TMI, TMK, but TML is the Greatest

[S] 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 --
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
[O] The terminology TMI stands for "too much information" used to describe that there are too much unnecessary information crowding up the essential information.  In light of that TMK leads to arrogance because it makes one forget about the most essential fact of even if we add up all the knowledge of man together it will still be a drop in a bucket of how this universe is made up of and functions.  Therefore no TMK is really TMK.  The only way to top TMK is with TML and TML is what God is pleased with.

[A] Our family's just going through a health crisis and after applying all the latest medical knowledge has discovered, there are still more unknowns than what is known which leaves us in a waiting state not knowing the root cause of this health issue.  Waiting for more information day by day is not only makes us anxious but also desires us to dig more for more knowledge as if that's going to clear things up -- thus can be a vicious cycle.  This passage teaches us to be content with our ability to love others and God, and foremost being known by God which we are sure of.

[P] Dear Father, thank You for a timely message for us to cling on to.  We love You and that's what You're most pleased about, so instead of trying to take on this world by digging into more knowledge, we humbly bow down before You to acknowledge that You are the mighty and grandiose God who knows this family's deep desire to honor and glorify You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Arrogance Hardens Hearts for God's Instructions

[S] Jeremiah 43:2 --
 ²Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'You are not to enter Egypt to reside there';

[O] These people responded absurdly against what they promised to do -- to follow whatever God speaks to them through Jeremiah -- after actually listening to what Jeremiah told them.  The link between the "arrogant men" and "not listening to God's commands" was what caught my eyes today as I was reading through this story of how foolish these people are.  The foolishness seems to come from the arrogance; in fact these arrogant men asked to hear what God had to tell them but unless their hearts were humbled, they were unable to submit to God's commands.  We studied about how Zedekiah was unable to follow what God told him because he lacked the faith, but here these arrogant men never seemed to have had the faith to begin with but just curious minds trying to outwit everyone including God.

[A] Ask for a humble heart before I do my Life Journaling so I would not just hear the words from God but will also have the submissive heart to follow what He tells me.

[P] Dear God, Your description of what arrogant men will face as a consequence needs to be my life's lesson as long as I live here on earth because the pride in me is almost like a wild lion wanted to jump out at any opportunity possible.  I must tame this lion with my humility and I can only do this in Your power as I surrender my heart and mind to You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Knowledge Alone Is Arrogance

[S] 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 --
 ¹Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge.  Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

[O] Any one of us can retain knowledge because it is freely available to us to grab with respect to our own capacity.  We cannot live without having any knowledge so as verse 1 says, we all have knowledge.  The question is what do we do with the knowledge we retain?  Some things come to mine are: work towards success; solve problems; learn new skills; earn more money; and in some cases to hurt others.  And isn't it true that knowledge alone only provides a subjective view depending on how it is interpreted or used?  For example, knowledge of someone's weakness can cause one to take advantage of it, or to assist that person to overcome it.  However, knowledge in addition to love almost always will result in edification.  So in my previous example, it will lead to assisting in overcoming the weakness and to build up that person.

Many times we see this discrepancy between Jesus and the Pharisees.  They both have the knowledge of the same situation, but Jesus responds with warmth and loving embracing of the situation while the Pharisees take advantage of that to meet their goals and needs in the name of worshiping God.

[A] Especially doing ministry at church, I need to be careful of the TMI (too much information) because it may make me arrogant and manipulative of others.  I need to always mix the love of Jesus which covers all people in all situations.  Before processing any of the knowledge I gained, I need to make sure it is countered by God's love which overflows out of my heart based on my daily dose of meditating on His word.

[P] Dear God, I need Your love in my heart which can balance the knowledge in my mind/brain so that I would be edifying those around me at all times.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Arrogant Men Speaking Arrogant Words

[S] Jeremiah 43:2; Revelations 13:5 --
 ²Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'You are not to enter Egypt to reside there';
 ⁵There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

[O] The word "arrogant" in both of these verses caught my eyes because with the arrogance they mocked God.  Just as in Proverbs 16:18 God explains how pride is the cause for destruction and stumbling, my own pride and arrogance will provide the quickest path to go against God's will for me.  God graciously provides the best path for me but out of my pride I mistrust Him and in fact accuse Him of trying to do harm against me and instead applies my own "wisdom" thinking I can outsmart God.  What an insult to God and a ridiculously stupid that is.

[A] Once again, the message of keeping my humility hits home for me.  How I used to think my experiences was everything in doing God's ministry.  I am quite grateful for God to have humbled me enough to realize those days were behind me and I must proceed in total humility and submission.  I am still learning this concept because He wants me to promote into newer and higher grounds for His purposes.  So, just when I thought I figured it out, I'm actually led to a newer path of humility.  So, keep staying on my knees.

[P] Dear God, continue to teach me your humility.  I want far from being arrogant and say things that will hurt Your heart.  I want to stay obedient and humble toward You while serving others in the same spirit.  Thank You for giving me opportunities to join You at work around me as I humbly follow Your footsteps.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.