The Daily Dose

God’s Glory

“Or do you not know that your body is the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”  1 Corinthians 6:19

The glory of God!  It’s hard for us to imagine it, although it is described all through scripture.

•             Exodus 33:18-19 tells us God’s glory is seen in His goodness

•             Exodus 40:34 says God’s glory filled the tabernacle

•             Psalms 19:1 says God’s glory is on display in the heavens

•             2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that the knowledge of the glory gives light to our hearts

•             Ephesians 3:16 says the riches of God’s glory strengthens us in our inner man

•             Hebrews 1:3 – talks about the brightness of His glory that was expressed in Jesus

•             Revelation 21:11 refers to the new Jerusalem that has the Glory of God as its source of light

These are only a very few mentions of the Glory of God and how wonderful it is.  However, before Jesus came, that glory was kept behind a curtain/veil in the temple, in the place of the Holy of Holies.  After the fall of mankind, people were no longer able to be in the presence of God’s glory or they would be destroyed because sin cannot be in the presence of God.  When God established the blood covenant and set up the temple, only one person, the high priest, could go into that place one time each year to offer up the sacrifice for the people’s sin for that year.  He could not go there without the blood that was poured out for the sins.  It was quite a process and really God set it up because of His desire to be with His creation/family.

At the time of Jesus’ death, God tore that veil from top to bottom.  The veil was so thick there is no way it could have been done naturally.  God did it supernaturally and the reason was because through the blood of Jesus, the glory of God was now released to come out from behind that curtain and move right inside of each person who received the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  What a supernatural work and so amazing.  There has never been anything like it before or since.

Today I want to encourage you to “see” the glory of the LORD living on the inside of you.  The Holy Spirit is growing you and becoming more evident through your daily walk.  Remember that the glory of God’s presence that used to live behind a great veil has now taken up residence in your inner person!  This is an amazing work and revelation. As you continue to look into the perfect law of liberty (God’s Word) you give more space for His glory to move into your life to shine and be evident in your daily activities.  This is God’s plan for all of us, to have our spirit join to His Spirit and become a new creation in Christ Jesus, displaying His glory and goodness wherever we go!

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Judge angels?

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3

God’s angelic force!  The thought of them can be quite intimidating.  The scripture actually talks a lot about them, but most people know little if anything about them.  Below is a short list of some of the attributes and descriptions God has told us about angels in His word:

1. One angel will put 1000 to flight and two 10,000 – Deuteronomy 32:30
2. God puts them in charge of our protection – Psalms 91:11
3. Angels excel in strength and listen for God’s word to be spoken to do it – Psalms 103:20
4. Angels are messengers from God – Luke 1
5. They are ministering spirits to minister for God’s people – Hebrews 1:14
6. Angels worship the Lord – Revelation 4 & 5

There are many more references that give us a description of God’s angelic hosts.  If you do a search for just the word angel, you will immediately find over 100 results in the word.

The focus of today’s reading says that WE will judge angels about things in this life and in this world.  I didn’t understand this for the longest time until I got a job where I drive for 3 – 5 hours per day.  I have been in several near misses, many almost collisions and even more close calls.  To the point that now even before I get on the road I declare: “Angels, I judge you more than able to keep me in all my ways.  God has put you in charge of my safety and protection and you have proven to me that you are well able to accomplish this.  Therefore, I judge you worthy of keeping me and my vehicle safe and all those around me.  I judge you mighty in strength because you have brought me through many narrow escapes and ministered grace and peace to me along the way.”

I judge my angels well able to watch over me and my loved ones and even those who are just around me.  How do you judge your angels?  Do you even realize that they are close by waiting to hear your direction?  Psalms 103 says they are listening to your words for the “word of God” to do it.  Do you release them with the power of grace, protection, wisdom and peace in your life or are they standing by with nothing to do because they do not understand your language?  They are God’s ministering spirit sent forth to minister for you (Hebrews 1:14) but it is up to you to send them out.

