Bible League: Living His Word The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments...— 1 Corinthians 2:15 NIV The Holy Spirit is God's built-in protection of us. God can provide wisdom to us about non-believers that can't be seen from the surface in order to navigate relational challenges. He does this, all while guarding these same people from "seeing" below our surface, because we're covered in the righteousness of Jesus. I lean towards showing mercy to others. So, when God recently asked me to gently correct someone, I was still guilt-ridden days later over feeling "mean" for having done so. I lost all hope, thinking that I had probably destroyed the relationship by being so (gently) honest. One night, during this time of anxiety, I had a dream. I dreamt that the person that I had gently corrected walked up to me with very vivid eyes, brightly lined with make-up. In the dream, I said to this person: "Oh, I see that you're wearing make-up. I like you with it on, but I also like you without it." When I awoke, I prayed about the meaning of the dream, and was led to our verse for today. After pondering it, I realized that the Spirit had led me to make an accurate "judgment" about the relational situation when I'd gently corrected the person, after all. The make-up was a symbol to me for what I'd reminded this individual of in real life: that they could be flawed and still accepted as a friend. This person didn't need to sweep their honest self under the rug and constantly repress themselves in my presence and in the presence of others. Initially, they were indeed angry upon hearing what I had to say, but it was obedience on my part to speak up. God still loved them when they were putting up a front, i.e., "wearing make-up;" yet He also loved them when they were transparent and vulnerable with Him and others, i.e., "not wearing make-up." I found more confirmation when I turned to Galatians 6:1 in the Bible. I read the following: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently." The Spirit hadn't allowed me to mess up, and the relationship is better for having been obedient to the Lord. By Jenny Laux, Bible League International contributor, Wisconsin U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 41 Genesis 41 -- Pharaoh's Dream; Joseph's Interpretation and Reward NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 13:1-32 Matthew 13 -- Parables of the Sower; Weeds among Wheat; Mustard Seed; Yeast; Treasure; Pearls; Net; Prophet without Honor NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.Insight Joshua's new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it. Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. Challenge We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. God promises, however, that he will never abandon us nor fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life's challenges. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house.At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence. David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals, and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door. Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful, we had need use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevent. Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen. Daily Light on the Daily Path Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. Hebrews 2:8 YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 2 Peter 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Jude 1:17,18 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, • that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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