Video Bible Lesson - A Prayer of Love from 1 Corinthians 13 By Debbie McDaniel

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

4/17/2020

A Prayer of Love from 1 Corinthians 13
By Debbie McDaniel

“Love never fails…” 1 Corinthians 13:8
Known as the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the greatest reminders to us today of what real love looks like. And what it doesn’t look like. Widely read at weddings or written all over love notes, these words may become so familiar over time; they can almost lose some of their important message.
As we read this portion of Scripture today, let’s ask God for help in soaking in every truth as we pray His powerful words back to Him. Let’s ask for the freshness of His Spirit to bring His message of love alive within our hearts and flowing through our lives. We can’t do it on our own. We’d never be able to muster enough strength within us. It’s only possible through Him. And more than ever before, our world needs to see what true love looks like. We can do a lot of good things in this life, we can give gifts, and even make notable sacrifices for others. But if we do not have Christ’s love within us, compelling us, filling us, every moment of every day, “it profits me nothing.”
His words of truth and love:
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails…But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” From 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13
Dear God,
Thank you that you are a loving, gracious God. Thank you that you’ve offered us forgiveness and the gift of new life in you. Thank you that your love is perfect, it never fails, and that nothing can separate us from your love.
We pray that our lives would be filled and overflowing with the power of your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honor to you. We ask for your help in reminding us that the most important things are not what we do outwardly, it’s not based on any talent or gift, but the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love you and to choose to love others.
Lord thank you that your love is patient. Help us show patience with those around us.
Lord thank you that your love is kind. Help us to extend kindness to others.
Lord thank you that true love is not jealous. Help us cast aside feelings of jealousy or hatred towards others.
Lord thank you that your love does not brag and is not arrogant. Help us not to live with pride or arrogance, but to choose to walk with humility and grace.
Lord thank you that true love does not act unbecomingly. Lord help us to extend kindness instead of rudeness towards others. Help us to lay aside the critical tone and tearing down with our words, so that we can truly walk in peace.
Lord thank you that true love does not seek its own. Lord help us not to live selfishly, looking only to our own interests.
Lord thank you that true love is not provoked. Lord help us not to become easily angered. Help us not to be so quickly reactive, but instead slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Lord thank you that your love does not take into account a wrong suffered. Lord help us not to hold grudges, but to choose to forgive, even when it’s difficult.
Lord thank you that your love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Lord help us to love your words of truth, may we walk in your freedom and wisdom. Let it be what drives our lives and choices every day.
Lord thank you that your love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, thank you that your love never fails.
Help us to love as you love. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can choose what is best. We are weak Lord, but we know also, that even when we are weak, you are strong within us. Thank you that it’s not all up to us. Thank you that you equip us to face each day with the power of your love, your forgiveness, and your grace.
We love you Lord, and we need you today, and every day,
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

The hand of the Lord hath wrought this (Job 12:9).

Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the King of England to blaze in his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put into the hands of an expert lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it?

 

He took the gem of priceless value, and cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument, and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand cleft in twain. What recklessness I what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness!

 

Not so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world.

 

Do you say that blow was a mistake? Nay. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill. When he struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was, in fact, its perfect redemption. For, from those two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.

 

So, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life. The blood spurts. The nerves wince. The soul cries out in agony. The blow seems to you an apalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe.

 

Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King. As you lie in His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from its depths, blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you.
--J.H. McC.

 

In one of George MacDonald's books occurs this fragment of conversation: "I wonder why God made me," said Mrs. Faber bitterly. "I'm sure I don't know what was the use of making me!"

 

"Perhaps not much yet," said Dorothy, "but then He hasn't done with you yet. He is making you now, and you are quarrelling with the process."

 

If men would but believe that they are in process of creation, and consent to be made--let the Maker handle them as the potter the clay, yielding themselves in resplendent motion and submissive, hopeful action with the turning of His wheel--they would ere long find themselves able to welcome every pressure of that hand on them, even when it was felt in pain; and sometimes not only to believe but to recognize the Divine end in view, the bringing of a son unto glory.

