Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.

Observation:

Paul is concluding this section to tell the Corinthians gospel truths as to why to avoid sexual immorality.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection, Jesus was raised up by the Father and as believers we will be raised in Christ and united as one with Him.  The Father paid full price for my soul with the blood of Jesus and this is the greatest sacrifice of all and for that we should be grateful and live in response.  The union to Christ, with the Holy Spirit indwelling, gives us power to overcome temptation throughout our walk. 

Application:

The popular statement in our society, “It is my body, I can do what I want – I’m not hurting anyone” is directly opposed to the gospel truth that Paul is sharing with the church at Corinth.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior, our bodies are united with Christ.  Our bodies are a new creation in Christ and we are to live a life for Christ.  Sexual sin is not only sin against our own body but sin against Christ.  Our bodies, temples with the Holy Spirit in us, should be used in self-sacrifice rather than self-gratification to give the glory to God in all we do. 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for paying for my soul so I am united with you in Christ. Let the power of the Holy Spirit within me guide me to be grateful for your grace and live a life to glorify you.

Scripture :

1 Corinthians 5:12

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

Observation :

Paul writes strongly against immorality within the church in 1 Corinthians chapter 5. His call is not for those within the church to be judgmental towards people outside of the church, his call is to take seriously holiness within the church. The local body of Christ is called to live set apart in 1 Corinthians and strive for unity and purity.

Application :

It should be expected that people who do not have the Spirit of God live like the world. Too often it can be easy to judge them instead of have my heart broken for them. The call of 1 Corinthians is to examine my own purity and be a light to the world around me who desperately needs Jesus. 

Prayer :

Help me Father today to not look judgmentally towards those in the world but instead break my heart for them and use me to be a light to them. Thank You for the power and truth in Your gospel.

Scripture:

 1 Cor 3:6-7  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.  So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  

Observation:

Paul was speaking to the Corinthians. He was letting them know that their faith is far from mature. He also shares an example that shares the viewpoint that people have an overinflated view of themselves and their importance. We are not acting alone in our effort to bring people to Christ. In these two verses Paul demonstrates that everyone has a purpose but everyone’s purpose is different, according to God’s will. In this example, one planted and one watered. My gifts, talents and purpose is not better or more important (or less important) than someone else, it is different. God will use people and events to make things happen.

Application:

I am not alone in my efforts to bring people to accept Christ. I am also not as important as I think I am. Paul uses the analogy of someone planting seeds and someone else watering them. He didn’t say which, if either, was more critical or important to the success. Rather Paul states is that God is the only one that makes things grow. He does not need me to accomplish His will. He allows me to be a part of the process and to use me and others to accomplish His will on earth.

I must be patient. Seeds don’t grow overnight. They take time and they take some nurturing. Regardless of whether I plant or water or pick weeds, it takes time for something to grow and mature. And, there is no guarantee what was planted will grow.

Like the fans of the 76er’s in basketball, I must trust the process. There is a time to plant and a time to water. A farmer can’t plant corn in late August and harvest in September. I can’t plant seeds when there is snow on the ground.  Water where there are no seeds planted is a waste of time and water. Often part of my frustrations occur because my timing is off or, worse, I completely miss my timing. I must be aware and know when to plant, when to water and when to wait.

 Prayer:

Remind me of my place, my time and my purpose. Let me focus on my efforts and how I can maximize my gifts for your glory. Let me never forget that it is you that makes things grow and that you allow me to be a part of the process.

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2
Vs 3 I (Paul) was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
Vs 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Vs 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Wisdom from the Spirit
Vs 6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

Observation:

Paul is providing a huge reminder here to the Corinthian church.
The power that matters is the power of God!
Anyone who observes power from the proclamation of the gospel should observe the power of God, not the power of a person.
It’s so important that Paul even states that this is the very resting place of a person’s faith: “the power of God”.
A person’s faith simply will not last when placed on other things, particularly “the wisdom of man”.
Faith placed in the wisdom of man is “doomed to pass away”.

