1 Corinthians 2 (MSG)
10-13 The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Who ever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he's thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions. We didn't learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we're passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way.
The Holy Spirit is within us. He is not content to flit around on the surface. Allow Him to go in the depths of Gods heart and teach us. Learn to be teachable so the Lord can provide all He has planned all along. Wow, I cant imagine anything more special than the gift of God allowing us to know what He is thinking! We only have to rely on Him, not the world and their opinions. He has it all, all knowledge, all knowing, all wisdom, all love, all compassion, all grace, all mercy and the list never ends. Oh, how thankful I am!
14-16 The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit.
Again, I pray for compassion in myself and all others to not get to where we all know we can too easily. Frustrated, irritated, angry, judgmental, bitter and hopeless. I don’t believe God created us to lose hope. He asks us to hope in Him and be committed to doing His work while here on earth. We don’t’ know the time frame only He does and He’s asked us to fight the “good” fight. Just because we understand the Lord and how good He is doesn’t mean all others will. It may take them more time than we would like, but that never means they wont get it. The one thing to remember may be that the test is “will you show Godly character until the end or will you give up?” Keep in mind that if you give up, then what have you really shown that person? Do you need the encouragement of knowing you will one day see His promises…You WILL! Do you need the encouragement of knowing He created you in His image and you can fight through Him…You CAN! Do you need the encouragement of knowing He has a plan specifically for you…He DOES and if you seek, you WILL find!
Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. I read verses like these and I feel overwhelmed with His love. God’s Spirit + our spirit = Spiritually ALIVE! You and I have the opportunity to not only feel this at a church camp, a women’s retreat, prayer or during praise and worship….But we have the opportunity to be Spiritually ALIVE every minute of our lives if we choose to live so.
Lastly, where I believe so much freedom can be found is in the fact, we cant be judged by unspiritual critics. If we have read this in the bible, feel this, know this and live this- then no unspiritual critic will be allowed to determine our moods from now on! Freedom!
Lets us pray together “Father, I pray these verses be sketched in and on our hearts today Lord. I pray we begin to step out in faith and to speak the simple words you choose to provide for us. I pray as we begin to reach the lost that they will receive that fire that only comes from you. Make it penetrate deep down in their souls. I pray for compassion as it takes others longer to give you a chance. As we live each day under your wings I pray we will search for more of you. I pray we will choose to seek, serve and study to build our minds and bodies in indestructible ways. When the unspiritual critics look our way I pray they are blinded by the light of your embrace and that they choose to turn towards you instead of us. Help us stay focused and fight the good fight! In Your Name, we pray. Amen!
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