Friday, August 29, 2014

Godly Character

Godly character – Tit 2:3-5

A godly mother must me Self-Controlled (discreet KJV; sensible NASB; live wisely (NLT). This means to be sober minded. The young woman is to think about what she is doing with her life. This is a fruit of the Spirit.  Next, be pure.  This relates to a commitment to your marriage vows.   Thirdly, this relates to spiritual influence in the home. (1 Peter 3:1-2 "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives- when they see your respectful and pure conduct.   Fourthly, this relates to the image of purity. Christian women are to be chaste, modest, pure in heart and mind. Think in terms of speech, dress and all relationships. Christian mothers need to pass these on to children.  Woman have many influences on them, but godliness is great gain.  

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Statement of deliverance

No Harmony with the devil

No harmony with the devil – 1 Cor 6:15-16

Vs 15 – Paul continues with his thought parallelism.  What association does Christ have with the devil.  There is no harmony or same purpose.  What does the believer have in common with the unbeliever.  They do not view Christ as you do.  They are not going to the same eternity.  Their ruler is not your ruler.  They are earthly and you are heavenly.  
Vs 16 – Paul then strikes a reality of Corinthian society.  Corinth was the center for idol worship.  Paul says what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols.  Idols are worthless pieces of stone, wood and precious stones.  They represent the demonic world.  The temple of God is just that the temple of God.  Paul then closes off this verse by reminding the Corinthians and us that we are the temple of God.  We are the habitation of God.  We are the temple of the living God.  Idols are nothing but dead representations of man.

  

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Freedom in Christ

Truthful in speech

Truthful in speech – 1 Cor 6:7-8

Vs 7 – Paul continues his discourse.  They had tried to be truthful in speech.  Their message was one of simplicity and truth.  They walked in the weapons of righteousness on their left and right hand.  In Hebrew thought the right hand represented power and the left hand represented compassion.  Paul wanted to wield righteousness with power and compassion.
Vs 8 – Paul continues his thought process here.  Through glory and dishonor he would follow the Lord.  His course was set.  He knew this is a reality for the Christian.  At times people will appreciate you and other times despise you.  In good and bad reports the Lord will keep your reputation and character.  People will think what they think about you and will report what they think.  Genuine times and others when people will think you are an imposter.  Every ministry will come under scrutiny and how we live and react will determine the outcome

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

One life to live

Purity is the Way

Purity is the way – 1 Cor 6:5-6

Vs 5 – Paul continues with his diverse experiences in the Lord.  He and those of his party had been beaten, imprisoned and caused riots.  They had endured hard work, sleepless nights and hunger.  That does not sound like the prosperity gospel does it?  North American Christianity by and large knows little about persecution.  Persecution refines our belief systems.  It hardens our resolve and makes us pure.  Marc Brisbois said once, “Lord shock me now and not later.”  When you keep your eyes on Jesus and seek His face all you will see is him.

Vs 6 - They walked in purity, patience and kindness.  These were outgrowth of their suffering.  Suffering either makes you better or bitter.  They walked in the Holy Spirit and sincere love, wonderful qualities to exhibit.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Do not be a stumbling block

Do not be stumbling block – 1 Cor 6:3-4

Vs 3 -  Paul makes it clear that he himself and those of his preaching party will never put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of anyone because they do not want their ministry discredited.  Paul is here to help people and not hinder them.  Our aim should be the same.  Our words and action should be foremost exhibiting this concept.

Vs 4 – Paul says it is their aim as apostles is to commend themselves in every way to win others for Jesus Christ.  Paul knew his role and how it must be lived out.  He knew he has two audiences, the Lord and the world.  With endurance they dealt with hardship, trouble and distresses.  Paul knew that the gospel needed to be preached and lived.  He knew that it was not an easy road but one worth living because there are benefits in this life and the next.  

Friday, August 22, 2014

The old and new

Contrast between the old and new – 1 Cor 5:8-9

Vs 8 – Paul contrast the old yeast and the new yeast.  The old yeast is malice and wickedness.  The new yeast is sincerity and truth.  Paul tells his reader to celebrate the new not the old.  The old has been put away and is no longer desirable.  Paul says that old must pass away before anything can become new.  We have to let go of the old before we can embrace the new.

