Lion of Grace

I don't think Paul is cursing anyone per say, I think he is saying whoever does not love the Lord, let him be cursed (as that person is bringing a curse down on his own head.) Christ is to be loved above all others and Paul is saying those who refuse to love Christ and who reject Him bring a curse down on their own heads and Paul in defense of Christ is in full agreement of their punishment and is even saying, "let that happen to them!" Who does he invite to come quickly? Jesus! I believe Paul was looking forward to Christ's coming not so much to escape the persecutions he suffered or even to save the church from any more complications through false teachings and weak congregations. In his life he never shrank from any of these things. He was looking forward to the completed work of Jesus when Christ would come back and take His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Then all who opposed Christ would see and bow down before Him. The Lord's name would be vindicated! Paul's life was about Christ. Not circumstances.

To continue to minister in the face of opposition takes great faith. We know, that though some are against us and the work God has asked us to do, God is still sovereign. His will is what will be done. Satan will use others to try to stand in our way, but obedience and faith to continue on are what we stand on. Satan hasn't won yet....and he won't ever win....so though we may suffer for a little bit....the victory is OURS because the battle and the victory belong to the Lord! We engage in spiritual warfare, putting on the full armor of God, we pray and call on God to help and we persevere!

Paul is offering reverence and is showing he is submitted to the Lord's plan and guidance. Today, we can forget this reverence, but not everyone who makes plans without saying "if the Lord wills" is being arrogant in my own opinion. It is a good thing to do and learn per say, but more importantly God looks on our hearts. We may not say those words every time, but when we make plans and God directs us to another way or blocks those plans, we should be submitted to His will in that. Paul made plans to go many places, but when the Lord blocked his way, he did not continue on in his endeavor. To me, that's what is more important here. In Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit had already kept them from preaching the word in Asia. They "came to" the border of Mysia and they "tried to enter" Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. In these passages Paul is following the direction of the Holy Spirit but he isn't actually "saying" if the Lord wills. If the most important point to be had was on what he "said" I think it would have been included and repeated. He isn't being arrogant, he is traveling, "planning" on spreading the message to specific places, but when the Spirit said "no" he submitted to that. I don't think the magic of a few words shows being more submitted to God's will or less arrogant than those who do not say those words. It's the matter of our hearts and our wilingness to let go and obey God when He directs that is important. Men can say all kinds of reverent things with no follow through what so ever and vise versa.

Regular giving should be practiced. It should not encompass only giving when we feel like it or when we have extra. A portion for giving should be taken first thing and set aside. Proportional giving should be giving as according to your ability. Our regular giving will be measured by income but sometimes, if we are blessed with more money than usual, we should give more. Planned giving is setting aside money for giving as a need arises. I don't know many Christians that do this and admit I've not thought to do so. I love this concept though! How much more often we could bless others this way!

The number one source of discouragement to me is when others aren't doing their part in ministry. So many times I have been in a ministry that has to depend on others to do their part and when one or more drops the ball it can become frustrating. I also have the gift of helps and that usually means that the jobs that no one else want to do can fall on me. I always want to "help out" and others depend on me to do those things no one else will do. I do love to help but sometimes all those areas can get overwhelming and I get frustrated that the mundane things that have to be done are so looked down on that some people actually refuse to do them! So sad. How am I encouraged? By knowing that God sees my heart. He always strengthens me, gives me joy and reminds me that everything I do, I'm doing for Him. That's awesome!!! Rewards will be later and they won't be for the biggest ministries, the most popular ones or the ones coveted by many for self gratification. They will be for faithfulness in what we were willing to do for Jesus. "Well done good and faithful servant!"

These verses tell us a mystery! When Christ comes, in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised no longer perishable, but imperishable. Not only will they raise and be changed but all those left alive will be changed. No longer will there be mortality but immortality. "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?" This tells us Jesus defeated death and we too will defeat death through Him! It also tells us He IS returning! Oh happy day!!!

