It's Time to Grow Up Buttercup

                           It’s Time to Grow Up Buttercup

  

           Hello and welcome to My Little House of Prayer. I am your host Dayla Smith. I am so very glad that you could join me today. Let’s open in prayer.

                     Let’s review: 1 Corinthians 13Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

                   We are discussing verses 8-11. I know that the title might be a bit too abrasive, but it is not meant to be. I say it with a bit of joy in my voice. According to Ephesians 4:13-16   13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

                    You see, today’s society teaches us to wear our heart on our sleeve. To get offended at every little thing. I call it looking for a fight. My husband used to do this. He’d walk around cranky, trying to pick a fight with me. After a while, you get tired of this. So, I would look at him and tell him, “Look, if you are looking for a fight, you are looking in the wrong direction. This town has bars all over the place. Go look for a fight there. But you won’t find it here.” The first time I said that to him, he bursted out in laughter. “You’re right mama. I’m sorry.” he said.

                Flesh always wants to get even. But, we are called to forgive. I did not see this coming. When we first started out in this study of 1 Corinthians 13, the title began with You Are Offensive to Me. I believe that as we looked at what love was not, that we have learned that love is a beautiful expression of the glory of God. That is is offensive to God fur us not to walk out our lives in this glorious expression of Him who loves all of us unconditionally. Who doesn’t want to be used in this way? To be the tool the Lord uses to ultimately change someone’s life hopefully for forever. 

               So, looking at verse 8 and 9, we learn that we can have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But, they are worth absolutely nothing in the eyes of the Lord. They don’t determine your salvation. They already belong to Him. In the end, they will be done away with for us in the capacity that we use them on this side. Remember, it says in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57   51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

                 So, when all the good works are taken away, what will we have left? It says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15   13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

              As Christians we will be judged according to our works. Whose name were we lifting up through our works of the love of God? Ours or His? It takes faith to walk out this crucified walk with the Lord. That is one of the reasons Yeshua told us to count the cost if we choose to accept His contract of salvation. Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. So, it takes faith to do the works of the Lord. To be able to love people the way that He is telling us to love. That is why we need to get in His presence. We can’t give what we don’t have. We love because He first loved us. It takes faith to get in presence. It takes faith to believe that He is speaking to us and that through His Holy Spirit, we are instructed in His righteousness how to love people the Lord’s way. 

                          Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Our faith in the Lord allows us to perform works of righteousness. James 2:14-26   14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

              You see, we can’t have faith without works, or works without faith. We can’t have neither without the love of Christ. We are to let the light of Christ so shine before men. How else will we be able to do greater works than Christ like He promised? Did you know that the greatest miracle ever worked was that of a lost soul who was once dead in sin and now is alive in Christ. This is the greatest resurrection.We have to live His way. Love His way. The Lord, ourselves, and then, others. Remember flesh wants to protect itself, but Jesus Christ of Nazareth said for us to deny our flesh. Jesus Christ our Lord is that which is perfect. He is the truth, the life, and the way. He is calling us to grow up in the measure and stature of Christ. Where we put away our childish behaviors. To be mature Christians. 

                     

                    If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Let me introduce you to Him. It is really simple. First you must acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a savior according to the mirror of the law of the Lord. Ask Him for His forgiveness for all of your sins and call them out to Him. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Then, forgive those who have sinned or transgressed against you. Then, repent. Repent means to change your mind concerning sinful habits. Change your choice making decisions. Let Him influence your choice making decisions as you get in His Holy Word. Ask Him to be Lord over your life. I want to pray this prayer with you. But, this is just an outline. The real work begins after I pray with you because it is a very personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 

                    Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

                               If you have made the decision to give your life to Jesus, let me be one of the first to welcome you to the body of Christ. All of heaven is greatly rejoicing over your decision today. Please let me know of your decision today. I want to pray for you. If this message has brought up any questions or spoke to you in some way, or if you have any prayer requests; please let me know by commenting below, private messaging me, or you can email me at my1littleafmp@aol.com. I would greatly love to hear from you. Remember I love you with the Love of the Lord but Jesus will always love you more.

(close in prayer)