Good afternoon friends,
The fact that it's July 15th already makes me a little sad... summer always goes so quickly. I hope we're all taking advantage of our summer days. This past weekend was perfect summer weather for me -- hot enough to be at the beach and in the water, but with a nice breeze and without humidity. We spent the weekend with friends and thoroughly enjoyed "summer"! :)
I've chosen a short verse for the last half of this month, seeing I kind of took on too much the last few times. This verse was in Living Proof Ministries blog post today, and fits with some of my thoughts lately.
Here is 1 Cor 4:20 in a few different versions...
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (NIV)
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. (NLT)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (ESV)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. (NASB)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (NKJV)
The following is a paraphrase of this verse more in context... I know it's Paul talking, but in this small section, it very well could be Christ speaking to me.
18-20 ...They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life. (The Message)
If I really studied my life and was honest -- Am I living as if I don't think Christ will return? Do I spend more time talking about what is the right thing to do and very little time LIVING it? I am rereading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, and just read chapter 4 -- the profile of a lukewarm christian... it is a solemn chapter to read as I find too many similarities in my life. I NEED to get the truth of this: God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.
I recently enjoyed a quote found online... I think it was another post from the Living Proof Ministries blog. I use "enjoyed" loosely, as being sharply convicted isn't really an "enjoyable" experience :)
“Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
Just my few thoughts today... :) Now let's hear which verse you're focusing in on for the last half of July!
5 comments:
Renette_ Bicester
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; (Psalm 19:7 ESV)
Beth R, Palapye - John 15 v 19 (KJV)
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Sheryl Payne - GTA Ontario
Janna, I enjoyed the verse you chose for this session and I'm going to learn this one too, in two translations.
1 Cor 4:20
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (NIV)
God's way is not a matter of mere talk; it's an empowered life. (The Message)
Hazel Leger - Nouvelle, QC
I almost went with Sheryl and Janna but someone quoted this verse last evening and it got me kind of excited to realize the awful darkness I was taken from to such a marvelous light!
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:
NKJV -"HIS own special people" :)
And Janna, I am feeling that little sadness seeing the summer going so quickly. I LOVE the summer and heat!
ooops sorry
1 Peter 2:9 NASB
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