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1 Corinthians 16

2/15/2012

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

This sounds so simple yet we get caught with our guard down. Then we do so well until something really traumatic happens and we question God. We want to be courageous but we tend to be quiet when we are called out by our friends. Do everything with love, but someone did something to hurt us and we don’t show love. These things are a constant battle in our lives and I truly believe until we commit to God being the center and our focus being on living like Christ we will struggle. This can only happen when we develop our relationship with the Lord by praying and reading. Not because we have to but because we are so thankful for what He did we want to.

The Spirit in us wants to lead us and will continue to show us what is right, the question is do we hear Him? When we know God’s word we are on guard to deal with life and we stand firm because we know our home is yet to come. When we know God’s word we are courageous to everyone because we have the confidence to share the love and that makes us strong. When we know God’s word it will help us see people as accepted and loved by God and we can show them love no matter what they choose. God is in control and wants us to live and spread the Good News and this is done when we are in tune with the Spirit and we know God’s word.

Know the truth (Jesus) and the truth will set you free. Amen

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1 Corinthians 15

2/13/2012

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1 Corinthians 15:56-58 “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

It is good to remember that Jesus has taken our sin and we are made new. It is freeing to understand what Jesus did for us and to live our lives to resemble Him in everything. What this does is help us remember that we are to glorify God and live to please Him. When we truly believe and are working on following Christ we surrender our will and we listen to the Spirit who is alive in us helping us succeed. Because of Jesus we can forget who we were and live to be like Him and shine. God doesn’t want us to be reminded constantly of our past He wants us to “work enthusiastically” for Him to show people His love for us.

In chapter 15 verse 10 Paul says, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me – and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.”

Paul could have dwelled in His past but with God’s strength he worked hard so people could see Christ and what is true. We are the same, we are not working to earn our gift we are working hard to show people how incredible Christ is.

In verse 2 Paul says, “It is the Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you – unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.” Believe in Christ and work enthusiastically to share that with others knowing that satan will try and discourage you daily so you don’t believe. We all need to pray and get in God’s word and let the Spirit guide us in all we do so we are strong, immoveable and courageous in our walk with Him. Amen

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1 Corinthians 12

2/12/2012

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1 Corinthians 12:27-28 “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.”

When we are growing and seeking God we will know what God has gifted us with because we have the Holy Spirit that will show us. Pray about which one or ones you have and live them out in love. Use these gifts to honor and glorify God and be thankful for the strength God has given you to help others know Him.

Paul goes on to ask these questions in verse 29-30, “Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Of course not!” We must understand that God loves us and has made us who we are so we can make Christ’s body complete. Should we ask for more gifts, of course, but not to the degree that we are upset if we don’t have the ones we want? God gives us what He wants us to have because He knows best and we might not have the right motives for having other ones.

In chapter 13 Paul shares that without love none of these matter. We can do things with our gifts and if we are not doing them in love we are not helping the Kingdom. Verse 7 says, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

This is what we need to know. God is love and His love is perfect and He loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us when we were sinners. (Read John 3:16) His love never waivers and either does Jesus’. He loved the Father so much that He said not my will be done but yours, even when He had to separate from the Father to take our sin on Himself.

It says in John chapter 15 verses 13-14, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you so what I command.” Jesus did and we are called to love like that, how is that going in your life? Just think and then read 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 13 which says, “Three things will last forever faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.” Amen

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1 Corinthians 10

2/10/2012

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1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything – but not everything is good for you. You say – I am allowed to do anything – but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”

As we mature in our walk with the Lord we see how we start doing things that won’t make someone question why. What I mean is we should be aware of the people around us always and make sure our actions are not done for our pleasures but to glorify the Lord.

In verse 31 it says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I like the part that says, “or whatever you do” we have to be focused on God at all times working to be just like Christ. This can only be done by surrendering to the Spirit of God who lives in us. I was reading in a discipleship workbook and there was an article by Tim Riter that says this, “Spiritual gusto comes when we surrender fully to God – when we accept God’s goals and methods for our lives. Passion comes as we choose to be single – minded in our pursuit of God, when we’re willing to go anywhere and be anything God desires.” How does that fit into our lives? Are we on pursuit of God?

Paul goes on to say in verse 33, “I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” We need to fill ourselves internally and have a transformation of the heart and then we need to live outwardly so people see our lives as ones that look like Christ. Paul starts chapter 11 with, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Ask God to lead and work hard to grow so we can all live our lives for Him. Amen

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1 Corinthians 9

2/9/2012

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1 Corinthians 9:23 “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessing.”

When I was reading today this stood out because it shows me how when I share the Good News about Christ the blessing comes with it. I understand what the Spirit is saying and that my life should be for living to show others Christ.

In verse 19 Paul says, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.” What I like about this is Paul never waivers on God’s law but will live by the customs of where he is preaching so he has a chance to reach them for Christ.

In verse 20 he goes on to say, “When I was with Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish laws, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did it so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.”

Paul goes on to say the same thing about when he was with the Gentiles, in verse 21, “When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.”

It is so important for us to see no matter what we do with the different customs we can never sacrifice God’s law to help someone to know Christ. We must remember Christ is the way the truth and the life and when sharing that it never changes, it is constant. How do we make sure we are strong and growing in our faith so we can share the Good News boldly? We look at what Paul says in verses 26-27, “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

No matter what the customs or traditions are in our lives we have to train ourselves to know what is right and truth and share the Good News boldly and with courage. This training will help us hear the Spirit and listen so we can “Do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” Amen

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1 Corinthians 8

2/8/2012

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1 Corinthians 8:9-10 “But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you –with your “superior knowledge” – eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that was offered to an idol?”