The doctrine of the Trinity declares that God is three in one. Though one God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are also separate beings with differing roles. They are equal because all are one, yet they reveal their own individual aspects too. The Father sent the Son to fulfill the plan for salvation and no greater honor is given to anyone, from the Father, anywhere except to the Son. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But still, the Son always remained in the Father and everything Jesus shared with us was because He heard it from the Father. He submitted to the Father's will and plan and He allowed the Father's will to be His purpose. He always honors the Father. The Holy Spirit, is the advocate, sent by the Father but in Jesus' name. He teaches us all things and helps us to remember all the Jesus taught. He is the spirit of truth and again, like Jesus did, tells us what He hears. He testifies as to Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives in us as the Spirit of Jesus. It's this wonderful oneness of three, all working together, honoring and esteeming the other. I don't see this as anyone being lesser than the other, but as God showing His character of complete humbleness, lived out in the Three in One. It reminds me, (Thank you Holy Spirit) that we were taught to esteem each other as more important than ourselves and God, in His good and faithful character, lives that out right before our eyes! Amazing!!!

The core of the Gospel in my own words: Jesus was sent from God the Father to atone for my sins so I could be reconciled to Him. Jesus was the Paschal Lamb, sacrificed for me. He died on the cross, was buried and rose again on the third day. He fulfilled all scripture of the long awaited Messiah and He was proven to be the Son of God. He appeared to many after He rose from the dead. All these things are written down so many will believe and through Him, they will have eternal life.

While we are assured our salvation, we are instructed to also "work out our salvation." Philippians 2:12-13 "Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, to will and to act, in order to fulfill His good purposes." It is true that our salvation is a gift from God and that we do not earn it through works, but we have a responsibility to remain in our faith. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must persevere in our faith. This requires an action and decision making on our part. Yes, we persevere through the power of the Holy Spirit, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill is good purpose" but to have a balanced view we also must heed other scripture too. We must strive against sin. (Hebrews 12:4) We must fight the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7) (Ephesians 6:10-18) We must run the race to win (1 Cor. 9:24). In other words, because God is at work in me, I must continue to work out my salvation. I must persevere in my faith. Salvation is completely God's work and we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and not our flesh to persevere in our faith, but it is imperative that we not take our gift of salvation too lightly. It was purchased at a great price. We need to have a reverent fear of God, an awareness of our own weaknesses and calling on God, we must persevere in our faith.

I have recently felt instructed to go out of my church and have been sent to another, so I have two comparisons. In the first church, these passages on the order in the church are taken very literally, including the misperceived idea that women should remain silent and learn from men. The services were tightly controlled, though I don't think it was because of the Pastors per say that this was done. There were no opportunities in the service for any speaking in tongues, interpreted or not, nor were there opportunities for prophecy. There were some Bible studies to attend that were biblically in order where everyone could share what the Holy Spirit had revealed to them in the study, but most studies were controlled by teachers and their agendas or points they wanted to get across to the "students". Exhortation was frowned upon by leadership and the church was out of balance wanting only encouragement no matter the true circumstances. It was a well oiled machine though with many ministries. I think allowing prophecy and tongues would be the balance they need. The church I've recently attended has a more healthy view of spiritual gifts in everyone including women in the church, has a pastor that has a shepherd's heart who tries to encourage people in their gifts discerning those gifts in others and allowing and even desiring those gifts to be used. This church though, can struggle more with order (as in some being manifested in some people much louder than in others or not fully being understood and misused) but there is a good balance in recognizing everyone's gift as being valuable. Prophecy is listened to humbly out of the general church gathering. I've never heard anyone speaking in tongues in public but know there is prayer language going on and openly talked about.

