Probably the most know chapter of the Bible after Psalm 23?
I haven't "liked" this chapter since I was a teen because I've heard it so much. After studying it a bit last week I came to the realization, that more likely, I don't like to go to this chapter because it shows my inconsistencies and failures when it comes to love. I'm not always, patient and kind...I can be jealous and arrogant...I can definitely act unbecomingly and totally seek my own...I can be provoked and keep a grudge...sigh. Only with Christ can love be manifested perfectly.
"If I ...know all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." v.2 Once again, wow, quite a statement...something to truly think about and ponder; how am I loving both my fellow man and God. How can I love more unselfishly?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
1 Cor. 11
"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ". v. 1
Wow, quite a statement by Paul. To be able to say that is something to strive for. Wow.
Most of the rest of the chapter is Paul giving instruction on Communion, on celebrating the Lord's supper. The Corinthian church had somehow dishonored and made a mockery of the remembrance. Before Christ, - the first covenant - the Jews sacrificed animals, symbolizing their blood for the covering of sins. Christ is the second covenant and He has shed the blood for the covering of our sins. Communion should never be taken lightly.
"Do this in remembrance of Me."..."But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup."
Wow, quite a statement by Paul. To be able to say that is something to strive for. Wow.
Most of the rest of the chapter is Paul giving instruction on Communion, on celebrating the Lord's supper. The Corinthian church had somehow dishonored and made a mockery of the remembrance. Before Christ, - the first covenant - the Jews sacrificed animals, symbolizing their blood for the covering of sins. Christ is the second covenant and He has shed the blood for the covering of our sins. Communion should never be taken lightly.
"Do this in remembrance of Me."..."But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup."
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
1 Cor. 10
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape, also, so that you will be able to endure it." v. 12-13
I know of so many pastors that thought "they could stand" but then they fell. This temptation often comes when you are feeling very strong (prideful) in your knowledge of the Word, or how big your church is, or how many people are listening to you that you start to get puffed up and don't see the temptation for what it is; therefore, unable to combat it and see the way of escape.
This happened to me. I was in the middle of saving my marriage by going to Christian counseling, bringing my family to church, being involved in ministry. I didn't see it coming because I wasn't looking for it. Then I gave into it because it was fun and I was needy. I wasn't looking for a way of escape but before things were going to grossly change my life, God through me a life preserver and begged me to not continue. Two people, the night I left my family - that I had confided in - begged me to reconsider. Whoa..the work of the master deceiver...how sad God must have been that night knowing the sorrow my family was going to face on account of my actions. God continued to offer a way out a few more times in the months following, only to be ignored.
Dear Jesus, may I always see your way with open eyes and a heart that needs to follow you.
"For the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." v. 26
God has blessed us with so much to enjoy...you'd think we'd be able just to trust Him and go His way and enjoy all that He wants to give us. I'm looking forward to the day of eternal rest, when the enemy is stomped out and we can just love God and love each other with no interference.
I know of so many pastors that thought "they could stand" but then they fell. This temptation often comes when you are feeling very strong (prideful) in your knowledge of the Word, or how big your church is, or how many people are listening to you that you start to get puffed up and don't see the temptation for what it is; therefore, unable to combat it and see the way of escape.
This happened to me. I was in the middle of saving my marriage by going to Christian counseling, bringing my family to church, being involved in ministry. I didn't see it coming because I wasn't looking for it. Then I gave into it because it was fun and I was needy. I wasn't looking for a way of escape but before things were going to grossly change my life, God through me a life preserver and begged me to not continue. Two people, the night I left my family - that I had confided in - begged me to reconsider. Whoa..the work of the master deceiver...how sad God must have been that night knowing the sorrow my family was going to face on account of my actions. God continued to offer a way out a few more times in the months following, only to be ignored.
Dear Jesus, may I always see your way with open eyes and a heart that needs to follow you.
"For the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains." v. 26
God has blessed us with so much to enjoy...you'd think we'd be able just to trust Him and go His way and enjoy all that He wants to give us. I'm looking forward to the day of eternal rest, when the enemy is stomped out and we can just love God and love each other with no interference.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
1 Cor. 9
"You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." v. 6, from Deut. 25:4 In other words, enjoy the fruits of your labor.
