless.
It's not just tables that are useless when missing one vital piece. In the book of 1Corinthians, Paul reminded his readers that they were missing one essential component. The believers possessed many spiritual gifts but lacked one.
Using exaggerated language to emphasize his point, Paul wrote that even if his readers had all knowledge, if they gave away every single thing they owned, and even if they willingly suffered hardship, without the essential foundation of love, their actions would all amount to nothing (1CORINTHIANS 13:1-3). Paul encouraged them to always infuse their actions with love, movingly describing the beauty of a love that always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (vv.4-7).
As we use our spiritual gifts, perhaps to teach, encourage, or serve in our faith communities, remember that God's design always calls for love. Otherwise, it's like a table missing a leg. It can't achieve the true purpose for which it was designed.
WHEN HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED LOVE BEING A MISSING INGREDIENT?
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE LOVE WAS INTEGRAL?
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not love, I am nothing. If I give all possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
INSIGHT:
WHILE ENGLISH gives us only one word for love, the Greek language uses several words. Eros expresses romantic or sexual love; storge' speaks of family love, as in the love of a parent for a child; phileo' describes brotherly or friendship love; and agape' describes the highest form of love, a love that sacrifices itself for the one loved. This is the word frequently used in the NEW TESTAMENT to describe God's love, most notably in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son". The sacrifice of Christ was the ultimate expression of God's self-sacrificial love for His lost creation. This is also the type of love on display in 1Corinthians 13, leading Paul to affirm, "but the greatest of these is love" (v.13).
NEXT:
A SHORT NOTE: By Todd Levin.
DEAR FRIENDS,
We've all faced challenges in life that required the help of others in order to get us through to the other side. When you're in a battle and the storms of life are blowing every which way, what an encouragement to know that you're not alone. I thank God for the person, power, presence, strength, and help of the HOLY SPIRIT, which I 've learned to depend upon each and every day. But at the same time, there's such a joy knowing that as I pursue the high calling of God in my life, he never intended for me to follow it alone. He's blessed me with such faithful and committed people/partners. Together we can bring hope to other's by spreading the "good news of Jesus' death and burial, and resurrection" to everyone we meet that God has led into our paths. Even the renowned apostle Paul, who wrote two thirds of the New Testament, found himself and his ministry carried by the support of fellow Christians. This goes to show that no matter what and or how successful we may become, we were never meant to live independently of God's help or the help of others. (READ, PHILIPPIANS 4:10,14-17 (TPT).
NEXT:
IN TOUCH WITH; CHARLES STANLEY.
PREVAILING FAITH; (ROMANS 4:13-25).
HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT GOD WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISES?
So often we face situations that seem to prove that the Lord has let us down. This is case especially when we've waited a long time without a glimmer of change. Sometimes we come to this conclusion because we've set our expectations on the wrong things. But there are also times when the Lord takes us on a long journey of perseverance before His promises come to pass.
That was definitely the case with Abraham. The Lord promised to make him a great nation with descendants beyond number, but he remained childless for many years until his wife Sarah was well past childbearing age. But as Abraham contemplated the physical impossibility of the situation, his faith in God's promise grew stronger, not weaker. He could see that the Lord would be glorified even more when the promise came to pass in a humanly impossible situation.
Is there an area in your life where you need prevailing faith to persevere despite seeming impossibility?
Be assured that "the word of our God stands forever" (ISAIAH 40:8). Whatever God has promised, He will do---even if you never see the outcome in your lifetime (HEBREWS11:13).
NEXT:
"MEETING WITH GOD" BY DAVID WILKSON (TO EMPOWER YOUR PRAYER TIME).
INTRODUCTION:
I want to talk to you about a kind of prayer that is most pleasing to the Lord. You see all of our praying blesses the heart of God. Yet, with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, I trust that what I share with you here will change the way you pray---from now until Jesus comes!
I have no intention of complicating prayer. It has been made too complicated already by well---intentioned teachers who have turned it into formulas, strategies and theatrics. Some Christians literally put on combat boots and uniforms to dress the part of "prayer warriors". Others attend prayer meetings where they are given "prayer guides", booklets that tell them how to fill up the hours they'll be there.
I am not condemning any of this. But I would like to show you the kind of prayer that most pleases God is very simple and easy to understand. It is so simple, in fact, a little child can pray in a way that pleases Him.
Let me begin by saying, I believe most Christians want to pray. At one time on our walk with the Lord, we all prayed with some consistency. But after a while, many believers quit. And now they are convicted by their prayerlessness.
The disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray" (LUKE 11:1). They would not have asked unless they had wanted to learn. And I believe that most who are reading this message would love to be faithful in prayer---but they don't know how. The problem is, they simply don't understand the purpose of prayer. And until they grasp this vital purpose, they will never be able to maintain a fulfilled, meaningful life of prayer.
Let us start out our time with this prayer:
"God, put in all of us a heart that is easily wooed to Your presence. Help us to pray through all our trials to completion... to listen closely to Your Spirit in our secret time of communion with You and to put all our confidence in Your revealed Word. In these ways, we can know our prayers are pleasing to You. AMEN!
TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN GOD's WORD:
Christ is the living Word of God. And when you are shut in with Him in prayer, the Holy Spirit will always lead you to God's revealed Word. He will build up your faith by feeding you from the Bible---even while you're in the secret closet! We are commanded: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ... Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, ...And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (EPHESIANS 6:11,13,17).
Often when you receive specific instructions from the Lord, His Spirit will whisper, "Now turn to ...", directing you to a passage of Scripture. God's Word will speak to you directly---telling you how to get through your crisis!
" I have questioned God sometimes whether prayers have gone unanswered.
But answered prayer is still harder to believe". [by David Wilkerson].
MEETING WITH GOD: by DAVID WILKERSON.
"PRAY THROUGH" BY LISTENING.
Tell me---when you are spending time with Jesus, do you receive direction from Him?
Does He tell you what to do---and when and how to do it?
Some Christians don't believe God does this. But Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice---and they follow me" (JOHN 10:27).
There is no way through your trial, except to get alone with Jesus and cry, "Lord, You're the only One on this earth who can help me. Only You know the way through this trial. So, I'm going to stay here till You tell me what to do. I'm not going anywhere until You speak to my heart"!
This is the kind of "praying through" that is pleasing to God! It means stopping everything, all activity, until you hear His voice. Only then will you hear Him speak clearly to Your Heart: "You've got to make things right with this person..." Or, "You've got to make restitution here"... Or, "Just stand still till next week. Don't get in a hurry. Sit in My presence and trust ME"... He will give you clear directions!
USELESS WITHOUT LOVE;
AFTER TAKING THE PIECES FOR MY SPECIAL-ORDER table from the box and laying them out before me, I notice something wasn't quite right. The beautiful top for the table and other parts were accounted for, but it was missing one of the legs. Without all of the legs, I couldn't assemble the table, rendering it useless.
It's not just tables that are useless when missing one vital piece. In the book of 1Corinthians, Paul reminded his readers that they were missing one essential component. The believers possessed many spiritual gifts but lacked one.
Using exaggerated language to emphasize his point, Paul wrote that even if his readers had all knowledge, if they gave away every single thing they owned, and even if they willingly suffered hardship, without the essential foundation of love, their actions would all amount to nothing (1CORINTHIANS 13:1-3). Paul encouraged them to always infuse their actions with love, movingly describing the beauty of a love that always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (vv.4-7).
As we use our spiritual gifts, perhaps to teach, encourage, or serve in our faith communities, remember that God's design always calls for love. Otherwise, it's like a table missing a leg. It can't achieve the true purpose for which it was designed.
WHEN HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED LOVE BEING A MISSING INGREDIENT?
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE LOVE WAS INTEGRAL?
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not love, I am nothing. If I give all possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
INSIGHT:
WHILE ENGLISH gives us only one word for love, the Greek language uses several words. Eros expresses romantic or sexual love; storge' speaks of family love, as in the love of a parent for a child; phileo' describes brotherly or friendship love; and agape' describes the highest form of love, a love that sacrifices itself for the one loved. This is the word frequently used in the NEW TESTAMENT to describe God's love, most notably in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son". The sacrifice of Christ was the ultimate expression of God's self-sacrificial love for His lost creation. This is also the type of love on display in 1Corinthians 13, leading Paul to affirm, "but the greatest of these is love" (v.13).
NEXT:
A SHORT NOTE: By Todd Levin.
DEAR FRIENDS,
We've all faced challenges in life that required the help of others in order to get us through to the other side. When you're in a battle and the storms of life are blowing every which way, what an encouragement to know that you're not alone. I thank God for the person, power, presence, strength, and help of the HOLY SPIRIT, which I 've learned to depend upon each and every day. But at the same time, there's such a joy knowing that as I pursue the high calling of God in my life, he never intended for me to follow it alone. He's blessed me with such faithful and committed people/partners. Together we can bring hope to other's by spreading the "good news of Jesus' death and burial, and resurrection" to everyone we meet that God has led into our paths. Even the renowned apostle Paul, who wrote two thirds of the New Testament, found himself and his ministry carried by the support of fellow Christians. This goes to show that no matter what and or how successful we may become, we were never meant to live independently of God's help or the help of others. (READ, PHILIPPIANS 4:10,14-17 (TPT).
