The Macedonians

2 Cor. 8:11

So now finish doing it well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 

Paul desired to share with the Corinthians the giving of the Macedonian churches who had In their severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--and this not as expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us. What an example not just for the Corinthians but for all of us! They wanted to give so badly that they begged to be included. Begging to give when you can't even meet your own needs is certainly counterproductive to our culture where #1 Self rules, and definitely counterproductive to the rules of survival. I know that when we experienced our years of financial distress[ many years ago], I resented giving so much to the church when we were so strapped at home. Definitely not the right attitude, but still if I felt that way, I am sure others do as well. Sadly, I am not thinking that this spirit of giving runs rampant in the Christian church today. As the cost of living rises, does the joy of giving lessen? 

I think the key is in the fact that they gave themselves to the Lord, unreservedly and in complete abandon. Whatever the Lord asked, they were ready to give with joy, even if that were their dwindling resources. It was not enough just to share this wonderful and inspiring story. Paul had to challenge the Corinthians. But as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you---see that you excel in this grace also. The Corinthian church was beset with problems, but at the same time, beset with great strengths. Paul wanted them to add giving generously and joyously to their list of strengths. Paul reminded them of Jesus who for His great love for them left all the riches of heaven and became poor so that they might become rich. So what is his final word? So now finish doing it well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. How many of us have had the desire to do something but yet have never followed through? I think it is a fairly common occurrence. He doesn't want only their desire to be swayed by the Macedonian story and by remembering what Jesus did. He wanted them to be swayed into action. Give generously and joyfully! Give out of abundance and out of deprivation! Give out of love for the care of others! Let your giving match your love for Jesus!

Father,

Change my heart so that I give unreservedly without a hint of reservation. Take away my penchant for thinking of myself or my family first. Thank You, Jesus, for giving all for me. Help me to give all as if I am giving to You. Keep my focus ever on You.

In Jesus name, 

Amen

Promises

2 Cor. 7:1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 

The conclusion of chapter 6 begins chapter 7. Six ended with For we are the temple of the living  God. Following this,  Paul referred several promises from the OT. #1 God will make His dwelling place among them[those who are the temple of the living God], and walk among them. #2 God will be their God, and they will be His people. #3 If we go out from among those unclean and separate ourselves touching no unclean thing, then he will welcome them. #4 He will be a father to them, and they will be sons and daughters to Him. 

The original location of these great promises was Is. 53:11, and their original readers were the Jews, God's chosen people. But Paul now used this quotation to refer to believers, Jews and Gentiles alike. Because the temple of the living God is no longer in Jerusalem, but is in each believer, these verses apply to us as well. We are His chosen people, and His words are written on our hearts. Our circumcision is not physical but one of the heart. Our relationship with Him is based on grace and faith, belief granted to us by God, and not on works of the law, anything that we have done. It no longer is an issue of outward actions but of inward belief.

But Paul says now, Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Our obedience and outward actions follow salvation not earn salvation. The promises of God become the reason and the impetus for our obedience. In love, we must cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the body and spirit. Our old patterns of living must be put off and our new way of living put on. We must desire our bodies to be sanctified practically. When we are saved, we are covered with the imputed righteousness of Christ. God sees us as Christ is. But the hang up is that as we live in the here and now, and until we meet Christ in the air, we are still in the flesh and we must grow into this new way of living, this sanctification each day. We must bring holiness to completion in the fear of God. We will see Him and be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. On that day, in that moment, our sanctification will be complete. In that moment our flesh will be dropped away forever, and we will become the spiritual beings we have truly longed to be. But until that day, we must cleanse ourselves every day from every defilement of our flesh and spirit. If we don't, what does the temple of the living God that dwells in us look like? Are we besmirching the greatest gift given to man? Such filth is abhorrent to God and should be to us as well. Perhaps this cleansing is truly next to godliness. 

Father,

Convict  me mightily so that I might see the depth of my filth. I want to be obedient and clean. Help me to do that. Give me Your grace and strength.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Now is the Favorable time

2 Cor. 6:1-2

Working together with Him, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation. 

