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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Friday, June 2, 2023
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Self Judgment Bible Verse:1 Corinthians 4:1-7 (ESV) "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? " Message:
Christianity has a very unusual attitude towards psychology. Our minds constantly compare our actions to our long- and short-term goals, and it metes out rewards and punishment. It actually releases chemicals (such as dopamine) that make us feel better if a goal is met or exceeded; and if we fall short, we get a negative signal. This can be just a little reminder that we want to do better at something tomorrow, or a crushing lifelong guilt if we have done something monstrous to our deep morality, such as killing someone.
But our brain will also modify our goals and standards, and other people — especially those in our society — influence this process.
Dove and Cross|dove of peace
Paul, like many driven people of great accomplishments, actually changes the way his brain operates, and he implicitly suggests that we do the same. He sets a standard that lies at the basis of Christian thought, i.e., that we be faithful “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
But Paul will not accept the judgment of human courts (which, heaven knows, he got more than his share of). He will not even judge himself. The reason? His reward is certain. Judgment no longer belongs to men, even judgment of oneself, but to God, and the time for making such judgment has not come.
And so, pride in our accomplishments — one of the rewards our brain gives us — diminishes, just as shame in what we might have thought to be failure diminishes. For we have been given a gift that makes our constant evaluation of ourselves and others unnecessary and wrong. We have the promise of perfection, through our faith in Christ and His promise of total redemption if we live in that faith.
So finally, Paul poses a conundrum. If we have received this gift, we will feel no need to be prideful about it. Our gift, by its nature, takes away any need or desire for pride. And thus, how could anybody boast about the gift of redemption; for one of the attributes of redemption is that we no longer boast?
Meditation : Prayer : Walk with me, dear Lord, so that I may not be alone as I face this day, but always in your presence. Your joy is a lighthouse in a world often dark with sin, and I pray that I may reflect the light of your truth, to inspire others as I have been inspired. In the name of Christ, bless me this day, and all whom I may meet....Amen |
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