by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I didn’t post yesterday. My husband and I spent most of the last two days with or praying for our dear friend, Steve Woods. His precious wife, Darlene, moved to Heaven, and she will be dearly missed. She truly left her mark on all those who knew her.
Psalm 139
Our Father has searched me and known me and is intimately acquainted with all my ways. Just reading this statement brings peace, doesn’t it?
Psalm 139 is full of all of the intimate ways our Father knows us – and all of the personal dealings He has with us as believers. Often I have shared this with young people as they are going through their self-conscious teen years. They – and you – are special to God. He has a plan for them – and you – and won’t let them go.
“You have hedged me before and laid Your hand upon me…Where can I go from your spirit?”(V. 5-7) The answer: no where. Our Father is watching over us, knowing our every move, and His loving hand is guiding us even when we don’t know about it. Even when we “make our bed in hell,” He will be there to guide us back to the light.
What a loving God!
Then we come to some of my favorite verses. “For you have formed my inward parts…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”(V 13-14) What a confidence booster! You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
You are a unique person wrought by God Himself. Instead of trying to find all of the faults with your makeup – let your mind meditate on this. God made you the way He wants you. Of course, you aren’t like everybody else. Why would you be? You are unique – according to His plan.
This reminds me of Acts 17:26 where Paul says that God has set the “appointed times and boundaries” of all the people on the earth. The fact that we live in this century and in the places he has put us is no accident. It’s all part of God’s plan.
Then look at this: “Your eyes see my unformed substance.”(V 16) I love this verse, because it reminds me that there are parts of my makeup which I have never discovered. There are gifts and talents which He knows are there, which He put there – deep within me, and as I follow His lead, I will discover them
All of us know people who late in life started painting or writing and we were surprised, because that talent hadn’t been evident before. That’s what I am talking about. Those gifts were always there, and of course, God knew it. He was waiting for the opportunity to reveal them.
So hold up your head. Regardless of where you have been, where you are going is more important. You have a Father who adores you, and has a marvelous plan laid out for you. As you continue to walk with Him, He will open new doors for you, causing your life to become richer along the way.
I Corinthians 14
When you read this chapter, you can really get a picture of the Corinthian personality, can’t you? These people who had been – and in many respects still were – worldly, came to the Lord and received His Spirit. They seemed quick to embrace the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and they were fluently speaking in tongues. (Paul says in 1:7 “you have become short in no gift”).
Here’s the thing. They had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but they were trying to show off for each other. Instead of using their tongues, or prayer language, the way they were supposed to, they were trying to outdo each other. Apparently these people needed a governor on their behavior.
Paul rebukes them for getting together and speaking to one another in tongues, or getting up and giving messages in tongues. (Unless there is someone to interpret). He told them to speak in a language the people could understand when they are giving messages in church. “If the whole church comes together in one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?”(V.23)
Paul is certainly not knocking the gift of tongues, as he says, “I’m glad that I speak in tongues more than you all.”(V.18). He is just trying to bring order to the services of the Corinthians.
The bottom line is the bottom verse, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”(V. 40)
Desire to prophesy, and don’t forbid to speak in tongues, but just make sure that your services are orderly. That’s the message of Paul.
Good advice, wouldn’t you say?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 137-138
“I will praise You, for You have magnified Your Word above all Your name.” What a declaration! God holds His Word higher than His name. His Word is sacred – and He will keep it.
If you want to eliminate any ho-hum attitude toward the Word of God, just think about that statement for a moment.
If you want to know God, read his Word. If you want to know about His character and what He thinks, read His word. If you want to know what He will do, read his Word.
There are many out there speculating about God, throwing around ideas concerning Him – often very foolish ideas. But they don’t even bother to read His Word. When you read and meditate on the Word of God, you begin to know Him – and how He thinks.
The Word is the source of our faith. When we meditate on it, it becomes more than words to us. It grows within us so that it becomes the truth. And when we know the truth, we will be set free.
