1 Corinthians 5

¹¹ I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

  ¹¹But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person.

This is a non-eloquent example of Paul's teaching (just say no) and where it hits me is that in order for me to know if my cohorts in Christ are guilty of immorality, greediness, idolatry, abuse, drunkenness, cheating is for me to know my cohorts and for them to know me. I am feeling a bit vulnerable, now.  We must be involved with the other pilgrims on our journey so  we can discern how the talk matches the walk and they can know my walky-talky ways, too. This goes beyond a clinical, x-ray sort of knowing, I think...we can't just scan them and make the determination...we must poke, probe, and ask questions of each other. 

 It doesn't say to love them out of their sin or intervene and rescue them.  It doesn't direct continually pouring into them in hope of  healing that might soon be there (cuts that co-dependant/enabler thing right out of the equation).  God's living and true Word says to not associate with them and to not even eat with them, (I know that hospitality was akin to godliness in the ancient east's lifestyle (even for pagans), so to refuse to eat with another was a huge charge to the believers).  So, you must know and be known by a person, let your walls down, experience the tenderness for another that comes from being created in His image, and potentially cast him/her out from among the body...for his/her own good and ours.

So, this sinful person, in terms of the body, may have been a big toe, an elbow or maybe just a hangnail; but it still hurts when you cut off part of your body.  And there will be a crippling of sorts if he/she had been a big toe or elbow.  If a hangnail he/she is, perhaps just a great deal of relief; but a wound still needs tending, cleaning and healing to stay the infection.  There is an aftermath of such an event.

So my response is that I must be open to my cohorts in Christ, I must know and be known by them, I must be careful to mourn the sins and not to make room for the sin to be natural, acceptable or welcome (not become prideful because we have a ____-ministry that has no confrontation of _______ sin),  put on my "spiritual big girl pants" and prayerfully follow through with God's word, (no, not become a one-person, sin-vigilante seeking to pop out any that fall afoul of what I think...but follow God's leading and the direction of the leadership of the church to seek and to save...).  This does not say to continue to display love in the affirming fashion; but to display love in a pure, God-honoring and responsible fashion that exhorts one to the righteous living he/she has professed.

Thanks for letting me work this out, because I struggle with the confrontational aspects of this life - not that I don't believe God and His Word, for surely I do, more so everyday - but I am not outfitted for the confrontation naturally (definitely not a mouth or foot).  I am probably more like an appendix, not sure what my role is in the body; but I am definitely in there somewhere.

 Jesus, Wisdom and strength are Yours.  Salvation comes from You and You alone.  Holiness and purity are ascribed to you.  Please lead me to follow Your Words, enable me with Your discernment to walk wisely and talk in integrity.  Open my mouth when I need to that I might keep from approving of sin and thereby wrongly affirm its acceptance and possibly affirm a salvation not of You.  Holy Spirit, convict Your people that sin may be as distasteful to each of us as it is to You.  Help us to walk and talk consistent with our (Your) righteousness, that we may be tools of conviction for Your glorious Kingdom's sake.

1 Corinthians 4

²⁰For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul).
20 God's Way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life.

God, I desire that excellence of soul which is displayed in my life as I yield to You and am empowered by You.  Let me not be one who talks and talks and never walks in power.  I desire to be a fully-functioning Kingdom resident as I engage in the earthly life You have entrusted to me.  I wonder how differently would Jesus live my life ~ how would Jesus be a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter, a sister...and I struggle with how far I am from Your Ideal.   Without Your power I cannot  productively strive towards the essence of virtue and excellence; with pride, arrogance and self relentlessly rearing their heads in my life and priorities (like moles in the Whack-A-Mole game) I am unable and probably unwilling to receive Your favor and Your wisdom.  God I need You.  I can't do it without You.  Only by Your grace do I even desire to seek You and receive from You.  Help me to encourage my brothers and sisters on the Way as they are examples of the empowered life.

1 Corinthians 3

Paul concluded the previous chapter with the statement that we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. Paul  now charges the believers with not having grown up in Christ, as being  too immature to understand spiritual teachings.  Later in this chapter he says,  "Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?"
It appears that there was a major disconnect between their salvation and their sanctification.  The believers were content to be saved; but not inclined to devote themselves to growth nor to receive the truth and operate as the holy dwelling of God-Spirit. Consider again the opening of 1 Corinthians 1: 
    ²To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, [who are] selected and called to be saints (God's people), together with all those who in any place (this is us!) call upon and give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

    ³Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) be to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    ⁴I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,    ⁵[So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning].

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It's as if Paul is reminding them of what they should have already known and been living.  Somewhere, they weren't understanding nor discerning their significance in the Kingdom. It seems they were pleased to sign up in the recruiter's office; but did not wish to show up for Basic Training.  My consideration is where am I resting more in my Savior and less in my Lord? What areas of my spiritual life are being eclipsed by the mediocre and generic impulses?   Where am I ignoring the grace and enriching Christ has supplied me?
They were described as ordinary, unchanged men and under the control of ordinary impulses.  This gives me pause to contemplate on the origins of my impulses?  Are they just standard or are they supernatural? What change will I make to grow in supernatural inclinations and let the mundane grow dim (I loved David's picture from earlier)?

