1 Corinthians 7 - 3.8.23
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7:16 NLT
“Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?”
Observation-What does it say?
The apostle Paul is writing the Corinthian Church and giving sound advice on marriage. In this particular verse, Paul is giving advice on husbands or wives who are married to unbelievers. He tells them if their unbelieving spouse is still willing to stay with them in the marriage, they should continue living with them. This way, the believing spouse brings holiness to the marriage and their family.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Demonstrating Christ’s love in your marriage.
As I was reading this passage I couldn’t help but think of all the marriages out there where one of the spouses was a believer, and the other was not. In today’s society, you usually see that scenario with the wife being the believer and the husband is not. You see it at church, every Mother’s Day. The mom typically wants to go to church as a family on Sunday morning to celebrate; But, she has to drag her husband and kids out of bed, and then drag them inside of church. You see it on the husband’s and kid’s faces that they don’t want to be there. They would rather be sleeping in and watching television on the couch that day. But, since it is Mother’s Day, they submit to what mom wants.
Now my heart goes out to any mom, or any believing spouse that not only goes through this every Mother’s Day, but every Sunday. My prayers are with you. But my advice for you is to stay strong in your faith, do not give up. Keep praying for your family. Keep demonstrating the love of Christ within your marriage and home. Just like Paul reminds us here:
“For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.”-1 Corinthians 7:14
Life Application
Love is something that is shown and not forced.
So if they don’t want to go with you to church, that’s fine. Don’t force them. Let them know that you are going and why you are going. Let them know that you love them, and that you would love to have them join you sometime. The invitation is always open. No guilt trip needed. Just keep demonstrating the love Jesus shows us, (pure, perfect, unconditional, and sacrificial), within your home. Show them through your actions and words what a godly spouse looks like, and keep praying that it points them to Jesus. 🙏🏽
Father God I pray for all the marriages and families out there that are affected by this problem. I pray against the heart of discouragement in the believing spouse. May they continue to seek You first in everything they do. May they demonstrate Your love, and live the godly lives that You call them to live, especially in their home. May their spouse catch a glimpse of what You are about God. Draw their unbelieving spouse to You Jesus. Soften their hearts. May the love their spouse shows them each day, resonate in them how much You love them. May their hearts accept You. May lives, marriages, and families be transformed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 13 - 3.7.23
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 13: 1-4 "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord My God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him, and my foes will rejoice when I fall."
OBSERVATION: David was experiencing a great amount of despair. He had become so depressed that he thought he was going to die. He even believed that God had forgotten and had abandoned him. Out of the depths of his soul, David poured out his heart, and prayed that the Lord would bring him relief.
UNDERSTANDING: What David did in verse 5 is key to how he received the answer to his prayer! He poured out his heart to God and blurted out all his concerns, doubts, thoughts, and feelings. After he did this, David's mind suddenly became clear and he was able to remember how faithful God had been to him in the past. "But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously. There is no one who does good, not even one."
Even though David had believed the lie that God had forgotten and abandoned him, which led to the intense time of despair, God was there and helped David to renew his trust back in Him.
LIFE APPLICATION: I have certainly never faced anything that even comes close to what David faced as his life was being hunted down by his enemies, but I have definitely experienced times of fear, anxiety, doubt, and feelings of hopelessness, BUT how grateful I am to be able to say that EVERY TIME I have run to God, He has helped me! God is not threatened by my doubts or negative feelings, and His arms are always wide open for me to experience His love, comfort, strength, and encouragement when I call out to Him.
God is delighted to be our burden-bearer! AND, He delights when we carry one another's burdens. We should never be afraid or embarrassed to share our concerns, questions, doubts, and even our feelings of despair with our trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. God has made us a part of His family, and we are able to seek His guidance, freedom, and deliverance together through prayer. When we are feeling weak, exhausted, weary, or worn out, or if we know of someone who is struggling with these kinds of feelings, we shouldn't hesitate to go and pray. We can all identify with struggles, some are different than others, and as we keep our focus on God, He will help us to be humble and sensitive to His leading by letting us know that no one needs to go through their struggles alone!
- Robin Orefice
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.”
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