1 Kings_22

Scripture1 Kings 22:43 In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.ObservationAhab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, faced a huge battle against the Arameans. King Ahab was killed.UnderstandingYikes! This convicted me so much! I feel like I’m doing pretty good right now. I’m doing my soul journal everyday, taking a biblical studies class, praying, doing good unto others… you know… I have the Christian thing pretty down...lolBut after reading this scripture I realize there may be some high places with idols that I just never bothered to tear down. I mean, does it really need to be brought down? What if I just don’t go over there very often?I mean, when I am in trouble, sometimes food is the only thing that can save me. (really...)Or when I am really upset with my family...or my husband... red red wine stay close to me…it's just one glass

While these things may not be wrong to enjoy I have to ask myself what is the intent of my heart when partaking of these things? Is it because I feel like God cannot comfort me or help me? He cannot fill my void or counsel me to reconcile my relationships?

When we feel pain, do we look to earthly things to satisfy?Imagine putting your chocolate cake or video games on a pedestal and you brought it gifts. You spoke to it and told it your problems or you stared lovingly at it. So weird…ApplicationSo what are your idols? What do you give your affections to?

Even though we may not visit them often... the idols need to come down.

 

Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24. See if there is any offensive way in me, an lead me in the way everlasting.

 

What are the reasons we keep idols around except that we are not fully relying on God.

 

Lamentations 3:22 ...fro His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! 24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him." 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 

Father forgive us for not tearing all the idols down. Forgive us for running to something else for help, for fulfillment, for comfort… Holy Spirit search our hearts and reveal to us anything that needs to submit itself to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our life. Empower us to follow hard after you, in Jesus name, Amen. Deborah Lee

2 Corinthians_4

Scripture‭‭

 

2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-10‬ ‭ERV

 

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. So we constantly experience the death of Jesus in our own bodies, but this is so that the life of Jesus can also be seen in our bodies.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul is no doubt feeling the aches and pains of being physically persecuted. Paul reminds the Corinthians that the physical body is only a temporary abode. Our true heavenly perfected body awaits us in Heaven. Paul reminds them that all of life’s struggles they may be experiencing are only temporary. Paul encourages them to remain strong in their faith, that there is a purpose behind their struggles. That purpose is to shine the light of Jesus to others even through our struggles. To point those people still in “the dark”, towards the light. To give these people hope. A hope that never fails. A hope in eternal life. A hope in Jesus Christ.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Hope in the unseen.

 

How did Paul maintain such joy and obedience in the face of so much suffering and the threat of death? The answer should be one of every believer. Paul’s hope was in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. He could care less about his own peace and security. His confidence of an eternity free of sin, death, and sadness sustained him. Paul didn’t let life’s circumstances bring him down. Instead Paul put his complete trust in the promises of Jesus.

 

Sure it’s easy to be a Christ Follower when everything is good and going your way. But what if things became extremely difficult and each day was a struggle? How would you respond? I think what Paul is reminding us here is to keep our “eyes on the prize”. Our treasure isn’t here on earth. It awaits us in Heaven. We need to remain faithful and focused on the mission we are given...which is to multiply Christ Followers everywhere. Even in life’s struggles, stand strong knowing even Jesus Christ Himself wasn’t exempt from it. But know that if we submit to God’s will, the way Jesus did, we too will be in paradise alongside Him some day.

 

Life Application

 

Praise God through life’s ups and downs.

 

Father God, I thank You for watching over me throughout life’s ups and downs. Your love is constant and never changing. May You bless me with the strength to make it through this day. May I give You praise not only in the good times, but even through the difficult times. I know You will never leave me, and Your strength sustains me. Allow my faith and my life point others to Your light. May You get all the glory, honor, and praise. In Your Holy name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

 

2 Corinthians 3

Scripture  2 Corinthians 3:3-6, 17 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life......Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Observation-What does it say? 

 

“Paul’s critics solicited human references. Paul turns, instead, to divine references. For the credential that he has to offer is Christ's own letter written with the Spirit of the living God on the hearts of his converts. His critics boasted, as well, of the presence and power of the Spirit in their ministry. But for them it was the Spirit's presence as manifested in and through the working of signs, wonders and miracles (12:11-12)."  Paul, on the other hand, looked to the inward change of heart as the primary evidence of the Spirit's presence. It is changed lives, not sensational feats, that are the true sign of a Spirit-directed ministry. -biblegateway.com commentary

Understanding-What does it mean?

Paul did not measure a successful ministry the way his critics did.

 

The fruits of a successful ministry are not just measured by how many miracles one has done, or prophecies spoken over people, or how many people converted, etc. Those are outward works and the critics of Paul’s ministry measured success by that! They boasted about it! No. Paul wrote that it had to do with an inward change of heart for Jesus, which goes deeper than outward works (only possible by the Spirit). This was in essence his letter of reference that displayed the Spirit’s work in his ministry.  There are gifts of the Spirit, but here, Paul speaks more about the fruits. There are many ministers who have the gifts, but not the fruits which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. 

Life Application  Outward gifts are important, but it’s important that the inward gifts of the Spirit are developed too. 

 

“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2

 

What do people say about us when they compliment us or speak well of us to others? Are they only complimenting our outward works (such as you are a great singer or a great teacher or a great administrator), etc.? If there is nothing about our character in any of those compliments, it might be time to build up our references in those areas as well. 

 

Real talk: While writing this, I am also being convicted myself.

 

When someone offends us, do we respond with a gentle/kind word or do we chew their heads off, think bad things and spread bad gossip about them?

 

When someone treats us unfairly, do we treat them unfairly back or do we love our enemies and forgive them as Christ has forgiven us? 

 

When life’s unfair circumstances hit, are we joyful and have peace through the trials or do we have a victim mentality?

 

When we are tempted in any way, do we hold fast to goodness and respond with self control, or do we give in to the temptation? 

 

When there is something we want right now, but can’t have it yet, do we throw a fit/complain and go into debt/blame God for it or do we delay gratification and wait patiently for it? 

 

When we commit to something (or someone), are we faithful to follow through on it to the end, or do we want to give up at the first sign of hardship?  Do we leave when a better opportunity comes along? 

 

Dear Jesus, I pray that we would have the fullness of Your Spirit, both in gifts and fruits. I understand that it is only by Your doing that these things will come to pass, so I pray for a heart that is fully submitted to Your will whenever convicted. You usually ask me to move in a way that goes against my human nature or the worldly norm. I pray You would strengthen my faith and trust.  I want to always say Yes to You and No to my flesh and the enemy. Amen. 

 

-Michelle Gaddi

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