May I See Some Identification?

I. Why I chose this message?

A few months ago as we studied the book of Acts and we talked a lot about baptism. At that time the Lord put it on my heart how we are a people who are searching for our identity, some validation of who we are.

Just last week I was pulled over by a sheriff for a burned out tail light, the very first thing he asked me was, May I see some identification? So that became the title of our message today. We live in a time when your identity can be stolen, when teenage girls look to tv pop stars and magazine covers to tell them who they are, at the first sign of lines and wrinkles we pay money to erase the years, women leave their marriages and even their children because they have to go and “find themselves”. While we were once a nation founded on Christianity and our country’s identity was the land of the free. Now we are a nation in a debt crisis because of greed. A mortgage crisis, because a bigger house means we are successful, not just more to clean. We are a politically correct nation who accepts all sinful lifestyles and tolerates the worship of idols and false gods via numerous religions. At one time or another, we can all raise our hands and say yes, I can identify with that. Well it seems to me we are a people suffering from an identity crisis.

II. The lives we’ve been studying.

Within the last 25 chapters in Genesis we have touched base on what kind of legacy both men and women left on the pages of Scripture. We read about Cain who murdered his brother and his great, great, great grandson Lamech followed in his footsteps; Cain left a legacy of murder. Noah, who believed God and moved with godly fear building an ark even when it had never rained, left a legacy for his obedience, patience and faith. Ham dishonored his father Noah and so his son Canaan was cursed. We know that the legacy of the Canaanites were of idolatry and wickedness. Abraham’s legacy was that he is the father of faith, his faith made him righteous. Abraham’s legacy reaches to the very lives of our own in that by faith in Jesus Christ we too are made right with God. We remember Sarah for laughing at the thought of having a son in her old age; yet bore Isaac when she was 91. Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom and became a pillar of salt.

III. What is a legacy?

So we ask ourselves the question, who and what will history remember us by? To borrow from one of your responses in Genesis 5, Enoch left a legacy not an epitaph. A legacy is something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor; a gift handed down "Enoch lived to be 365 years old. He spent his life in fellowship with God, and then he disappeared, because God took him away. "All of the other descendants until Noah, they lived, they tried and they died. There were those who are remembered for their relationship with God and those who tried to become famous; building a tower to make a great name for them selves. We can either chose to leave a legacy that glorifies self or one that glorifies God.

For some, I may be telling you something that you already know, while others are hearing this truth for the first time and will be relieved to start living their lives fully aware that their identity is in Christ and the legacy you leave depends on how well you understand and embrace this truth.

IV. Why are we still searching?

Just on Facebook alone, there are many quizzes you can take to reveal what qualities you have, your Myers-Briggs personality type, what actress you most resemble, what bible character you are most like and even what bible verse best describes you.

The need to discover who we are and why we are here, where does it stem from? I believe it’s the enemies plan to use worldly values and wisdom to keep people in a state of confusion of wanting more, doubting who they are, pre-occupation with what about me, envy about the life they think they deserve and bitterness about the life they have. Remember, Eve in the garden, the serpent lied to her, confused God’s words, and appealed to her sin nature of wanting more. The difference between the world and God is so vast that if we move toward and listen to what the world says we are actually moving away from and alienating ourselves from God. So let us put an end to all the confusion, close the door of uncertainty, silence the mouths of liars and reveal the truth that trying to find yourself, searching for that validation is not the solution it’s the problem.

V. Who are we?

We have learned from Genesis 1 that we were created in the very image of God. When we put our faith in Christ our spirit was reborn. Paul often used the expression “in Christ”….Our identity is in Christ because when we put our faith in Him we became united with Him in His death and resurrection. 2Tim 2:11, For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. We died to sin, our old identity. Dying with Christ means dying to the things that used to run our lives. Rising with Christ means rising to a new way of living under Jesus’ authority and God’s will for your life. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Scripture says, do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you (who dwells within you), whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1Cor 6:19 The temple, as the name means (from a Greek root "to dwell"), was the earthly dwelling-place of God, where alone He put His name. We need to come to the realization that we are not living in the flesh according to our old nature, but in the Spirit. The flesh says we need to find out who we are; self-discovery and leave our mark as someone who is accomplished by the world’s standards. But the Spirit says, you are no longer your own, but bought at great price so present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Under our new identity we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Paul got it right when he said, “for it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” Isn’t it true that our actions are motivated by who we are. So if we are created in His image, we have the Spirit of God dwelling inside us and we know we are united in Christ. If we are called vessels, a temple, His body, His hands and feet, then lets look at what action will follow.

VI. Our legacy

The legacy we leave is really the fruit that was produced in and through our lives by the working of the Holy Spirit in us. As Matthew 7:20 says, therefore by their fruits you will know them, either bad or good. The key to that legacy or fruit is abiding in Jesus, which means to remain in, dwell, to stay, to settle in, to sink deeper.

In John 15:5-8 Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

Those that don’t abide in Christ are cast out, Cain was cast out, Canaan was cursed, Lot’s wife became salt and Sodom burned. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Mark 9:36. For the person who says I need to find myself. Jesus says, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 11:39

VII. Closing

So I ask , what will your legacy be? To quote from some of your responses. As moms, we too can be "mothers of nations". God commands us to faithfully teach our children the life-giving truths of Scripture. With Christ in our hearts, we can begin our own line of godly seed. As we pass on the gospel to our children, they can, in turn, pass it on to the next generation. Our godly influence can continue through time and through generations as "innumerable as the stars". One sister said, I want to leave a legacy of faith and I want to bring hope to those around me that no matter what we face...in Jesus there is victory. And just the other day I was told by a dear sister in Christ, the greatest legacy that we could ever leave is to teach our children to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, if we do that, when we leave this earth, we will have done our job. Sounds like a great legacy to me!!!

Beginning today- we can stop searching, stop pursuing those things that we did with our old identity and start living out our legacy, doing the will of God. I pray that we have faith to believe, to trust, embrace the truth, to know and understand that our identity is in Christ. It's never too late to begin if we make ourselves available to God for His purposes. Let us be determined to abide in Christ, bearing much fruit and giving all the glory to Him.

2 Corinthians

Praise God for all He is doing in and through us as we read a Chapter a Day together. Our group of ladies keeps growing. We are being changed by the power of God's word through His Spirit. Glory be to God! These responses are taken from our group!

Chapter 1

We know that whatever we go through whatever life has in store for us He will always be with us and he will comfort us. We in turn must comfort others in their afflictions. We can stand steadfast knowing that He will deliver us like he did Paul time and time again. We shouldn't rely on ourselves or our own understanding but rely on Him. God allows us to get in situations that are hopeless and we can't see our way out on our own accord we have to rely totally on Him. We see at the end of the chapter that we are told that He has given us a guarantee, He has placed The Holy Spirit in our hearts as a sign or as a deposit of the fulfillment of His Promise to us. When God gives you a guarantee how can you not be comforted.

Chapter 2

Paul is so grieved about this situation with Corinthians because he loves them dearly. What I see is how the action of one person can affect a whole community of believers. But he clarifies that although he has sinned, he apparently was rebuked and he repented, so it was time to forgive and comfort him. In Christ, this community would then be healed.

This makes me think how sometimes our own emotions can hold us hostage making us think we have the right to speak harshly or hold some grudge. But scripture says “we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ “ 2 Cor 10:5. This is something I work on repeatedly as I respond to my husband in a Liz way instead of a Christ way. In Christ’s way, Satan then would have no way to take advantage of us (verse 11).

Regarding the Fragrance of Christ, here’s just something I’m always reminded of when I walk by the coffee aisle in the grocery store. I love the smell of coffee beans. It makes me want to stop and breathe it in. So in my life it reminds me to stop and breathe Him in, my God... to breath in the aroma of the knowledge of Him and the example I exemplify to others. Because…He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. v 14-15. NLT

Chapter 3

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2 Cor 3:3-5 (KJV)

I love this! We should be like this. We do not need a LETTER or someone telling others that we are Christians, anyone we meet should know that there is something different about us. We need to be the light of the world. As Paul says that the church of Corith was his letter. What we do as christian is written as in the hearts of others not a piece of paper. It is for the Lord not for ourselves. What we do is only done because of the love of God and the gifts he gives us. Our reward is in honoring and serving the Lord not from man because Our reward is eternal whereas if it is written in a letter it only will last for a short season.

Chapter 4
⁶For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"^[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

As Gods creation started from darkness to light, he also brings the light bulb to new believers. The hearts are open by this light so their eyes can see the goodness that they were living without. A new believer is on fire from the heat of the light!
As we continue to live in the goodness of our Lord through his mercy and grace this light will continue to stay lit. May we pray for those that are living in the darkness and blinded by Satan.

As we continue are holiday weekend Lord, give my sisters this light to shine as we walk in your path of righteousness. May our light shine bright, so we can give You glory Father.

Chapter 5

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!" vs.17..NIV

After reading this again, it reminds me of what Christ has done for us, He stripped away our sins, the dirtiness that covered our bodies and has cleansed us. He had made us like beatuiful butterflies. The old is gone and the new shines forth!Praise God!!

Chapter 6

"I urge you not to recieve the grace of God in vain" vs 1

"Dont do anything to discredit the ministry" vs 3

But in all things ( vs 5-10), through the storms of life respond in truth with the power of God. Paul is responding to all that was being said about him and done to him. He carries on using his life as the response to the slanderers and faithfully continues on for Christ.

"You are not restrained by us, but by your own affections" vs 12 Ouch! The only thing holding us back is us...no excuses.... I heard someone say "You are as holy as you want to be" What, no way! I want to be closer to You, hear more from You, dive deeper into You....but in just a minute...I gotta take care of something else first Lord. I remember my kids when they were little saying "mom, mom.." and I would say "just a minute" while trying to finish whatever I was doing before I got back to them...and it always took more than a minute...and sad to say I probably never got back to them many times as they were onto something else quick enough.Now, I loved my children and always said I would do anything for them but many times I put them after some project or phone call...etc. You get the point I hope!

I always remember that because its so true, if we look at what we spend our time doing we find the affections of our heart. I always pray to be closer to the Lord, to have more of Him in my life....but then I look at what I spend my time doing and realize I must not want Him more than....whatever it is I am doing at that moment...

God is saying " Mary, Mary" and it is up to me if I answer His call or say "In a Minute Lord"

Chapter 7
(vs 9) I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner.

Paul regretted that he had to write a "severe letter" to the Corinthians. But since it caused them to repent and turn to God, his sorrow was transformed into joy. Their sorrow did not stop at just feeling sad about getting caught or suffering the unpleasant consequences of their sins. Their sorrow was godly sorrow, a genuine remorse for their sins. This led to repentance, a change in their thinking that led to a renouncing of their sin and turning to GOD. Their repentance ultimately led to deliverance from their sinful habits.

When we trust Jesus as our Savior and wholeheartedly repent of our sinful tendencies, the Holy Spirit creates within us a new desire to do what is pleasing to GOD. Thank you Jesus!

By one MAN's obedience many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Chapter 8
VS. 5&9

"And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God."

(9)"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

Paul is letting us know that we should be as the Macedonians... they had very little as far as earthly possessions, but they gave of themselves, and what little money they had, completely to the Lord. Paul was hesitant to accept money from them because they had so little, but because they were so willing and insistent, he had no choice but to accept.

Paul wants us to see that this is one way we should show our thanks to God, for giving us His one and only Son. After all... He became poor, by suffering for our sins as He did, so that we might have all the riches of heaven that God has to offer us. The least we could do is give joyfully to the Lord and not feel obligated... because He did it out of love... and so should we.

Have a wonderful day giving yourself completely to the Lord,

Chapter 9
V:13 "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."

What an encouragement to serve, share, and be obedient.

Lord, that service, generosity, and obedience would simply flow from me, not be something that I have to think about doing and putting into practice, but rather come instinctively, effortlessly, thoughtlessly. You are worthy to be praised. Praise to the Living King, You are my everything and I will adore You.

Chapter 10

Our strongest weapon and defense is having God and knowing His word. It helps us fight against any issues we may have. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...with every thought we have, we need to remain in Christ [at all times]. we shouldnt' compare ourselves to each other but stay true to God's word. we are not to take the glory but to give it to God, the rightful owner of all the glory, for He is the one who appointed us!

I love our savior God. I praise Him daily as He deserves it!

Chapter 11

1-3 (Paul was passionate in his desire for others to continue growing in their relationship with Christ)

4-6 (People were drawn to the deceitful teachings because of their impressive words and dismissing the truth of the gospel because it wasn’t given as demonstratively)

7-12 (Open and honest communication is necessary among believers. We need to be transparent)

12-15 (With so many teachings out there – we need to know what group we are lumped with when sharing the gospel. Make a point of having others know that the God we serve is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; that Jesus is the Son of God – Jesus is Lord and that the Holy Spirit equips us to serve)

16-21(Paul began to get down to their level to draw them up to Christ’s. He made sure they knew that boasting wasn’t a fruit of the Spirit, but a foolish fruit of the flesh)

21-23 (How frustrating it is when you know they know truth, but, they choose to follow a lie because it is more exciting. True followers of Christ hear His voice -- John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”)

23-29 (What have I/we been willing to suffer for the sake of the cross? Let’s count it all joy – James 1:2-8)

Chapter 12

The one verse that spoke to me is v10 “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I am at a point in my life where I am depending on the Lord more then ever. At work I am persecuted and sometimes it is really hard to walk into this place on a daily basis but I know that I have to and it only makes me a stronger person and deepens my faith. My life is full of difficulties I mean whose isn’t? We all have trials and things that we are facing now but we have to remember that they are only temporary and will soon fade away. Whether it be a hardship, insult, or persecution I count it as a blessing for I know my God is with me.

Chapter 13

11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Paul had made 2 trips to this Church, admonished them and reviewed and reviewed God’s ways and words. I love his final words that still stand today for us. “Aim” for perfection- If we awake every morning and just aim for the perfection of our Lord; If we aim to be of one mind with our Lord- Think as He would have us to think and present ourselves in His ways- We would end up in peace at the end of the day.

Peace to you all,

Chapter a Day 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians

Chapter 1

i like how Paul starts out saying ^"Grace and peace to you....which is something only those who are in Christ can really truly have. He goes on to remind us that we do not lack any Spiritual gift, as we often tend to forget at lest i do. He wants us all to be of the same mind, not arguing over whose church we belong to, we are all of the same body, the body of Christ. And He is the head. No one should be in the name of, but that of our Lord's.

Some times when i read this chapter, i feel like the Lord put it in the bible just for me. i am that one who never got any kind of degree in school. i went to school for a long time, and i learned a great deal. When i was in grade school, i always struggled, i was that kid who studied really hard just to get a C, when that is what most did to get the A. The Lord taught me from His word, and He is not done. i lean on Him for every thing. He is my strength and Song, and i know in my heart what this chapter is saying. i am not rich, but He has made me rich in faith, family and with friends. He has been so faithful in most every way in my life. i am blessed and thankful.

Chapter 2
1Cor 2 -
In vs 4 and 5 Paul explains that when he first spoke/preached to them he didn't try to prove anything by sounding wise, He says he simply let God's Spirit show, so that they would have faith in God's power and not because of human wisdom.... AMEN to THAT!!!!!! Paul knew that the wisdom of God is so much more then the wisdom of this world and the people in it.

Chapter 3

I'm glad God calls us servants now because as christians I believe that is our role. Love the Lord, obey him and his commandments to do them, be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only, love our neighbors (anybody next to us...anybody), study the word of God, spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and be a team player in the body of Christ because we are all a part of the body. (v.5-6) says, "After all, who is Apollos? and who is Paul? (who is Liz?)we are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave us to do. I plant the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. "We as believers cannot take any credit for drawing non-believers to Christ; God brings the increase.

What the world considers to be wisdom is non-sense in the sight of God. Everything belongs to God. May the life that I live be a reflection of Jesus inside of me. He is not looking for perfection; I don't possess that, but I'm available and willing to do as He commands no matter how hard the task before me. I too desire the meat of the word and thirst and hunger for righteousness. (1.cor. 13:11)When I was a child I spoke like a child, acted like a child but one day I put my childish things away and I grew up into this woman of God I'm becoming in God. I'm still a work in progress but I press on because I'm not who I use to be, thank God.

Chapter 4
Verse 16..."Therefore I urge you to imitate me." How wonderful those words are! There is only one that we should follow and imitate and that is Jesus Christ our Lord...Paul set wondeful examples of how we are to do that. Pray, don't be ashamed of the Gospel, share and encourage others in the love of Jesus Christ..trust and keep the faith, though many trials come our way, we know we can handle it we have Christ on our side!

Chapter 5

VS. 6 & 7

"(6)Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (7)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."

Boasting is not good for the believer, especially because we are to glorify God, always. Even if it is just a little bit, it will spread throughout. It's like cancer... it starts out small, but if not treated right away, it will spread throughout the whole body. Therefore, we must do as the Jews did during the Passover Feast... we must scrape the leaven clean and get it all out! Get rid of the evil! We must remember that the slaying of the lamb during Passover was a symbol of what our Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross for us... the least we could do is act accordingly. I know I will always be an "Israelite", but I thank God everyday for His patience, mercy, forgiveness, and most of all... LOVE!

Chapter 6
Believers should not take each other to court because it gives merit to the world's view and does great damage to the unsaved world. We appear to be no different from the world.

I think Luke 6: 27-36 says it all. Love for enemies....27-31...."But I tell you who hear me, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."

You gotta be kidding me, right!!!!! Yes, impossible if we try to do these things in our own strength. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we become more like Christ. "Forgive as I have forgiven you." Love one another, just as I have loved you, says the Lord.


We were created by God for a divine purpose. We were redeemed by Christ and our bodies are members of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in us.

Christ used His body for the purpose of dying for our sins. He used His body for a high and holy purpose. We must use our bodies to honor Him.


Chapter 7
(vs10) Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

Contrary to what "the world" has to suggest, the Bible gives us solid truths and guidelines about marriage.

God has promised us HIS presence and HIS help when we face trials, and that promise extends to our marriage, even a difficult one. Our gracious God has also assured us of a way of escape through any difficulty that might tempt us to give in to sin. God will enable us to stand strong in the face of trial, including those that come in our marriage.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Cor 10:13).

Father GOD, thank you that you have given us the precious gift of marriage and I also thank you that you promise to give each one of us the grace and power to endure. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Chapter 8

But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

What God recognizes...Those who love Him.

It is not our knowledge of His word that brings God glory... its what we do with that knowledge. Encouraging others, restoring others to usefulness in the body, and sharing His love with those that don't know Him.

Gal 2:21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

1 Cor 13: 13 There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

Lord help me to be more eager share the grace and love you have poured out on me.

Chapter 9

I Cor. 9. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

It is my prayer to always listen to the Holy Spirit for the correct words when I am witnessing to anyone about the Word of God and salvation ; I want to be able to speak to them on their particular level of understanding.

Vs. 27: No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I am running for Jesus and trying to live for the prize of eternity.

Chapter 10

Temptation is a part of life and there are times where I feel I cannot bear certain situations. V13 helps e to understand that even as Christians we will face temptation but God will always provide a way out.

V21: This really spoke to me. I used to be that person that loved to separate lives. Church on Sunday but my way the rest of the week. So WRONG!!!!! As a child of god I know now that I cannot be “of this world” and a child of God, it’s like mixing oil and vinegar…. Not a good combination. V31: Do it all for the Glory of God. Our everyday actions should reflect our Christian life. We have to always to careful what decisions we make because we don’t want a new believer to stumble. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE!!!

Chapter 11
(vs 27) Whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

The Corinthian's failure to honor the sanctity of the ceremony dishonored the memory of Christ's sacrifice. Many believers paid for their mistake with a loss of health or even their lives (vs30).

But Paul urged the Corinthians to judge themselves so that they wouldn't be judged. And he also pointed out that even the Lord's judgement was for their good (vs32).

The Lord's Table will remain an opportunity until HE comes. By the attitude of our hearts we will either honor HIS death or unfortunately, may do damage to HIS name.

I'm reminded that before I celebrate the Lord's Supper, I must prayerfully examine myself. Then, with a heart of gratitude, I can focus on HIS sacrifice for me.

Yes Jesus, you are worthy of honor and glory!!....May everything I say and do be worthy of being lifted up as an offering of thanksgiving and praise to YOU. Amen!

Chapter 12

V.11

"But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

V. 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased."

We all have different spiritual gifts, because just like a human body cannot function if it was just one ear, tongue, or eye, etc... the Body of Christ (His church) cannot function properly if everyone has the same gift. Everyone is GIVEN a different gift by the Holy Spirit. We do not choose our own gift. The Holy Spirit is perfect... therefore, knows how each ones role fits, to make up the Body of Christ. We are to give God the glory and thanks for our gifts and not be prideful or unhappy with them, because they are given to us to serve others and glorify God. He has a perfect plan for all, and we must have faith in that.

Chapter 13
What a beautiful description of God this chapter has. Broken down it looks like this:

God is/does
patient
kind
rejoices with the truth
always protects
always trusts
always hopes
always perseveres

God is not/does not
envy
boast
proud
rude
self-seeking
easily angered
keep track of wrongs done
delight in evil
never fails

1 John 4:8 "...God is love."

I am thankful for both what God is and is not. I would like to take this, think about it, admire my Father's attributes, and in a childlike way imitate my Father in heaven.

The image in my mind is of a young child walking behind his father, arms outstretched for balance looking down at the foot impressions left by his father on the wet sand at the beach, being ever so careful not to deviate from them.

Help me God to embrace the qualities that You are, to reflect Your beauty, and become like You.

Chapter 14
²⁶What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

How important it is that we encourage one another. Not only in our words and actions but the use of our spiritual gifts as well which comes in

many different types of form.

And then there is love -the one thing we all respond to. It prepares our heart to receive all that Christ has for us.

Chapter 15

Verses 40b-42a stands out to me the most..."but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead."

There will be different intensities in heaven. Daniel 12 tells us that those who win souls shall shine as the stars forever. Those who are serving the Lord now and making their lives count today will shine brightly throughout eternity. And although those who simply believe in Jesus, but give priority to their own bodies, possessions, interests, hobbies, careers, or agendas will be in heaven, they will not shine with the same intensity.

Truthfully, I will count it a blessing to be the resident maid and chief dishwasher as long as I am in heaven, but I would like to shine brightly for my Lord.

Father, give me the focus and strength to work hard today, and all my tomorrows to make Your kingdom my passion and priority. Not for the glory of my shining star, but for the Glory of you, my God. And Father, thank you for the wisdom you have given Jon Courson, because without his teachings I would not have understanding. Bless him Father, he is a good and faithful servant... and I LOVE him!!!

Be blessed today sisters...

Chapter 16

vs 13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Let ALL that we do be done in love....be on the alert in love...stand firm in love..act like men in love...be strong in love! Such a good reminder for us today as we respond to all the ungodliness in our world.

vs 17...rejoice over the coming of ....( 3 men listed here who were believed to be the ones who brought this letter to them)

vs18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.

Lord, may we live our lives as a reflection of Your Love in such a way that we bring a refreshing of spirit to those we come in contact with!