Read The Bible, September 2

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.

Read The Bible, August 31

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.

Read The Bible, August 29

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!