 

"Not a single shaft can hit,

Till the God of love sees fit."

The God Who Saves......Dr. Charles Stanley

The God Who Saves

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 2:8-9

Recently I was talking with a fellow about his spiritual life. When I asked, "Are you saved?" he answered, "No, but I'm working at it." When I pressed him, he explained that he was making some changes in his life. He had given up smoking and drinking, among other things. I knew that I should help him understand a few important principles, as his only guarantee so far was better health.

What this gentleman needed to realize was that what we do or what we give up for Jesus doesn't amount to much. The Lord isn't looking for people who change a few habits by sheer force of will; He's calling people to surrender themselves to Him. The only action God expects of a "seeker" is to believe in Jesus--that He is who He says, He will do what He says, He has the authority to forgive, and He will equip His people to live a godly life. Because of those convictions, a new Christian is empowered to turn away from his old life--in other words, to repent--and begin the process of becoming "a new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17).

We don't evolve into a saved people by deleting old habits and instituting better religious ones; we are transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ when we believe in Him.

Since salvation isn't something we earn, no one can boast before God. All of our moral living, good deeds, and strenuous efforts to change bad habits amount to a pile of trash compared to the holiness of Jesus Christ (Isa. 64:6). Only His righteousness can cover our sins and make us right before the Father.

Pause and Breathe

Pause and Breathe
TRACIE MILES

Lee en español

“So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.” Psalm 46:2 (NLT)

As I was waiting to head out of town on a trip, I felt anxiety building up in my spirit.

I looked attentively at the other passengers, wondering if any posed a threat. I found myself reading their faces, looking at their carry-on bags and speculating if any dangerous items might have slipped through. I wondered if everyone was healthy or if germs would be running rampant through the circulation system of the aircraft.

All the worries and chaos the world had been experiencing in recent months was heavy on my heart.

Concerns of pandemic viruses, loss of precious lives, natural disasters ripping through communities, and countless tragedies on the news all plagued my thoughts. When we feel such panic, pain and suffering, all of which is out of our control, it’s easy to let fear take over. What’s happening to our world, why are people so evil, why does life feel out of control, and can we ever feel safe and at peace?

My mind was on the verge of drifting to a thousand panic-laced “what-ifs” and “whys” when God gently whispered to my heart the promises found in Psalm 46. I paused to remember He was with me, and there was no need to fear.

Psalm 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude” (NLT)

When any type of fear begins to invade our minds, Psalm 46 is a great reminder that no matter what is happening in our lives, our state, our country or our world, God is with us.

These verses assure us God is still our refuge. Our protector. He is where we find strength and peace to get through tough times when we are afraid.

Yet, even knowing this, in the face of tragedy, heartache or panic, we may begin to question God and doubt this promise of protection. Although God does have the authority and ability to protect us from every trouble, sometimes He still allows difficulties in our lives.

But His Word promises He uses our trials to teach us, purify us and draw us closer to Him. Although at times it may seem God has not protected us or our loved ones in the way we needed or desired, we can rest in knowing He is protecting us in the way He knows best. If we were protected from every trial, we would not ever learn to fully depend on Him.

Psalm 46:4-6 goes on to say, “A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! … Interlude” (NLT)

Although no river actually existed in Jerusalem, this imagery is meant to represent His peaceful presence, even when life is chaotic. Nothing can destroy the presence of God’s peace and joy in our hearts without our permission.

Notice in this passage, each section ends with the word Interlude,  as do follow-up verses. “Interlude” means to pause, break, have breathing space or rest. Although the world is in chaos, God is still God. He is still on the throne. Still mighty. Still faithful. Still sovereign. Still in control.

When we pause to focus on the truth that God is God, our hearts can be at peace even when life feels scary.

