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Archive for November 10th, 2009
Daily Bible Reflections:Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8
Today’s Life Journal Reading is from:
Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8
Scripture
1 Corinthians 8
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 8, New King James Version)
Observation:
We are all at different stages of our walk with Christ. We don’t know fully the story of another person and we can’t presume to know fully. It’s easy for us to discount a person based on appearances or limited conversations, but even then, it doesn’t give us the liberty to justifiable say, “We know”.
Some people maybe grappling with issues in their walk, others may be more mature, and in a short time, but others may talk a longer time, but it makes them no less a Christian believer than the other.
We, as human beings, have at core, the danger of pride and even jealousy that it can easily cloud or judgement or have us like peacocks, and puff our chests out, proclaiming ourselves to be better than the other, when in reality, maybe our Father in Heaven, uses other’s weaknesses to expose our own weaknesses that we are oft blind to see.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12
We are responsible for our fellow believers as much as we are responsible to what we show the world; How we treat each other can easily break another’s walk which puts us in a higher level of responsiblity than if we bear bad witness to a non-believer.
Funny how if we see a fellow believer under fire, we rush to protect and defend, but then sometimes, quickly be no different than a non-believer to our fellow believers.
We may have been convicted by our Father in Heaven, to follow one way or another, but it doesn’t make us more noble or higher than another.
Nor does this make us more favor or prefer over another.
There are no noble classes in God’s Kingdom, except JUST God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We, as believers, are brothers and sisters to each other and have to bear the care as we do our own flesh and blood, to take care, to lift up and to encourage one another.
Verse 9, seems to be a vivid reminder that what maybe good for another, could distract or stumble another and we have to bear careful care there.
Application:
This passage is a reminder that we have to be very careful how we interact with each other, how we, not our Father, but we, place expectations based on human desires and wishes and expectations.
This is a reminder that we can easily become like the Pharisees, who may have known the law, but truly did not know God in their hearts, for they had become so focus on what was openly displayed and done that like a wooden cabinet, on the outside, it may look perfect and right and beautiful, but inside, it was rotting and empty because they didn’t allow God in their lives.
I think 1 Corinthineans 7:23, puts it beautifully:
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
YOU-Me-All of us, were bought at a price, but not by other men, but by Jesus Christ who paid for OUR sins, by HIS sacrifice. We dont’ belong in obligation or expectation to each other, but to Him.
Our heads should not be turn side by side, looking at each other, but each, looking up, at Him.
17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:17-20, New King James Version)
We were each and all, bought at a price, and each of our walk will be different and always varying, one day we maybe far in our walk and the next, we will find we have stumble and falling back, but ultimately the goal, is and should be, for all of us, not about worrying about men, but worrying about our Father in Heaven and working, on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Lord, Thank You for Your Word and Your convictions and for the beautiful day that You have bless us with. Lord, I pray that as we read Your word, we read with an open heart, open eyes and just with always hunger for You and Your Word.
Lord, bless us in our walk, for we are going to have our good days and we are going to have our bad days, but through it all, be the anchor in our walk and help us remember, to keep looking toward you. We can’t please men, for men’s hearts will be fickle and no matter what, we will never be perfect, except for one person, Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived among us and died for us.
In Your Name I pray,
Amen.
If you use the Life Journal and participate in the daily readings, I would like to hear from you and your perspective on each day’s reading. Please feel free to join in the linky that I post below, so others too, who uses the Life Journal/or SOAP method to read the bible can participate.
Don’t feel obligate to have to blog about each passage to be read, but if anything, feel free to share those passages that have the most impact on you that day.
There maybe some days that you may read your daily reading and find nothing to jot down in your journal or on your blog and that’s okay, but there maybe other days, that you will find yourself inspire.
This is about you being encouraged to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, and spending each day with Him, You and Him.
I also have a November bookmark with this month’s readings, that you are more than welcome to download and print for your own use, to keep up with the daily readings.
It is my prayer and hope that this will be an encouragement to establish a personal daily reading as well.