Today I want to encourage you to release the angels over your life and the lives of those you love.  Speak the word of God and send them in the direction that you need some mighty strength poured out on.  Judge them worthy to be in charge of your safety and protection because God has put them in charge of it and rejoice with them that one day you will stand beside them in heaven praising and worshiping your Father, just like the apostle John did in Revelation!

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 6:1-11

A real problem                                                    

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.  1 Corinthians 5:12

This is a problem.  We know that we, as God’s people, are the light of the world.  We know that we are not of this world, just in it.  We know that we are to reach out to the lost and hurting people of the world.  Yet in today’s reading, Paul says not to keep company with the immoral, covetous, extortioners and idolaters of the world.  Aren’t these the very people that we are to reach for the kingdom of Heaven?  The ones who need the love of God and the salvation He provided for them?

In Paul’s defense, his focus in this passage is to not condone sinful habits of fellow believers.  This part makes sense, and certainly once you become a part of God’s family, there is a much higher standard of living and no room for immoral habits with covetous, idolatry, reviling/complaining, drunkenness and extortion to still exist.  Yes, this is definitely a real problem.  It may happen in a church, but typically, when people have not stepped away from sinful habits, they are not spending a lot of time in church anyway.  The instruction in today’s text is not to associate with them by sitting with them in eating (which implies fellowshipping).  There are so many variables to this.  What if it is family members or what if it is a new believer that is trying to get on track?  I believer Paul’s point is directed toward those who are deliberately defiant and refuse to grow in their walk and relationship with God.

He concludes this chapter by saying that God judges the unbeliever, but we are to evaluate if another believer is walking toward God or away from Him.  Lost and sinful people are going to sin.  That’s what sinners do, they sin.  You really shouldn’t be surprised or appalled when you see it happening. Just expect that sinners and those who do not know God’s goodness and grace in their lives are going to sin. However, once you receive salvation and a right relationship with God, the fruit of that decision should be evident in living differently than when you didn’t know God. 

You can look at it this way:  When you receive God’s gift of salvation, you are immediately adopted into the family of your loving heavenly Father.  You move into His house and receive all the benefits of being the child of the One true King. The other side of that is, you are now subject to the new house standards.  If you continue to walk out of your adopted Father’s house to go live back where you did before you were adopted, then you are not living as if you have gained a new family and home.  You are still living as an orphan, slave and a beggar.  God is not unreasonable and His greatest joy is to bless His family, the problem is if we don’t stay within His reach, we are actually limiting His access to or lives. As you begin to submit every area of you life to Him, now you can be sure that He is taking those areas and working His greatest blessings in them.

Today I want to encourage you to receive God’s unconditional love and enter the home He has paid to give you through salvation.  Don’t be like you once were before He adopted you into His family, step away form the chains of sin that are holding back His blessings from flowing in your life.  If you have never received His unconditional love and salvation, do it today and He will bring you right home to live in His protection and grace.  Pray this simple prayer today and Jesus will come into your heart and into your life and give you a right relationship with the Father so you don’t have to be an orphan any longer.  Now you belong to the King.

Pray this from your heart: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him form the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to come into my life to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Purge out the old

Therefore, purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7

There once was a popular saying that goes: “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch.”  It was meant to say that you will pick up the bad habits of those you allow into your inner circle.  If you are running with the wrong crowd, you will look and act just like their undesirable ways.  In contrast, if you are around the right kind of influences, you will begin to act in the same way as your good role models.

Today’s scripture is talking about the ingredient of leaven used for raising bread.  It is like yeast.  You only need a little bit to cause all of the dough to rise.  Paul encouraged the people of Corinth to get rid of the bad leaven, their old sinful ways and become new by picking up a new way of living.  The way Paul instructed them was by following the example of the Lord Jesus. He told them to get rid of their malice (spite and hostility) and wickedness/iniquity and replace it with sincerity and truth.