NEXT:
IN TOUCH WITH; CHARLES STANLEY.
PREVAILING FAITH; (ROMANS 4:13-25).
HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT GOD WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISES?
So often we face situations that seem to prove that the Lord has let us down. This is case especially when we've waited a long time without a glimmer of change. Sometimes we come to this conclusion because we've set our expectations on the wrong things. But there are also times when the Lord takes us on a long journey of perseverance before His promises come to pass.
That was definitely the case with Abraham. The Lord promised to make him a great nation with descendants beyond number, but he remained childless for many years until his wife Sarah was well past childbearing age. But as Abraham contemplated the physical impossibility of the situation, his faith in God's promise grew stronger, not weaker. He could see that the Lord would be glorified even more when the promise came to pass in a humanly impossible situation.
Is there an area in your life where you need prevailing faith to persevere despite seeming impossibility?
Be assured that "the word of our God stands forever" (ISAIAH 40:8). Whatever God has promised, He will do---even if you never see the outcome in your lifetime (HEBREWS11:13).
NEXT:
"MEETING WITH GOD" BY DAVID WILKSON (TO EMPOWER YOUR PRAYER TIME).
INTRODUCTION:
I want to talk to you about a kind of prayer that is most pleasing to the Lord. You see all of our praying blesses the heart of God. Yet, with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, I trust that what I share with you here will change the way you pray---from now until Jesus comes!
I have no intention of complicating prayer. It has been made too complicated already by well---intentioned teachers who have turned it into formulas, strategies and theatrics. Some Christians literally put on combat boots and uniforms to dress the part of "prayer warriors". Others attend prayer meetings where they are given "prayer guides", booklets that tell them how to fill up the hours they'll be there.
I am not condemning any of this. But I would like to show you the kind of prayer that most pleases God is very simple and easy to understand. It is so simple, in fact, a little child can pray in a way that pleases Him.
Let me begin by saying, I believe most Christians want to pray. At one time on our walk with the Lord, we all prayed with some consistency. But after a while, many believers quit. And now they are convicted by their prayerlessness.
The disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray" (LUKE 11:1). They would not have asked unless they had wanted to learn. And I believe that most who are reading this message would love to be faithful in prayer---but they don't know how. The problem is, they simply don't understand the purpose of prayer. And until they grasp this vital purpose, they will never be able to maintain a fulfilled, meaningful life of prayer.
Let us start out our time with this prayer:
"God, put in all of us a heart that is easily wooed to Your presence. Help us to pray through all our trials to completion... to listen closely to Your Spirit in our secret time of communion with You and to put all our confidence in Your revealed Word. In these ways, we can know our prayers are pleasing to You. AMEN!
TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN GOD's WORD:
Christ is the living Word of God. And when you are shut in with Him in prayer, the Holy Spirit will always lead you to God's revealed Word. He will build up your faith by feeding you from the Bible---even while you're in the secret closet! We are commanded: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ... Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, ...And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (EPHESIANS 6:11,13,17).
Often when you receive specific instructions from the Lord, His Spirit will whisper, "Now turn to ...", directing you to a passage of Scripture. God's Word will speak to you directly---telling you how to get through your crisis!
" I have questioned God sometimes whether prayers have gone unanswered.
But answered prayer is still harder to believe". [by David Wilkerson].
MEETING WITH GOD: by DAVID WILKERSON.
"PRAY THROUGH" BY LISTENING.
Tell me---when you are spending time with Jesus, do you receive direction from Him?
Does He tell you what to do---and when and how to do it?
Some Christians don't believe God does this. But Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice---and they follow me" (JOHN 10:27).
There is no way through your trial, except to get alone with Jesus and cry, "Lord, You're the only One on this earth who can help me. Only You know the way through this trial. So, I'm going to stay here till You tell me what to do. I'm not going anywhere until You speak to my heart"!
This is the kind of "praying through" that is pleasing to God! It means stopping everything, all activity, until you hear His voice. Only then will you hear Him speak clearly to Your Heart: "You've got to make things right with this person..." Or, "You've got to make restitution here"... Or, "Just stand still till next week. Don't get in a hurry. Sit in My presence and trust ME"... He will give you clear directions!