Mood:  bright

OR

S.

1 Corinthians 12:7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

O

But the luminousness of the Spirit (the character, personality, work, power, disposition, influence, essence, nature and soul of God) is given to EACH and EVERY Believer, as carriers of His reflection. These 'carriers of God's reflection' hold all of the 'common fund and supply' for each other.

Jesus is the 'Light-Switch', Holy Spirit is the 'Wire' that carries the currant, God is the 'Ceiling-Light'....and Believers are the 'Fruit of that Light'; 'God's Light-Bulbs'.

A.

I can not stand alone as 'God's reflection' because I don't have all that I need to keep shining for God. The only way that I can receive what I need individually is to be with other Believers-bulbs. Together, we have the 'common fund and supply' for each other. One Light bulb shines dull compared to a thousand bulbs standing together and hooked up to the same Electric Current. All together, we ARE the 'Light of the World' and the Light for each other!

P.

Father, help us Believers to stand together as one mass of lit up Light bulbs for You. Give us understanding that standing together not only helps each one of us be brighter, but we illuminate YOU to the world as one HUGE Light!

Mood:  caffeinated

S.

1 Corinthians 11:24,25 (NKJ) and when He had given thanks, He broke   (dict.= to rupture the surface; to discover the system key for decoding or deciphering; to penetrate; to disclose or reveal) it and said, Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.

In the same manner He also took the cup (Greek; Thayer #4221: experiences, a drinking vessel (us), to recieve into the soul what serves to refresh, strengthen, and nourish it into eternal life) after supper (expense, cost; Greek Thayer #1173: symbol of salvation into the Kingdom), saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it (Greek; Thayer #4221: experiences, a drinking vessel (us), to recieve into the soul what serves to refresh, strengthen, and nourish it into eternal life), in remembrance of Me.

O.

Bread is what feeds our body but The Bible is what feeds our soul. Jesus was saying to 'rupture the surface' or the Word of God so that we can 'decode or deceipher' it. It was 'ruptured' for us so we can remember Jesus inside of it's pages.

The 'cup' represents our experiences in life; both good and bad. When we pay the cost of life experiences, while we recall all that Jesus taught and lived through, we receive wisdom and knowledge which "we receive into our souls to refresh, strengthen, nourish it into eternal life".

A.

I could write a book on my life experiences and it would look just like a soap-opra! My story would tell everything from having cancer to watching my grandson be born. The experiences I had in between those two things would knock your socks off. But because of these, I have become learned and a bit wiser. These experiences were necessary, the COST, that my soul/spirit would become more knowledgable. Life experiences, both good and bad, are to be lived through while looking at what Jesus lived through and the way He handled life. This makes us wise-up, spiritually. We learn by comparing what we are going through and how we handled it, with how the men in the Bible PLUS Jesus (remembering) went through like experiences and handled it. We could skip a few steps, the ones that took us off the path, if we could just decipher and break the surface of those same experiences in the Word of God. They are for our 'comfort and learning so that we....might have hope'!

P.

Thank You, God, for Your Bread/Word and Your cup/experiences. Show me how to merge the two together; the Bread and the cup; Your Word and my life's experiences. Help me SKIP A FEW STEPS! 

Mood:  a-ok

 S.

1 Corinthians 10:23, 24 (NKJ) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify ("house-builder; architecture"). Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being.

O.

Everything is right for me to do in public, but not all things profit or contribute to others. Everything is right for me to do in public, but not all things prompt Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness or blessedness. (build the character of others; be their 'architect') Let no one seek your owh architecture, but strive to be the 'architect' to others.

A.

We are the church's 'builders'. We are the 'architects' of the church. We, each individual Believer, give the church, as the whole body of Christ, it's character. That's our responsibility. And it all starts by building up the character of the one who stands beside us. We are to embolden, restore, repair and rebuild each other. We are to build each other up, not tear each other down. We are to strengthen each others 'character' so as to show proof that we are the body of Christ....and hold the charcter of Jesus.

P.

Father, make me just one of Your church architects! Show me how to build my fellow Believer up in every truthful way. Make me Your architect, Father.

Mood:  quizzical

S.

1 Corinthians 9:1 (NKJ) Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

O.