This is good instruction for us today, also.  There are many examples of daily habits around us.  At work and at school most of us a subject to an abundance of spite, hostility, destructive words and all around bad behavior.  If we do not recognize and guard against the pressure of fitting in, it will not take long at all before we look and act just like everyone else in the room.  I’m not saying you have to go through your day with your eyes closed and your hands over your ears, but what I am saying is determine not to look and sound like those who are far from God.  Make a stand for what is right and have an encouraging and positive outlook in every situation.  A bad attitude is like a lump of leaven and it quickly spreads through the entire room.  However, the good news is that a good heart and outlook can have the same effect in the right direction.

There is one other way I like to look at this scripture and that is the way the word of God can work in your life.  It is like a little leaven that can leaven the whole lump.  As you take in a little of God’s word each day, it will spread throughout every area of your life to raise it up to the highest degree.

Today I want to encourage you to get rid of the bad habits in your life and replace them with some good ones.  The best place to start is by putting the words of God in each day.  Set quiet time aside to read and think about what the Holy Spirit wants to minister to you through that word.  Spend time talking it over with your Heavenly Father.  Don’t rush through your time together, savor it and give the yeast some time to rise.  A little leaven of the Word of God will enrich your whole life.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Hi All,

Recently I was asked to do a guest blog for an awesome organization called The Smart Carpenter. It is a couple of very talented ladies joined together to mentor those in the business world. Since today was the release of that blog, I wanted to share it with all of you. The link at the bottom of the page should take you to the blog. Enjoy, and while you are there, check out what else The Smart Carpenter has been up to.

The Smart Carpenter

Everyday, there are certain things we do in our lives, at work, with our families and even in our homes. We call them routines, the “norm” or the humdrum of everyday life. But without those little things, it wouldn’t take long for the big things to fall apart. Imagine not brushing your teeth everyday. Not cleaning and putting away dishes in your kitchen. Leaving mail and email unopened. Not talking to the people you live with. Can you imagine the unraveling?!In dreams and in life, it’s the little things that keep the big things going. In a word, this is consistency. It’s not glamorous, but it works. And God models it in His faithfulness toward us. He never fails to come through. Even when we do our best to make it difficult for Him, He is always faithful. Friend and fellow writer, Lynette Lyden, is sharing from her heart and experience on this very subject as she writes about duplicating God’s consistency in your life. Her advice is made for everyday living and is steeped in her discovery of what it means to be led by God into things that are too big to accomplish in her own strength. Lynette’s story is the kind you love to read because it’s marked by both human failure and God’s faithfulness. You’ll find ways to apply her insights in your life, right now—regardless of where you are in living toward those big dreams in your heart. Here’s to dreaming big and taking the small, consistent steps to see those dreams come to pass!

With love,  Alyssa + Kisha

READ THE BLOG

Not in word but in power

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

What do people see when they look at your life.  Do they see you living life from victory to victory or a life of problem to problem?  Is your life one that will attract others to the Kingdom of Heaven or push them farther away?  The attitude you have in life is a direct reflection of how God is working in your life.  If you are focused on life’s problems and the people around you just hear about what is going wrong, they will see your life as no different than their own.  In contrast, if others hear the testimonies of God bringing you through the troubles, that makes all the difference.  The thing is that we are alike with those in the world in that we all go through trouble and problems.  The secret is in who we trust to bring us through to success on the other side of trouble.

Today’s key verse talks about the people in Corinth coming up short in displaying the power of God in their daily lives.  They were talking the talk, but did not have the testimonies to back up their talk.  The apostle Paul urged them to follow his example of trusting God through all of life’s trials not and to be full of arrogant speech.  There were many in the church who were bragging about their salvation, but did not trust God with the details of daily living.  Paul said he wasn’t trying to shame or embarrass people in the church, but he wanted to see them living by trusting the power of God to lead them through life to overcoming victories every time.

This goes back to living a life consistently submitting all areas to the Savior.  This is the way you can demonstrate the power of God in your life, also.  By turning to Him with every care and concern and even the things you are not so stressed about, you are opening the door for His powerful hand to reach in and make all the difference in your life.  A difference that will be noticed by everyone around you.

