Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 1 Corinthians 2
1 Corinthians 2:3 (NIV) "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling."
Did you know that it is reported that Louis Pasteur, the inventor of safe dairy products, had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands? Or did you know that President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by electricity installed in the White House they didn't dare touch the switched? If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on.
The apostle Paul was forthright with his readers in Corinth, freely admitting his fear and weakness, even to the point of trembling (See: 1 Corinthians 2:3, today's topic verse). However, unlike some, he faced up to it, expressed his need for the Lord's strength, and then completely relied on Him. He said that his preaching to the Corinthians about Jesus and the gospel was nothing more than a "demonstration of the Spirit's power" (2:4). There is no doubt that Paul spent much time praying and depending on God while he was in this wicked, sexual immoral city.
Paul's honesty teaches us a great principle for Christian living today. Admitting that we are sometimes fearful is not a sign of being out of sync with God or that something is wrong in our lives. Instead, it is being honest about our feelings. To overcome our fears in a Christ-like manner, then, we must first acknowledge them. Then we must bring them before God and go forward in obedience. That is the only way to conquer fear and live a fearless life.
Seek the Lord today and ask Him to empower you to overcome any fears that are plaguing you from wholly living for Him. Faith Lesson: "But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you."--Psalm 56:3 (NLT)
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
READ: 1 Corinthians 2
1 Corinthians 2:3 (NIV) "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling."
Did you know that it is reported that Louis Pasteur, the inventor of safe dairy products, had such an irrational fear of dirt and infection he refused to shake hands? Or did you know that President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison were so intimidated by electricity installed in the White House they didn't dare touch the switched? If there were no servants around to turn off the lights when the Harrisons went to bed, they slept with them on.
The apostle Paul was forthright with his readers in Corinth, freely admitting his fear and weakness, even to the point of trembling (See: 1 Corinthians 2:3, today's topic verse). However, unlike some, he faced up to it, expressed his need for the Lord's strength, and then completely relied on Him. He said that his preaching to the Corinthians about Jesus and the gospel was nothing more than a "demonstration of the Spirit's power" (2:4). There is no doubt that Paul spent much time praying and depending on God while he was in this wicked, sexual immoral city.
Paul's honesty teaches us a great principle for Christian living today. Admitting that we are sometimes fearful is not a sign of being out of sync with God or that something is wrong in our lives. Instead, it is being honest about our feelings. To overcome our fears in a Christ-like manner, then, we must first acknowledge them. Then we must bring them before God and go forward in obedience. That is the only way to conquer fear and live a fearless life.
Seek the Lord today and ask Him to empower you to overcome any fears that are plaguing you from wholly living for Him. Faith Lesson: "But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you."--Psalm 56:3 (NLT)
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