Paul was so committed to the gospel that he and his team did nothing to create obstacles in any person's way. They wanted nothing to be the fault of their ministry. Such commitment is honorable. I wonder if we are concerned about getting in the way of the Holy Spirit. Do we value our personal freedoms so much that we don't even allow the thought of an obstacle enter our brains. Regardless it was very much in Paul's thoughts. 

As servants of God they commended themselves in every way:  by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. As I read this list, I am overwhelmed and shamed. Many of these areas I have not even considered. But Paul's conclusion said it all, Their heart was wide open. They would do any and all things so that someone might find Jesus as their savior and then grow in Him as believers.

So what would be the hangup? You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. It was not the team, but the Corinthian's own affections. They were hanging on to affections that consumed them before they knew Christ; and consequently, they desired to have their foot in both camps. But Jesus is not that way. He is a one-way Savior.! There is no yoke between believers and unbelievers, no accord with Jesus and Satan, and no agreement with the temple of God and idols. Whatever they were hanging onto was compromising the temple of the Holy Spirit, their own bodies. As they indulged the flesh, they were negating Jesus Christ. Paul's heart was grieved by this so he reminded them of this great truth. Will they  listen enough to stop their fleshly behaviors? Do they love Jesus enough to live like their bodies are the temple of the Spirit? The same goes for me. I must take a hard look at my heart and make sure no idol [no matter how small or big] is taking up residence where it has no right to be.

Father,
Thank You for this word. Reveal to me my heart. Help me to live every moment in the reality that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Why Share?

2 Cor. 5:11

Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

Paul desired the Corinthians to know why he was so adamant about sharing Jesus. To begin with, Paul feared the Lord. He knew that one day "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. This concept is pretty compelling not just for Paul but for us as well. We love and serve the same Lord, and will appear before the same judgment seat. Paul described his fervor as beside himself. Sharing the Lord had consumed him. It was his one desire each and every day. The burden of seeing those who claimed Christ live for him was equally as strong. What is our one desire every day? 

Secondly, Paul said that the love of Christ controlled him. Just knowing that Christ had died for all to give them new life was all the motivation he needed. Why did Jesus do this? So that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Once we are saved, we have one purpose, that is to live for Jesus. We should be as beside ourselves as Paul was. Are we?

Finally, God has given Paul, and all who believe, the ministry of reconciliation. In Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Quite a message we have to share! It was the most exciting thing to Paul, but what about us? Are we excited by this message of reconciliation? Does Christ's love control us, our every thought, word, and action? Paul concluded with Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. Because of all these reasons Paul could implore the people on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God, to accept the One who knew no sin but was made to be sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. What a glorious outcome! 

Father,

I confess I do not share as I should. My enthusiasm is sadly lacking. Lord, help me. Open my eyes to see the opportunities You have placed before me. Lord, I want to be faithful to do what You want me to do. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

So We Do Not Lose Heart.

2 Cor 4:1

Therefore having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose hope. 

Paul makes a declaration that should be at the heart of every believer, that is, that whatever ministry or mission God has called you to do, you must stay steadfast. You do not lose hope even if what you are doing doesn't progress in a way that equates to human success. The ways of God are not always the ways of man. Speaking of his ministry, Paul stated that they only spoke the open truth. If the gospel was veiled, it was veiled only to those perishing. In which case, the god of this world had blinded their minds to keep them from seeing the saving gospel, the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Paul and his teams never proclaimed themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord. They were merely His servants for God had shone in their hearts the glorious gospel through the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. For all these reasons, they did not lose hope! 

Next Paul wrote some verses that I have clung to so many times. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. The reason for their and my earthly existence is to show that the surpassing power belongs to God! It matters not how great the struggle [even though I may think that we I will not survive] because it is all demonstrates that the life of Jesus is manifested in our bodies as we daily carry in our bodies the death of Jesus. We who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake. Ouch! This is a hard verse.  In the case of Paul, he and his team faced physical death repeatedly, and in many places around the world this is true as well. But in America, it is not yet true.  I praise God for this, but also wonder how slack it has made our Christianity. Paul is confident that God will raise them from the death and bring them into the presence of God. So for the sake of the people yet to hear, he shared the gospel regardless of the persecution. I have this same confidence. I know that God will raise me up into His presence for eternity. So I do no lose heart!