Vs 9 – Paul then follows up a previous thing he had already written.  Do not associate with sexually immoral people.  Two things happen when you do.  First, by your friendship or association you are approving of what they do.  Secondly their influence can actually have a negative effect on you.  You begin to think that sin is allright when it is not.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Agreement in prayer

Do not boast

Aug 21 – Do not boast – 1 Cor 5:6-7

Vs 6 – The Corinthians had been boasting of their spirituality but by them allowing this wrong relationship to continue they were allowing sin in the camp.  Paul uses the analogy of baking by saying that a little yeast can work its way through the whole batch of dough and flavor and influence it.  This is what happens when sin is allowed to flourish.  It will sooner or later affect the whole church negatively.

Vs 7 – Get rid of the old yeast.  They need to be a new batch of dough without yeast.  They are new creatures in Christ so they need to live like redeem creatures in Christ.  He follows it up with a Passover thought.  Jesus is the Passover lamb who was sacrificed for sin.  His death, burial and resurrection made them and us new and so we should live like new creatures without sin and malice.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The Lion King - Hakuna Matata (HD)

The Lion King - Hakuna Matata (HD)

The Lion King - Hakuna Matata (HD)

How to deal with sin.

How to deal with unrepentant misconduct – 1 Cor 5:5

Vs 5 – Paul presents an interesting thought here.  He tells the church to hand this man over to satan so that his body may be destroyed but his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.  There have been many interpretations on this verse.  The one that makes most sense is that they were asked this man to leave.  In doing so he would be outside the protection and influence of the church.  He would be subject to the world which is under satan’s control.  This would show him the folly of his ways and would help him to return to the church and be saved.  This of course did happen as reported in the second letter to the Corinthians.  In Paul’s day the only church was the local one Paul planted and the design of this discipline was to bring repentance which we know it did.  There are times when all avenues of church discipline have been exhausted and we are called to ask someone to leave.  The church offers spiritual protection but when one refuses it or chooses to continue to sin then it can or should be withdrawn.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Two Amigos

Acting crazy The 3 Musketeers

Can we redner judgment

Can we render a Judgment? – 1 Cor 5:3-4

Vs 3 – Paul says that even though he is not present he has rendered a judgment on the one who has done this.  He knows what needs to be done and he urges them to do what is necessary for the purity and reputation of the church.  If is evident that there are times when we need to render judgment.  Issues of immorality, false doctrine, financial misconduct are some to consider.  The church is never promoted when sin is in the camp.
Vs 4 – Paul says that when they are assembled he is with them in spirit.  This means that he is praying for them and standing with them.  When we gather in the name of the Lord there is power present.  Jesus Himself said, “That where two or three are gathered in His name He will be with them in their midst.”  Paul is saying the same thing.  He is their spiritual covering and His heart and prayers are with them.  

Monday, August 18, 2014

A case of immorality

A case of immorality – 1 Cor 5:1-2

Vs 1 – Paul then begins this chapter with reporting that there was a case of sexual immorality a type that even the pagans would not be involved with.  A man had his father’s wife.  Now this is obviously a case of a man being intimate with his step mother.  Paul was appalled over this situation.

Vs 2 – He then rebukes them because of instead of dealing with it in a biblical manner they had allowed it to continue.  Paul said they should have put the man out of the church.  There is a formula for such matters.  Jesus outlined it.  First, you go the individual and confront the issue.  If they do not hear you then you bring someone with you.  If, they still do not hear you, than you bring the matter before the church.  If the person still does hear or make it right then they are put out of the church.  Paul’s says the proper reaction to this should be grief.  God has been maligned and the testimony of the church has been brought into question.  This is happening far too frequently these days.  Remember judgment or revival begins in the house of the Lord.  Which would you prefer?

Friday, August 15, 2014

Follow My Example

Follow my Example – 1 Cor 4:16-17

Vs 16 – Paul then gives a simple exhortation.  Follow or imitate his example as he follows Christ.  Christ is our role model but through our example we can show others the way of fidelity.  We are going to be judge on the following things, faithfulness, love, obedience, motives, attitude and works.  So make Christ your role model and in turn you will become a role model for others.

Vs 17 – It was for this reason that Paul was sending Timothy whom Paul loved in the faith.  He calls Timothy his son.  Timothy was a faithful man in the Lord.  Timothy had shown over time his integrity and faithfulness in the Lord.  We should do the same.  He will remind them of Paul’s lifestyle which is consistent with what he preaches.  You will never have influence over others until you are an example to follow.  