Similarities in verses 27-28 with verses 29-32: Tongues: If anyone speaks in tongues, two or three at the most should speak, one at a time and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, then the speaker must keep quiet and speak to himself and God. Must exercise self discipline. Prophecy: Two or three prophets should speak, and all others should weigh carefully what is said. Those speaking must take turns so that all revelation will come out and so everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of the prophets. Must exercise self discipline. Differences: Tongues needs an interpreter, if there is none present, they must be silent. Meetings today could be held with less structured programs and meet with the express purpose of hearing from the Holy Spirit where everyone can bring what message they have received for the benefit of all. I've been to several of these kinds of meetings whether they be Bible Studies, Worship gatherings or times expressly for prayer. They are less operated by "one" person who talks "at" the people, but are open forums where the Holy Spirit blesses the group through every person there. I love these gatherings and every once in awhile there may be an untruth enter in that must be addressed lovingly and encouragingly by the people, but for the most part, I've seen the Holy Spirit alive and active in these grouping where HE is the invited guest....not just some human teacher, pastor or special guest (though I have seen all three of these attend, enjoy and benefit as well as share in these kinds of gatherings).

The value of speaking in tongues according to these verses are: 1 Corinthians 14: 2 The person speaking in tongues does not speak to men, but speaks to God. (How wonderful!) 1 Corinthians 14: 4 He who speaks in tongues edifies himself. 1 Corinthians 14:17 He is giving thanks. (but is he edifying others)? Romans 8:26,27 Praying in the Spirit with the Spirit Himself interceding for us with groans that words cannot express. The gift of tongues is more of a personal gift in my opinion. It is for prayer and praise and for when we need to express more to God than our earthly words can say, especially in times of intercession. I do though, also think it can be used in the church orally, but only with interpretation so others can hear and understand the message. I do embrace the words of Paul in in vs. 22-25. If everyone in the church is getting up and uttering things in tongues, but no one can understand....what good is that? If everyone speaks a word from God to encourage (edify) or convict (exhort) in their own language, then everyone can hear and choose to act accordingly. The Corinthians had placed too high of a value on speaking in tongues (probably because it was high profile and drew attention to themselves and their supposed spirituality) and were out of balance not choosing to ask for the gift that could benefit all and could express God's will or direction for the church.

The value of prophecy over tongues is that the gift of prophecy edifies and/or instructs the whole church while the gift of tongues is a person speaking to God. No one understands the message given in tongues (unless an interpreter is there as should be) but the person is usually uttering mysteries with his spirit. Prophecy in the church is for the edification, exhortation and the comfort of the church. Edification to encourage the church, exhortation for spiritual guidance in the truth and to stay on the right track with truth in love and love in truth and for the comfort of the church for those who are hurting, under severe trials and persecution. The whole church should be benefiting from the gift of prophecy. First, the church as a whole with exhortations from scripture for assurance of a correct vision and assurance to faithfully and biblically, living out that vision in balance as well as encouragement to continue in the faith with scriptural promises and reminders as to God's good character as well as comfort to the body as it suffers for Christ or where there is individual suffering offering the hope given to us from our mighty sovereign God.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand that the gifts they received were temporal but that love was eternal. They were misusing their gifts and thinking of them more highly than they should have. The focus was on the gift, not on the Holy Spirit. The gift was to be exercised out of love and for the good of the church not for prestige or popularity. The same thing happens today. People revere gifts and look for selfish fulfillment in using them. I also think ministry can be born in this way. People choose "popular" ministries or those ministries that are honored more and do them for selfish reasons. Love is absent and that is tragic. Paul stresses the permanence of love because in the future gifts will cease but love will remain. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and when we have the fruit of the Holy Spirit, everything we do comes through the Spirit of God. This makes our motives pure and right and holy. God is love. It is only through Him we can serve whole heartedly and for His true purposes. Love shows God's true presence within us. Without love, everything is just noise, clashing, shallow and oh so human. 1 John 1 tells us that anyone who does not love remains in death. (vs.14) That is a pretty strong statement on love. That equates love to life! But these three things remain: Faith, hope and love....but the greatest of these is love.