One waters after another plants; all the while God makes it grow, makes it greater and gives the increase.  Father God is the One who prepares the soil, supplies the seeds and the water and gives life to the plant.  He brings the increase.  I am to be a faithful planter and waterer.  My job requires that I have water to spare and seeds to sow. How am I trusting in God to bring the increase?  Am I faithful in the sowing and watering? Do I stay strongly connected to the Source of Living Water and the Seed-Giver so I am in constant and ready supply?  When am I sowing and watering?
Lord, my prayer is that You cause me to grow up in Jesus.  Please keep me from being hung-up on the ordinary aspects of life and help me to delight in the supernatural life You have provided for me.  Bend me according to Your glorious specifications for Your glorious Name's sake.

1 Corinthians 2

Paul came desiring to know and teach only Christ and Christ crucified. Those that received and believed that message of Who Jesus is and what Jesus did were added to the Kingdom and welcomed the Holy Spirit Who lets believers in on the deep things of God and the amazing things God has freely and abundantly given us. We can acquire and understand the spiritually discernible things because we have the mind of Christ within us.

We can enter into and go deeper and higher in spiritual matters because of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Not because of man. Paul was a wreck when he came to them; but the work was accomplished because of the Holy Spirit's effort  which conferred on Paul the necessary power and abilities to activate and enliven the minds and hearts of his audience.  The Holy Spirit was the causative agent of the salvation response, Paul was the weak and trembling vessel utilized.  The Holy Spirit was the nitro-glycerin to Paul's cracked Pyrex beaker.

4And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],

5So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

Watchman Nee's The Latent Power of the Soul points out the Biblical truth that we were created in God's image...very powerful, versatile and creative image. Think back to what Adam was tasked to do...God did not think the directions He gave Adam were too much for him, so obviously, Adam was "man enough" ~ because of Whose image he had been created in. (just like us) While sin corrupted the man; the design was still there...God's image, with all the power and creativity and ability, latent in the soul. So man can do great things, by design. The problem is if they are not done on God's direction and in His manner, then they don't count (wood, hay and stubble) or they count against us (sin) which was held against Christ.

Paul appears to have subdued his soulish-strengths by seriously downplaying his elocution and persuasive aptitudes; perhaps to give the Holy Spirit the spotlight on a dedicated stage.  Maybe Paul was experiencing groupies and by removing his natural capabilities from the instruction, he allowed a better revelation of the Lord and the Lord alone.  Now, I don't believe Paul was not prepared for the teaching nor do I mean that he didn't give his all for the time; but I am merely wondering if Paul operated from a weakened state or outside of his comfort zone in order that the Holy Spirit might be the only Star in that season.  So that the hearers' faith would be in the power of God and not a slick presentation from a worthy orator.  Paul knowing and functioning from Christ and Him crucified does not leave any room for Paul and his ego.  The mind of Christ directing a most capable and eloquent speaker to allow a demonstration of the Holy Spirit  and His power, rather than an opportunity to work his own talents and gifts.  Much less is made of Paul that much more may be made of God.  And the results were valid, true conversions; not emotional responses which would be discarded at the first show of discomfort or persecution.

My challenge is how am I operating from a Christ and Christ crucified position in the dailyness of my life?  Paul came that way in order for the power of God to stir the minds and hearts of those he encountered.  How am I yielding the stage of my life to allow the Spirit to take center stage and be God to those I come across everyday?  Where do I let the power and prestige of God show through the cracked beaker of Tami?  I know that I, as a believer, need to experience God-Spirit and His power everyday, how much more does the world need to see Him displayed that it may taste and see that the Lord is good?  Why don't I plan into my day the extra time for the Spirit to operate through me for others, instead of going from point A to B to C...plan a few minutes just to be the beaker at each place.

1 Corinthians 1

... by Him (God) you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. God has united us with Christ, who is Wisdom and Christ has made us right with God, pure, holy and free from sin.  In that unity with Christ in wisdom, thought and purpose, we are to live in harmony and be perfectly united in our common understanding and in our opinions and judgments. (No, that doesn't mean we all must like chocolate, tea and football.  We are joined/thoroughly combined with Christ and our wisdom, comprehension, holiness, purity, response to sin...our participation with Christ is the unity.  Not the individual qualities of preference and taste.) There are to be no dissensions or factions or divisions among us; we are not to be divided by different alliances to various teachers/mentors. Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Of course not.  We are all in Christ  the Undivided and Indivisible for God's gift of unity has place us there.

