When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.

Ecclesiastes - Various 

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

Day 147 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of Ecclesiastes; much like my study of the Psalms and Proverbs, my commentary presents the chapters of Ecclesiastes according to topic areas and this morning my focus includes Ecclesiastes search for meaning, and the importance of finding meaning.

My commentary* describes the premise of Solomon's wisdom: [o]nly the Creator of the universe can know the true needs of his creatures and provide for their ultimate fulfillment", and that "[h]uman insight cannot give a clue as to what is meaningful; only 'the wisdom that comes from heaven' can imbue one’s life with lasting purpose."  My commentary also describes Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as "[a] message...aimed directly at the young people for whom much of the wisdom literature is intended."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Most people seek to live a life of purpose and meaning and often find life unsatisfying.  As for me, I know that I exist both because of God and for God - to glorify Him.  As we seek to glorify Him, we must find how God gifts us in terms of skills, abilities and passions (spiritual gifts) - we are to use our time, treasure and talents to further God's Kingdom.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me and help me find ways to serve and glorify You.  I am grateful for all that You do and I am blessed by serving and glorifying You.   I am undeserving of all the ways You bless me.  I sin...daily, including worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” v29-31

This passage is repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  

In a message to seminary graduates, John Piper delivered this sermon.  As these graduates prepared to enter the work world and a life of independence (likely from their parents), Piper was imploring them to treasure Jesus vs the world and to live a "wartime lifestyle" (as does many others such as David Platt).

He warns also to avoid the fate of the rich young man who have a love of money vs Jesus.  Piper gives us two examples of those whose fate followed different paths.

Gehazi and the love of money
Mephibosheth and the love of God

Jesus, please help me live a "wartime lifestyle" and to treasure You above all else.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are as You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - yet there have been times in my life and there will continue to be times in my life when I put something or someone else, including money, above You - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.  Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. v4-5

As I continue to interview with another company, I must remind myself not to chase something that does not have eternal value, that does not glorify God.  I must also remind myself that I did not produce any success to date and I should be a good steward of what God entrusted to me.

See also posts here. 

May [the Lord] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, even with all of my sin and brokenness.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Proverbs 15

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. v3

We all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) - and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  We should fear God because nothing is hidden and because we don't get what we deserve.  Instead, we get what we don't deserve - mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and life - Jesus Christ.  

As well, God is expecting big things from us - see also the Parable of the Talents. We will be held accountable for how we are good stewards of the time, talents, and treasure entrusted to us (Revelation 20).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me what I don't deserve - grace, forgiveness, and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.

2 Samuel 15

If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him. v25-26

Once again we find David seeking God's direction which is in direct contrast to Absalom who is now plotting against his father.  Absalom lacks humility, does not seek God's direction, and seeks glory, status and power for himself:


And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” v4

I am guilty of such desires and acting on such desires.  When God blesses us, as he did with Absalom with a position of influence and wealth, we often believe it is from our own hand.  Again, I am guilty of such thinking.  We need to remind ourselves that what we have is not from our own hand.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

 We are to use what God provides to us for His glory - we need to be good stewards of His blessings.  See the Parable of the Bags of Gold (or Talents).

See also posts on arrogance and humility.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve - my cup overflows.  Yet I am undeserving and I often think (and act on) of how I did this or that or what I can do for me (vs You) with these blessings...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

2 Samuel 9

You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) v10

A very wise man recommended that I read the bible from beginning to end and not jump into any given book. I can now see why this is very wise indeed.  At the very least, 1 and 2 Samuel must be read together so that we can have the context of how Saul was very jealous and vengeful to David - yet even after Saul's death in today's verses David seeks to do good to Saul and his heirs (and servants!) - reminding me that regardless of how blessed I am (see 2 Samuel 8) my blessings are only through the hand of God and I am to be a good steward with the time, talents and treasures God puts in my care.  We must also be kind to everyone - including our enemies - because we are not in a position to judge who is deserving and who is not.  ALL are deserving of God's love.