To find out more about using the S.O.A.P. method, here’s a link to an ehow article and here’s the link to the Life Journal to find out more what it is, and how you can use it for your own daily bible readings. If you don’t want to order the journal or if it’s not available through your local church, another method is simply, buy a journal or notebook or even blog about your life journal readings.
Disclaimer: I am not personally affiliated with the church that the link goes to, but merely share it as a resource of what the Life Journal is, how to order it.
Book Reflections-Chapter 4 “Beyond Sunday Morning”
Are you a Self-Feeder?
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:17-19, New King James Version)
In 2oo7, in a survey by the Ten Commandments Commision, it was discovered that,”80 percent of 1,000 respondents could name the burger’s primary ingredient — two all-beef patties — but less than six in 10 knew the commandment “thou shalt not kill.” Less than half of respondents — 45 percent — could recall the commandment “honor thy father and mother” but 62 percent knew the Big Mac has pickle.”
That’s just the ten commandments.
Our pastor, a few sermons ago, challenged us in the beginning of October, to be more than “Sunday Christians”, but to be “Active Christians”.
He challenged us to not just commit to reading our bibles for October, but to commit to challenge ourselves to read our bibles, beyond October.
He also challenged us, not to read our bibles, for us, or for fame or for anything, but for Him. He (the pastor), told us, we don’t have to just volunteer at church to be “in service to Our Father in Heaven”, but even in the most mundane act of everyday, we could be doing something for our Father in Heaven. [quote]
If you strive to have a better relationship with Our Father in Heaven, it’s convicting that it’s as simple as reading His Word that He gave us.
It’s simple as just “talking” or “praying” to Him.
We could go to church every Sunday and sit on the pew, but it’s like thinking if we go to a garage, that will make us a mechanic.
Just going, isn’t what grows and helps us learn in the Christian faith, but the very act of learning and doing. A mechanic is able to fix cars, not by osmosis, but because they decide one day, to pick up a tool, to read the instruction manual, and learn and grow by experience, to become a mechanic.
The same can be said that it’s beyond just going to church every Sunday (or Saturday), but actively living the faith every single day, in all that is done. There is no limit except what we create for ourselves.
I wanted to have a closer relationship with Our Father in Heaven, but just going to church every Sunday wasn’t going to do it for me.
I knew that I couldn’t learn and grow, by just “listening to the pastor”, but I had to get my “hands dirty” and learn for myself.
Going to bible studies was great, but if it wasn’t about the bible itself, but reading a bible study guide that was written by someone, by man , doesn’t do it either.
This doesn’t say, using bible study guides that are popular or to study the bible is bad, but if that is as close to “reading the bible” as one gets, might as well call it “bible light”.
Eating at a fast food resturaunt isn’t the same as having a home cooked meal; It may have filled the stomache, but the empty calories that we gain, isn’t really nutrition as a nutrious meal that we could cook at home ourselves without the added preservatives and flavorings.
We need to proceed carefully with using bible studies, that it doesn’t replace the bible itself ,of being the final authority and spiritual guidance, in our lives.
It’s all about balance…It’s all about balance and understanding…there is a difference between “Bible Studying” and “Bible Reading”.
Doing the latest bible study, isn’t actually reading the bible and shouldn’t be consider as a subsitute for reading the bible for fruitful growth.
It’s not Bible knowledge for its own sake nor being able to quote verses and recite orthodox doctrine. Ultimately, the purpose of Bible study is to learn exactly what the Bible teaches so that you can apply its teachings to your life.-From “How to Improve Your Personal Bible Study/Bible Studying versus Bible Reading“
Dr.Ralph F. Wilson explains the difference between Bible Study and Bible Reading:
First, recognize that Bible reading and Bible study are both important, but different. In order to grow, you need to read the Bible every day as part of your time with God — your devotions or quiet time. During this daily time with God I recommend prayer, wide Bible reading, praise, thanksgiving, confession, and meditation — these are ways to reach out to God with your spirit. Bible reading is one way of letting God refresh your spirit and speak to your mind.
