1973
March 1, 1973 Num. 27-29, Mark 8
Moses, the greatest man of God who ever lived, was kept from entering the Promised Land because of one slip of disobedience – a wavering of faith (Num. 20:21).
Joshua is commissioned as the new leader by the laying on of hands—Joshua had the Spirit (Numbers 27:18).
*The Lord lays down the offering laws (Numbers 28,29). It is trict—and costly. Praise God that Jesus is the end of the law for all who believe (Galatians 3:24).
Mark 8. Great chapter. Jesus rebukes Satan in Peter for trying to tempt Him. “Get behind Me, Satan” (v.33).
+ Discipleship –Mark 8:34-38
“If anyone wished to come after Me. Let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, and whoever wished to lose his life for My sake and gospel’s, shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father and the holy angels.”
*Being a Christian, costs you everything.
March 2, 1973 Num. 30-31, Mark 9
*I felt led to read Romans 8 first–I must learn to “set my mind” on the things of the Spirit and be led by Him.
Num. 30:2 – The seriousness of a vow to the Lord. Num. 31—The Israelites are commanded to destroy the Midianites (even Balaam is killed). They must have been descendants of the giants.
Mark 9 – The Mount of Transfiguration. That: In Heaven we may recognize one another because here, Moses and Elijah still have their identity. That must have been a neat conversation!
The demon-possessed boy – Mark 9:17-29. Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
*My verse for today – Mark 9:24 – “I believe–help me in my unbelief.”
There is more in this chapter, but I feel like God has given me what He wants me to have. My prayer is one of help in my unbelief and doubt. Satan has really been testing me lately, but last night I feel that his messenger was cast out of me because I feel so much better today—Hallelujah. Wow, this realm of the spirit world is really a new area of the Christian life for me.
Lord, I pray that by your Spirit you will give me wisdom and insight into this new horizon of living. Lord, all four of us [Dave Saavedra, Wally Boos, Steve Wilson and I] are craving for you. Draw us ever closer to Yourself. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
March 3, 1973 Num. 32-33, Mark 10
Num. 32:23 – “your sin will find you out.” This is so true.
The Israelites are about to cross the Jordan and come conquering into the land of Canaan. Num. 33:53 – Again He brings forth His promise.
+ 40 years they spent traveling around. Why? Disobedience.
Mark 10 – “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all. *Mark 10:15 – We must be like children. The story of the rich young ruler.
*Mark 10:29,30 – God will bless us a hundred times over for giving things up for Him.
Mark 10: 45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
*Mark 10:43 – “but whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.”
+ Lord, teach me to give more of myself.
March 4, 1973 Num. 34-36, Mark 11
[I stayed overnight in Howick—forgot my book, but here are the late additions of my thoughts.]
Num. 34-36 – Israel is on the verge of entering the Promised Land.
Mark 11 – Prayer: Memorize Mark 11:22-25
Mark 11:17 – “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Mk. 11:17). (Isaiah 56:7). Jesus showed his heavenly temper—it must not be a sin to get mad for God’s sake or be grieved.
March 5, 1973 Deut. 1,2, Mark 12
Deut. 1:6 – “For you have stayed long enough at this mountain.” I believe the Lord is saying something here about our trip.
Deut. 2:11-12 – Describes the biblical giants, a few of whom are still on earth. I like Deuteronomy. It’s the vivid story, told by Moses, of what has happened since they left Egypt. It’s inspiring!
Mark 12:25-27 – In heaven there will be no marriage or such, we will all be “like angels.” Mark 12:29-31 – The greatest commandments! If you practice these, “you are not fit for the kingdom of heaven.” *But you’re not IN. That is through the blood of Jesus.
March 6, 1973 Dt. 3-4, Ps. 36, Mark 13
Deut. 3:1-13 – More about the giants. See verse 11. Deut. 3:22 – As we battle Satan in life, we need not fear: “Do not fear them for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.”
