When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.             1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (WEB)
It’s been interesting to me that in times of great trial in my life when I’m ‘pressed but not crushed’ [2 Cor. 4] that I struggle to send out devotions. I hear this ‘junk’ in my head that says “You don’t know the answers yourself — how can you suggest any truth to others?†I wish I could say that I hear that followed by a cackle of laughter easily identifying a red, fork-tailed serpent-like scumbag called satan but sometimes it’s a sweet soft voice!
Fortunately, further along in that same chapter is a word straight from God. Take some time and read on through verse 16.
God will give His wisdom without condition to those who love Him. He created me. God knows my limitations. He wants me to learn and grow.
The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God because He is God. My spirit knows my true heart. There is no deception in my spirit. There is only deception in my soul — my emotions deceive me. It is the joining of God’s spirit with mine that allows me to know the mind of Christ. To know His plan and purpose for me. To worship Him.
When I accepted that I needed a savior and accepted that Jesus was the only One, His Spirit came and lived in me. Since that day, His Spirit has been there to teach me, reminding me of His promises, and opening my spirit to recognize God when He speaks to me. And so the more time I spend with Him the more I will know when it is not Him.
Each devotion that I transcribe I write down for myself first. God is faithful to bring His wisdom, an unconditional gift, to me every day, many times a day when I take the time to listen. Then He says, “Pass it along†and so I do. God’s Word is for His children, wherever they may be, in whatever their circumstances. He is faithful. He is faith. Give Him the thanks and praise!
I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it, and be glad. Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let us exalt his name together. I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.     Psalm 34:1-5 (WEB)