On a personal note, I am extremely tired of my job. I don't mean I'm tired of working; I am physically tired of a job that demands so much from my body, my mind and spirit. So I went to work yesterday with these two scripture verses from this chapter:
"I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some..." v.22
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only on receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." v. 24
I was fully intending on facing my job with a fresh view and seeing it as a place to be a witness and practice my faith in attitude and composure. I failed worse than ever. I don't know but maybe I went to work rather than He that is in me.
Dear Jesus, give me the strength to endure. Let me find joy, again, in my job and let me learn to love my co-workers and to show grace toward them. Let me see where each might need prayer and let me intercede for them. Please give me a physical bounce in my step and face each task with new energy until such a time that You are ready to pull me from this work and move onto something else. Hear my prayer that I would like to do something more in tune with ministry.
On a personal note, I am extremely tired of my job. I don't mean I'm tired of working; I am physically tired of a job that demands so much from my body, my mind and spirit. So I went to work yesterday with these two scripture verses from this chapter:
"I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some..." v.22
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only on receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." v. 24
I was fully intending on facing my job with a fresh view and seeing it as a place to be a witness and practice my faith in attitude and composure. I failed worse than ever. I don't know but maybe I went to work rather than He that is in me.
Dear Jesus, give me the strength to endure. Let me find joy, again, in my job and let me learn to love my co-workers and to show grace toward them. Let me see where each might need prayer and let me intercede for them. Please give me a physical bounce in my step and face each task with new energy until such a time that You are ready to pull me from this work and move onto something else. Hear my prayer that I would like to do something more in tune with ministry.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
1 Cor. 8
I was surprised to see such a short chapter here in the middle of 1 Corinthians. Three great versus:
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." v. 1b
"...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." v. 6
"Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble." v. 13
The knowledge Paul is talking about here is the knowledge of the freedom that we do not have to refrain from any kinds of foods to be saved and loved by God. The Jews were still so new to that freedom that many were still following the old laws of what foods were clean and unclean. Love for the person is more important than clinging to the freedom, so if it bothers someone to see you eat the "wrong" thing, don't eat it, for his sake.
The way I relate is more with drinking than food. So many people in the church believe it is some sort of sin to drink alcohol; if I was with one of them, I would not have my glass of wine. Funny though, alcohol - wine - was never an unclean food in the Bible. LOL
"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies." v. 1b
"...yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." v. 6
"Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble." v. 13
The knowledge Paul is talking about here is the knowledge of the freedom that we do not have to refrain from any kinds of foods to be saved and loved by God. The Jews were still so new to that freedom that many were still following the old laws of what foods were clean and unclean. Love for the person is more important than clinging to the freedom, so if it bothers someone to see you eat the "wrong" thing, don't eat it, for his sake.
The way I relate is more with drinking than food. So many people in the church believe it is some sort of sin to drink alcohol; if I was with one of them, I would not have my glass of wine. Funny though, alcohol - wine - was never an unclean food in the Bible. LOL
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
1 Cor. 7
I've had such trouble with this chapter. I don't know what to write, except to say that our world today does not exactly go along with these principles in marriage.
"The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agrement for a time of prayer..." vv. 3-5
Paul goes on to talk about the positives of remaining single and celibate and the opportunity to give completely to the Lord; because if you are married your time is divided between your spouse, your children and the Lord.
He goes on to say that being married to an unbeliever is not a reason for divorce. One Christian in a marriage brings grace that will spill over to a spouse - maybe someday resulting in their salvation.
"The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agrement for a time of prayer..." vv. 3-5
Paul goes on to talk about the positives of remaining single and celibate and the opportunity to give completely to the Lord; because if you are married your time is divided between your spouse, your children and the Lord.
He goes on to say that being married to an unbeliever is not a reason for divorce. One Christian in a marriage brings grace that will spill over to a spouse - maybe someday resulting in their salvation.
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