Then Paul ended the chapter with the same idea. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. These verses are my life! Not from persecution but from disease, my outer self is wasting away daily. This wasting away causes me to look to the things that are unseen and eternal. It causes me to yearn for heaven and Jesus. It also gives me a peace and a purpose about what is happening to my outer self. I am sure that Paul felt a similar way. I would think that persecution would make this experience even greater. As I write these words, I think of Saeed imprisoned in Iran or other Christians who pay the supreme cost for believing. I pray for him and them that they do not lose heart.

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on eternal things, on You and Jesus Christ. As my body wastes away, grow me in Your grace so that I may share with those you placed in my life right until you take me home. Thank You Lord, for providing me a way to keep hopeful. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Fragrance of Life to Life

2 Cor. 2:17

For we are not like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 

Paul had thanked God for leading him specifically where he should go, in fact, always in a triumphal procession, and through them [Paul and those who minister with him] spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. This was his mission, his call. Yet, when he came to Troas, where a door was opened, he could not go in because his spirit was not at rest. Christ was not leading him here. If he had been a common peddler of the word of God, he would have gone in, but he wasn't. He was a representative of Christ, a representative who must follow His bidding. 

Where Christ and the Spirit lead, there will be the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. They were the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance of death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. What a ministry! Is my life an aroma for Christ from life to life? Am I so in tune with Him that I can choose rightly where and when I should go?

Considering the weightiness of this issue, Paul asked a pointed question, Who is sufficient for these things? Who can really know where the fragrance will bring life or death? No one. That is why relying on the Spirit is so important. If they [or us] were retail peddlers of the word of God, it would be different, but they [and us] are men of sincerity, commissioned by God, and in the sight of God to speak only in Christ. Such an identity as this changes everything. Just think to speak all my words only in Christ, total sincerity [no sarcasm or disdain], always remembering who has commissioned me. 

Father,

I want to be one of you sincere speakers who speak in Christ alone. Show me how to be that fragrance from life to life to those who need to hear the message. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Promises

2 Cor. 1:20

For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. 

Paul assured the Corinthians that their [Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy] word was true. There had been no yes and no, no wavering about Jesus Christ. As surely as God is faithful, their word was true and Jesus Christ was true. In Him, in Jesus Christ it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. How glorious is that! Jesus Christ is the conduit for the promises of God to become a reality in our lives. It is God who has established us in Christ, has anointed us as His own, has put His seal upon on, and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. We are His undeniably and unchangeably! 

The more I think about the promises of God, the more that I realize that they are our source of power. 2 Pet 1 tells us His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises so that we might become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. His promises were instrumental in our salvation and are in our sanctification. We must cling to them because they are the source of all things pertaining to life and godliness. They are the Yes found in Jesus Christ. Through them we may utter our Amen to God for His glory. 

Father,

Help me to cling to Your promises constantly and never loosen my grip. Thank You for Jesus in whom all Your promises are Yes, How You have blessed my life!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Dwelling and Abiding

Ps. 91:1-2

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 

What a wonderful psalm to read on the morning of surgery! And to think it was the next read in my daily reading, and so totally perfect for the day. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge, His faithfulness is a shield and buckler...Because He holds fast to me in love, I will deliver Him; I will protect Him, because He knows my name. When He calls to me, I will answer Him; I will be with Him in trouble; I will rescue Him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy Him and show him my salvation. Yes, I do hold fast to Him in love, and I know He holds fast to me. 

Father,

This morning as I draw near to You, I claim these verses. Cover me with Your pinions and Your wings. I know Your name, and the power in Your name. I call to You to be with me this morning. I know that You will orchestrate the entire surgery according to Your will. You are a wonderful God who causes all things in my life to work together for my good.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Prophecy

1 Cor. 14:1

Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Paul makes it clear how important love is. After devoting all of chapter 13 to love, he begins this chapter with a pursue. Why? ...but the greatest of these is love. Love should be our motivation and our manifestation. Then speaking of spiritual gifts, he urged the Corinthians to desire prophecy. However, the Corinthians were all about speaking in tongues. Why? Did it puff with their egos? Did it appeal to their flesh? We can't really say, but we can say that it wasn't edifying to the church. Tongues were for unbelievers while prophecy was for believers [v. 22]. 