Paul is confirming who he is to the Corinthians ('satisfaction'), just so they know his NEW reputation vs. the old one. He's says he's 'one sent on a mission', a messenger and an ambassador. He is not a slave but is unrestrained by the yoke of the Mosaic law...he's FREE! He has the reputation of being free! He has become acquanted with Jesus by having experiences with Him. Paul has attended Jesus and seen Him with his own eyes and his mind. Because of this, the church of Corinth ('satisfaction') have become Paul's assignment; his business. Paul is an instrument of Jesus, as Paul rests in what Jesus already completed; the cross.

A.

This scripture stood out to me because Paul is confirming who he is and teaching 'satisfaction' (Corinth). I am searching for who I am as just ME...and seeking satisfaction in my life.

Like Paul, I am FREE from the Law. I have experience Jesus, resting in what He has done for me (freed me, intercedes for me, conquered death for me, defeated satan for me, covers my sins, makes me the victorer, gave me the job of continuing on the same 'mission' He had on Earth, loves me no matter what). Like Paul, I attend Jesus and am His instrument. Like Paul, I've SEEN Jesus and I experience His Spirit.

Who am I?

I'm just like Paul! I'm freed, and as Jesus' instrument, I am on a mission to be satisfied, showing myself as the 'satisfied' to others. 

P.

Father, Thank You for Your Son, for in Him I can be all You created me to be; free and completed/satisfied! Thank You that You have gave me Jesus as my Way!

Mood:  surprised

S.

1 Corinthians 8:10,11 (NKJ) For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in an idols temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

O.

What I think Paul is saying here is that if anyone who has intelligence, and is watching you while you are being either appointed by God with His intentions, OR while you are being held in subjection under the power of the devil, AND you are being seen in a 'testing place' where your 'likeness' will show (either the likeness of Jesus or the likeness of the devil) THEN the soul of the 'watcher' will determine whether you are real or fake. He'll watch you from the outside to see if you are changed on the inside in this place of testing. If this 'watcher' is spiritually weak and impotant (powerless) but is trying to grow in Christ,then what you reveal to him could either cause him to trip up or cause him to desire what you have; growth in Jesus. If we aren't real in Jesus, the 'watcher' will be tripped up and could remain useless to God's Kingdom.

A.

I am being watched. YOU are being watched. If we are Believers or claim to love Jesus, we are being closely scrutinized. In this day of many 'idols' (those 'things' or 'people' who are put as #1 in our desires and obedience over and above God in our lives), we are being examined to see if we really do have the Answer. I know I have Jesus in me. I want Him seen in my life, AS my Life (how can you hide Jesus?...the REAL Jesus is too big to hide?). I know He's real because I know I'm changed from the inside out. The only way to let that show on the outside is to live for Him on the INSIDE! I have to be real! Not one fake molucule can be left alive in me because it will be seen by the 'watchers'. Anything fake in me has to be destroyed by fire...GOD'S fire! Then I will be pure both inside AND outside; seen by the 'watcher' as the holder of God's Authentic Secret, Jesus!

P.

Father, I ask that You destroy every little thing in me that not of your authenticity! Make me crystal clear, Lord, in front of You and all those who are watching me. Help me not to fail You in this, Lord. I don't want to trip anyone up, Father....just bring a longing for the 'Secret' inside of me to belong to others, too!

Mood:  irritated

S.

O.

Paul says that he is advising, in a yielding way and as a right or privalage...as a point in an argument. He says that his statement isn't an order from God. He says he desires, by choice, that all humans existed in the manner that HE does, with the exception that each person pssiss his/her own seperate deliverances and favors from God.

A.

Paul makes me angry! His pride shows in chapter 7. Is this godly? He wants every human being to be like him in being 'single'. He only SUGGESTS by his own OPINION, that they do. It's NOT an order from God. He does say that he understand each persons individual gifts of deliverance and favor from God. SO WHY DID HE EVEN WRITE THIS FOR THE CHURCH IF IT'S OF HIS OWN OPINION? Does this show that Paul was hurt by a woman and so shuns marriage? What exactly is he telling us...that marriage makes it harder to be intimate with Jesus?

P.

Father, show me why this angers me; why this stirs up my spirit. What is Your Spirit trying to sift out of me that doesn't belong. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear what You are trying to teach me in this scripture, Father. Help me to understand it clearly so that I can apply it to my life!

Mood:  bright

S.

1 Corinthians 6:11, 12 (NKJ) And such were some of you.(fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners) But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

O.

We were given a new, purified soul the very moment we gave our hearts to Jesus. We were given the same fixed position of innocence and freedom that Jesus has. We were given everything you can think of that is associated with the name 'Jesus'...and all it brings to mind; His character and authority. We were given the very Soul/Spirit that God holds; the nature of God.