+ Deut. 3:23-27 – Moses’ unanswered prayer, asking God to be able to go himself into the Promised Land.
Moses begins to re-give the laws of the Lord to the people (Deut.4) The people are privileged to have the law and are to raise up their children in it (Deut. 4:9).
*Many neat verses here—I should write down that God chose Israel to show Himself and His might to the world—OBEDIENCE to God is the key to successful living (v. 40).
Mark 12:1-11 – the parable of history—Jesus rejection by the world (Jews especially).
+ Mark 13 – This chapter is all about the end times and the coming of our Lord. Three things stand out to me: 1) We, the people of God, may be severely persecuted in the end times, 2) The Holy Spirit will be speaking through us, giving us the right things to say (Mark 13:11), and 3) We must be ready! “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is” (Verse 33). “Therefore, be on the alert” (verse 35). “And what I say to you I say to all—Be on the alert” (verse 37).
*Keep me ready, Lord, I pray.
March 7, 1973 Dt. 5-6, Ps. 43, Mark 4
Deut. 5 – Moses retells the giving of the 10 commandments. Again, the theme of obedience comes out.
*Deut. 6:5 – The 1st great commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
+ We must tell our children and not forget ourselves about the greatness of God.
*Ps. 43:3,4 – I keep thinking of Thursday. Even last night, I dreamt that after a struggle, I received the gift of tongues.
+ Mk. 14 – The Lat Supper –betrayal and trial. One verse stands out for me – Mk. 14:38 – “Keep watching and praying, that you may not come into temptation/ The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Satan is trying to drive a wedge between the four of us, but he has lost. The flesh is weak, but the Spirit WILL triumph!!
March 8, 1973 Deut. 7-9, Mark 15
It’s not because of our good qualities that God has saved us—solely his grace (Deut. 9:4-6).
+ What God wants from us: to fear Him, walk in his ways, love Him, and serve Him with all we’ve got, keeping His commands and statutes. He CHOSE us. (Deut. 10:12-15) (Deut. 7:9)
Deut. 8:2,3 – God humbles us and tests us just like He did the Israelites that we must depend on Him and His Word (Jesus quoted verse 3).
I need to learn a real lesson on humility and giving credit to God for my achievements.
Mr. 15 – The crucifixion of Jesus. All I could think of as I read this was the ugliness of the people around Jesus jeering at Him, spitting on Him, and mocking Him. What will they say to Him when they again meet Him face to face when he sits on the great throne of judgement.
Problem: From the text, implies that Jesus died on Friday afternoon—I thought it was Thursday.
**Mar. 8, 1973 – I received the fullness of the Spirit and spoke in tongues at Mr. (Bill) Subritzsky’s—Praise God! The burden is lifted!!
March 9, 1973 Deut. 10-12, Mark 16
Deut. 10:9 – We are all priests today, “the Lord is our inheritance,” just like the Levites.
Deut. 10:16 – “Circumcise then your heart.” Makes me think of Ez. 36:26—the Holy Spirit “circumcises our hearts.” Praise God that all the strictness of the law, obedience, is not my responsibility, but the Holy Spirit’s. He will write these laws and commands on my heart and mind. He promises to (Jer. 31:33, Heb. 10).
Mark 16 – Jesus has risen! Hallelujah. These are His last words to his disciples: “And these signs will accompany those who have believed. In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16: 17,18). All through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Faith.
March 10, 1973 Deut. 13-15, Gal. 1
“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him. And you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him (Deut. 13:4).
Gal. 1 – Paul is really upset about people who “distort” the gospel. He outright curses them. Ga. 1:12 – Paul received his wisdom and insight through a “revelation” of Jesus Himself.
Gal. 1:15,16 – We are “chosen” of God. We also come to a point in our lives when we are converted—this timing is purely God’s prerogative. God “calls” us when the time is right, at His pleasure.
Right now, the four of us are at Winkie Pratney’s O.A.C. camp—looking forward to a real blessing. C. is on my mind a lot, but I’ve got to keep trusting. God’s Word never fails, but was it God’s Word?
