3/28/10 Real love for Me

Judges 4; 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13: 8-10 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears

Paul wrote this to the Corinthians because even though they were a rebellious people they needed to know that no matter what, they were loved. They held on to what they learned in school and what they were taught but didn't realize that all knowledge, all material goods will pass away when Jesus comes.

Many people try to act better and be better because of what they know but the only thing they need to hold on to is the love that God gives. My brains won't get me into heaven, my looks, my money, my clothes, my car or makeup won't get me close to God but only my heart and if its filled with love. Real patient, kind, non judgemental love.

Lord,
Thank you for your unconditional love for me. I am a sinner but i want to love like you love. Teach me everyday more and more
I forever love you always
Amen

3/27/10 Germs

Judges 1-3; 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. ⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Germs in the church are people who try to taint the body. They try to make others sick so they can detach themselves. God didn't make germs He made people who can contribute to keep the church afloat.

Paul knew certain people can do certain things. But everyone is going to do something, no one is left doing nothing. If you're not doing anything than find something to do. God did not create laziness, we did. God created teachers, apostles, Prophets, evangelists, healers, interpreters etc. He had a purpose therefore we need to live with that purpose.

Lord,
I am seeking you because you know where i am to be. Take my purpose and make it happen. Le me not be lazy but find stuff to do at all times. Be with me, bring me peace and joy all the days of my life.
I forever love you always
Amen

I choose

Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

God wants us to choose where we stand = with Him or against Him. He hates it when people are wishy washy about who they want to serve. To God its all or nothing.

In todays culture there are more options that ever before: God, Buddha, John Smith, satan, nature and ourselves. Who am i going to serve? Who am i going to give my life to? Who will i listen to? When i make a choice i look at all the perks and consequences. If i choose God I will go to heaven. I'll have a tough life on earth but also will have the favor of the Lord.
If i choose buddha i will learn how to pray and chant and be one with nature and my surrounding.
If i choose John Smith i will be in a mainy caucasian religion but have no relationship with the God i serve.
If i choose satan i may get power but i will be sent to a lifetime of torture.
If i choose nature well i'll smell like flowers.
If i choose myself, i'll be lonely.

I choose, as Joshua did, to serve God, my Lord, my Savior, my King. Because He loves me, He died for me and i can have a relationship with Him and not be alone.

Lord,
Thank you for your everlasting love. You give me the hope and strength to keep going everyday. You fill me with the love i need to give those people who need it the most. You are the only one i can truly count on and lean on all the days of my life.
I forever love you always
Amen

3/25/2019 It's not for me

Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
The corinthians were a church, a people that liked to test the waters. They were like the rebels of the time. Paul knew what they liked and what they were capable of. People like the corinthians need to be spoken to in a firm way. They need to be told "if you do this...this will happen". Because if not they will try all bad things thinking they're okay.

v. 23 Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive

What is good for one person may not be good for another. Everything in life needs to be looked at through our own eyes.

Celebrities break up, make up, have sex, lose weight, gain weight, take pills, gamble, get arrested and only get community service. But i know that lifestyle is no good for me.

Rich people break the law, steal, kill think theyre above it all - but just because they have a lot of money that life is not for me.
I will not accept certain things in my life. Yes, I have fallen and sinned but i don't want those things any more. Drunkeness, sexual immorality, pornography, greed, pridefulness is permissible - someone in the world at this time is doing one or more of those things, but its NOT acceptable for me.

Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to see the light. Its taken a long time but as you say "but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it". I will take those words and try always to find my way out. I trust your will for me and ask you to guide me for all of my days.
I forever love you always
Amen

Alias

Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Paul was a cultured man which is why i think Jesus chose him to spread the gospel. He knew Paul could speak, eat, preach to any type of person. There are certain people we will listen to therefore God chooses universal disciples.

v.19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible

Paul became a slave a rejected, confused man to walk a slaves path. He learned how they live to be able to share the gospel in a way they could understand.

v.20-22 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some

So God is basically saying - be what you need to be to save souls. When Jesus ate with prostitutes, liars, killers, did he become one? No, but he spoke at their level.

Don't matter that i have a college education i am not to be at a college level with people who only have high school and under education level.
I am not to be only one person - but all people to save them.
Do what i need to do to save souls.

Lord,
Thank you for bringing me into this work because you are teaching me not to be one but to be many. I am to be who you call me to be at that moment. I will walk your path and do your will. Lead me Lord
I forever love you always
Amen

Disclaimer

Joshua 15-17; 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:1c But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

Paul was a church planter. He knew the pros and cons. He knew what could happen if the people weren't being discipled correctly. Since God is love it is love that will hold a church together. Love for oneself, love for your neighbor, love for God.

There is already enough hate and judgement in the world, why bring it in the house of God? Being with Him is yes, a sacrifice. but isn't it worth it? We're all teachers, leaders, and followers. Hungry to learn more and teach more. but what we teach can't be just anything - its gotta be something that others can learn from.

v.12-13 And when you sin against other believers^c]">[c] by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. ¹³ So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
Disclaimer to veteran Christians: What you do doesn't affect only you - but everyone around you. Especially those who are still trying to find which God to serve.
Disclaimer to baby Christians: Don't let the world get the best of you. There are many things you can still do just be wise and even read the Bible if you have questions - trust me, the answers are there.

Disclaimer for me: Check yourself Melissa. Some things you and say can hurt others - be aware and know that God loves you no matter what - even if you mess up. Be strong - look at the prize and go for it. God made you to win this race. He made You.

Lord,
Thank you for creating me for this time. Prepare me for bigger and better things. You are who i follow and trust. Help me to see more of you. You are my Savior and Rock my Everything for all days.
I forever love you always
Amen

Lead not into my temptation

Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5

Joshua 7:13 Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.

Everyday is a battle. there are people, things, situations that can lead us into temptation but unless we don't get rid of our hidden sinful desires we can never please God. Achan stole which led to God not helping the Israelites. Time was wasted because of his sin. He wasn't honest with his hidden sin which led to a massacre of his own family.

v. 24-25 Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. ²⁵ Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.

Because Achan sinned his whole family had to suffer. And because of my sin those around me suffer too. Sinning is selfish and prideful. It doesn't care who it hurts but once our spirit convicts us, we see the real hurt. Not everything is about me or only affects me. I have to think about those i love with every decision i make - good or bad. I need to be accountable for my weaknesses so i can't lead others into my temptation.

1 Corinthians 5:6b Don’t you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?

Lord,
Thank you for your mercy and grace upon me. I know i am foolish with my sin but without you i could be dead. Forgive me. Your sacrifice on the cross is why i am still here and happy to be alive knowing you better. You are mt salvation from this world.
I forever love you always
Amen.