If fear has crept into your heart lately, pause and remember that God is your protector, His presence is with you, and He is in the highest position of authority over this broken world. Ask Him to settle the anxiousness in your heart.

Then, just breathe.

Dear Lord, thank You for being a safe place to flee, for always providing peace for our hearts in the face of anxieties. Fill our hearts with joy instead of fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 68:28, “Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past.” (NLT)

Being Salty

Being Salty
by Debbie Holloway

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men (Matthew 5:13).

I think sometimes we get so used to our familiar metaphors, we fail to let their significance really sink in. What Christian hasn’t proclaimed brightly: "We're salt and light!"? And yet, do we really think about the significance of that imagery? In a faith tradition where we have so many great metaphors and allegories, let's remember to ponder this one that Jesus coined.

What does it mean to be "the salt of the earth"?

Salt Enhances

As we know too-well in our sodium-filled modern world, salt makes things taste better. But condiment connoisseurs will make sure to explain that salt, when used properly, brings out the flavor already present in the food itself. Unlike pepper, which was used in ancient times to mask distasteful rotting and souring in foods such as meat, salt only enhances what’s there.

As Christians, we aren’t here to blot out the colors and flavors around us. We're not here to ignore or destroy what we see and replace it with something else. Rather, we are to be (tasty) ambassadors of Christ on a mission to draw out and display goodness. God made a good world, and, though fallen, it's still good! We still have the breath of life from God inside us. So let's remember to point to the truth and be the people who enhance and brighten wherever we go, not overpower our surroundings like too much pepper.

Salt Preserves

Before the age of refrigeration, how did people preserve perishable food? That's right: salt. Something about packing meat with salt slows down the process of decay, making it easier to store, transport, and save meat without it going rancid right away.

Likewise, let us as the salt of the earth remember to preserve what is good. In matters of justice and stewardship, Christians should be front and center to fight for what is right, what is safe, and what brings life to the world around us. Our homes, families, and communities should be solid and fresh, not rotting and fetid.

If we fail to protect and preserve, what good are we? If we fail to enhance the flavor of what’s around us, there's nothing left for us "except to be thrown out" (so to speak).

Intersecting Faith and Life: Be a sweet taste and a force for good, and those around you will "praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Further Reading

Matthew 5

Colossians 4:6

Mark 9:50

Rest to be Your Best

Rest to be Your BestBy John Van Pay

“Remember the Sabbath for it is holy.”–Exodus 20:8

“When fatigue walks in, faith walks out.” - Dr. Dave Martin

Rest is essential to longevity. The days leading up to a big race event are known as “taper week.” By not training as hard, you give your body and mind a chance to prepare for a long day. During a long-distance race, aid stations are for resting and refueling. And during a multiple-day, mountain-bike stage race in the Colorado mountains known as the Breck Epic, resting and recovering become paramount. After long endurance events like this one, athletes will recover when the number of rest days equals the number of hours required to finish the race. If you don’t get your rest, you can’t be at your best. High-performance leaders have a common trait. They eat balanced meals, sleep longer at night, and take regular power naps.

Disobeying God’s command to “remember the Sabbath for it is holy” is probably the number one reason why so many burn out. God didn’t just command it. He modeled it when He rested on the seventh day after six days of work. Honoring His command to take a day of rest is your sacred responsibility. If you were to visit Israel today, you’d discover the entire country shuts down from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. No stores are open. Airplanes stop flying. They obey the Lord. They rest.

Unfortunately, our American culture prides itself on busyness. If you aren’t busy, you’re considered lazy. Nearly half of the pastors surveyed in a Lifeway Research study admitted they don’t take a regular Sabbath.It’s an obedience issue. You wouldn’t rob God of his sacred tithe, so don’t rob Him of this sacred time of rest. A tithe means believing God can do more with your 90 percent than you could do with 100 percent. What if you shared that same belief concerning time? If you are exhausted, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Rest isn’t optional because God knows if you disobey you’ll become weary and tired. You won’t feel His presence or have the passion needed to fulfill His purpose for your life. You are worth too much to the Lord and His Kingdom. I’m not a Sabbatarian, but I do apply the wisdom of rest.