March 11, 1973 Deut. 16-18, Ps. 38, Gal.2
Deut. 16:11 – It is a command of the Lord to rejoice before Him! Prophecy of the coming monarchy of the Jewish nation (Deut. 17:14-17). Prophecy of Jesus: Deut. 18:15-19
Test of a prophet? Whether what he says comes perfectly true (18:22).
*Presently, I have a few things concerning the future on my mind, but the Lord has given me a promise in Psalm 38: “For I hope in Thee, O Lord. You will answer, O Lord my God” (verse 15).
Gal. 2:16 – “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law. Since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.”
*March 12, 1973 (My “water” birthday) Deut. 19-21, Gal. 3
The cities of refuge (Deut. 19). The institution of a type of court of law (19:15-21). In battle: “For the Lord our God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (Deut. 20:4). Commands here to destroy in battle the cities that the Lord commands (Six cities – are these the Rephaim remnant?)
Deut. 21:22,23 – We receive the Holy Spirit by FAITH—the rest of our lives we are “perfected” by the Spirit. He will work miracles through us by the “hearing of faith.”
*I am a true Jew! “Those who are of the faith are the sons of Abraham” (Believers – Gal 3:7,9). “There is neither Jew nor Greek…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (v. 28). That means that all the promises given to Israel in the O.T. are our too.
The Old Testament is for us. This reading in Galatians is the one I needed today.
March 13, 1973 Deut. 22-24, Gal. 4
Deut., 22 – Death penalty for sexual sin. God really loves purity—especially sexual purity. Divorce and rape laws are here.
Deut. 23:14 – I must allow the Holy Spirit to keep “my camp” or my body clean so that He can use me.
Deut. 23:21 – “When you make a vow to the Lord your God you shall not delay to pay it.
*I vowed that I would sell all my possessions when I get home. I’m going to stick to it.
Galatians 4 – I am a son of God and an heir of everything He has (vs. 1-7). But I must grow up from being a child and use some of my inheritance.
We are children of “the promise” (v. 28) which is the promise of the Holy Spirit. We are children of the free woman—like Isaac. We are free! “God has sent forth the Spirit in our hearts crying, ‘Abba, Father.’” No more law—We are free to love God and be led by the Holy Spirit.
March 14, 1973 Deut. 25-27, Gal. 5
Deut. – I didn’t get any real message here. The Lord must be waiting…
Galatians 5:5, 6 – “For we through the Spirit, by faith are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision mean anything, but faith working through love.”
Paul command us to “walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).
*I must yield my thoughts and impressions, my mind, to the Holy Spirit to guide. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).
*I haven’t been giving to God the details of my life—in between my quiet time and evening prayers. Lord, help me to start today.
Gal. 5:26 – “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
March 15, 1973 Deut. 28,29, Gal. 6
Deut. 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the Lord our God but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.”
+ I am so happy that I’m under grace! Here is Deuteronomy the law is so tight. I’d have lived in perpetual fear.
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens.”
Galatians 6:15,16 – “Nor neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who walk by this rule, peace and mercy by upon them and upon the Israel of God.”
*I’m really going through the desert right now—just kind of feel depressed and not wanting to go home. I just turned to Luke 4:3,4. Satan is saying to me, “If you’re full of the Spirit, do some miracles,” and I must say to him, we don’t walk by sight but by faith.” Wow, I thank you, Lord, for this. You went through the same temptations and conquered with the Word of God. I must do the same.
March 16, 1973 Deut. 30,31, Ps. 40, 1 Cor. 1
Deut. 30:6 – The promise of the Holy Spirit in circumcising our hearts. Man has a choice—life and death—the blessing and the curse.
Deut. 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail or forsake you.”
*God knew that His people were going to turn against Him—that must have hurt (Deut. 31:16-21).
Psalm 40:1-3 – “I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay. And he set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And, He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and trust in the Lord.
+ This was yesterday when I was depressed. I must learn to be more patient.
