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1 Corinthians 13

11/25/2013

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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

This is easy to read and easy to say but not easy to do.  When we are living in love, nothing keeps us from wanting to work and shine so people see the light of Christ in us.  We don’t have to be everyone’s friend but we need to show them the love that comes from God because we never know when that person’s heart will change and open to the truth.  When I read these verses and it says, “Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged” that is the most difficult to grasp and live out.  People are irritating and will more than likely do us wrong but we must remember that our reaction can make a huge difference in them. 

In Matthew chapter 18 verses 21-22 we see Jesus talking to Peter and sharing this, “Then Peter came to Him and asked.  ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?’  No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!”  How do we do that?  We die to self and live through the Holy Spirit who will teach and guide us to all truths.  And because God is love, love is a major truth that we need to understand.  Verse 7 says, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”  Every circumstance means just what it says.  It’s not just the good ones, it’s also when people in the church seem undesirable that we need to learn to love even more and act just like Jesus. 

Our walk is a constant development and work, but it is amazing when we see change around us.  When I think of all the times God could say, “Keith why” or “how many times are you going to do that” but He just shows me more love and shows me more ways to do things that will help me grow.  We won’t have all the people in the world like us or even treat us right but our focus is always on God and treating people with love. 

Everything God shows us in His word that transforms our lives is hard if we try and do them on our own but when we surrender and let the Holy Spirit lead us all things become easy because it is God’s will.  Pray for the strength and the ability to, even when we want to fight really loving people, we let the Spirit live through us and really love with the love that doesn’t come by just our words but our action as well.  Amen  
 

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1 Corinthians 8

11/20/2013

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1 Corinthians 8:1-3 “Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols.  Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue.  But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.  Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.  But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”

What stood out to me was the statement, “But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”  As we grow and seek wisdom from God’s word we should open our heart and see what Christ did and copy His behaviors.  His behaviors never boast on what He knew but He always used what He knew to show love.  We see this in Jesus with the woman at the well. Jesus was well aware of whom He should talk to, but His love for people and doing the Fathers will took precedence in this matter. 

John chapter 4 verse 7 says, “Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”  We see the woman’s reaction in verse 9 when she says, “The woman was surprised, for Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans.  She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman.  Why are you asking me for a drink?”  Jesus goes on to say in verse 10, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”  This is love and when we learn to love all people and help them see how a relationship with Jesus is vital to life now and forever our knowledge will guide us while we live like Christ.

The second part is so important and something we should desire and develop.  “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”  Our love is shown by obedience to the Father; it is not just our words or the Scriptures we have memorized.  Jesus makes this statement in Matthew chapter 7 verse 26 which says, “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.”  He also says in John chapter 14 verse 15, “If you love me, obey my commandments.”  So we definitely need to have knowledge but if it is not applied it is not worth having, and it is foolish. 

It is amazing what Jesus shows us in His word.  In John chapter 14 verse 21 it shows how amazing Jesus is and what He does when we act in love.  “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  The more we love the more we can grow, the more we grow the more we listen to the Holy Spirit in us who is guiding us into all truths of Jesus Christ.  We need to keep learning and keep living so we shine and people see a difference and ask us why we are different.  Amen


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Romans 15

11/11/2013

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Romans 15:1-2 “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this.  We must not just please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them in the Lord.” 

This was so perfect for me this morning.  As we grow and learn we develop and mature, with that maturity our life should shine so people see Jesus in us.  When that happens our focus is glorifying God and with that glory comes us doing what we can to build people up in the Lord.  When people see us being different and not falling into the traps of this world or the fears of life they can see hope that is real.  Then when we surrender to the Holy Spirit He helps us build people up no matter what is going on in our lives and that is important as we grow. 

Our growth shows that we live less for ourselves so we can help others see Christ without condemning them for who we are.  Verse 3 says, “For even Christ didn’t live to please Himself.  As Scripture say, ‘The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Our patience, which comes from God, helps us see past ourselves and see others so we don’t create division but show love.  Paul prays this prayer and we all should seek the same because this is what makes us complete followers as we live on earth waiting to be home with the Father.  Romans chapter 15 verse 13 which says, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

God has given us the Holy Spirit for our benefit and for our comfort to help us understand how to live like Christ.  As we open our heart and seek we learn and grow then our walk becomes about the kingdom not just about us.  I pray that we all trust and believe in all the benefits that the Holy Spirit offer and remember God has given us all the tools we need to be fully devoted to Jesus.  Amen


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Romans 13

11/6/2013

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Romans 13:13-14 “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.  Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

This is important because it helps us see that as we mature in our walk we live more like Christ since our walk is for others to see.  We can’t live two different lives trying to please God, just like we can’t serve two masters.  As we seek wisdom and we mature our lives should shine and we should be living like Christ.  As I grow my life gets more exciting because of what Jesus has done for me and the things I like to do also begin to change ( not all of them because God created me to be me, but I am being refined or purified so people see Christ in me.)

It says in Romans chapter 13 verse 12, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”  We shouldn’t want to hold on to our old selves at all we should dive in head first and immerse ourselves with Christ and be all in.  The joy and peace that we are promised from Jesus comes when we are opened to learning and changing our ways and thoughts.  Paul says something to the Romans that always makes me think.  In chapter 14 verses 7-8 he says, “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.  If we live, it’s to honor the Lord.  And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord.  So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” 

The phrase ‘put on new clothes’ is so important because it is us changing or transforming our old ways and living new; and Christ has conquered this world so we can live through Him.  It’s not easy but it is worth it and God sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us so we can tell when we should do something.  We have many examples and a Father that loves us, we should be working hard to learn and show and grow so people see Christ in us.  Amen 


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Romans 11

11/2/2013

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Romans 11:19-22 “Well, you may say, ‘Those branches were broken off to make room for me.  Yes, but remember – those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe.  So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.  For if God did not spare the original branches, He won’t spare you either.  Notice how God is both kind and severe.  He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in His kindness.  But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.”

This is an eye opener but can’t be taken the wrong way.  God is love and will always love people no matter where they choose to end up, but He wants us to believe in Jesus Christ and have the faith to choose Him.  As we do, we let Him transform us into His image of righteousness.  Romans chapter 12 verse 2 is such a good thing for us to remember.  “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

God will never leave us and salvation doesn’t go anywhere because Jesus has already done what the Father had Him do.  But we can deny who He is and we can choose to live in unbelief just as the Israelites did and when we are not connected to the root, we as branches don’t end up well.  It is God that gives us strength so our belief comes with our surrender.  Look at what Paul shares in 2 Timothy chapter 2 verses 11-14, “This is a trustworthy saying; If we die with Him, we will also live with Him.  If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He will deny us.  If we are un-faithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” 

God doesn’t move, His love is there always and we don’t have to earn His love but we must choose to believe and in that belief there comes trusting and in our trusting there needs to be surrender so that our faith is seen and our heart is changing.  We have to stop making our relationship with the Lord a business deal and start making it about love.  Pray by talking to God about anything – ask Him for wisdom and understanding – seek knowledge and change and continue to knock on the door by opening His word which is alive and active in our lives.  This is what builds a transformed life and one which is connected to the root of the tree.

I love what Jesus says in John chapter 6 verses 26-29, “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.  But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food.   Spend you energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.  For God the Father has given me the seal of His approval.  They replied, ‘We want to perform God’s works, too.  What should we do?  Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you:  Believe in the one He has sent.”  Let’s not make it hard, just believe in Jesus, open our hearts, surrender and be willing to always be learning.  Amen


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