Over the years, when I have encountered problems of life – similar to the problems which every human being encounters, I have turned to the Word and found God’s promise or plan concerning those issues. When I see what He has said about something, I know what to pray for. It’s his will, and I will pray for that specific will to be done in my life. I will also speak those Words into the atmosphere, causing angels to hearken to obey that spoken Word. (Psalm 103:20)
I’m on the road to recovery! I may have to wait a little bit, but I know that God’s Word is prevailing in my life.
He magnifies His Word above His Name. Awesome!
I Corinthians 13
We come to one of the most important and powerful chapters in the entire Bible. This is your dipstick to check your oil (anointing) level. Are you walking in love?
Now this word for love is different from some others. There is the Greek word “eros,” which means romantic love, “phileo,” which means brotherly love. Then there is “agape,” which we have here. It means “God-like love.” There is no English word which corresponds to this word, so the King James Version of the Bible translates it “charity.”
God-like love is bigger than any other. It is unconditional – it is for everybody. It’s truthful and sometimes tough, as in the case of a mother who doesn’t allow her child to play in the street. (It’s tough so that it will keep the person out of trouble). But it is always reaching for the best in a person.
When you read this passage, you see a perfect description of God’s love for us – and what should be our love for others. Patience, kindness, rejoicing in the truth of the other person. Always pulling for them. Not proud and puffed up, considering themselves better. Not taking into account a wrong suffered.
That last one is a stinger. Have your feelings been hurt? Don’t take it into account. Have they really “done you wrong?” Don’t take it into account. Forgive them, and don’t meditate on the wrong suffered. Let it go. God will handle that for you. He is faithful, when you do things His way.
Bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. What a picture is being painted here.
God’s love for us will never stop. He never gives up on us. His love never fails.
And that’s the way He wants us to love others. We’ll be working on this the rest of our lives!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 135-136
Are you an avid praiser? I mean do you praise God exuberantly when you are alone – and nobody knows about it but you and God? (And the angels and the demons)?
I hope so, because there is a spiritual energy which goes with such activity. And you and I need this energy to run the race of life.
So how does this happen? Well, there are several things which happen when we praise God. First, the demons flee (because they hate it), and the angels come running (because they love it). But there’s more. I mean, what happens to you?
When we praise God we take a cue from David, and begin to be specific. We remember one by one the times He has delivered us or brought provision or healed us. And we thank Him for those things.
We also remember the many times we have fallen short and He has washed us clean and brought joy back to our hearts.
As we continue in exuberant praise with our minds focused on Him and not ourselves, the cobwebs of doubt and fear start blowing away. It’s as if a gentle breeze blows a refreshment from the Holy Spirit, and our attitudes change.
Now we can hear Him better. Now we can see what He is doing. Now we have more substantial faith to knock down doors and go through the walls which have been holding back our answers. Along with the faith, joy returns.
Now we are ready to pray and believe. Now we are ready to act in a way which will lead us to greater productivity.
You mean praise does all of that? Yes it does! Try it.
I Corinthians 12
One of the most insidious problems in the Christian life is what some term “gift projection.” It’s the concept which most often causes people to judge each other harshly.
What do I mean? I mean that when one person has a gift, they think everyone should have it. When one person has a certain spiritual drive, they think that everyone should have that also. For instance, there are those with a gift to teach who want to break down the Word and share it everywhere they go. If someone else comes along who doesn’t do that as often, they are deemed “less spiritual.”
However, this second person may have a drive to reach out to the lost – or to minister to the poor – or operate in many other parts of God’s big plan. They are performing their part with great diligence, and need to be honored and not judged.
Some people are terrific with children; others relate more to adults. God spreads the mission around to different ones so the job isn’t too big for any one person. It’s all part of His plan.
My husband and I pastor a small church in northern Mississippi. When you are small and there are many activities, you find yourself and others wearing many hats – and some of them don’t fit too well.