Thursday, August 14, 2014

A model of Character

A model of Character – 1 Cor 4:13-15

Vs 13 – The apostles when they are slandered they answer kindly.  A model of character, showing the love of God.  Paul felt like the scum of the earth and the garbage of society.  This almost sounds like a complaining session but this last paragraph has a point.
Vs 14 – Paul now gets to the point.  He was not writing this to shame them but to warn them.  He viewed them as his children and as a good father he needed to explain to them in a loving way the realities of Christian life.

Vs 15 – Paul then explains the reality of guardianship verses fatherhood.  A guardian will take care of someone but the connection between father and child is deeper and long lasting.  Paul has become their spiritual father though Jesus Christ.  A guardian or hireling with run or fail when trouble comes, but a father will face it and even give his life if necessary.  Are you willing to give your life for Christ?  

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Jenny`s Terrific Tale

True Security

True Security – 1 Cor 4:11-12

Vs 11 -  Even to the writing of this letter the apostles were in five conditions.  They were hungry and thirsty.  They were clothed in rags, brutally treated and homeless.  They had none of the basic comforts of life.  No security, self worth or significance.
Vs 12 – Paul continues with his diatribe.  The apostles work hard with their own hands, they neither wanted to be a burden or problem to the church.  When they are curse, they blessed as Jesus instructed in the Sermon of the Mount.  When they are persecuted, they endure it.  Persecution is a reality, as a Christian you can either be bitter or better.  You can either fail, win, fall under it or endure it.  You will either win or lose on two things, a decision to trust God and the endurance to see it through.  Make Jesus your security.  

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Fools for Christ

Fools for Christ – 1 Cor 4:9-10

Vs 9 – Paul was not complaining but he was wondering why God seem to put the apostles like men chain at the end of a procession.  Like men who were condemned to die in the arena.  Paul is using two well known analogies familiar to his readers, common spectacles in the ancient world to illustrate his reality.  They have been a spectacle to three audiences, to the universe, angels and men.  This is not a verse of pity but reality.
Vs 10 – They are fools for Christ and the Corinthians are wise in Christ.  They are weak but the Corinthians are strong.  The Corinthians are honored but the apostles are dishonored.  Paul is using this logic to prove a point which will be revealed shortly.  Being a follower of Jesus Christ is not easy.  Those who are persecuted more pose a greater threat to satan also when you are not persecuted you should examine your walk.  John Wesley once went without persecution for three days.  He thought he had lost his way.  He went to a field and repented within 10 minutes a man threw something at him.  He got up rejoicing because he knew he was making an impact.  Are you?

Monday, August 11, 2014

Christ`s Strength

We all need

We all we need – 1 Cor 4:7-8

Vs 7 – Paul then asks them three questions.  First, who makes you different from anyone else?  What do you have that you did not receive?  Lastly, and if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not.  Compelling questions.  Paul used this method of asking questions in every book to stir up the minds and hearts of his readers.

Vs 8 – It is a powerful reality for the Corinthians and us.  We have already received all we want.  What a truth.  Already you have become rich.  We are rich in the things of God.  In Christ we have everything.  You have become kings, all that without Paul and his group.  How Paul wished in reality they were kings so that he could share in their exaltation.  In Christ they have all things and even more.  Spiritual kingship is a wonderful truth and reality.  Today as you go about your day and minister in your world remember that you have everything already.  All you have to do is ask and then see God release it.  

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Acts of Faith by Jermey Taylor

The Acts of Faith Are:

