Take some time with this passage. Ask and answer these simple questions before you leave it:
1)Do you believe what you are reading?
2) Have you been given the mind of Christ?
3) Would you like to live at MOC (Mind Of Christ) speed? Take the “MOC” challenge? Read the “MOC” page and tell us how it is working for you.
I Corinthians 2:1-16
“And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[b]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[c] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”[d]
But we have the mind of Christ.”
Isaiah Chapter 55 is a vast encouragement to me today. Thanks for quoting it to me Kevin, in confirmation of what the Spirit already revealed.
Who besides me takes tremendous joy in the Spiritual truth that “. . .My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”?? (Isaiah 55:8,9 NASB)
Reading the results of Kevin’s informal poll, that 95% of those surveyed are NOT overflowing, convicts me before God. You see, I remember being asked that question.
I remember feeling perhaps a bit frustrated in ministry at that moment. Perhaps I was downcast even, and then today seeing the result of my answer in my face; I stand in awe of His correction. The Spirit that does live inside me jumps out of my chest and says, “What are you thinkin’? Are you nuts?”
What about that Bible you gave away in that hospital room two days ago! Howbout that box of food and bag of diapers I had you deliver to my beloved yesterday? I know you know that sermon we preached on Sunday came out like a trumpet sound to the ears of My people. How much more will your Father in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Sometimes, in this fallen world, the good, the saints, those far better than I even, may be misled, briefly. We weaklings can get disillusioned to the point of deceived. We may blurt out, “Nope, overflowing is not what I would call it today. . .” Be Careful with that!
When the Lord brings that back to your attention so that you realize the monumental folly of such a comment, it hurts. It hurt Him at the first moment I said it, and now he chastens you/me to overflowing in repentance for such an absurd reply. Sometimes the most overflowing abundance He gives me is letting me return to Him to say Thank You Jesus for changing me, for saving me, for forgiving me. I’m sorry my humanity got in Your Way again. Thank you for reminding me of Your ways and my path in this world. Keep me straight. Hold me upright for You. Your ways are perfectly good with me. Don’t let me so easily forget that next time. . . In Jesus Name, Amen
God Bless You Kevin,
Brother Don
Don,
I am called higher by your passion. I can feel your conviction coming through your words this afternoon as I read your response. I like the way you put it. “Nope, overflowing is not what I would call it today.” And… I will be careful with that. I believe we can experience the abundant life Jesus came to give us…every day. Some times I just need to see with better eyes…with faith filled eyes. His friendship is constant. We are immersed in His Grace always. God celebrates our walk with Him. That just fires me up!
Excellent:)