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 – …that in everything you were enriched in Him…so that you are not lacking any gift.” The things of God are ours—everything. All the gifts. In faith, we just must put them to use for God’s glory.
March 17, 1973 Deut. 32-43, 1 Cor. 2
“Grow up in all aspects into Him which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15).
Deut. 32 – This is a neat song (v. 21) and a prophecy of the up-and-coming salvation of the Gentiles. (v. 39) – “See now that I am He. And there is no God besides Me. It is I who put ot death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal.”
*God’s Word is so important: (Deut. 32:47) “For it is not an idle word for you. Indeed, it is your life. And by this word you shall prolong your days in the land where you are about to cross over the Jordan to possess it.”
+ Why would Moses not get to enter the Promised Land? He “broke faith” with God. That’s something to think about.
Moses dies, and God buries him—quite a man.
1 Cor. 2 – Holy Spirit. Memorize 1 Cor. 2:4, 5. Verse twelve also really stuck out to me: “Now we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God.”
This is a confirmation of Philemon 6 for me. The Holy Spirit is the Person who opens God’s storehouse of wealth for us—al we need is the KNOWLEDGE of these things.
March 18, 1973 Joshua 1,2, Ps. 37, 1 Cor. 3
Joshua 1:5 – Again the Lord supports me. “Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.”
Joshua 2 – Meeting with Rahab the prostitute in Jericho – her faith (Hebrews 11:31).
+ Street witnessing: Psalm 37:1-5 – I’m not to get anxious or envious—just do good.
*Memorize Psalm 37:4,5 – “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” This is a neat psalm -The steps of a man are established by the Lord and He delights in his way” (Ps. 37:23).
We are SO safe in God’s arms! Absolutely nothing should worry us.
I Cor. 3 – a “sign” of being fleshly or out of the Spirit – jealousy and strife.
+ One thought strikes me here: God causes all the growth in our lives and ministries (Phil.2:13).
Mark 19, 1973 Joshua 3-6, 1 Cor., 4
It’s the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan under the leadership of Joshua, and also the destruction of Jericho. They destroyed everything! There must have been a reason—Giants? Rahab and her household were spared because of her faith (Heb. 11).
1 Cor. 4 – This is so me today (v. 5), “Therefore do not go on passing judgment…each man’s praise shall come to him from God.”
+ I’m going to stop being critical and jealous of others. That’s God’s business.
The sign of a man of God: (among boasters) Is he all words, or does he have the power? “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (v. 20).
+ Lord, I’m sorry that I feel jealous and bummed today. Please clean me up—clean out the old leaven…Our trip is nearing the end, and we need to be TOGETHER. We need your creative power.
March 20, 1973 Joshua 7-8, Ps. 69, 1 Cor. 5
Joshua 7:10,11 – God will not empower us or lead us unless we are right with Him. Our sin must be confessed and dealt with (Valley of Achor). Joshua 8—The Israelites destroy Ai and every person in it.
+ I think the book of Joshua is really a call to the Christian to go on the OFFENSIVE–, to go, empowered by the Holy Spirit to win a world for Christ.
Psalm 69 – This is a song of David and Jesus (see verses 9, 21). It starts out gloomy but ends with praise! “I will praise the name of God with song. And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Ps. 69:30).
*Praise is how we re-charge our spiritual battery.
1 Cor. 5 _ “a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough…Let’s celebrate the feast…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
+ God does not want garbage in His church—It is to be pure and undefiled. God wants us to be in the world leading sinners to Himself—but He wants the saved to get away from believers still living in sin (v. 10, and 11 are really misquoted and interpreted).
March 21, 1973 Joshua 9-11, 1 Cor. 6
Joshua—the Hebrews get into trouble. Why? They made the decision and “did not ask for the counsel of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).
*We must utterly depend upon God for guidance.
Talk about a conquering force! The Hebrews wiped out everybody in sight because God fought for them.
