Psalm 12 - 3.6.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT

“The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”

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Observation-What does it say?

David writes this psalm in a time where the faithful and godly are few, and the wicked and evil are strutting around the land being praised. But David, calls out to God for help. David’s faith is in God. Who better to trust than God? God is faithful to keep His promises.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Standing on the promises of God.

Where people can fail and disappoint you, God does not. You can take it to the bank that God keeps His promises.

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” -‭Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” -Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

But what are God’s promises? The Bible has TONS of promises that God has made. I encourage anyone wanting to know exactly what they are to read their Bible regularly each day. But here is a list of a few good ones to help get you started:

•God promises to strengthen you. -Ephesians 3:14-16

•God promises to give you rest. -Matthew 11:28-30

•God promises to take care of all your needs. -Philippians 4:19

•God promises to be with you.-Joshua 1:5

•God promises you everlasting life. -John 3:16

•God promises that nothing can separate you from Him. -Romans 8: 38-39

Life Application

Don’t be discouraged. Take heart! Take these promises of God wherever you go!

As I was writing this SOUL Journal, I couldn’t help but have this old hymn I used to sing when I was a kid in my head. It goes perfect with today’s theme! The title of this Hymn is “Standing on the Promises of God”. Allow me to share it with you so you can sing it to brighten up your day. 😊 Here are the lyrics:

1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

-Moses Gaddi

1 Corinthians 4 - 3.3.2023

Scripture - What stood out?

1 CORINTHIANS 4:14-15

14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 

Observation - What does it say?

The apostle Paul dealing with several issues in the church of Corinth, in this particular section, addresses humility in leadership and the leadership structure of the church (asserting himself towards the top and rightly so).

Understanding - What does it mean?

Remember when…dad had threatened to take out the yellow wiffle ball bat??

Sometimes it was mom doing the threatening. Sometimes it was grandpa with his long plastic green shoehorn! Almost as dreaded as the yellow bat! Sometimes it’s your boss with a well deserved warning from work. 

The apostle Paul was a good dad.

He loved his kids. And when he saw his children getting out of line he gently reminded them who their father was. Not their boss but their dad. A dad who loved them. Members of the Corinth church were becoming arrogant, stumbling through various church issues I imagine. And it appears there were several influential voices beginning to rise up and cause commotion. The apostle reminds them who papa is. As for the overall level of nonsense? Paul in no uncertain terms asks them to cut it out:

21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, 

or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Lord, has pride crept into my spiritual life somehow? If this is why you have highlighted this verse to me then please root it out. Show me if I have wronged my spiritual parents. Show me how I can correct these issues, Lord! Correct my heart! Correct my mind! Please, help me to make my conscience clear, though it makes me  not innocent. Lord, may you be my judge. In the name of Jesus, do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

1 Corinthians 3 - 3.2.23

Scripture 

1 Corinthians 3:11

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Observation-What does it say?

Paul is talking to the church in Corinth and rebuking them about “acting like mere human beings” (vs. 3) and infants because they were fighting over whose teachings they followed.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Paul once again is reminding the church that the foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ, NOT human leaders, such as himself.

They were boasting about human leaders, and Paul had to point them back to Jesus Christ. 

Life Application

Who is our hope and foundation built on? 

Just as Paul displays in this chapter, the main focus of a person’s ministry is to point others to repentance and deep relationship with Christ, not to our (or any other person’s) gifts and abilities. 

Building a foundation on anyone other than Jesus Christ NEVER stands. In His grace, the Lord has us partner with Him in service. Someone plants, another person waters, but it is ultimately God who makes things grow (Verses 6 and 7).

Dear Lord, the Apostle Paul had every reason to be prideful about His leadership and ministry in You. However, he remained humble in heart by making sure the church knew Who was really in charge. I pray that whatever I do and wherever I’m called to minister, that the purpose would always be to draw others to repentance and deep relationship with You. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi