Be Edified
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify and strengthen me. 1 Corinthians 10:23
I have been struggling this week with a decision about plans for an upcoming holiday. We thought it would be nice to have a little get away. Not far, but just something to step away from life for a day or two. I had become preoccupied with trying to figure this out to the point that I was not able to sleep. As I looked at options and wrestled with thoughts about getting a place during a holiday weekend, I finally had the thought: “You know what? I am going to turn this over to the Lord!” Maybe I had been talking to Him about it some, but mostly, I was just trying to put a plan together by myself. So, finally I prayed: “Heavenly Father, we thought it would be nice to get away for a few days, but it is turning into pressure and anxiety trying to figure out the details. Would you please open the doors for the right timing and place to have a little break?” As I then went back to bed and started drifting off, I heard these words deep within my heart: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not want.” (see Psalms 23) I thought “Yes! That is exactly right!” He is the One that leads me in the right path, and I know He will lead us to the right place at the right time!! I do not need to stress or feel pressure or force anything, I just need to follow my Shepherd.
My point is, it is not wrong for us to get away, and it is not wrong for us to put together a plan to take a short get away trip or even a long trip around the world for that matter, but there is always a better way and that is God’s way.
In the verse today, Paul says a similar thing. He said all things are lawful to me, but not everything is helpful to what I am working toward. Even though all things are lawful to me, not everything grows and encourages my spirit man. In this passage he is talking about food offered to idol, but the same is true concerning all things in life. It is up to you to not associate with the demonic realm and to base your life decisions on the leading of God’s Spirit and God’s Word.
There are many options we face each day. Where we will work, where we will go after work and even where we will live. Although making these decisions and many other life choices are not sinful, there is always the best choice they can be made, and that is to follow your good Shepherd. He will lead you in the path of righteousness and to the still waters and even THROUGH the trials and the valley of the shadow of death.
Today I want to encourage you as you face decisions in life. All things are fine for you to do, but not everything is useful and beneficial. Even though a plan may look good on the surface, it may not be the most productive or profitable for the purpose you were called to. Turn it all over to your good Shepherd and let Him lead you on the right path at the right time with the right people!
Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.
22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.
28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?
30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
The Daily Dose 