+ The reason for this conquest: Josh. 11:20-23. God had to destroy the remnant of the giants. It was an act of love on God’s part to destroy them.
*1 Cor. 6 –God and I are “one spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17) *As a Christian I don’t have any rights. My body is not even my own anymore, but the headquarters of the Holy Spirit. I am a happy slave! Bought with all God had.
+ “Therefore, glorify God in your body.” Verse on purity: 1 Cor. 6:13 – “Yet the body is not for immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.”
March 22, 1973 Joshua 12-14, 1 Cor. 7
Toward the end of my life I hope that I can say like Caleb that, “I followed the Lord my God fully” (Joshua 14:8).
+ Going home in a month also.
*1 Cor. 7 – Marriage is a gift from God. Being unmarried does allow a person with undistracted attention to serve the Lord better—I’ve got to keep this possibility in my mind even though I can’t see it for me. (v. 9) seems to be talking to me.
+ I’ve laid it in God’s hands. He either has His Perfect Self or a perfect girl for me.
March 23, 1973 Josh. 15-17, 1 Cor. 8
Joshua—only one thing strikes me from this book this morning—Josh. 15:19. Achsah asks her father Caleb for a blessing and it reminded me of being filled with the Holy Spirit. “Give me a blessing since you have given me the land of the Negev, give me also springs of water” (John 4:14).
1 Cor. 8: 6 – We EXIST for God and through Jesus Christ. Talk about a direction in life. 1 Cor. 8:9 – “But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” This is confirmation about cutting my hair (v. 13 too).
+ 1 Corinthians 8:16 – “yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ through who are all things, and we exist through him.” [and one Helper among us and we move with Him, the Holy Spirit.]
*This is the word for today. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
March 24, 1973 Joshua 18-20, 1 Cor. 9
Josh. 18:3 – How long will we put off being with Jesus—we’ve got to get out and tell a world.
+ The cities of refuge: Kedesh, Hebron, Bezer, and Ramoth. With God it is INTENTION that counts—the will.
*1 Corinthians 9:1-14 – The Christian worker ahs a right to support himself from the people he ministers to.
+ I think the Lord wants me to make my living from preaching the gospel (v. 14).
1 Cor. 9:16 – “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:23 – “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.”
+ I think my message for the weekend is to do all that I can to preach the gospel to these kids. Like an athlete in training, I must go all out.
March 25, 1973 Josh. 21-22, Ps. 37, 1 Cor. 10
Says in Joshua 21 that the Hebrews did take possession of all the land God swore to them.
Joshua 21:45 – God never fails on his promises!! “ALL CAME TO PASS.”
Ps. 47 – Quite a little psalm of praise! I like verse 1 about clapping—I like to clap in church.
1 Cor. 10:2 – It just hit me—The baptism of the red Sea is a “type” of water baptism in the N.T. and the cloud is a “type” of Spirit baptism—the cloud led them.
1 Cor. 10:11 – The O.T. is a spiritual EXAMPLE for us. 1 Cor. 10:13 – I should memorize this. I Cor. 10:31 – God is really pounding into me that I must give up my pleasures and desires (like hair) to be His most effective witness. I don’t want to offend anybody. I won’t.
Waikeria, New Zealand
March 26, 1973 Josh. 23-24, Ps. 44, 1 Cor. 11
Josh 23 – It’s so neat that God fights for us! Here in Waikeria this weekend He really conquered–Hallelujah. Josh. 24 is neat too—Following God is a deliberate choice (vs. 15, 21, 24).
*I’ve chosen to follow my Master. (v.24) – “e will serve the Lord our God and obey his voice” (Josh. 24:24).
+ This is my verse for going home—obedience.
Ps. 44:14 – “Jew” has become a laugh, a swear word.
+ This psalm is wrong: the whole problem of Israel—they’re not willing to admit that they’re wrong—not willing to REPENT.
1 Cor. 11:1-16 – the hair and hat issues.
*There’s some heavy stuff here. All I feel is that God wants me to know more about HEALING and disease and its causes after reading this (vs. 30). I’m going to have to do a study.
