1 Corinthians 13:11

Scripture
1Co 13:11
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
(AMP)

Observation
It almost seems out of place, but Paul continues the thought of letting go imperfections. The adult ought not to cling to their childish speech, thinking, and understanding.

Action/Application
While certain ways may have been beneficial to me in earlier points of my life, I must always be open to shedding off ways that don’t match the maturity that God is developing in me. This is most evident in my pet peeves.

Prayer
Lord help me to develop into the mature, perfected man that you have destined me to be. Soften my heart to be corrected by You so no one else has to.

1 Corinthians 12:11

Scripture
1 Corinthians 12:11 (NLT)
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

Observation
The various abilities mentioned in the preceding verses are given by The Holy Spirit, it is His choice who has which gifts.

Application
This is a comforting thought. While I may still desire to have a gift that i do not currently have, I can rest in and be grateful for what I have realizing that the Spirit of God determines what gifts I will have and, consequently, the ones I don’t have.

Prayer
Thank you for blessing me with the gifts you have blessed me with. Help me to allow them to work in my life to bless those that you have put into my path.

Walking Into My Destiny

It’s been a rocky road to get to this point, but I’m excited about what God is doing in and through me. I’m making a couple shifts so that I can do more of the vision that God has given me. I’m also working with a few different organizations in the area that impact the DMV area.

Also, keep an eye one www.BeAComer.com If it intrigues you contact me.

Remembering Who Our Power Source Is

As a Musician, I can attest that some of us as Musicians play just to play sometimes. We don’t always try to access that spiritual realm that we know that the Pastor/Preacher needs to be in, to get the people to the place to receive what they need from God. We have to remember that we are not just up there to just be playing.  We also have a job to do! We and the Praise & Worship Leaders, should have good enough relationship with God to be able to be an vehicle to transport God to the People, and the People to God! Proverbs 4:7 says, Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. We can have wisdom on what to do when the Spirit gets high, but if we don’t understand what we are doing it is all void! When We understand what that Chord, or that Cymbal means in time of the Spirit being high. Healing can and will take place, because we are in a place that we need to be. That place makes it easier for the Pastor/Preacher to minister to the people that need healing.

1 Corinthians 11:16 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:16
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Observation
After discussing length of hair and covering one’s head, Paul ends by saying this is not a church custom. Paul seemed to be talking here about cultural norms and how they are applied in corporate worship.

Action/Application
The biblical context includes culture. However, we must remember when we are discussing culture not to try to spin these norms as as God’s law for our life. Especially when such an argument leads to contention.

Prayer
Lord help me to rightly divide as I read and understand the Bible. I seek to know your truth as it applies to culture and not the other way around.

1 Corinthians 10:24 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Observation
Paul explains to the Corinthian church that men is free to do all things, but, in this verse, that men should seek the wealth of others.

Application
I don’t believe that Paul is suggesting that men desire the things that other people have; that would promote jealousy! I believe he is telling the church that we should be invested in the gift that is them. Wealth yields prosperity and building wealth IN others produces a Godly resource for me and everyone else. Everyone wins.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for restoring the vision and meaning of my middle name: Nathan (giver). Thank you for reminding me of the automatic blessing that is attached to giving.

1 Corinthians 9:17 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:17
For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward); but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly and under compulsion, I am [still] entrusted with a [sacred] trusteeship and commission.

Observation
Paul is, once again, splitting hairs. In the prior verse, he recognizes that he NEEDS to preach the gospel. Here, he points out that the only choice he sees is how WILLING he is to do so. Willingness to do God’s will brings a reward.

Action / Application
I’m reminded of Job, who ended up doing God’s will grudgingly instead of willingly. We all have a job to do. Will I do my job willingly and receive the reward God has for me?

Prayer
Lord, help me to keep a willing heart toward the tasks that you have given to me.

1 Corinthians 8:10 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 8:10
For suppose someone sees you, a man having knowledge [of God, with an intelligent view of this subject and] reclining at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged and emboldened [to violate his own conscientious scruples] if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what [to him] is for the purpose of idol worship?

Observation
Paul is instructing the Corinthian church regarding limiting their behavior even though their conscious gave them the liberty to eat in temples built for idols.

Action / Application
This is a reminder that, as Christians, we are not islands. What we do, and how we are perceived by others DOES matter. Knowingly influencing others in a way that causes their conscious convicts them IS sin although the action itself may not be.

Prayer
Lord, help me not to be so self-righteous that I destroy my brother.

FAIL, ADAPT, SUCCEED! – 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

1Co 4:3-5
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment:yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified:but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
(ASV)

Thought about this verse while listening to someone speaking about adaptability. What resonated was not judging things before time. We should not be quick to label “our successes” and “our failures.” If we sincerely aim for favorable praise from God, being able to learn and change for the better, God will praise us WHEN the time comes.

If we are afraid to “fail” in an attempt to “succeed” we will waste time and fall short of our God-given potential. However, if we are willing and able to receive correction quickly, the Lord will bring all to light.

1 Corinthians 6:7 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 6:7
Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

Observation
Paul encourages the Corinthian church to suffer wrong rather than go to unbelieving judges to settle disputes. He points out that, win or lose, doing that is always a defeat.

Action / Application
Especially when wronged by believers, it is better for me to forgive and move on if a dispute with my brother doesn’t get resolved to my liking.

Prayer
Lord, help me be willing to accept being wronged without seeking vengeance or justification. Help me to do so without ignoring the lessons you are teaching me while rejecting the condemnation that comes from the enemy.

Pertaining to Life AND Godliness

2 Peter 1:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Today I was thinking about all the music that exists, . and the subset of that that I actually like to listen to, . AND the subset of that I would be appropriate for Sunday morning. It occurred to me that stuff that I like falls into two categories: LIFE and GODLINESS. The stuff I like the MOST falls into both.

1 Corinthians 5:11 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 5:11
I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

Observation
Paul was very straightforward here. He commands believers to distance themselves from “believers” that don’t act in a godly way.

Action / Application
While we are instructed to go to all the world, this passage draws a line for those that believe. We shouldn’t invite people into our circle that habitually practice sin. Also, if I find myself causing mature believers to pull away, what may God be saying to me?

Prayer
Help me father not to be so sympathetic that I become associated with the ungodly or, myself, begin showing ungodly behavior.

Luke 10:6 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
Luke 10:6
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

Observation
Jesus gives instructions on how to be lead by the Spirit when we are in unfamiliar situations to find peace.

Application
I only need to follow Jesus’ advice and not be afraid of ‘the wolves.’ Discernment will inform me whether to stay or go.

Prayer
Lord help me to confidently walk into new territory this year trusting your Spirit will lead the way

1 Corinthians 3:22 S.O.A.P.

Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
Observation
Paul ends the chapter with an answer to petty disputes among believers about which leader they follow, or which minister they were baptized by. Interestingly, instead of saying that they belong to ONE of the ministers, he states that the ALL ministers (along with the universe, the future, the past, etc) belong to them.
Action/Application
Centuries later we have a similar issue. The followers of a particular doctrine and members of a particular church painstakingly cling to their denomination, their favorite TV evangelist, or even their local church. Paul is telling us that ALL belong to us. We need not to associate only with a particular group of Christians, but that we are members of the body of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, help me to walk in the reality that you have made me a gift to the body of Christ and open my eyes to all that you have for me, whether by being a blessing to or by being blessed by others in or outside my current circle.

What is it in you that is worldly?