I remember in times past when we would be planning a luncheon after church, I would have to make the preparations because there was no one else to do it. I would be trying to make certain all of the arrangements for the spiritual service were there. I would be praying, planning the music lineup (yes, we did that too), reading the Word…and trying to make certain that we had everything we needed for a fun luncheon experience afterwards. I was frazzled.
One of the greatest blessings ever to come to me was when God sent someone with a gift of hospitality and a gift of administration rolled into one. My life changed!
It was so exciting for me to walk into the fellowship hall after church and see beautiful tables arranged, with plenty of dinnerware, hot food hot and cold food cold. It was like a miracle at work. Someone whose gift exceeded mine in that area was effortlessly accomplishing what caused me to be driven to near exhaustion.
The bottom line is that we need each other. When we are all doing what we are called to do, churches – or families – run like well oiled machines.
And the important PS to this is that we need to appreciate the gifts we don’t have – as well as those we do. Honor those around you and celebrate their talents. Do your part – and let them do theirs. Life will be so much better.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 132-134
I am up early this morning. I love to get up early and watch the sunrise – and think about another day – a day which the Lord has prepared for me. There’s always more to do and more to learn.
This morning as I read Psalm 133, I can’t help but think of my husband’s recent mission. He has been gathering pastors together for bi-weekly prayer meetings. There are many denominations involved in these meetings, and they are very careful to keep the spirit of unity.
We can find ourselves separating over so many doctrines and cultural preferences. But the Lord wants unity. He wants us to see ourselves as many parts of the same body of Christ. If we agree on the essentials – Jesus Christ, Him crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, and the born again experience He provided – then we are part of the same Body of Christ.
My husband uses the term “twelve tribes, one nation” when speaking about unity. The tribes of Israel had different banners, different leaders, and even different customs. However, when it was time for war, they came together as one nation – God’s nation. That’s the way we are as Christians. It’s okay to have our different tribes with different customs and doctrines. However, we are to appreciate each other as being part of the Lord’s body.
With these parameters in mind, the prayer meetings my husband has been leading are truly powerful. The men of God are growing to have such a love and appreciation for each other. They realize that basically they all desire the same thing. They are praying for awakening in our region, for the Holy Spirit to move, and for God’s presence to take back our nation.
The level of prayer is increasing with each meeting. The anointing of God is flowing every time.
“How good it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. It is like precious oil upon the head…There the Lord commanded the blessing – life forever.” (133)
I Corinthians 11:17-34
The bawdy Corinthians carried their behavior over into the taking of the Lord’s supper. (What else would we expect)?
These new Christians are taking the bread and wine as Jesus had told them to do – in honor of Him, and committing themselves to Him. However, they are chowing down on the bread in a gluttonous way. And they are getting drunk on the wine. What a mess!
The communion which we honor in our services today is a sacred thing, and not to be taken lightly. Jesus said that we are to do it in remembrance of Him. When we take the bread, signifying His body, and the wine, signifying His blood, we are demonstrating our allegiance to Him. We are symbolizing the fact that we are part of Him and partakers of all that He has for us.
If we haphazardly go through the motions of communion without any thought, we are in danger of mocking the cross of Christ. And we don’t want to go there!
As we prayerfully examine ourselves through the process of taking the Lord’s supper, we find the act of great benefit. If there is any sin which has crept into our lives, we repent. If there is anyone we need to forgive, we do it. If there is any sickness in our body, we receive the healing from the Lord – and the peace which comes with it.
We are saying through this prophetic act that we give our all to Jesus and we want all that he has for us.
As we think about what we are doing, we can expect a miraculous walk with the Lord.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 129-131
Do you see yourself as a weaned child sitting in God’s lap and leaning your head against His breast? That’s the way He wants it.
We study the Word and we apply it to our lives. We have learned how to bind the enemy and loose the angels to work on our behalf. We pray the Word and speak the Word.