Paul made his case by offering a steadfast principle. First, he pointed out that the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation. In contrast the one who speaks in tongues builds himself up. Paul was fine with them speaking in tongues as long as there was an interpreter and as long as they spoke more in prophecy than in tongues. His conclusion: If you desire manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 

Paul went on to explain. We may sing praise with out spirit, but we must also sing praise with our mind. But if we give thanks with our spirit only, how can other believers say amen when they do not know what you are saying? Paul could say personally, I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Finally Paul said, Do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. The OT law said that by strange tongues and the lips of foreigners, God would talk to this people even though they would not believe. This was not a positive sign but a sign of impeding judgment on the unbelieving. But in Paul's day, if unbelievers came into a body of believers and all they heard were uninterpreted tongues, they would think these believers were crazy and would be seeking a quick exit. But if they heard prophecy, they might be convicted, have the secrets of their hearts disclosed and worship God declaring God was in this place. The chapter continues, but that is for another day.

Father,

Help my words always to be edifying to other believers. Help me to speak gracious words seasoned with salt so that I may know how to answer every person., 

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Body

1 Cor. 12:18

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

The body of Christ is similar to the actual, physical body. As the physical body has many members so the spiritual body does. Even though there are many members, each member is indispensable. So we ask how did I get to be a foot when someone else got to be the mouth? How was this choice made? God arranged the members as He chose. We had nothing to do with it. Our natural gifting or talents had nothing to do with it. Yet, no part of the body is less important. In fact, the weaker parts of the body are indispensable. But where is the honor if you are the little toe?

God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. What a beautiful plan! Only God could design it. The overwhelming thought--no division in the body. The feeling of unity is so strong that, as we care for one another, if one rejoices, we all rejoice. If one suffers, we all suffer. Sympathy and support flow naturally from us to others. Paul said in Phil. 2, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Believers need to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 1 Pet. 3:8 says, Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. This was God's design for the body of believers. How far have we erred from this? Are our thoughts more for self than others? Are we so busy taking care of ourselves that we don't even see the needs of others?

Father,

Open my eyes to see the needs of those around me. Prompt me when I forget to look. Thank You, Lord, for making me part of Your wonderful body.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Law of Sin

Mk. 7:20

And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

Jesus totally countered what was the traditional understanding of unclean when He said, There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." I am sure they were thinking of all the ceremonial laws about being unclean that involved things on the outside of a person. But Jesus was challenging their way of thinking. He said flat out, Hear me and understand. 

Later talking to His disciples He told them that if they ate something unclean, it would go through the body and be passed out. But the evil within was an even greater unclean. And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Truly the heart of man is black as can be! And without the saving grace of Jesus transforming the inner man, this blackness will continue to have its way with a person. Even with the saving grace of Jesus, I still struggle. Much like Paul said in Rom. 7, For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. There it is perfectly stated. When I want to do good, evil lies close at hand. 

Father,

This lesson is so clear, but what is amazing to me is how much of that old, black person still lives within me. Cleanse me and help me walk more each day in newness of life. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hardheartedness

Mk. 6: 56

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Such power! The disciples had been with Him day and night, yet did they really understand who He was or what the implications of knowing Him meant. Jesus had put the disciples in a boat while He went up a mountain to pray. When evening came, the waters became rough, so rough that the disciples had trouble controlling the boat. At the 4th watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the water. Immediately they thought He was a ghost and were terrified. But He spoke to them, Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. And after he got in the boat with them, the wind ceased. Even though they were astounded, their hearts were hardened. So close to Jesus and yet so far away! 

So what was their problem? It's hard to understand. Of course I am looking backward in hindsight. I know He is the Son of God. I know about the cross and the resurrection, but they don't. When Jesus calmed the storm earlier, they struggled with faith vs. fear, but this time, their struggle was faith vs. fear vs.hardheartedness. They saw Jesus as a miracle worker, but not as the Son of God, not as deity. 

