Awe and Gratitude – Part 1

This week, Michael writes: Our concept of God and our attitude toward him will determine whether or not we make the right decisions in life. Regardless of the trials of life, all God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and gratitude. We need to dwell in the Lord’s presence to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” In His presence, we allow Him to speak. Only in His presence can we hear his “still small voice.” Time in prayer alone with God dwelling in the presence of our Heavenly Father is where we come to know and understand His peace, His mercy, His grace, and His blessing. Then when the crisis comes and courage is required, we who have waited upon the Lord will have such confidence in Him that we will be His reliable ones.

The wisdom of God is antithetical to the wisdom of men and women. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. He who thinks he is wise becomes a fool. The ultimate freedom is the ultimate captivity …You are slaves to whom you obey. Therefore, make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free. The church in Corinth dealt with issues that are common to all men and women. Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church are epistles of “reproof and correction.” Reproof is for conviction. Correction is for restoration to an upright position.

In the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians, the early church was divided in whom they followed. Some said “I am of Paul.” Others said, “I am of Apollos, or of Peter, or of Christ.” The antidote to division is to reconcile our hearts through Jesus Christ at the foot of the cross. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “consider your calling.” Receiving the Word of God starts with humility … for in my flesh dwells no good thing. Unless we “humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God,” we cannot receive the truth of the Word of God. Paul said, there are not many mighty and not many noble who are called. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the wise. Jesus said, “you haven’t chosen me, rather I have chosen you.” We who are chosen are the result of God’s election.

Jonathan Edwards, who was considered the greatest preacher in America, changed the lives of thousands. In meekness and humility, he would lay on the floor in front of his fireplace until he was convicted that the words he would speak were God’s words and not his own words. He understood that his calling was to give glory to God.

Let's continue Michael's message on gratitude in the next post.

In Christ, Brian