Today I want to encourage you to live your life by the power of God.  Put away pride and arrogant speaking and most of all, stop talking about what is going wrong in your life.  Instead, turn the attention to the power of God in your life.  Let those around you hear you proclaim the goodness of God in all that He brings you through on a daily basis.  Then and only then will the outside world be drawn into His love and kindness.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Faithfulness

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”    I Corinthians 4:2

In today’s world of the “looking out for number 1” mentality, it can be hard to find those who are faithful.  In our society of “not going to let anyone take advantage of me” and entitlement, pride of who we are and where we come from has taken it’s place above honor and the very things we should be faithful in.

So what is faithfulness?  Typically, when I think of someone that is faithful, I think of someone who is dependable and who can be trusted and always relied on.  While those certainly can be qualities you find in a faithful person, I believe the read example of faithfulness is in one’s consistency.  The way a person acts and the values they hold are the same no matter who they are around.  This is what faithfulness is.  With this description, faithfulness actually takes on the personality of every person.  You can be faithful in your pride and arrogance by consistently living by them.  Likewise, you could be faithful in your lack of discipline and drive.  Ideally, you are faithful as a follow of Christ and display it in your consistent love for serving others in every area of your life.  In this case, you are stewarding faithfully to love unconditionally as your Heavenly Father loves you. 

So how do we as God’s children become faithful in loving others?  Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” The just live by faith by bringing every area of their life before God and holding nothing back.  You cannot say, “Here you go, God. I’ll give you Sunday morning from 10 am to 11 am but the rest of the week, my life belongs to me.   I will say and do whatever I want to during that time, but I will give You that 1 hour to do things Your way.”  Sounds kind of silly and I’m sure no one purposefully thinks that, but those who are justified in Christ Jesus are to let God into every area of their life, 24 hours a day and consistently live and love the way He does, faithfully.  Committing every area of your life to God and looking to Him for wisdom and direction in all your ways is the way to truly live life full of faithfulness.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart and life and ask yourself and the Holy Spirit “is there any place where I have kept God out”? Ask Him if you have separated your life into different people groups.  Whether at work, the gym, school or even home, submit every relationship you have to God and He will empower you through His Spirit to faithfully steward all areas of life for His honor and glory.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 4:1-13

They Are All Ours

“whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours and you are Christ’s, and Christ belongs to God.” 1 Corinthians 3:22-23

Do you remember the first time you heard the good news of the gospel of Jesus?  Who was it from or what ministry did you hear it from first?  Maybe your first encounter with Jesus was through a family member or a close friend?  How many ministries since you first believed have you learned and grown from?  Are there different ministers of God’s Word that are imparting into your life today?

Today’s scripture is about the people in the church at Corinth.  It seems they were having disputes about who was more spiritual because of which preacher had taught them and led them to Jesus.  The apostle Paul quickly settles this argument to say some plant the Word, some water the Word that was planted, but the important part is that God gives the increase of that Word that was planted and cultivated in a life.  He turns the focus from the preacher to the message.  The message of knowing God the Father through Jesus, getting free from the world’s hold, discovering your purpose in the body of Christ, and making an impact on those around you is where our focus needs to be. 

What about all the ministers and ministries available to learn and grow from today?   The scripture says, “they are all yours.”  We can learn and grow from every one of them if we choose and God will not be offended.  In the days we live in, there is an unlimited supply of God’s message available locally, online, and other resources. (Books, podcasts, etc.). So let some plant, some water but most importantly, let God give the increase!