Application:

I am seeing three applications going on from Paul: Proclamation, Demonstration, and Impartation
Each of these must be done from a posture of humility, recognizing that it is God at work.
Proclamation, (Paul even calls them “my words”) are “not words of wisdom”.
Demonstration is “of the Spirit”.
Impartation is “not a wisdom of this age”.
So, it is a wisdom, but it is not a wisdom that will be recognized without the Holy Spirit, “among the mature”.
It is helpful to me that this is coming from Paul, a man who took so much pride in his learning, a man who had even memorized the Bible.
In the Information Age, it is easy to mistake having a quantity of knowledge for having a quality of wisdom.
I must always keep myself in check as it relates the wisdom of man versus the wisdom of God.
Yet, the fascinating thing is that God still gives me a role to play.  
Even though it is all through the power of God, I still must get to work!
Paul even says it is “my speech” and “my message” and “we do impart wisdom”.
In recognizing God is a work, Paul doesn’t sit back now and say his actions are worthless or futile.
It’s just that Paul’s actions are only worthy when done from a proper understanding of “power” and “wisdom”.
God wants me to participate in the unfolding of His plan.
This is an incredible privilege!
And when I live out this privilege from a posture of humility, there will be Proclamation, Demonstration, and Impartation.
But it will all be done for what matters eternally, not what is “doomed to pass away”.

Prayer:

Thank you God, for your word and your wisdom.
Give me your maturity Holy Spirit to see and understand it.
Show me how and where to demonstrate your power.    
Give me the courage to do so
In Jesus name
Amen

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 1:10

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Observation:

Paul is writing to people who just can’t get along. Remind them of the two responses to the Gospel and how we have made it complicated. Paul is thankful for the people he writing to and at the same to challenged to correct them.

Application:

Our differences and difference of opinion and beliefs is what people thrive off of. People travel the world to debate each other. The bad thing is we travel the world to debate people of the same denomination, same church, and same belief system. Why? Why do we thrive and desire to not agree? Would that mean we have nothing to make us different? Paul’s encouragement is to agree….agree on the main things of God. Agree on the mission of God. Agree agree agree. So in conversations not try and find out what we don’t agree on, but spend time praising God what we do agree on. Same judgement, we should view ourselves and OTHERS in the same way. Wow, this is so not true of the church today. We view people how we think they should be according to the theology and moral standard we have placed on them. May we be of one judgement and that be what Jesus has given us. John 8!!!! No condemnation and only love and grace!

Prayer:

Father may I be of one heart and mind with my brothers and sisters in Christ. May I not judge myself based on me but on your word and your spirit! Help me Lord Jesus live and lead a life that honors you!

Scripture:

  “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  Blessed be his glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His Glory!  Amen and Amen!” Ps 72:18-19

Observation:  

 Psalms 72 starts off as a plea to God for the king and through 17 verses asks God for support to the king while additionally praying for the king to deliver godly results to those he rules.  Why should I pray like this?  And how do I remember to end up with my heart inclined towards You, O Lord?

Application:  

 I don’t know about you but I read this 3 times, slowing down each time, trying to find the jewel, the nugget of gold, the “aha” moment in Ps 72.  Then I slowly came to realize that no matter what else was being said this is a text book example of how to pray.

I don’t pray like this often.  I get lazy.  I seem to say the same lazy prayer pattern every time I open my mouth.  Not that it is bad, but candidly as I am writing I see it as lazy or perhaps the better description is “under developed.”

I am just like a bunch of folks in my Christian walk: Up and down, slow and fast, faithful at times but way more unfaithful than faithful and disciplined.

Trying to detect it in my daily life is difficult.  I can “do” good things, biblical things, all day long.  Kind to folks?  Check.  Patient?  Check.  Do loving things for my family?  Check.  Do acts of grace and mercy to strangers?  Check, check, and double check: I can check off the punch list with the best of them.

Where I can tell how deep my well runs is when I pray.  If I pray shallowly I can tell.  If I pray without speaking out loud to God, even though He knows my heart and thoughts, it is an indicator of my “well.”  If I pray without conscious thought of the Scriptures or sound doctrine is that being “under developed?”  It is in my life.