In a time of great blessing, David seeks to do good - as we should as well.  Today in particular I am touched by David's efforts because I have my own son with special needs (Down Syndrome).

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17

God please help me be generous.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God whose love and compassion is more than I sometimes can bear or understand.  It is overwhelming.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I too often am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.

Exodus 35

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. v35

Arrogance is a sin that has afflicted me and God has done much to both humble me and sharpen me - I am grateful.  Scripture this morning reminds me that we are to remain humble and to understand where our blessings come from - not our own hand but from God alone.

We are given free will to exercise our ability to be a steward of our time, treasure and talents but again all these things come from God.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

See also the Parable of the Talents.

We are to be humble.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  You loved me and rescued me while I was still sinning and You continue to love me now as my sin continues.  Thank You God but please forgive me for my selfishness and anger.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 11

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. v4

It is tempting to place my hope and satisfaction in wealth yet I know from experience God is in control and that whatever wealth we have does not belong to us and that we are to be good stewards of what we have and to use it for God's glory.  I also know that because all wealth belongs to God it can be taken away.  I have seen this in my own life and in the life of others, including faithful believers.  Our hope and satisfaction should be in God alone.

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-21

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.  He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130:7-8

 

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Psalm 39:5

 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure Hebrews 6:19

My Prayer: Lord, You are my hope...the anchor for my soul.  I know You will be with me until the end of the age.  You are so patient and full of compassion and mercy for me...thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and efforts.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

Proverbs 10

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. v5

We all have a job to do.  Our most important job is to tell others about Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).  We also all have spiritual gifts and talents and God expects us to use these gifts for our glory.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters[.] Colossians 3:23

We should not be lazy with our time, treasure or talents - see also the Parable of the Talents.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You provide and You provide abundantly - Thank You Jesus but I am not worth such blessings.  I worry too much and I am often lazy not using my gifts or working to glorify You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 20

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. v7

There are times where I place my trust in things or people or my own abilities, etc.  No doubt this is sinful...particularly in light of what I have recently posted here.  Additionally, John warns us here about placing our trust in "the world":

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17-19

There is also Jesus' warning:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20

On the subject of humans plans vs desires and plans of God, click here and here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - without a doubt, apart from You I can do nothing...yet I know there have been times when I trust in matters of the world more so than so and I know this is sinful - please forgive me Jesus!  Thank You for Your grace, mercy, compassion, patience, etc. but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love and trust You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

Psalm 19

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. v10

Referring to God's decrees, His Word, or His commands for us, David believes that God's decrees are both pure and of immense value - more value than of course we can measure.  The questions for us become: do we value God's decrees as David does, and if not, what do we treasure.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

 

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord." Malachi 1:14

 

You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the first wool from the shearing of your sheep...Deuteronomy 18:4

 

We need to treat God with the value He is and go to Him daily, and to invite Him in to all aspects of our lives.

 

It's not just about money, it's about time - how do we spend our time...do we have excuses for why we can't follow Jesus:

Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60

 

Also, don't ignore your spiritual giftings:

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14

If we value God we will develop a relationship with Him, we will spend time with Him, we will worship Him, serve Him, and tell others as about Him.  If we don't it is a measure of our value of Him...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of mercy, grace, patience, compassion, etc. for me...even though I am not deserving!  Thank You Jesus but I continue to be harsh with those in my family.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

Revelation 2

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! v9

I know that based on my wealth regardless of what measure you use I AM rich...and this would be true regardless of my material possessions.  I have Christ - Jesus provides all things and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve and He has pulled me out of the pit before and He can do so again...no problem.  I must focus on the greatness of Christ vs earthly matters and possessions. I am mindful of what Jesus says in Matthew:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, You reign!  You are the greatest gift of all time and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve...I continue to be lazy, harsh with my words, quick to anger and slow to listen...please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Help me focus on Your greatness vs earthly things and matters.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of this cancer as well as Barbara, Lacey, Mark, and others who need Your healing.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3

 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. v16-17

We are to be good stewards with what God has entrusted to us.  I am also reminded of the following verse.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.  Luke 12:48

My Prayer: Lord, I know You have blessed me with time, treasure and talents and I am blessed with how You provide...more than abundantly.  I am not worth such blessing.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my words, thoughts and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and ever day.