March 27, 1973 Judges 1-3, 1 Cor. 12
Judges 1:1 – It struck me here that we can ask questions of the Lord about guidance and expect an answer.
1st judge: Othniel, Caleb’s son (Judges 3:9,10). 2nd judge: Ehud (left-handed!) (3:15). 3rd judge: Shamgar (3:31).
*God was testing Israel (2:22-3:1), and He has done the same thing with the church. We need to be tested, to be refined.
1 Cor. 12 – I believe here that God is saying to me that these gifts of the Spirit aren’t set or a permanent thing, (though they may be), but as we assemble to bring glory to Jesus, these gifts will come out in individuals as the Spirit of God “wills.”
*(v.5) – a “variety of ministries.” What is the ministry given to me by the Lord Jesus? I think it’s beginning to unfold.
March 28, 1973 Jud. 4-5, Ps. 39,41, 1 Cor. 13
4th judge – Deborah, a woman. The rout of Jabin and Sisera, and Deborah’s song (Judges 4 & 5).
Ps. 39 – David is talking to God about the shortness of life. “Surely every man is a mere breath” (v. 11). “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee” (v. 7).
+I’ve been waiting on the Lord for a few things.
Psalm 41:3 – Jesus is a healing God. For some reason I have real strong vibes that God heals today much more than I believe—healing seems so natural to me now.
1 Cor. 13 – As I read about love in this chapter, it struck me that I don’t meet one stipulation in my love for C. I don’t REALLY love her—or haven’t loved her. All my love is partial—only goes so far with all these qualities.
*I NEED LOVE—especially, to go home with, or I will be nothing…
March 29, 1973 Jud. 6-7, Ps. 52, 1 Cor. 14
Judges 6 – Gideon – I think here’s a principle of God here—that He will confirm His Word to his people is they lack the faith to move. They just must be willing and not disobedient.
*God confirms His Word.
Judges 7 – The Lord carries out His Word. The rout of Midian with 300 men.
Psalm 52:8,9 – “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever. I will give Thee thanks forever because Thou hast done it. And I will wait on Thy Name, for it is good in the presence of Thy godly ones.”
1 Corinthians 14 – Paul wants us to be zealous for spiritual gifts, but with this motive: edification—the good of everybody.
+ Boy, I’m really beginning to see how neat a meeting with the Lord can be. Church was never meant to be a drag. HALLELUJAH!!
March 30, 1073 Judges 8, Ps. 42, 1 Cor. 15
People FORGET and get distracted so easy (Judges 8). They forgot about the mighty victory of God thru Gideon.
*When the land is at peace and you think you’re not in trouble—that’s when you are! I think God’s people are meant to be on the offensive.
+ Water tastes the best when you’re thirsty, and so it is with the blessings of God. When we are hungering and thirsting for Him, will He taste the sweetest (Ps. 42:1,2).
1 Cor. 15:2 – Faith is a process, not a picnic. Faith is a continuous thing (vs. 42-44). Our “second” bodies are going to be so neat! Perfect!
“The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law” (1 Cor. 15:56). “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 57).
March 31, 1973 Judges 9-10, Ps. 49, 1 Cor. 16
Judges 9 – the story of the wicked Abimelech. Sin pays its servants.
Judges 10:10 – salvation demands a real deep repentance and a turning from other gods, or whatever is most important to you.
Ps. 49 – It’s so easy for us to become “money” oriented, and this song shows the shallowness of it. We cannot have any other God besides the Father—all other roads lead to “the nether world” (Sheol) (v. 14). Death is not my shepherd. The Lord is! (Psalm 23:1).
1 Cor. 16:14 – “Let all that you do be done in love.”
*I was so convicted of this yesterday and last night. I’ve got to start loving people instead of looking down my nose at them. I need the compassion of Jesus (Matt. 9:36). I just don’t feel the hurts and burdens you felt—and I want to.