Immediately before getting in the boat, the disciples had seen Him feed the 5000. Even in the face of this miracle followed by the calming of the wind, their hearts were hardened. How is this possible? Or is it revealing of the heart condition of the crowd. If the disciples didn't understand, how could the crowd? Were they following Jesus just for healing and food? Obviously, or they wouldn't have turned on Him on His crucifixion day and chanted alongside the others.The human heart has to witness more than miracles, it must be drawn by the Spirit of God and renewed by the hand of God. It is only this new heart that can see through outside events and see the truth on the inside, to see the truth about this great miracle worker, Jesus, the Son of God.

Father,

Thank You for drawing me to Yourself and giving me new life. Guard me heart from any foothold that hardheartedness might have. Help me to know You more and more each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Requests

Ps. 86:11

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

It is exciting to see the relationship of the request with the character of God. On many of his requests, David has a for clause that explains why God should honor his request. Often his clause is rooted in the character of God, or in some cases, in his deep and overwhelming need. 

•  Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
• Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God.
• Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
• Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
• Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
• Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 
• For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
• O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 
• But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
• Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 
• Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

I also notice that David is not having a philosophical discussion with God, but instead he is asking specifically for help. His requests are all action verbs. He wants God to move and act in his life. Not only that, but he wants God to show him a sign of His favor. It is like he knows the help might not come until later, but he needs the sign now. It is something to reassure him that God has heard, and in His time, will act.

I especially think verse 11 is insightful. David desires to be taught so that he might walk in God's ways. But how? He asks for his heart to be united to fear God. A united heart has only one focus. It is not split apart with each part going a different direction. In mine case, I want  my heart to singularly fear God and nothing else. If I am unified on Him, then I will be seeing the world and my life from His point of view. I will be seeking His perspective not mine. 

Father,

Unite my heart to fear Your name. Help me not only to rest in Your sovereign plan and purpose but also to see the world through Your eyes. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Do all to Glorify God

1 Cor. 10:31-33

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Here is the conclusion of the matter. There remains no need to think one way or the other--eat meat sacrificed to idols or not. First and foremost, I must always do all to the glory of God. My life is no longer lived for myself, to please myself or to exercise every bit of freedom I might have in Christ. It is to glorify Him, and glorifying Him means loving others. Col. 3 says, And above all these [compassion, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness], put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Phil. 2 says, Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. It means giving no offense to others, to the church of God, but also to the Jews and Greeks. Like Paul, my goal should be to please others in whatever I do so that in God's timing they might be saved. 

Father,

Give me a heart for others. Make love be the motive in all that I do. Make my eating and my drinking honoring to you.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Way of Escape

1 Cor. 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

It is amazing how people, whether they were or are the Israelites in the wilderness, church members, or family members, can have the same input but yet all respond differently. In Israel's case, they all ate the same spiritual food, drank the same spiritual drink, and drank from the spiritual rock Christ Jesus. Yet with all that great input and with many miracles including their amazing deliverance from Egypt, most of them were not pleasing to God. In the same way people can sing the same worship songs, hear the same sermon, and attend the same small group and Bible study, yet still be affected in the same way. In fact what people hear as the main point of a sermon can vary greatly. It depends a great deal on our own personal circumstances, what we are inputting, what we discuss with others, and how much we allow the Word to have its way in our lives. 

Paul follows this up 6:1-5 with an encouragement to heed the examples of the wilderness walkers who were idolaters, grumblers, and the ones who put Christ to the test. Their lives are recorded for us to learn from their mistakes not to repeat their mistakes. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. Peter says in 2 Pet. 1:3-10, Make every effort to add to your faith virtue, to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control steadfastness, to steadfastness godliness, to godliness brotherly affection, and to brotherly affection to love, and later, Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. For if these qualities are yours you will not fall. We need to take heed, to use our brains, to look objectively at our spiritual lives, to seek Him first, and to be more concerned about Jesus than friends or even the world. 

But I often think that I will always fall. I am to weak. But v. 13 says that I don't have to. It is my choice. He will provide a way of escape! He has promised, and His promises are unfailing. His divine power has granted to us all things pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence. By which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises that we may become partakers of the divine nature having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. We have not just the promise in v. 13 but a plethora in the Word. I need to find them and cling to them with all I have. I need to keep my eyes focused on Him, the One who can keep me from falling into a pit of sin.

Father,

Thank You for this great promise today. How glorious! Bring it to my mind often, as often as I am ready to slip and fall.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No Stumbling

1 Cor. 8:11-13

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Paul taught a hugely important principle in this chapter. In those days it involved eating food offered to idols. The reasoning was this. Idols are nothing because there is only one God. So the food offered to these idols would be fine since it was food offered to a non-entity. Consequently, many believers enjoyed this freedom of eating food offered to idols. But the problem was this. What if a brother younger in the Lord, a brother for whom Christ died, did not have this same freedom and was actually very bothered by this practice? If the younger brother happened to see the more mature Christian eating this food, it would become a huge stumbling-block to him. Paul's point is this. Nothing is more important than destroying a younger brother. In fact, it becomes sin. By a brother's act of freedom, a conscience is wounded or destroyed. Love for one another should supersede any freedom no matter how right that freedom is. Paul's resolve was to never make a brother stumble. 

Today there might be other issues. Perhaps drinking alcohol, going to R rated movies, dress styles, words or phrases in our speech, or activities we are involved in. Whatever it is, love for our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord should be more important. It should never be our desire to hang on to a freedom at the cost of someone else's spiritual growth. Sadly, some Christians have gone the other way with this. They have valued their freedom so much that they have created divisions and separations between believers. Where is the love? Where is the care for those for whom Christ died?

Father,

Open my heart and examine me. Are there things I am hanging onto? Reveal them to me. Grant me repentance. Grow my love for my sisters and brothers in the Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Strong Man

Mk. 3:27

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

I have been saved, redeemed, ransomed, justified, sanctified, and will be eventually glorified by the strongest God/Man ever! He is my strength! No one can enter His house, my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit and plunder His goods. No one can pluck me out of the Father's hand. I am insured and assured of complete and utter safety. In addition to all of this, I can rest in the plan and purpose of my Sovereign God. His will and purpose can never be changed. It was set in motion before the foundations of the world just as I was formed long before my life ever appeared on the time line of history. In so many ways, I am protected by the strongest man ever!

Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son to squash Satan, to abolish His power, and to claim victory for all those who find new life in Him. Thank You for the indwelling Son and Holy Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

1 Cor. 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body. 

These verses weave together two great gifts. The first gift was when God saved me completely by faith and grace to prevent me from ever taking credit for such an act.  My salvation was a package deal. God didn't just save my soul and spirit, but He saved my body as well. Into my body, He sent His Holy Spirit to live, to indwell, to teach, to guide, to lead, and to convict. It was His gift just like my salvation was.

But my salvation was not free. It came at a great cost to the Son of God. He had to leave heaven, His position and place with His Father. As if that were not enough, He had to die as the Son of Man triumphing over Satan once and for all. It was in this horrific act that He paid the price for my soul, redeeming and ransoming me. From that point forward, I belong to Jesus. As someone who was redeemed, bought with a price, I am no longer in charge of my body, soul, or spirit. Since my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, I must glorify God in my body. This lofty thought follows closely some verses on sexual immorality. Sexual immorality does not glorify God. Should I take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? How abhorrent! Even to write it is horrible! Of course not! It is never right!! Instead I must always glorify God in my body because my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God.

Father,

I am sure there are other behaviors that prohibit me from glorifying You in my body. Keep my eyes and heart open to the leading of Your Spirit. Convict me. Keep me ever close to Your heart.

In Jesus name,

Amen

And such were...

1 Cor. 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

And such were... that is the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, drunkards,  revilers, and swindlers. This was the past for every believer, but when Jesus came into the life, all of those things disappeared because believers are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. If believers are washed, sanctified and justified, and they are, then it should be an utter impossibility for the old way of life to control the life again. How can someone who is washed become dirty again, or someone who is sanctified and justified become lose their sanctification or justification? 

It would appear from this passage [v. 1-11] that if these old behaviors are in the life then Jesus is not. To think that Jesus would co-exist with the actions of an unsaved person is foolishness. Paul went on to clarify this further by saying,  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. No doubt this, that a person can be saved and still be unchanged,  is one of the biggest lies that Satan has foisted on humanity. Riding the fence may seem like there is a foothold on both sides of the fence, but not so. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. God has made His line clear and pronounced, but Satan has left his line hazy and indiscernible. Sadly, such confusion feeds his foolish lies. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [2Cor. 5:17] 

Father,

Your word speaks so clearly. Help me to see clearly into my own life so that I don't fall prey to any of Satan's lies.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Caleb

Josh. 14:10-11

And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.

Caleb was eager to claim the promise made to him by Moses. Forty-five years earlier, he was unafraid to fight the Anakim even though the other spies said it was a no-go. He knew his God was stronger than any giant. And now at age 85 his strength was unabated. He was willing to fight for the land of the promise for it may be that the Lord will be with him. He was willing for the Lord to do whatever in his life, but he wasn't going to let fear control him and his decisions. Joshua blessed Caleb and Hebron became his inheritance because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. 

David echoed this same confidence in Ps. 27 when he said, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?  It mattered not who the evildoers, adversaries, or foes were, how many there were, or in Caleb's case, how big they were. For both David and Caleb, whose confidence was in the Lord, rested in their God who was in charge of all life. He, who created all and spoke through the crash of thunder and the streak of lightning, saw man as easy prey. This same God is my God. I can have the same confidence in Him that Caleb and Joshua had.

Father,

There are times when I am afraid. I ask that in Your strength and through Your grace You help me defeat that enemy. I know You are strong and that Your are always there for me, so what am I afraid? Teach me heart. Help me understand.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Imitators

1 Cor. 4:16

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

In my day the idea of imitating another believer' s example is never out-rightly stated. I hear much about copying Christ as opposed to others. So why would Paul say this? Would it be spiritual pride? I think not since he is not claiming any credit for himself, but giving all the glory to God. Perhaps he is using a behavior common to all people. It is in our nature to look at others and copy what suits us. We may not admit it or encourage it, but we do copy what we see in other believers. It is this copying that can lead to competition and many other ungodly behaviors. Yet, Paul was using this idea for good.  Phil. 3:17 says, Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. The believers of this time lived when they were the first believers. What choices did they have to copy? Unfortunately, in Corinth they were copying and sanctioning ungodly behaviors: immorality, divisiveness, and competition at its worst. So Paul was shifting their vision off one another to those who were solidly Christ's, to those who walked according to the example you have in us.

The life Paul lived as well as the other apostles was no picnic. There were no parades or comfortable lodgings with great retirement benefits. In fact,  God has exhibited us [the]apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. How foolish that the Corinthians would think themselves strong and honorable! Paul went on to say, To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. How powerful is this! I am sure that my life doesn't resemble this in any way, shape, or form. No wonder Paul could say that they could follow his example. Paul went on to say that he didn't write these things to make them ashamed but to admonish them as his beloved children. It is quite an admonishment for me as well. What are the examples that I am following? What do I seek to do with my time?

Father,
Thank you for challenging my thoughts today. Teach me how You want me to live.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Divisons

1 Cor. 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Divisions within the body are destructive and sinful. Specifically, the Corinthians were fighting over who had had a major impact upon their lives especially in their salvation experience. Paul was appalled at this attitude, and consequently, he had to address them as children giving them the milk of the Word instead of the meat. They were missing the main point, that is that neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 

Paul admonished them about how they were building upon their foundation regardless of who had laid the foundation. The building materials were gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw. Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Yikes! Suffer loss! The key issue is for them and for us is faithfulness. How faithful are we to the task that God has given us? What are our motives in the work we do? Is human pride a factor? We need not fool ourselves thinking all will be forgotten. Certainly we won't lose our salvation, but who wants to suffer loss in heaven? Who wants to have nothing to throw at Jesus' feet?

Finally, Paul spoke to them about God's temple. Had they forgotten that they were the temple of God that was indwelled by His Spirit? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. Wake up! Listen! Examine your lives! The wisdom of the world is worthless in God's eyes. This divisiveness is worldly and foolish. So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

Father,

Fill my life with a love for Jesus. Make this love be my motive in all that I do. Sweep away anything that is tainted by sinful motives and methods. I want to be totally Yours used as You will.

In Jesus name,

Amen