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. v8-9

I've been praying regularly that I grow in Christ.  God wants us to be good stewards of what He places in our care, whether these are money, skills, children, etc.  

Paul writes to the church in Corinth:

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. v2

The implication is that we NEED to be ready...we should be growing.  I am also thinking of the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God in that You give all of Your children an abundance of provision so that we may grow.  This provision comes in many forms, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.  What a great God that You provide in such abundance!  I am not worth such abundance...I am selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  I am quick to anger and slow to listen...I am impatient, prideful, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me...help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ. v15-16

For us to fully trust and have faith in Christ we must have an appreciation of the power of the Holy Spirit.  All believers have the Spirit and through the Spirit "we have the mind of Christ".  This is of course a power beyond imagination and one in which we "can do all things through Him who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13)

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God that You provide such "assistance" for us...to guide us and to provide for us in all circumstances.  Yet this is no "mere" assistance...this is the essence and full power of Christ...in describable power.  Amazing!  I am not worthy of being a good steward of such power...but You trust me despite my weakness and sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my selfishness, my harsh thoughts, words, and actions, my pride, etc.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 1

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. v25

It is NOT weakness or lack of intelligence to love Christ.  I should not be ashamed but instead boldly proclaim my love for God.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed wise and strong beyond human comprehension and You are both my guide and my rock.  Without You I am nothing.  You formed me and saved me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  How awesome You are.  I am not worth the effort You have made and continue to make for me.  I am lazy, I take Your name in vain, I have harsh thoughts, words, and actions for others, I exacerbate my family, etc....the list is long...daily.  Thank You that you love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. v10

I often feel like I am falling down in my role as the spiritual head of my household, in this message by Paul convicts me in the sense that I am not driving unity in thought and mind in as many ways as possible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am deeply grateful for the blood You shed for me...and for all those with whom I am close - my family, etc.  I know You died for all of humanity but the gift most precious to me is eternity in heaven with those closest to me and that they have the blessings of Christ with them while on earth.  I am not worth such an unbelievable blessing - I am lazy, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, envious, worrisome, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. v18

I often lament that I don't have the kinds of close intimate relationships with people that God calls us to have.  Based on appearances of others' relationships, I develop envy.  Yet I need to beware that looking at others obscures what I do have and what God provides for me.  I also need to beware that I might be tempted to behave in such a way that I develop the relationships I (vs what God thinks) think I need. 

I of course need to focus on the relationship I have in Christ.  See related posts here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the only true friendship I really need...You provide, guide, protect, counsel, comfort, etc....like no person can!  I am truly thankful that I have a God like You in my life.  I am not worthy of such a God.  I am lazy, unforgiving, judgmental, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me instead to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love and accept others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. v7

Just as it says in John 15:7, " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you;", Paul tells us to accept one another for who we are.  God wired each person to be who they are for a specific purpose and also brought people together for a specific purpose - all for His glory, and for His pure and perfect plan.  While we can encourage one another...it is to be done in love, and not for us, but for Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love for me, completely accepting of me, knowing everything about me even before I was born.  You came to earth for me and willingly laid down Your life for me.  What a great God You are!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, among my many sins!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Romans 14

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. v13

I often have harsh thoughts, words, or even actions for others.  All are equally bad and sinful.  Paul's words to the believers in Rome touch my heart:


Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. v1-4

Another sin pointed out to me through Paul's words is pride. I puff myself up by tearing someone else down. Again sin.

I am thankful I have a God full of mercy, kindness, compassion, gentleness, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are a complete demonstration of the fruits of the Spirit...You are the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit!  That You know everything about me, yet You chose me and came to save me, then suffered and died for me, is amazing!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I am prideful, and I am harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.