We should be so outwardly focused as fully devoted followers of Christ that nothing we do will affect anyone in a negative way. As we know from what Paul shares in Chapter 7 verse 23, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.”

We should be learning and growing daily and then working on ways to shine a light so people see Christ in us. Even when we know it’s not wrong to do something we must think of others before we act. This includes all areas of our walk, not just the ones we think it should. When we are out in public and the eyes are on us, how do we react? Do we say; I have worked hard to understand what Jesus did for me and I know what I can and cannot do. Or do we say Jesus sacrificed for me, I know what is good for me but I want to make sure I am living above reproach so if someone sees me they see Christ- like behavior.

Look at verse 11 which says, “So because of you superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed.” Just because something is alright to do doesn’t mean we should do it. As Christ followers we always have to be thinking of what we are doing and what we are saying.

Verse 12 says, “And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.” It doesn’t say; you are right it’s not wrong, so get over it and grow up. It says if a weaker believer believes it is a sin then it should not be done. We have to man up and be the example always looking at what Jesus would do then live by the Spirit of God that is in us as our guide. Amen

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1 Corinthians 6

2/7/2012

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1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”

While reading this many key words stood out to me; do, indulge, commit, are, practice. They are all words that say at current time in our lives. We must realize that Jesus has taken these sins away and we are accepted and loved by God. We can’t be dwelling on who we were or what we did, we need to surrender and follow the Spirit of God and let our lives be different because we know Jesus. Pray for the power and pray for strength to be filled and lead by the Spirit and know we are new creations in Christ and don’t have to be involved in what once controlled us.

In verse 11 it says, “Some of you were once like that. But you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” We call on Jesus and we are led by the Spirit and we continue to fill these powers by belonging to God’s family because we say no to the world and what we desire and yes to what God desires. We must remember that we are loved and accepted and new, working on our fellowship daily.

In verses 19-20 they say, “Don’t you realize that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

We need to focus on God and not get caught up with the “I’s” – I want, I need, I deserve, I desire, I’m owed, and say God deserves my all and it is because of God I know His Son Jesus and I can live forever. Amen

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1 Corinthians 4

2/6/2012

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1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”

We must learn and do, being an example to the world that we are different and living to glorify God. We can only do this by God’s power, the Holy Spirit in us leading us to do what God desires, not what we desire. This takes constant prayer and study asking for wisdom from the Lord. We can’t just let what we learn fall on us we must take it and make it who we are. I am reading a book called, “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels and he said something that really stood out to me. “Friends, if you have been wrecked by God’s gift of new life- as I thankfully have – and if you want to live your life as an expression of love for the great God you know, then let’s crank up our boldness meters and introduce as many people as possible to the God who wants desperately to enfold them in His grace!” This doesn’t only take talk it takes living in the Spirit so people see something different than the world. Let’s really focus on being the hands and feet and living out everything we learn then seek the Spirit to drive us and when the Spirit is driving we will know that He will lead us in a way that will glorify the Father. Amen

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1 Corinthians 3

2/3/2012

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1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have- Jesus Christ.”

He is our life and everything He is we must learn, study and try to emulate. We must thank God for the gift of Jesus and then work with that foundation to be the best through His Spirit we can be. Verses 12-14 say, “Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials – gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.”

I believe our hard work will be rewarded and the harder we work to share the Good News and help people see Christ the more it will stand up to the fire. To me the more we surrender to ourselves and live outwardly sharing and growing to be a light that shines and not being worried about what it will cost us we are using the good materials that will last. When our faith grows it’s because we are seeking wisdom from the Lord. Are we building and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit as Paul says in Chapter 2 verse 4, “And my message and my preaching were plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Christ is the foundation. We can know Christ and not really be building on the foundation because we are keeping to ourselves and doing just enough to get by and never really be a light. We love God and thank Him but we never get bold or have the courage to share and reach the lost. This makes me look at 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 15 and want to pray and do more. It says, “But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” Don’t just learn about Jesus, ask to be like Jesus and let the Spirit move us to be bold and courageous as we live out our faith with action spreading the Good News and do it to glorify God. Amen

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1 Corinthians 1

1/31/2012

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1 Corinthians 1:18-19 “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

This is such an eye opener to me about needing to surrender and not think I am smart enough to do it on my own. When we think we are smart enough to explain life, or explain it through science it is foolish. God our creator has made everything and all things are His, when we thank Him and open our hearts the Holy Spirit fills us with godly wisdom and we look to Christ for how we should live.

In verse 24 it says, “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” There is no wisdom we can learn that can replace God’s word; given to us to teach us and guide us in all situations. Whoever try’s to detour us from this will fall and their words will be dead. Think of how we have tried for so long to live on our own, trying to explain only what God can explain. If we want to understand how to live, accept Christ and repent of our sins, pray and open His word.

We are told in Matthew chapter 7 verse 7, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Know that God is God and we can’t learn anything that matters (eternally) aside from Him. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 30 it says, “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God, He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin.”

Until we understand that our purpose is to do God’s will and not our own we will struggle with our faith. Look at the story in Ester in chapter 4. We see that Haman has it ordained to kill all the Jews on a specific day. Mordecai tells Ester to go to King Xerxes and plead for the Jews, knowing that she couldn’t just go in and see the king without his request or she could be put to death. In verses 15-16 it says, “Then Ester sent this reply to Mordecai. ‘Go and gather together all the Jews in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

That is faith that is true and full of love. This is what God is wanting from us. I say pray and seek His wisdom so our faith is driven by our love for Him. Amen

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