The word I received from this is to be careful not to rob unity by contributing to idol-worship of favorite Bible study teachers or worship styles.   How can I better display and contribute to unity in the body...a full meal of the Bread of Life and Living Water rather than a-la-cart dining with the Bible teacher d'jour or the Top 40 Praise Hits of the week?  Where am I giving personal preference greater accord than the Holy Spirit?  I am challenged to be much more intentional in inviting God to join me and the Holy Spirit to teach me and lead me into worship...to make sure God is integral to my time...rather than to withhold my participation because the venue is not my best choice.  My participation has been established with Jesus Christ my Lord...and I have been  established to the end [He will keep me steadfast, give me strength, and guarantee my vindication; He will be my warrant against all accusation or indictment so that I will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 
For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect).  The power of the Cross is neither the presentation nor the prestige of the speaker.  The power of the Cross is Christ and Christ resurrected...the Truth, the holiness, the love, the redemption.  Father, make me ravenous for You and Your word so that I am pleased to grow in You and Your Wisdom in any way You delight to use.

Acts 19-20:6

From verse 5, the disciples who were willing to be baptized again in the Name of Jesus spoke to me of a humble willingness to be accurate and complete despite what they did not know.  They did not  trust in their experience or learning as disciples when answering Paul; but were eager to receive what the Lord had for them to do in obedience.  I found it interesting that at this point they received the Holy Spirit as Paul laid his hands on them...they were baptized and then  or as they were baptized they received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The whole step of obedience was taken before the gift was given.  They had the faith beforehand; but the working out of that faith is when the Spirit became theirs.  Am I willing to receive from my teachers an exhortation that results in a working out of my faith, or would I rather just agree with them and not be moved?
From verse 11:  And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,...this just struck me as one of the funniest things I have read in the Word.  I mean, really, God did unusual and extraordinary miracles...does God have an "ordinary and usual miracle list" He normally performs; but this time He kicked it up a notch?  The same God who made all Heaven and earth from nothing, the Lord who gave 10 plagues to hard-hearted Pharaoh, the Lord God Almighty who defeated an ancient city with some trumpets and marching.  The Amazing Salvation Author who let His Son be squeezed out of a human womb, when all creation cannot contain Him?  The same Heavenly Father who let Jesus be potty-trained and learn to walk then save all of humanity with His perfect gift of life?  The One and Only One, Transcendent, Perfect, Holy, Just, Only Wise God did something out of character for His generic miracles?  I know, it's scripture so it's right and true and from God; but I just giggled when my FatherGod says He did something unusual.  There is nothing usual about my God!  So for Him to declare it to be out of the box, then I know this is not a way He should normally be known.  Thank You God for Your diverse and unexpected manner of teaching me.  I bet Paul was blown away by Your display of You.  I can't imagine.  I praise You also that how You did what You did still had the goal of spreading the Fame of Your Name and bringing healing to people.  Lord, give me eyes to see Your Unusual and Extraordinary works in and around my life that I might make You famous in my time.

15...But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?  Even the demons know God is One and believe and shudder. (James 2:19)  The enemy does not need to be told Who Jesus is.  But do I operate in the full knowledge of Who Jesus is and what He has done for me?  Help me, Lord to stay in touch with You and what You have for me that I might not be tempted to borrow someone else's ministry.  Give me eyes to see my purpose for Your Great Name and plan.    ¹⁶Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.  John 10:10  The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.  The enemy is really not nice.  He deceives us into not being too impressed by him or by thinking he is not a big concern; but he desires to assail against us violently, strip us down to nothing and comprehensively wound us.  Lord help me to operate from the place of Your authority  You have given me and not from a comparable way of someone else's example.  Let me learn and respond from You.  Keep me teachable that I may witness Your outrageous acts of glory and live in response to Your Word and Holy Spirit.

Psalm 30

What I notice about this Psalm are the dichotomies and juxtapositions of God and girl.  I am so far away from God but for His coming close to me.

 You, Lord have lifted me up, drawn me up and not let my enemies be over me in rejoicing,  so I, in response, will lift You up. Your anger is temporary; Your favor is for a lifetime, Your favor is life.  My weeping was last night, joy is on the way.  Your obvious favor establishes me so I won't wiggle about; but Your hidden face greatly troubles me and causes anxiety.   I cry and make supplication for You to hear, have mercy, be gracious to me and to be my Helper. You turn my mourning ways into celebration dancing, my grief for gladness.  I cried, You healed me, brought me up and kept me alive. 

I will exalt You, Lord...the Lord lifted me up so I am to uplift Him.
I am to sing to You and be grateful at the remembrance of Your holy Name.  My song is for Him and my gratitude comes from  responding to His holiness.
I will give thanks to You forever.  Even though I cry and need help, I am to forevermore express my thanks to the Lord, my God... For God is in Heaven  and He lifts me up, heals me, keeps me alive, gives me favor, brings me joy, establishes me firmly, takes my mourning and is my Lord of the Dance.  I am on the earth receiving His gifts and favor, singing thanks and responding to His grace in my life.  My song better not be half-hearted after all He has done and is doing for me.