Because of this, everything on this earth is 'right' for us.

The EXCEPTION? Those things that aren't for our spirit/soul's advantage. Those things that don't contribute to the good of our spirit/soul. Those things that could bring us under 'foreign' control or power. (and it's under OUR control what power/control we give away)

A.

I have Jesus and all His character and authority in me. Because of this, I also have the authority over what may try to control me. I can give away my power/authority to people or things. Or I can give my power/authority to Jesus in complete surrender to HIS power/authority.

I can let peoples oppinions of me rule my life, or let Jesus' oppinion rule.

I can give power to food, or I can take control of that.

 I can give power to many things or people, but that's my choice.

When I 'see' this, I get the control. When I understand the ability I have in who or what I give power to, then I can choose to take or give that power to the proper Person, Jesus.

Today, THIS is what I choose: to give Jesus all control, authority and power over my life.

P.

Jesus, take the wheel! I give You, and You alone, the control of my life. I choose to see what authority I have given away and I take it back. I give YOU that power, in Your name, authority and character!

Mood:  accident prone

S.

Psalm 69:5,6 (NKJ)  O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

O.& A.

God knows my lack of good sense, my lack of caution and wisdom. He knows the times I act foolish (dispising wisdom, mocking when I am guilty, when I am quarrelsome). God knows my faults, my guilt, my offenses and wrong-doings. They aren't secreted from Him by my actions or words.

And so I ask Him that these traits in me not cause others, who seek Him, to fall or trip up. I ask Him to not let these be confused or insulted by seeing these things in me.

P.

Father, You see all of me. You see my foolishness. When I am like this, I ask that Your wisdom would cause others not to see this in me so as to not cause them to stumble in their faith because of me. But the thing I most ask is that You cause me to have the wisdom needed to overcome my foolishness, Father. Grow me up, I pray!

Mood:  not sure

S.

1 Corinthians 4:9 (NKJ)  For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men

O.

Paul says that God shows off His 'set apart delegates' as if at the 'lowest rank' or 'grade of worth', and in that manner, as 'humans doomed to death'. This is how God's people are displayed by God to the world. He puts His people 'on the world's stage' as a place for public show and to examined and to be 'made sport of'. Here is where the world examines God's people...in full view and under a magnifying glass. God's people are examined by both angelic messengers and by human beings.

Why? To show that they ARE God's people; to dispell the 'I-did-it-myself-pride' in the people of God while at the same time to reveal, under close examination, that God dwells in their lives...every day and in all ways.

A.

God DOES put me on display. He makes me feel as if I am being examined by unbelievers so that my pride will be dispelled. I stand on the 'stage of life' under the worlds magnifying glass, my everyday life being closely watched and judged. I am to be God's proof that a Believer is free and full of joy and hope in every life situation. I am scrutinized and made fun of on this 'stage'. I am seen as a human that will still die, like everyone else. And yet I am to not fear human death. Both humans and God's angels are watching me.

Do I pass the test? Does my life reflect Jesus? Is my pride showing? Am I humble or prideful? Do I stand or do I coware? Do I stand in the light of Truth or do I appear artificial?

Many questions come from this scripture; self-examination of me. This scripture raises up a time to reflect and take another look at how I 'appear' to the world.

P.

Father, I pray that I would show YOU to the world as You would have me be. Help me to be more like Jesus on the stage of this world. Give me legs to stand, but a humble heart. I pray that I would be totally real, and totally full of You, Lord!

Mood:  lazy

S.

Psalm 37:4-6 (NKJ) Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

O.

When I am pliable, delicate toward God, He will fill up my inner man, my soul, with all that I lacked within me from the beginning. All that my inner man desires will be made full.

A.

Picturing myself as a mound of pliable dough, I can only be molded into a loaf of usable bread if I am soft and fragile. God is the Bread-Maker. He knows I desire to become 'bread' because that was why I became 'dough' in the first place. Only HE can make me the completed product. And only I can allow Him to complete me. This fullfills the desires of my inner self, that which I was born longing for deep within me. This is the only way that I can be completely satisfied and the 'Jesus shaped hole' within my spirit be filled up. Only by being 'delicate' can I be molded into full completion; full purpose.

P.

Father, You alone know what I need to be fully satisfied within and completed. Keep me always pliable, Lord, and with no pride, so that my choice will always be Your hands kneeding me into the completed product; Your full purpose for me.