The Scriptures indicate that I am to renew my mind, change my life, to imitate Him who went before me.  How am I to do that?  One way I remember is to read the Scriptures out loud and with feeling.  By doing that I can begin the process of embedding the Word in my heart.  Confession: reading the Scriptures silently doesn’t have as much impact for me.

Prayer:   

Father, thank You for all that You do—to change me into the image of the Son, my Lord.  I have begun to understand this isn’t a process of osmosis but it demands of me effort.  “Take all I am and all that I cling to; You are my Savior I owe everything to…”  AMEN.

Scripture :

Psalm 68:20 “Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.”

Observation :

Psalm 68 recalls the power of the Lord. The psalmist writes of the magnitude of God and inspires worship by calling the listener to consider the might of God. His power and might are unrivaled yet He is a God of salvation. He is in the business of saving.

Application :

How often do I step back and consider the magnitude of salvation? It is inspiring to consider the strength and might of God yet He acts in love towards His people. Today, in light of salvation I should live a life of inspired worship to the One who holds all power and is salvation.

Prayer :

God thank You for Your love and salvation. I give You honor and glory for Your power and might. Help me live today in light of Your salvation and be a light to others.

Scripture:

Psalm 70:4-5 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you!  May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”  But I am poor and needy; hasten to me O God!  You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

Observation:

David cries out to the Lord for help with a sense of urgency in Psalm 70.  In verse 4 David tells us that all who seek God should rejoice, be glad in you, love your salvation and say forever, “God is great!”  Transition to verse 5, where David is poor and needy and asks God, his deliverer, to come to his aid quickly.

Application:

This is an example of competing desires between the flesh and the Spirit that I know I experience as I would think many believers do.  After praising God and thanking Him for His goodness and salvation, my flesh will lead me think that whatever situation I am facing I need to run from the difficulty. Whereas, in the Spirit in can remain faithful and have the strength of Christ allow me face anything as I know my greatest need has already been met on the cross and resurrection of Jesus.  

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for sending your Spirit to dwell within us.  Help me to remain faithful to you and not rely on my flesh to guide me.

Scripture:

Psalm 63:6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Observation:

David writes this Psalm while he is in the wilderness being pursued by one on his enemies. The wilderness of Judah was a desolate place without many comforts. It was a dry and probably lonely place to be, hiding and running from people that wanted to harm him. Yet, in this verse we see that no matter the circumstance, Dave emphasizes the importance of being in prayer to our Father. David’s bed was probably a different location each night. It was a place of some fear and uncertainty but now, in bed, there was time to rest and think of God. At night is when he may have been most vulnerable being unable to see in darkness anything or anyone approaching. Yet that is when he found time to meditate on God.

Application:

When I am in vulnerable places or situations, I need to think of God first. Whether I put myself in the situation or find myself in one, I must mediate on Him. He can provide peace and rest. There is power in meditation and thinking of God and His word no matter what the circumstance or the time of day. David remembered God at night while resting and while he was on watch. It did not matter where his bed was, what mattered was that he took that time to meditate on God. It doesn’t matter where I am or where I call home, God is with me and God is there for me.

 David didn’t just think of God, he meditated on God. Meditation is more than just a brief thought or passing prayer. It is time spend purposely focused on God and His word, His will and His being. I thought of the time I spend. It stinks. I spend more time focused on self than focused on God. I need to spend more of it meditating on Him.

 Prayer:

 Wherever I am, let me rest and meditate on You. Let me never forget you and what you have done for me.  Remind me that is not the circumstance that matters but that you are there for me always.

Scripture:

Psalm 62

Vs 1 from (God) comes my salvation.

Vs 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Vs 5 for my hope is from (God).

Vs 6 He only is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Vs 8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

Vs 11 … power belongs to God,

Vs 12 and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

Observation:

The psalmist is stating plainly where his hope and his salvation come from: God!

He also makes cleats that ONLY God is his hope or salvation.

And because of this, the psalmist does not need to worry or “be shaken”.

The psalmist also focuses at first on the good from God for him personally: “my” hope, my salvation, my rock, my fortress …

But with his own security in God, the psalmist now pleads with others … God is a refuge for “us” 

“O people” trust God!

