Thought for May 31

 History:

• 1669: Last entry in Samuel Pepys' Diary
• 1790: US Copyright Law enacted
• 1837: Astor Hotel opens in NYC--Waldorf-Astoria
• 1879: Madison Square Garden opens [named for James Madison]
• 1884: John Harvey Kellogg patents "flaked cereal"
• 1889: Johnstown PA flood kills 2209
• 1911: Titanic launched
• 1921: Race riot in Tulsa--150-200 blacks are killed
• 1930: Bobby Jones wins British Amateur, first leg of the Grand Slam
• 1968: Jimmy Stewart retires from the Air Force after serving 27 years
• 1977: Trans Alaska Pipeline completed
• 2007: Billy Graham Library dedicated--Presidents Bush and Clinton attend
• 2015: Harriet Thompson completes a marathon at age 92
• 2019: Disgruntled employee kills 12 in Virginia Beach
• Born: Walt Whitman, Emily Bissell [founded Christmas Seals], Norman Vincent Peale, Don Ameche, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Paycheck, Joe Namath, Laura Baugh, Jim Craig [goalie, Miracle on Ice], Brook Shields, Colin Ferrell
• Died: Joseph Grimaldi [greatest clown], Elizabeth Blackwell [1st woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S.], Jack Dempsey, Spuds Mackenzie [advertising dog], Timothy Leary, Chris Haney [created Trivial Pursuit], Jean Stapleton, 

Thought:

Reading 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 this morning. Twice in this passage, Paul speaks of "mere men." He could have said "mere men and women." In chapter 2, Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit has revealed to us the mind of Christ. But the people of Corinth were not walking in the mind of Christ, but walking in the flesh [3:1, 3]. Notice how Paul recognizes that the people are "babes", not "mature", and walking in the flesh--there is jealousy and strife. [3:3] So rather than walking like Christ, they are walking like mere men. 

If Paul was observing my life this morning, what would he see? A mere man? What actions, thoughts or attitudes would he see in my life that would cause him to judge me as a mere man? Is anger an issue? Do I explode when someone pulls out in front of my car, goes 45 on the interstate? Or perhaps impatience is an issue. Waiting in line I become fretful, complain in my mind about the slow cashier or the person who did not notice the milk was leaking and needs to go get another quart. Maybe jealousy as I page through the "Infocus" magazine and view the beautiful people, mansions, and parties. Now, of course, all of these examples are merely hypothetical and not anything that has happened to me in the last couple of days. 

Paul mentions that he is still serving the Corinthians milk because they are too immature for solid food. [3:2] Makes me wonder if the Lord looks at me and says the same thing. He would like to move on to more weighty things in my growth and maturity, but I am still walking in the flesh and continue to be an immature follower, able to consume only milk. O how I wish the Lord would speak to me, give me wisdom or answers--maybe if I grew up in my faith a little, He would speak, guide, direct. 

Notice, God is looking for fellow workers [3:9]. Wow! God is at work, He is moving, and He is looking for fellow workers. Maybe if I grew up a little in my faith, He could use me in building His building or sowing and reaping in His fields. 

Lord, I don't want to be a mere man--I want to be Your man. Forgive my sins and help me grow into the likeness of Your Son---starting today.

Blessings

Larry