Psalm 133 was written by David at the time that God brought the divided kingdom together. Now, instead of being just the king of Judah, he was the king of all Israel! You can check out a more thorough look at this Psalm in this blog from the posts of April 2010 and October 2010! For today, here is verses 1:
1 BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Notice that it is "brethren" that are to dwell together! We CANNOT have true unity with unbelievers, but we CAN dwell with them in peace and share the Truth with them, in Love! AMEN! Here is some very pretty and original music by Esther Mui of Psalm 133. If you like it, double click on the video and go to You Tube where there is a link to her website. She has more original music for download!
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 in the Amplified Bible:
3 We put no obstruction in anybody's way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited.
4 But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities, 5
In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger;
6 By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;
7 By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend];
8 Amid honor and dishonor; in defaming and evil report and in praise and good report. [We are branded] as deceivers (impostors), and [yet vindicated as] truthful and honest.
9 [We are treated] as unknown and ignored [by the world], and [yet we are] well-known and recognized [by God and His people]; as dying, and yet here we are alive; as chastened by suffering and [yet] not killed;
10 As grieved and mourning, yet [we are] always rejoicing; as poor [ourselves, yet] bestowing riches on many; as having nothing, and [yet in reality] possessing all things.
11 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians [we are hiding nothing, keeping nothing back], and our heart is expanded wide [for you]! [Isa 60:5; Ezek 33:22.]
12 There is no lack of room for you in [our hearts], but you lack room in your own affections [for us].
13 By way of return then, do this for me — I speak as to children — open wide your hearts also [to us].
AMP
These verses are sad to me because Paul is defending his ministry to the people in one of the churches that he started! These people, of all people, should have known and received him! 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says this:
12 Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all] — your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
AMP
Paul should never have had to explain his qualifications for ministry to them! They should have "known" him! They should have appreciated him and held him in high esteem! How do YOU respect and appreciate your Pastor? How much do you know and appreciate how he "labors among you"? Let's receive the correction and instruction from these verses and become a DOER of this Word by "communicating with our Pastor in ALL good things"! The Amplified Bible version of that verse says this in Galatians 6:6:
6 Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support].
AMP
We see the last part of Samson's life in Judges 15-16. His calling from God was to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The problem with Samson was that he brought everything down to a personal level. He was almost constantly avenging HIMSELF instead of letting God avenge him! God used him to the very best that He could, with what Samson gave Him to work with! I mentioned before that we usually think Samson's weakness was for women. I believe that was one of the symptoms of a greater weakness. I don't think that Samson truly appreciated and honored the gifts that God gave him, nor the ministry that God had called him to! It's true that, like David, he repented when he realized that he had missed it, but I don't believe that he would have had to die to fulfill his ministry IF he would have taken greater care of it before! Paul says this to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14:
14 Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].
15 Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.
16 Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
AMP
What is the holy Spirit telling YOU about Samson when you read these verses? Isn't meditation fun and so very rewarding! I LOVE the Word of God!
Shalom in Him!
