1 Corinthians 7 - 3.11.22
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7:32
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.
Observation – What does it say?
The apostle Paul is writing to the believers in Corinth about singleness and marriage and somewhat weighs out the pros and cons to each when it comes to following Jesus. In this verse he is pointing out that those who are unmarried, like the Apostle Paul himself, are free from concern about their spouse so they can be more concerned with God’s affairs.
Understanding - What does it mean?
The goal is to be concerned about the things of God.
We know God invented marriage and that it’s a gift from him. And, Paul clearly states that the man who wishes to marry should do so and that it’s not a sin. Paul’s desire is not to start a celibacy movement, but for those who feel compelled and are able to, to not take on new roles or responsibilities that would compromise their focus on the Lord. The focus here, and what stood out to me, is the motive behind Paul’s advice: That we be fully concerned about the things of God.
In our lives that are so busy, many of us wearing so many hats (son, father, friend, employee, brother, spouse, etc.), it can be easy to push the things of God to the back burner as we try to keep all the other plates spinning; so consumed with the temporary that we lose sight of the eternal.
We can find ourselves concerned about completing our education, then building our career, then building our family, then getting the bigger house, then saving for retirement. And before you know it our life has passed, and we never gave ourselves fully to the things of God.
Life Application
Concern myself with God’s affairs!
Look for what God is doing and join him!
I was challenged today by Tina, who I affectionately refer to as my ‘church mom.’ She was asked today, “You’ve experienced a lot in life so far but what is it that you still want to do?”
She responded with, “I just want to grow and be used by God to win the lost.”
The follow up question came to her, “That’s great! But what else?”
Tina didn’t’ hesitate, “That’s it. I just really want to be used by God.”
Tina is married and has plenty of things on her plate. And, while she has great concern for her husband (you should see her eyes light up when she talks about him) and all the people and needs in her life, caring for them so well, she has chosen to consume herself with the things of God!
God, may we all be like Tina. Although we have many roles and responsibilities, may we not lose sight of eternity. May we make it our highest goal and #1 priority every day to love you and be used by you. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
1 Samuel 23- 03.10.22
SCRIPTURE:
1 Samuel 23:17-18a ESV
“Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this. And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord.”
OBSERVATION:
David had just saved the people of Keilah when he discovered that Saul was hot on his trail. God warned David that the very people he had just saved would betray him. So David fled, taking up refuge in the desolate mountainous region of Ziph. In this lonely and rocky wilderness, where food and shelter are difficult to come by, David receives a most unexpected encouragement in his deepest hour of need.
UNDERSTANDING:
The Family of God is a REAL Thing!
From the moment Jonathan and David met—they were bonded as Brothers (18:3). And what a blessing and encouragement this was—time and time again for David. David is running for his life, weary, and beaten down. Everyone was turning against him, even the people who he had just saved from being literally wiped out by the Philistines.
Now here, hidden in some remote rocky wilderness, God provides a way for Jonathan to connect with David— Because every Good and Perfect Gift come from above. Jonathan’s words to David are so powerful, “Do Not Fear”— “You Shall Be King” —“I Will Be [Standing] Next to You”. These words from his trusted ‘brother’ must have literally poured strength and refreshment into David.
A few weeks ago when Larry and I were at the dental office for one of his check-ups we had the sweetest assistant. I had been praying for an opportunity to speak God’s word into someone and I saw doors opening with this precious lady. The dentist kept leaving to make adjustments to Larry’s denture and each time we had wonderful conversations with this sweet assistant about various subjects. I kept looking for an open door. As it turned out the Dentist asked us to wait for 30-minutes for a process he wanted to complete on Larry’s denture. So, we decided to go across the street to Starbuck’s and get a gift card for our assistant and the office manager as a Thank You. I keep note cards in the car and I wrote a quick note and a scripture on each card. When we gave the card to the assistant I told her she had been such a blessing we wanted to give her a little “Thank You” gift. Well, as it turned out—she was a believer who goes to High Rise! I thought my mission was to Witness that day, but turns out it was to encourage another believer in Christ. The gift card opened up our conversation as she shared about the pathway her children had been on, where they are now, and all that God had been doing in her life.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Share the Love—People Need what we Have.
I am SO very Thankful for my Many Sisters and Brothers in Christ at Desert Streams Church! And, I am also Thankful for my Church “sons” and “Daughters”. Family is a Blessing. And The Family of God is a Very Real Thing!
People NEED what we Have!
Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.’" (Matthew 22:37, 39 TPT)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)
Heavenly Father,
I pray as people see us Loving You and Loving each other AND Loving Neighbors as we Love ourselves, they will Hunger after what we have—Jesus!
Tina Kudelka
Psalm 119:1-59-3.9.22
Scripture
Psalm 119:10-11
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Observation-What does it say?
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses in it and if we can sum up this chapter in two words, it would be God’s Word. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible is God-breathed, which means it was written by human hands, but by inspiration of our living God. It is only fitting that the longest chapter of His Word speaks about itself.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The Word of God is our instruction manual for life.
Just like every toy, electronic, appliance and car has a manual for how it’s supposed to work properly, our Creator left us an instruction manual too for how He designed us to function, and that is His Word. It is not just a history book. The Word of God is living, breathing and active as Hebrews 4:12 states. It is also our offensive weapon against the enemy’s attacks (Eph. 6:17).
Life Application
In order to experience the transforming power of God's Word in our life, we must read it, study it and apply it to our lives.
This is why we encourage you to be in the Word everyday through PB&J and why we have our Soul Journal blog and encourage you all to participate in it. Being in God's Word is a discipline that is vital to every Believer's life. It is also important that we apply it to our lives.
As James says in ch. 1:22-24, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect Word. Thank You that we are free to read it, study it and apply it to our personal lives. I pray we would continually meditate on Your Truth instead of the lies that the enemy and the world throws at us. I pray that if we are living a life contrary to Your Word, that You would bring us back to the Truth through Your Spirit. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path (Ps. 119:105). Please continue to direct our paths through Your Word. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi