August 24, 2006 - Psalms 116-118 and I Corinthians 7:1-19
There is a huge difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally. If all we have is a head knowledge of God, we do not really know Him. It is a heart relationship that He wants to establish with us. He wants us to come to know Him so well that we fully trust Him for everything in our lives, not just for salvation. Do you have that kind of relationship with the Lord? As you read these three psalms today, I want to give you an assignment. Look for every reference to the confidence the psalmist has in his relationship with the Lord. Look for everything that points to an intimate relationship, and ask your self if you could confess the same thing with all of your heart. If you find an area that is not part of your relationship already, stop and talk to God about it. Tell Him you want to love Him that way and know Him that way. He will be very glad to hear you say that, and He will respond.
In I Corinthians 7 we have an extended passage about marriage and celibacy. It points us to the importance of having a true one flesh relationship with our spouse, if God wants us to be married. It also frees us up to be single, if that is God's gift to us. (v.7) Most people don't think of marriage and celibacy as gifts from God, but Paul looked at it that way, and I think God does, too. If you have the gift of celibacy, God will fill your life even more with other blessings. If you have the gift of marriage, you have many blessings associated with the family. Either way, you can have a great life. Some people say the end of this passage points to the fact that Paul had a wife who left him once he was saved. That could very well be the source of the teaching here. It could be what God taught him through his own experience, and now He is inspiring him to write it for all believers. Wherever, you find yourself in life, realize that God has a wonderful plan just for you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 119:1-88 and I Corinthians 7:20-40.
In I Corinthians 7 we have an extended passage about marriage and celibacy. It points us to the importance of having a true one flesh relationship with our spouse, if God wants us to be married. It also frees us up to be single, if that is God's gift to us. (v.7) Most people don't think of marriage and celibacy as gifts from God, but Paul looked at it that way, and I think God does, too. If you have the gift of celibacy, God will fill your life even more with other blessings. If you have the gift of marriage, you have many blessings associated with the family. Either way, you can have a great life. Some people say the end of this passage points to the fact that Paul had a wife who left him once he was saved. That could very well be the source of the teaching here. It could be what God taught him through his own experience, and now He is inspiring him to write it for all believers. Wherever, you find yourself in life, realize that God has a wonderful plan just for you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 119:1-88 and I Corinthians 7:20-40.