Today I want to encourage you, don’t get hung up on who is more spiritual because of where and who they may be growing from.  Recognize that all the ministries of the kingdom are ours to learn from, pray for, and support.  Let God’s increase of His message and His wisdom be what we are most hungry for.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Fellow workers

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

I really appreciate this verse because it reminds me once again that I am not alone in my labor for the Lord.  God has a plan and has a place for me in His kingdom work.  This passage is wonderful because it shows that we work right alongside with God.  He hasn’t left us here to figure it all out by ourselves.  We work with God!  This phrase “fellow worker” is actually defined as co- worker or colleague.  It means we are working on the same project together, the Kingdom of Heaven.  We are called by God to work right beside Him building and increasing His Kingdom.  What a privilege and honor it is to be a fellow worker with God our Father.  When we were born again, we received Jesus as Savior, yes, and we became part of God’s family, but we also became a fellow worker with Him.  He began right away training us up by working with us, empowering us to get in the place of growth and surrounding us with others that help keep us close to Him.  Amazingly, because we have always done things our own way, we often start out in our walk with God thinking we can continue down that same path and bring God with us.  The truth is, once Jesus is the Lord of our lives, He is the one that is leading now, and we follow His path.  We don’t have to get His blessing on our plan because His plan is already blessed.  We just need to line up with it by walking with Him day by day.

Today’s reading talks about the grace God has given us to build His kingdom and step into the place as a brick in the house of the Lord.  Jesus laid the foundation along with the Holy Spirit.  Now we are building on that foundation and our works are the evidence of our labor.  What we are building will be put through the fire and tests of life.  All that we do to bring others into God’s Kingdom and then encourage and build His people up with the right heart of love will remain.  Any selfish ambition will be burned off and fade away forever.  Work with your Heavenly Father in such a way that your labor is celebrated for all eternity.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart’s motive.  Are you in your called position?  Are you walking in God’s blessed path, or trying to get Him to bless your plans?  We are fellow workers with God continuing the building He started long ago.  We have a firm foundation built by Jesus the chief cornerstone. Now we are working with God to complete this project!  Discover your place today by asking God where you fit into His plan. Then begin taking steps in that direction. Soon you will be working right along side your Heavenly Father building your home with Him together.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 3:9-17

Of the flesh

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.  1 Corinthians 3:1

In the past you likely may have heard the word “carnal” defined by words such as: sensual, erotic, lustful and lascivious. However, looking at this word in today’s scripture it simply means of this physical world.  Paul is telling the Corinthian church that instead of seeing life from a spiritual perspective, they are still living by what they see in the natural, physical world.  That is why they still have emotions like envy, strife and divisions in their lives and in the church.  Paul is stressing to them that they are living like baby believers instead of growing in their faith as he had expected them to do.

This speaks to me because, I totally get it. It is so easy to go through life focused on what is going on around me.  If I didn’t purposefully set time aside each day to talk to God and consider His ways and His plans, I would be caught up in my own thoughts and feelings.  As it is now, I often find myself hurt or offended because of what someone else has said or done.

Yet the church in Corinth was fighting over things such as who was more spiritual based on who they were learning from.  After hearing what Paul has to say about it, your spiritual strength has nothing to do with who you are listening to, it has to do with who gives the increase.  All the pastors and teachers you read and listen to are only planting and watering the seed of God’s word in your heart.  It is the Holy Spirit that gives the increase of strength and grows our faith.  These feelings of envy, strife and divisions are really signs in our lives of areas that we need to grow through into a mature child of God.  To stay parked with hurts and offenses simply means your are not growing, but are still behaving as a baby.

The solution is in cultivating your relationship with your Heavenly Father through His Spirit that lives inside you.  There are many ways to do this.  Prayer, is probably the most effective way to press into God.  Just by spending time talking to Him and asking Him to show you things.  Ask Him what scripture you will need for today.  Open up the Word of God and spend some time getting to know Him better by what He has already promised.  Praying in the Sprit and meditating His Word will also bring you much insight and grow your walk of faith.  Mostly, making a concentrated effort to connect with Him each day will impact your walk with Him in a positive way that will lead you to love more like He loves.

Today I want to encourage you examine your spiritual walk.  Are you looking at life from an eternal perspective, or do you see things as if this world is the only factor to consider?  Set some time aside today to talk this over with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance.  Make a plan with Him to grow you relationship with your Father in heaven and gain an eternal perspective in every area of your life.  Put away the childish hurt feelings from offenses, and grow up in the love of God so you can step into the purpose you were created to walk in.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4