I have always been taught that perfect comes with the return of Christ. Teleios has the meaning of a state of perfection. Face to face meaning to be in the presence at the point of or after Christ's return. To fully know will only be true after the Messiah comes back. Then we will have full knowledge and understanding of all things. "For now (today) we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then (in the future) we shall see face to face (in the direct presence of). Now I know in part; (not fully known now) then (in the future) I shall know fully (perfectly), even as I am fully known."

For me, keeping score is my weakness. When others hurt me or wrong me I really have to work everyday to take the offence to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to help me overcome bitterness in the situation. I have to often make a conscience effort to choose to love and forgive every day until I can move on with a clear conscience. I don't know why that is a stronghold for me, but I have become very aware of it these last months and I have chosen to faithfully bring those things to the Lord for help and for help to forgive others and to not keep score in my mind when I encounter those who have hurt me. I really desire a new countenance in those situations. Prayer for me is imperative! I really need to be prayerful when offences come to my mind! Through prayer, I can take them to Jesus and LEAVE them there right away before they grow in my mind and harden my heart! Freedom! This to me is walking with the Spirit. I'm aware of my sin, take it to Him, call on His power for help, confess and turn from a bad habit and He ALWAYS, ALWAYS helps me!!! I have also become increasingly aware that if I don't love others, then I don't really love Jesus. This has been a profound revelation that really gave me the desire to turn from keeping score I desire to REALLY love Jesus!!!

The results of the greatest imaginable gifts done without love are: NOTHING. Without love being the motivating factor for any gift, they are meaningless. Even truth is to be accompanied by love. Anything else is like a clanging cymbal. Cymbals alone are harsh, loud and grating on your nerves. There is no melody, harmony or music. Just clanging noise. Yes- it is absolutely possible to operate in gifts from selfish motives. Pride can be involved, thinking way too much of self, knowledge (of man) can be result of foolish use of gifts and harshness that turns people away (even if truth is there) are all results of misuse of gifts. Social circles in churches because of gifts are wrong and selfishly motivated and excluding others can come from pride in certain gifts or looking down on other gifts. Fruit of the Spirit is number one! Becoming Christ like using our gifts in love for HIS purposes....not ours. What is love? Patient, kind, not putting on airs.....all parts of the fruit of the Spirit!

I believe people get hurt when others don't use their spiritual gifts for one reason or another because everyone has their own part to do in the body of Christ. If those parts are not working and being utilized, then the body can't function as a whole. I see abuses in the church in this all the time. Some parts feel their gifts are "more important" than others and become prideful and look down on other gifts. I see worldliness coming in and "people" decide who has what gift to give according to income or education and then there are certain people denied the opportunity to operate in their gift. I see gifts rated and people elevated and others looked down on. I see whole social systems created in the church based on gifts. The body can not be a whole with these atrocities going on. ALL gifts are important and I question if certain believers/leaders who live like this really do understand the Bible and what it says about the Body of Christ and gifts because these problems are contrary to what is taught by God Himself. If everyone used and were allowed to use their gifts then the church would prosper. Each person would be fulfilled in their God given role and each person could be content in doing God's will. There wouldn't be any discrimination or error from men and social status would cease because each gift and person would be of true value. What might happen in people's lives? People in the church would have a passion for the gift that God gave them and each person coming into the church would have opportunity to be mentored to in a variety of ways. I also think that there would be less "burn out" and more peace because there wouldn't be any one person or group trying to do it all. They would stick to what God alone has given to them to do and would recognize God's sovereign will to allow another person their place in His grand design. The community benefits also because some people have gifts that are more outreach oriented. Not everyone's gift is for utilization in the church but come from within the church to go outward. I also think that Churches that recognize and utilize all gifts and persons are a good example to communities and represent the Christian Church well. This makes the Church credible and can grow the Church. Unity is the source of all kinds of blessings.