Yet in every life, no matter how smart we think we are, we come to a point where we realize that we don’t know it all. God is smarter than we are. He has all the answers, whereas we just have some. There’s always more to learn.
When I come to those times in my life, I run to Psalm 131. It’s a way of casting the care on the Lord and counting on Him to rule supreme in our lives. He knows it all, and He knows just how to get the job done.
When “matters are too difficult for me” to understand or assimilate, I quiet my soul, and I rest in the lap of my God. He is my Rock, my Deliverer, my Counselor, and every good thing in my life comes from Him.
Maybe today you are facing some things too difficult for you. If so, you can do the same. You can put your trust in your God and wait for His answers to come.
Shalom.
I Corinthians 11:1-16
We come again to some of Paul’s specific instructions to the people of Corinth – and of that day. All of Paul’s writings concerning the women of the day have brought lots of confusion.
I have my own ideas about these instructions, as I have studied some of the history surrounding the day. I have to put in the disclaimer that these are my own convictions, and if you have others, then go with what you believe.
The people of Corinth were a bawdy bunch. And then add to that the reality that the women of the day were not educated. So as the church services were being conducted, with men and women sitting on opposite sides of the church, the women were shouting across the aisle – asking questions of their husbands. Lots of confusion ensued.
Now, within that setting, Paul was trying to bring order out of the confusion. He wants the women to be more orderly and more submissive to their husbands. He wants them to have a “covering” in their own husbands before they minister. (Before they pray or prophesy).
Now I realize that some people take this as a rule that women are to wear head coverings – such as a hat or scarf. Others take it as an order that women are not to cut their hair. I think that it has a more spiritual meaning.
I think that it means that a woman is to be meek and teachable, and not loud and obnoxious in her behavior. She is to show respect for the order of the meeting and not try to take over.
If you have a different take on any of this, that’s fine with me. We just have to go with what we believe, since this is not one of the fundamental doctrines of the church.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 126-128
Are you striving too much? Relax. If you are His, God has your back.
There have been times when I would be in total anxiety over my family or the church we were leading. I would stay awake at night, turning it all over in my mind. Should I do this? Or that?…And then the inevitable, “What if?”
Finally I would come to my senses, get out of bed, go into the den, and begin reading the Bible. Very often I would turn to Psalm 127. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(V. 1)
It was as if fresh oil had been poured over me, soothing my soul. I would pray these verses back to God, thanking Him for His intervention in my situation. He would give to me even in my sleep.
There is a peace which can come to us only by this very thought. We all need God’s intervention in our lives. Whether you are facing sickness in your family or rebellious children or financial concerns, every person on the planet has issues which arise from time to time. Issues which are too big for you to handle. You need God’s help.
“How blessed is everyone who fears the lord and who walks in His ways.” (128:1). That’s you, isn’t it? Well then rest in Him and in His ability and wisdom.
He does indeed have your back!
I Corinthians 10:14-33
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.” (V. 23)
I love this verse, because it can quell the argumentative spirit which arises from time to time. There have been times when in talking with teens, they would ask questions like, “Is it a sin to smoke?” Or, “Is it a sin to drink wine at a wedding?”
My son brought a teaching to our church which I’ll never forget. He compared legalistic thinking to a number line. When someone is asking “Is this a sin?” They are really saying, “How far can I go and still be OK?” “Where is my limit of safety?” “Is this too far, or is it permissible,” as they move their finger along the line?
Those are not the right questions. The question should be “How can I live my best life?” “Where is death and where is life as I journey down my path?” Because I want life!
Rather than thinking in terms of lawful or unlawful, think in terms of life or death. What brings life and what brings death?
When you and I have that frame of reference, we are not trying to get away with anything. We are reaching for God’s best. We want all that He has for us, and we vigorously reach for it.
Let’s reach for the “profitable ” life!
