Day 46: Division

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 "So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored every part rejoices with it."

As believers in Christ we have become one body.  It is out duty to love and support one another.  If one part is weak, the other parts must work harder (with God's help) to strengthen the weakest parts--further creating an even stronger body overall.

It seems to me the times in my life when God has challenged me to help strengthen others in their faith--He strengthens mine! Hallelujah Amen ;o) 

Day 45: Man vs. Woman

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 "...woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as woman came from nan, so also man is born of woman.  But everything comes from God."

2013
Men and women, especially married couples, need to realize that they need each other.  God created both men and women to be dependent on each other: to love each other, support each other, challenge each other, etc. etc.  Just like I am dependent on God, I also need to be dependent on my husband for his love and respect.  Just remember, that although we need our husbands/wives, they are not perfect like our Heavenly Father is, and will often disappoint us (this is when forgiveness comes in ;o)

It makes me so sad to see what has become of our country.  It tells us right in the Bible (supposedly the Book of Principles our country was founded on) that God created men and women to be dependent on each other, and yet we want to allow civil unions where men don't have to depend on women and women don't have to depend on men.  In the long run, are these "unions" really going to work?  Not a chance...because it is not part of God's perfect plan.

Day 44: Bearing Temptation

1 Corinthians 10: 13 "No temptation will seize you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

2013
The Assurance of Victory scripture.  God will never give you more than you can handle.  He does not temp you, but He will allow you to be tempted.  He also will provide a way out, so that you can overcome that temptation.  Just think: Jesus walked this same planet and has fleshly desires just like us.  But He resisted temptation with the help of God, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross (as if He was a sinner) so that our sins may be forgiven.  Someone to Idolize?  I think so!

Day 43: Run for the Prize

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

God some days I feel as if I am not running the race OR even training for the race.  In fact, I don't even have my running shoes on some days.  Help me not get distracted by myself or the worries of this world.  I need to lace up my shoes and start training.  I want to win the race, win the crown that will last into eternity--eternity spent with You!

Day 42: Knowledge vs. Love

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 "...We know that we all possess knowledge.  Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God."

I repeat: The man who loves God is known by God.  Do you want to be known by God?  Because I sure do.  But how do you love God?  I think you love God by Praying to Him, Listening to Him, Doing His will, and Thanking/Praising/Worshiping Him for your life.  Loving God means loving His children.  Loving nothing else more than you love Him.  Give up everything to serve Him.  Submitting your life to God.  Oh God how I love you so.  Please give me the heart, soul, mind, and strength to do so!

Day 41: Burn with Passion

1 Corinthians 7:9 "But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

2013
What happens to this passion after one marries?  Is it simply because love is work and takes sacrifice that passion is gone to the wind? Or is it because after you marry, showing this passion to your spouse is finally allowed, so one's flesh (being sinful) wants something else instead?

Lord I pray that your children who fall in love and are passionate about each other are wise enough to marry and live a life of purity.  I also pray that those who do marry with this passion keep this passion and let their flesh not take control of their life.  Live by the spirit.  Let your spirit be willing and strong and your flesh weak!

Day 40: Sin of the Body

1 Corinthians 6:18-21 "Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."

Lord help me to forgive myself of the sins in my past, and not to forget them but to use them for the Glory of God.  To show that I was lost and now am found.  I need to share my testimony with others so I can be an example for them.  If they haven't started sinning sexually, DON'T START.  And if they have and are--STOP NOW.  God love's us and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  That "price" He was talking about in this scripture was the death of Jesus on the cross, shamed and ridiculed, so that we may have a relationship with God above.  Truly, if you want to love God, honor him with the body that His Spirit lives in!