Chapter 11 teaches us that: The Holy Spirit empowers all gifts. The Holy Spirit distributes all gifts. The Holy Spirit gives at least one gift to every person. The Holy Spirit gives gifts according to His purposes and plans. Our gifts are not to be used for pride, entitlement or for power. God empowers them, we employ them by faith. Gifts are distributed for the purpose of a healthy balanced church that is equipped to do God's work. This shows through in a wide variety of gifts not just in popular crowd awing gifts. Every Christian is given a gift to be a vital part of the church. We don't decide our destiny. God does. We learn to use the gifts He gives us in humbleness so that His will is accomplished. The role the Holy Spirit has is to empower our gifts. It is only His power that brings fruit to our gifts. In and of ourselves we can do nothing.

Yes, God has given me some of these gifts to glorify Him. I have been given specific verses or words of encouragement and have shared them with other people. They then confirm to me that those verses or that message was an exact answer to their prayers asking God for guidance in certain areas of their lives. I have also been so spiritually in tune with some Pastors in churches that I have heard or experienced throughout the week exactly the same message they give the following Sunday. I have shared with them my experiences afterwards to encourage them to keep seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit because He is confirming their call and message. I have had dreams and visions of different incidences that later actually occur. These have not only been a call to pray for life saving intervention, but they have encouraged individuals that God has been mindful of them in life threatening situations. One time this involved a young man who doubted God and was walking away from Him. I had a dream he was in an accident, rolling his car and being ejected from the car. I immediately prayed and later learned this young man had indeed been in an accident just like the one I described. He was so overwhelmed that I had a call to pray for him that night in such a supernatural way he reevaluated His life with God. I once had a vision of a Pastor I knew with a bullet proof vest on. I was startled, but prayed instantly for his safety. He had been on a trip and came home telling of an incident when he was out preaching in a dangerous environment and someone had threatened his group with a gun. We both were very moved by God's goodness and protection in such a miraculous way. I have many instances where I have interceded for individuals because of dreams or visions that were fore warnings and calls for prayer. I had one for my very own daughter too who I am convinced was spared being crushed by a semi because of a dream I had that woke me to pray for her. She later called me and described how close she had come to being in an accident with a semi on her way home from work the very next day! I do also, speak in tongues usually as a prayer language, but have spoken in a group and have had another individual interpret that message. I also have received repeated messages via scripture, devotionals and through other people that have become so repeated I know that God is revealing a particular message for either the church as a whole or for leadership either to encourage leadership or to give thought for some correction in the church if it has strayed from a Biblical grounding. I'm also gifted with "helps" and love to do service in the church and can be found volunteering for the things no one else wants to do. Usually menial labor. I think I have the greatest love for this gift because I think of Jesus and how He washed the feet of the disciples and I just feel a particular closeness to Him when I do those acts of service. I also love to teach any age group and think this is also a gift. God is good!

It is absolutely legitimate to use Jesus as an example in the use of our spiritual gifts! Jesus is our example in everything! When we profess to be His disciples, we seek to follow what He did, said and taught us. When Jesus left this world, He sent us a helper so we would be reminded of all He said and did and it is by the power of this helper, the Holy Spirit that we become Christ like. If we are to be reminded of all He did, then His example was very important for us. So YES, we can and should be growing in Him, using our spiritual gifts to glorify Him just as He glorified His Father! That in itself is an example to follow. Jesus was fully God and fully man so He was like us in every way except He never sinned but He WAS tempted just as we are, so His life is the perfect example for us in many areas.

Spiritual gifts are given to build up the body and to strengthen God's people. When people don't use their spiritual gifts for their intended purposes (to build up the body or strengthen it) then they are usually operating out of pride or for selfish purposes. Their gift becomes their leverage for self importance and elevation in the church and can even become abusive. God is no longer glorified and the entire church suffers. When the whole church begins to use their diverse gifts then the church becomes a living organism with each part functioning as a whole with the others. This is a healthy church that recognizes that they not only "have" many different parts but they "need" every part. God is glorified when there is unity in faith and action and the church is blessed and fruitful.