If you really want to learn the Bible, I recommend that you read broadly rather than narrowly. A one-verse devotional may be quick, but it won’t really help you understand the Bible. I try each morning to read one chapter from the Old Testament, one chapter from Psalms or Proverbs, and one chapter from the New Testament. If I’m consistent, this will get me through the Old Testament once each year and the New Testament twice. That’s an example of broad reading and takes five to 10 minutes a day — 15 minutes if the day’s chapters are long.
But Bible reading as part of your daily devotions should be separate from your times of Bible study.
If we are going to grow, we have to go to the source: Him.
If we want to learn, we have to get rid of the distractions and go to His word: the Bible.
Eventually, bible studies are great, but you’re still getting someone’s opinion, but its taking the initiative and recognizing, the training wheels are eventually going to have to be taken off and we are going to have to be able to ride the bike alone with no one holding on. [quote1]
I once overheard someone say (not exact words),”My parent use to read to us from the bible every day, but I have my own now and as an adult, I don’t know where to start. Isn’t it silly that for something as easy as reading a book, it is the hardest thing to do and with no idea where to start”.
We’ve all been there.
We become a Christian and we buy or get a bible and then don’t know what to do with it, except, maybe leave it on our nightstand or carry it to church, or just don’t carry the bible to church and just sit back in the pew and read the verse that flashes on the screen, but with no idea of the context of the verse.
Can you even remember what verses were talked about in church without looking for the church bulletin? Do you still have the church bulletin from last week?
Out of sight.
Out of mind.
We get busy with daily life; Bills to pay; Sports stats to remember or boss needs that report asap!
Yet, we make time for everything else but His word.
Why?
One of the things I did (prior to making the commitment to read the bible each day in October), was do a search for reading plans.
There are lots of different ways and reading plans that suites each style and I learn that it’s very important to work with what works for YOU and not the person next to you.
As good as what they are using, may look, if it doesn’t get you motivated or is useful, then it’s like buying something just because it’s in style and it just goes to waste and gathers dust.
Our church, as many churches these days, uses the Life Journal and S.O.A.P. reminder for reading the bible each day.
I have more info about Life Journals and SOAP on my left sidebar, along with November’s reading plan to share what I’m using to read the bible each day, but if you don’t think that works for you, no worry.
You don’t even need to buy a life journal.
Blog about it.
Facebook it.
Get any old notebook.
USE what is best for YOU.
Find the method that works for you and helps you stick to it, but more importantly, PRAY to our Father in Heaven for strength, discernment and discipline.
There is really no excuse not to become a “self-feeder” other than lack of personal desire.[quote2]
Ouch. I know, but the thing is, no one can help you in this, but our Father in Heaven and a willing spirit to let Him work in and through you to make this happen.
There is a domino effect.
First of all, you’ll began to understand more and more who and what our Heavenly Father is and about.
Second, as you build up discipline in reading His word, you’ll find yourself more open and receptive to applying His word more and more in your daily life and through the words you speak to others and yourself and in your heart.
Finally, it rubs off. You’ll kids will see you having that discipline and don’t think they aren’t watching. They are. Kids will do what they see and not really what we say.
And if there is any habit that you’ll like to rub off on them, isn’t reading His word and following Him, at least one habit worth having them emulate.
The crazy purple mohawk hairstyle…must have come from your spouse’s side of the family. LOL
The greatest tool you have in being a Christian, is knowing why you believe in what you believe; If you don’t know that, then how can we expect others to come to know Christ to, if we don’t do the same, ourselves.
From “Sad Statistics” by J. Mitchell Lane
“One of the major contributors to this is that the true Christians are so incorrectly focused on trying to get people in the door that they forget to proclaim what Christianity really is.
They are so focused on trying to reach non-believers that they forget to teach the true believers.
These “seeker-friendly” Churches put so much emphasis on being culturally relevant, that they forget what they are there to do in the first place, and only end up adding on to the number of people who claim to be “Christian”, but have no idea what it means…………we do need to be able to communicate what our beliefs really are instead of sitting back and letting everyone have a false (or non-existent) view of Christianity.
We need to weed out the false teachers and the false sheep by preaching the actual Word of God, and not sermons like, “A Christian’s Guide to Financial Security” where the Bible isn’t even opened.”
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