Even Though

Posted by Maggie at 7/5/2011 10:56 AM
Categories: Bible Studies
1 Corinthians 9:11
"Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?"

Do you think that these days, 'things' are topsy-turvy? We hear so much about Americans are in an 'age of entitlement'.

If one begins reading 1 Corinthians 9, it seems as though Paul is ranting and raving about himself, and what he possibly 'deserves'. However, read on.........

1 Corinthians 9:22-23
"When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ.
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."

It seems to me that Paul is saying that WE must work. WE must share. WE must trust in the Lord. WE must follow HIM in whatever and whenever HE leads, and do what HE expects of us.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
"Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.
And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.
As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

"God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, 'If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord'.”

Proverbs 24:12
"Don’t excuse yourself by saying, 'Look, we didn’t know'. For God understands all hearts, and He sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."

Zechariah 1:6
"But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what He said He would do'.”

2 Corinthians 5:10
"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body."

Now, what ARE we 'entitled' to receive? Seems to me that we need to delete the word from our vocabulary, and just try all the time to be God's hands and feet on this earth, you think?

Hope you had a great Fourth of July weekend, and that you'll have a wonderful week ahead. Maggie

2 Timothy 1:9
"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus."
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Even Though

You may think you know the story of the first years the Pilgrims were settling in the New World, but there is more to the story than just hardship and a great feast when things got better. During the first winter, half of the original settlers died. Over the next year, food was very hard to come by. When the harvest was finally bountiful, they did have the famous feast with their native friends. However, things did not get better from there.

During the next two years there were some devastating crop failures and a severe drought. More settlers came, but failed to bring any new supplies. At one time during the first years, daily food rations were 5 kernels of corn each. After a day of fasting and prayer abundant rains came. Crops were saved. Pilgrim father Edward Winslow wrote, "Another solemn day was set apart . . wherein we returned glory, honor, and praise, with all thankfulness to our God who dwelt so graciously with us."

Can you imagine being thankful when so many had died and things had been so hard? Job would have been able to. He said after losing EVERYTHING,
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)             What say you today?

- from The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich ______________________________________________________

Don't Be Disturbed

Psalm 33:10 - "The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect."

You may be facing trouble today that's being caused by people who have willfully plotted to do you harm. They may be trying to steal your business, your home, your children, or even to destroy your marriage. If so, I have a word of encouragement for you. According to Psalm 33:10, God will bring the plans of those people to nought. He will make their devices of none effect. The counsel of the heathen is brought to nought, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever!

Remember this: When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can overcome you. No matter how powerful things are in the natural, the odds are in your favor because you trust in the Lord. God is on your side and that gives you the advantage!

Rest assured, you are eventually going to triumph over this trouble. In the meantime, if you'll set your affections on the Lord, the thoughts of His heart continually will be coming into your heart. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide" (Psalm 37:30-31). God's counsel will give you stability when all the world around you is shaking. Evil tidings will not be able to steal your peace. The thoughts of God will immediately rise up and rebuke the evil tidings from taking root in your heart.

Don't let the temporary successes of the troublemaker disturb you. Instead, "mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (verse 37).

- Gloria Copeland
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"Down through the centuries, in times of trouble and trial, God has brought courage to the hearts of those who love Him. The Bible is filled with assurances of God's help and comfort in every kind of trouble which might cause fears to arise in the human heart. You can look ahead with promise, hope and joy." ~~ Billy Graham

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