And it makes complete sense to do so, because the things we so often put out trust in, namely, “power” and “love”, actually belong to God!

Application: 

Do I worry? How often do I feel “shaken”?

l am a rather calm individual.

I really am not a “worrier”.

But what about “those times”? The times when i need to step up … a crucial or critical decision needs to be made … my words, my thoughts, my actions are going to impact those around me.

There will be a ripple effect.

Do I worry then? Am I shaken?

If so, I need to refocus my attention.

What am I leaning on?

What am I trusting in?

My thoughts, my words, and my actions?

Or my rock, my salvation, and my fortress?

One path leads to worry.

The other path leads to worship.

And it’s only after my worry shifts to worship, then I can lead others …

I can plead for others: “O people”.

I can tell them what brought calm to me: “trust in Him”.

I can tell them when to do so: “at all times”.

When I feel shaken, I must go back to my rock, my God.

When I see others shaken, I must encourage them to “pour out their heart” to God.

Because He is not simply “my fortress”, but He is a refuge “for us”!

Prayer: 

Thanks you God that you are my rock, my fortress.

And thank you that you are our refuge.

Help me share your goodness with others.

Help me encourage others to put out their hearts to you.

When I start to worry lead me to worship.

In Jesus name 

Amen

Scripture:

James 4:8 – 10 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be wretched mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.  

Observation:

Here James is warning believers to not live in the ways of the world.  We must live by grace given to us by God through the gospel.  As we live in grace, this will change our thoughts then actions to be more like God and less like the world.  The gospel provides our cleansing and frees us from our sin.  James call for us to humble ourselves before the Lord and he will raise us.

Application:

I must be humble and submit myself before the Lord in order to walk with Him.  This means laying down my pride, self-reliance and wants of this world.  Therefore, I can’t be rockin and rollin, living in the world and walking with God.  When I humble myself and place my faith in the finished work of Christ, I will receive his grace as I am a child close to the Father.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love and grace in Jesus.  Help me to not try and walk a line to be friendly with the world, rather to humble myself before you in faith to walk closely with you.

Scripture:

 “Therefore: confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.”  James 5:16

Observation:   

After all that James has written to us we need to look for certain key words.  “Therefore” is one of those words.  Why?  Because when we see the word “Therefore” we need to see what it is there for.  Confess my sin?  I think that I could be too embarrassed to do that…

Application:  

 I can get all caught up with what I think being a Christian should be like that I can ignore the uncomfortable parts of being a Christian.  Things like “transparency” are right up there, top of the list.

Confessing sin to one another is that kind of transparency Jesus is looking for from me.  How bad do I want to be a mature disciple, to grow in godliness?  The answer in the form of another question: “How ruthless am I prepared to be with myself?  What is the scope of my so-called “surrender” am I going to define?  Am I going to be “fierce” against my self-protection?

I need to face this: I do not like to appear weak or flawed.  I want to stand up straight with my shoulders back and appear successful, wise, and mature to all who see me.  Even if I do not care how I appear outwardly I don’t want my inward heart exposed to others.  “How are you?”  “Fine-peachy-keen,” and I hide the hurts I am carrying.  Worse yet: I hide the sin I am carrying.

I think the difference between “hurts” and “sin” has distinctions that I need to acknowledge.  “Hurts” and I am a victim-my inner Ricky is out of sorts, my “love-cup” is chipped.  I have to engage in reconciliation processes internally and externally.

“Sin”: Oops, now I have to see myself as perpetrator.  I “sinned.”  I have to own it, be responsible for what I do—and is what James is talking about confessing.

To be clear: These are very real differences and they are present in every believer for as long as we walk this earth.  I realize I am going to be hurt.  I also realize I am going to sin.  Both hurt and sin, from an eternal perspective, has been adequately addressed by the Atonement.  But, because the old man is a persistent cuss, we are fighting to put that creature away every day.

