I Corinthians 14- Encouragement and Edification

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;

25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

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The prophesy here I have found is referring to the role of the pastor/teacher in our day. They encourage, exhort others to good works, proclaim the Truth, share what God has been teaching them from the Word and correct behavior/thinking at times. God does not want confusion or disorganization to characterize the Church. He left us here to be a light in the darkness so He requires that we have a good report among believers and un-believers alike.

I Corinthians 13- Called to Show Our Love

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails;...

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I have a small note written in the margin of my Bible next to this section of scripture. It simply reads "Love is show in ACTION". It doesn't matter if you are showing love to you God, your spouse, your children, your friends, your coworkers or your neighbors. It will only be clearly communicated if it is displayed in our every action. That is a challenging statement, but "I can do all thing through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).

We must lean on Him for strength and perseverance to successfully show Love in all our actions. Thank you Lord for the Spirit's power, Strength and incite! We are so blessed to be saved, how can we not show our love in return?

I Corinthians 12- Encouraged to Power

18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
...
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

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God's perfect plan for where I should be, how I should serve and what my gifts are is amazing. I haven't always known what I should do to serve, but He is always presenting me opportunities. I am nearly always blessed when I give up "my plan" to do what He is asking. It is especially comforting to know that God has placed me "just as He desired".

Lord help me to be soft to your prompting...but help me also to be more empathetic. Vs. 26 reminds me to pay more attention to those around me and celebrate with them, or work with them through tough times.

When was the last time you suffered with a sufferer?

I Corinthians 10- Encouraged to Power

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

13 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.

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How incredible a promise... NO Temptation is beyond what we can endure through God's Power. I have always been encouraged by vs 13, because it is a promise that there is a way of escape from sin. The only time it is not very encouraging is after I fail in my walk and sin. This verse reminds me that I am the only one to blame for my sin. It reminds me that I was not depending on the Spirit to give me strength to endure or even find that way of escape.

Even in those times though disappointed in myself, I see the hope that God will help in future times of temptation. I am reminded that the next time I face the temptation I can be victorious, but only if I lean on Christ's Power.

Thank you Lord for you willingness to save, and transport us from this dark world. Thank you for the ability to endure all trials and temptation if we lean on you!

I added in one additional verse this morning..."let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall". Lord help me to be humble, and even in times of victory remind me to fully depend on your provision to get me through the next trial!

I Corinthians 9- Finishing Strong

27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

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Discipline...in every sense of the word is not comfortable. There is the discipline we give (or receive) aimed at correcting our actions. This is typically a consequence for poor behavior, or incorrect attitudes. The other discipline, the one Paul is referring to, is much longer in duration and can be more difficult, more painful, more selfless, more Christlike...

But look at the goal, "I myself will not be disqualified". He is not talking about salvation here, it is his testimony to the world & Christ's followers. God has placed strict guidelines on those in Leadership of Christ's Church, and one slip-up can disqualify. I don't think Paul is talking about his personal loss here, but it is obvious from the context that Paul wants more than anything to have people commit their lives to Christ and grow in Him.

Where do you need more discipline? What are you doing to train your body & mind for Christ? Lord help me to finish strong!

I Corinthians 8- Causing Others to Stumble?

12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

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This passage is a great reminder that we have a responsibility for our actions including how they are viewed by other people. Christian Liberties are an interesting topic... Most of them are cultural, as I see it. In Paul's day it was meat sacrificed to idols, today it could be drinking. There are plenty to chose from really, but what is important here is that we are conscious of how our actions are view.

If someone sees my actions and in turn forms a negative opinion about me, the Church or most importantly Christ, I have done a disservice to my Lord and Savior! That is exactly the opposite of what God left me here on earth to do. I need to be sharing Christ and living my life for Him.

Is there anything you do that could detract from Christ? We better be praying about those activities...

I Corinthians 5- Eternally Secure

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans...
5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

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In this Chapter Paul is instructing the Church how to deal with severe unrepentant sin within the Body. This sin is horrible to the extent that even Non-Believers do not accept it. Paul calls for this man (and others who refuse to repent of sin) to be removed from fellowship with the Church. This also means personal interaction with this man as well. A severe action in an effort to keep the Church pure.

But notice vs 5... The sinning man's spirit will be saved when Christ returns. This is another amazing reminder that God's plan for salvation is perfect. There is nothing you or I can do to mess it up, our destination has been set already...Heaven or Hell.

Although once we are called we cannot change our destination, we can and do affect what our rewards will be. This man will be in Heaven with us, but unless he repented from his immorality, he will have far fewer rewards which he can give back to Christ!

Thank God for our salvation!

I Corinthians 4- Are we Imitation Worthy?

16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

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Paul's exhortation here to a church filled with Prideful, fleshly people was to "do what I do"... If you are a parent you know what this means. Every action, word or attitude is imitated by your children. But here we see this concept stretching out into the public world. Into our work environment, where we shop, where we vacation everything we do is watched by Believers and the Un-saved as well.

Are you living a life that makes it easy for you to say, "live like I live"? This is the hypocrisy killer...living what we believe; everyday, all day, all the time, everywhere.

Thank God for His wisdom that this could not be done in our own willpower or strength so He provided the Spirit to empower us to accomplish His will! God is great and His Grace & Mercy are always sufficient!

I Corinthians 3- Only God Can Cause Growth

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.

7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

[italics mine]

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We have been given a job to share the Gospel. It is not always easy, exciting or even fruit bearing... but it is what we are called to as believers. This passage reminds us that God is ultimately in control of the fruit. God has a plan for every soul on earth. We MUST play our part is spreading the Truth.

Later on in this chapter of I Corinthians, Paul talks about labor being tested as well. What we do for Christ will be shown to be worthy (Gold, Silver, Precious Gems) or self-serving and shallow (Wood, Hay, Straw). We are encouraged that this testing has nothing to do with our Salvation...nothing can take that away.

I don't know about you but I want to come out of the testing the same way I went in, with my building in tact! I will work diligently for His glory, but depend on God to produce growth...

I Corinthians 2- How to Share the Gospel

1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

...

5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

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What an encouragement for me as I read this passage. I have never been an Evangelist, it is not my gifting. But as my Pastor reminded us a week ago, sharing the Gospel is the only reason God left us here on earth. As Paul reminds us here, he was not out trying to impress people with his knowledge, his suave words or his intelligence, He was living Christ! In fact according to vs 2 he knew nothing except Christ.

How do I make that part of my life? How can I be a diligent worker and only know Christ? I am sure there is some practical way the Spirit can change me...

Dependence on Christ for everything is the key. I will wait on God's perfect timing and allow Him to work through me to achieve His will. God is preparing me and/or using me to share the Gospel. I don't have wisdom, or persuasive words...BUT God doesn't need any of that to accomplish His will.

Are you being used by God for His glory? Are you standing in the way because you think you are "unprepared"? Allow God to use you so that those who believe are dependent solely on Christ, not you.

Romans 16- Beware of Dissension

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

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Romans 15- Our Blessed Hope

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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We do have hope, an incredible hope! One day we will spend eternity with Christ... ETERNITY! In a perfect Kingdom without fear, pain, sadness or disappointment. God has placed on earth and in each Believer the Holy Spirit to encourage, strengthen convict and remind us of the Hope we have.

We will go through trials, temptation, and painful times in this world but we trust completely in God's sovereignty, we can endure these times with supernatural Joy and Peace. God is faithful if we only trust.

Are you questioning God for the trials he has allowed in your life? God controls every event in your life, big or small... Trust that He has a perfect plan and you will enjoy Peace and Joy!

Romans 14- Don't Make Your Brother Stumble

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

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Paul's reminder here is so important as we evaluate the activities in which we participate. There are sinful activities which we need to avoid, even run from! But there are also areas which are scripturally permissible, but socially considered sin. It is my believe that in most cases we need to live to the highest standard to avoid causing confusion to unbelievers. After all, the unsaved are the only reason we are still on this earth...

When we prominently proclaim our "Christian Liberties" we will cause confusion among unbelievers as well as new believers or even just less mature believers. Jesus states in Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 that it would be better for anyone who causes fellow believers to stumble to be "thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck"! He would be better DEAD!

Definitely something to consider the next time we are considering participating in a "Christian liberty"... Are you living above reproach?

Romans 13- Put on Christ

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

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In previous verses Paul was reminding the Believers that our salvation was near. Christ could return any moment. What a glorious thought!

To be continued after work...I had to clean up the milk from the floor. (Connie just spent all evening last night cleaning it!)

Romans 12- Be Transformed

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

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What an incredible, humbling, perfect statement! Paul was speaking to the Romans encouraging them to see themselves as Christ see them... to view their actions through the eyes of God. Because of Christ's work on the cross, God sees us (believers) as perfect! However our actions are viewed for what they are, one of two things: Pleasing God or SIN.

Paul reminds us "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed" into the image of Christ! How do we do that every day? Be in the Word! Pray, asking God to reveal the hidden sin in our lives. Then, depend on the power of God to change you. We cannot do it on our own... We will always fail.

If we do not think about our sin through God's eyes, if we do not compare ourselves to God's perfect will, if we think about our sin in terms of our culture, we will miss our calling! "[P]resent your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." God only accepts perfection, and so should we.

Perfection is impossible on our own, but through the work of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed into an acceptable sacrifice. Thank God for my salvation!

Romans 11- God's Unsearchable Ways

32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

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Romans has been a wonderful reminder of the incredible Grace and Mercy of our God. Salvation is mind-blowing in itself, but in this section Paul speaks of God's plan to allow us (outsiders, not His chosen race, the Jews) to take their place in part. Because of the Israelite's rejection of the Messiah God uses us to draw them in.

How amazing are God's plans? How incredible are his mercies? I am thankful that God has control in our World! Though I often do not understand his plans, or the reasoning behind what is happening, I take joy from this passage knowing that God is Soverign, and has perfect wisdom.

Romans 10- God's Mercy

21 But as for Israel He says, "ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE."

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Although this verse is talking about Israel it is amazing how true it is even of us believers. He is continually reaching out to help us... Yet we continue to be disobedient, stubborn and unruly people.

God help me to be obedient! And thank You for Your mercies...

Romans 9- Called

21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

24 even us, whom He also called,...

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Although I do not fully understand the workings of our Holy God, I am so thankful to be one of His chosen children. The entirety of Romans 9 talks about the will of God to bring salvation to His people and how incredible it is that He will accept us (outsiders, non-jews). In fact, God is clear here in his writings through Paul that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be saved and to enjoy Him forever.

I encourage you to read more of this Chapter it is amazing how clearly God spells out the predestination of Believers, which in turn gives us eternal security.

If God chooses whom to save, can he make a mistake? Can we be saved one minute and loose it the next? NO. We can destroy our testimony. We can destroy our witness. We can destroy our relationship with the Father. We can fight against God, but we will not win... However, we will not want to do any of these things if God has hold of our hearts!

Romans 8- Live by the Spirit

5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

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This is a great reminder on Monday morning of what we should be focused on in this life. Our lives and the things that occupy us are important in the moment, but they only take our attention off of our mission: to Share Christ.

My pastor made a great comment about God's intentions for our lives: If God wanted us to have perfect lives as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. If God wanted us to just learn all that we can about Him as believers, He would have immediately pulled us into heaven when we believed. When we get there we will have perfect knowledge and perfect lives, but we cannot Share Christ in Heaven.

So while we are living our lives in this hectic world, we must live by the Spirit. Paul tells us if we do we will have "life and peace". Isn't that really what this world is searching for?