To me, to approach the Lord's table in any way that is disrespectful or to approach it with offences against others requires us to be self examining. We can't come to the table of grace without gratitude and we also can't come to the table of grace withholding grace from a fellow Christian. Another aspect would be approaching the table of grace in gross sin. When we do these things we are in fact mocking the very name of Christ and what we as disciples profess to believe. If we do these things are we approaching in disrespect or disregard? Yes! Communion is a very sacred practice of proclaiming Christ and who He is and what He has done. It was at great cost and pain to Him so we should be very moved and reverent. I ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind areas in my life that need addressed. Usually attitudes. I seek on this BEFORE communion and take them to Jesus and ask for help to change my heart in them. Then, when I take communion, my heart and mind can be freely on Him in gratitude and praise. Repentance is to confess your sins and shortcomings and to be in agreement to turn from them. To have a change of heart and mind. We can approach the table confessing our sins, but unless we really desire to change and to follow Him as disciples, then we are just using His grace as cheap grace, like the person who is sorry he got "caught" in a crime but isn't really sorry he committed the crime. He's most likely to go out and do the crime again. When we examine ourselves we take real stock of the root of our sin or attitude and reflect on if we are really truly LIVING our faith. We don't make excuses....we are serious about being disciples because we love Jesus. When we confess our sins and repent of them, we experience Godly sorrow. We realize how much we have need of His grace and how far we fall short. This produces humbleness and thankfulness and a softening of our heart and a renewed willingness to really follow this wonderful and beautiful Savior who has given His all for us. Our integrity is restored and we grow in good character because we become more like Jesus. He was what He taught! May we be so also!

Every time we partake of the Lord's supper we proclaim the death of Jesus and we proclaim our faith in His sacrifice as our salvation. We proclaim Jesus is the awaited Messiah sent from God who died for our sins. This proclamation is made to God, to each other and to any who may be present that are unbelievers. To God, because we remember our covenant with Him. To each other to express our faith and the unity we have in and through Jesus. To others as a testimony of our faith. This is important first, because Jesus asked us to do so to remember Him. We are reminded of the price He paid to redeem our souls and to give thanks to God for salvation. It is also important as a church body to remember we are united in Christ, all as a part of the Body of Christ. In Him we are one and He is one with us. It is important also, that our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is lived out for others to see. When we partake of communion, it is a visible testimony of what we believe and that we honor WHO we believe! It speaks of Christ, His sacrifice and our atonement. When a proclamation shifts to differing themes in a church, the church looses blessing and looses sight of their covenant. I see this happening more and more in U.S. churches. Themes can become more important in the church and the Gospel is left behind. Some themes I've seen become more important are the "vision" of the church or "religious doctrines" or being "seeker sensitive" as well as "various ministries" or even "financial gain". These aren't bad in and of themselves, but when Jesus is left out, then the very foundation of the church is removed and as with any building that has the cornerstone removed, the building will start to shift and crumble. There are so many churches with the cart before the horse. They are lacking in foundation but doing a lot of "stuff" for God. First and foremost is JESUS. We can't say to live is Christ if He's out of the church, not even remembered!

The cup of the new covenant was the shedding of Jesus' blood, the Paschal Lamb for our sins. He atoned for our sins once and for all and made a new covenant not only with the Jews but with all people, any who would believe. This is a covenant of love. The old covenant was the Mosaic covenant God made with the Jews as a chosen people that required continuous sacrifice of animal or grain offerings for the atonement of sin. This was a covenant of law. The new covenant provides salvation through Jesus Christ for all who will believe. It is for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God sent Him to atone for our sins which He did on Calvary. If we believe in and love the Son, through HIS righteousness, we become friends of God and the Father Himself loves us. We become children of God. Because we love the Son, we are free from the law and it's demands, but we have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us and will testify of Jesus, what He taught, and how best to live. We desire to be disciples of Jesus and because we love Him we follow Him and all He taught us while on Earth and what is still being revealed through our counselor the Holy Spirit. Everything is written on our hearts because we love Him! We have hearts of flesh that replace the hearts of stone that are cold and follow legal law trying to be righteous in self.