Before you can help others, you must help yourself. Imagine you are flying on an airplane with your family. If there was a problem that required everyone to reach for an oxygen mask, your first instinct might be to help others. However, the best way to help others is to place your own oxygen mask on first. Scripture makes an interesting connection: “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). You have two options.

You can try and do everything yourself in your own strength, leaving you worn out. Or you can rest and be patient for God. When you do, He will give you supernatural strength, wisdom, and power. Resting is a non-negotiable for finishing your race. Consider implementing a system of rest into your schedule.

DIVERT DAILY

Jesus withdrew often to “desolate” places to spend time with His Father in solitude.If Jesus, the Son of Man who was fully God, needed rest, we do too. Make time to connect with the Lord. Consistently caring for your soul is critical to long term health. Don’t just block a few minutes in the morning. Be aware of His presence during the day for worship, prayer, and gratitude. Fellowship with God. Walk with Him.

WITHDRAW WEEKLY

My favorite day of the week is Friday because it begins with a mountain-bike ride and ends with a date with my wife. We usually hop on my motorcycle and take a ride to the river where we set up our double nest hammock to cuddle or read a book. It’s important to recharge your batteries with a day off that is not filled with work or the “honey-do list.” You are uniquely wired. Do what you enjoy that brings joy to your soul. Include a large block of solitude as well. Disable your email. Turn off your phone. Enjoy God’s gift of rest with a day off.

A Prayer for When Life is Messy

By Kelly O’Dell

"He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love." (Zephaniah 3:17)

Today I am not the most shining example of motherhood. The sun is shining but I am certainly not. I yelled at my 14-year-old son at 5:45 a.m. when he didn’t want to wake up for morning soccer practice and then cried myself back to sleep. I tried to have a discussion with my 21-year-old about a simple chore I’ve asked her to do for weeks, with no success, and it ended with both of us shouting and me screaming at her, grabbing my bag, and leaving the house in tears. It sounds stupid. And it is. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m fuming mad and not feeling all that loving or prayerful right now.

I know these are not life-and-death situations. So many of the things we face daily are huge. True loss, severe and unavoidable consequences, serious and real stuff that far surpasses stress-and hormone-induced rage. It’s never just one situation that makes it hard to pray, but an accumulation. Emotions and losses. Disappointments and mistakes. 

It’s not realistic to think that we’ll ever be without pain or fear or grief or doubt or chaos.

We need God now, every single day, each and every moment, not at some unforeseeable point in the future. Not only in the moments of crisis, but in the days in between.

The only way to get through anything—to get through everything—is to pray.

So I sit. I imagine the whirring gears in my mind slowing, then stopping. I focus on stilling my entire body. I close my eyes and begin. “Lord...” I take a deep breath, and I feel anxiety fluttering again, so I take another. I don’t even try to find words. I soak in the presence of God. Knowing that whatever is ailing me, He can fix. Whatever is lost can be restored. Whatever troubles me can be managed.

I certainly don’t mean to oversimplify the process, but the truth is that something supernatural happens when we long for Him. When we pray. When we recognize our own limitations, when we acknowledge the barriers before us. When we ask God to quiet our souls and renew our strength.

Pray with me:

Prince of Peace, I find myself unable to cope with life sometimes. Instead of feeling grateful, I feel bogged down by the responsibilities of all that You’ve given me. I want to live out Your love, but I find myself consumed with frustration, jealousy, or worry. I want to grow closer to You, but in practice, I’m too tired or bored or busy. Circumstances will rarely be ideal; I know that. But I also know that the only thing that makes life worthwhile is living it with You. Show me how to pray when things aren’t perfect. Show me how to put aside all of the weights and sins and emotions that tangle me up. And demonstrate to me, daily, the reality that if I spend time with You, things will be better. I will be better. Amen.