The tool that James recommends?  Confess our sin to one another-so that effective healing can take place.  What does that take?  Nothing much-open my mouth in humbleness and transparency.  To be effective?  Determine to be more and more transparent, to be vulnerable, to be exposed-to open my heart to another person, digging down and being specific about my heart of hearts-to His Glory.

This act is something Jesus treasures.  It shows we trust Him with all our hurts, fears, and tears.

Prayer:

Father, I sort of remember when I decided to “go all in” for You.  It wasn’t to surrender my time, money, whatever I thought of as being radically Yours.  It was when I decided to open my life, my heart, and be ruthless with exposing my sin to other people.  I trust You to keep me safe, in Your hand, and to form me into a vessel pleasing to You, eager for good works.  AMEN.

Scripture :

James 3:4-5 

“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”

Observation :

In James chapter three the author stresses the importance and alos danger of the words that we speak. The tongue is compared to the rudder of a great ship and a small fire that sets a forest ablaze. James writes “who can tame the tongue?”

Application :

How do I use my words throughout the day? The call of James is that though small, there is great power in the words that I choose. Today, I desire to build others up, speak truth, and surrender my tongue to what God would have me say because otherwise my words will always default to my flesh.

Prayer :

God help me today to be a light to people with my words. Help my tongue give life and speak meaning to others.

Scripture:

 “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him…So faith by itself (if it does not have works) is dead.  But someone will say “You have faith and I have works.”  (James says) Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works….Do you want to be shown (you foolish person) that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the alter?  You see (therefore) that faith was active along with his works and faith was completed by his works….You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”  James 2:14-24

Observation:

  Sola Fide-By Faith alone: A pillar doctrine for the Church–except James is pointing out a different perspective to consider.  Focusing on either at the expense of the other can cause us to walk in a stumbling manner before our Lord Jesus.

Application:   

 Pretty cool in a confusing way, isn’t it?  This wasn’t what I wanted to write about but I felt like I had to address it.

We are saved by grace, not by works…

We are saved by works, not by faith alone (key word)…

Is James presenting a new and competing doctrine?  Nope, not at all.  James is, though, making sure that we understand that being a disciple is intentional and has expectations.

Let me peel this apart: I am a Christian by faith in the Atonement.  My works could NEVER justify or forgive my guilt of being a traitor to the Most High.  However (and this is important) my Faith IS justified by my works.  Am I a Christian? Show me.  Really-show me.  Don’t tell me, show me.

Harsh.  Abrupt.  Bopped on the noggin, smacked in the face.  James communicates a necessary reminder.  But the Believer can get out of focus to the Whole Council of God at the same time.

Our innate tendency is to atone for ourselves.  What that means is that I stop trusting in Christ’s Atonement, replacing it with MY works as atonement.  I work for God, therefore I justify myself worthy of salvation.  That is not the intent of James’ directive.  What James is addressing is that some folks are content to rest on Christ’s work on the Cross and not do anything exhibiting a changed life in Christ.  “I have been born again…” What does that look like?  James says if you have Faith in the Cross for redemption, then there is something that should be seen, works of some kind.

So what works should I be doing to exhibit my faith?  Also can be a stumbling block.  I can be triggered into “big works”, noticeable works, and advertisable works.  Not bad things, but by doing big works I can ignore the small, secret, but so very much more important works like: Loving wife or respecting husband; Practicing hospitality; Fruit of the Spirit stuff; controlling my tongue; recognizing evidences of Grace; encouraging (or exhorting) one another so others do not fall in the temptation of sin.  One big one that isn’t talked about much (but James does) is humbling myself before God.

Goodness, I need to humble myself.  I do not want to wait on the Holy Spirit to humble me.

Prayer:

  Father, this is clear in my mind but difficult to write about.  I needed this reminder.  Faith alone in the Atonement is enough, fully enough.  ALSO I need to bring works worthy of repentance (Matt 3:8).  Bring awareness to me so that I work towards You and Your Will in all things put before me.  It does not matter what I do as long as You are directing and I respond faithfully.  I can find that direction in Your Word.  Many times it is doing in secret.  Help me not fall into the trap of “marketing” Your Ways-but humbly serving you and the local church all my days.  AMEN