481px-jeremytaylor1. To believe everything that God has revealed to us; and when once we are convinced that God has spoken it, to make no further inquiry but humbly to submit; ever remembering that there are some things that our understanding cannot fathom, nor search out their depth.
2. To believe nothing concerning God but what is honorable and excellent. Faith is the parent of love, and whatever faith entertains must be apt to produce love to God; but he that believes God to be cruel or unmerciful, or a rejoicer in the unavoidable damnation of the greatest part of mankind, or that He speaks one thing and privately means another, thinks evil thoughts concerning God. We would hate a man for such things, and therefore such thoughts are great enemies of faith, being apt to destroy love. Our faith concerning God must be as He Himself has revealed and described His own excellencies. In our discourses we must remove from Him all imperfection, and attribute to Him all excellency.
3. To give ourselves wholly up to Christ in heart and desire, to become disciples of His teaching. It means standing in the presence of God but as fools, that is, without any principles of our own to hinder the truth of God; but eagerly drinking in all that God has taught us, believing it infinitely, and loving to believe it. For this is an act of love, reflected upon faith; or an act of faith, leaning upon love.
4. To believe all God’s promises, and that whatever is promised in Scripture shall on God’s part be as surely performed as if we had it in possession. This act makes us rely upon God with the same confidence as we did on our parents when we were children, when we had no doubt but that whatever we needed we should have it, if it were in their power.
5. To believe also the conditions of the promise, or that part of the revelation that concerns our duty. Many are apt to believe the article of remission of sins, but they believe it without the condition of repentance, or the fruits of holy life. To do so is to believe the doctrine other than God intended it. For the covenant of the Gospel is the great object of faith, and that supposes our duty to answer His grace; that God will be our God so long as we are His people. Anything other than this is not faith, but flattery.
6. To profess publicly the doctrine of Jesus Christ, openly owning whatever He has revealed and commanded, not being ashamed of the word of God, or of any practices enjoined by it; and this, without complying with any man’s interest, not regarding favor, nor being moved with good words. Not fearing disgrace, or loss, or inconvenience, or death itself.
7. To pray without doubting, without weariness, without faintness, entertaining no jealousies or suspicions of God. Rather, faith means being confident of God’s hearing us, and of His answering us, whatever the manner or the timing may be. Faith believes that if we do our duty, His answer will be gracious and merciful.
The servants of Jesus maintain these acts of faith in varying degrees. Some have it but as a grain of mustard seed; some grow up to a plant; some have the fullness of faith. Nevertheless, even the smallest amount of faith must be a persuasion so strong that it moves us to undertake all the duties that Christ built upon the foundation of believing.

What Is Hope?

Faith differs from hope, in the extension of its object, and in the intention of degree. St. Augustine describes their differences this way: Faith pertains to all things revealed, good and bad, rewards and punishments, of things past, present, and to come, of things that concern us, and of things that concern us not. But hope has for its object only things that are future, are good, and that pertain to ourselves. The certainty of hope is less than the adherence of faith. To illustrate, faith tells me that it is infallibly certain that there is a heaven for all the godly and that heaven will include me if I do my duty. However, to believe that I shall enter into heaven is the object of my hope, not of my faith. It is only as sure as my perseverance in the ways of God.

The Acts of Hope Are:

1. To rely upon God with a confident expectation of His promises, ever esteeming that every promise of God is a storehouse of all the grace and relief that we can need in the instance for which the promise is made. Every degree of hope is a degree of confidence.
2. To esteem all the danger of an action, and the possibilities of failure, and every mishap that can intervene, to be no defect on God’s part, but either a mercy on His part, or a fault on ours. For then we shall be sure to trust in God, when we see Him to be our confidence, and ourselves to be the cause of all failures. The hope of a Christian is prudent and religious.
3. To rejoice in the midst of a misfortune or seeming sadness, knowing that this may work for good, and will, if we are not found lacking. This is a direct act of hope, to look through the cloud and see a beam of the light from God. This is called in Scripture, rejoicing in tribulation,” when “the God of hope fills us with all joy in believing.” Every degree of hope brings a degree of joy.
4. To desire, to pray, and to long for the great object of our hope, the mighty price of our high calling. Hope is to desire the other things of this life as they are promised-that is, only so far as they are necessary and useful to us in order to further God’s glory and the great end of souls.

About Love

Love is the greatest thing that God can give us, for He Himself is love. Love is also the greatest thing we can give to God, for in it we also give ourselves, and carry with it all that is ours. The apostle calls love the bond of perfection. It is the old, and it is the new; it is the great commandment, and it is all the commandments. For love is the fulfillment of the Law. It does the work of all other graces. The love of sin makes a man sin against all his own reason and all the advice of his friends. Similarly, the love of God makes a man chaste even without the laborious arts of fasting and exterior disciplines. It makes him temperate in the midst of feasts. It is a grace that loves God for Himself, and our neighbors for God. The consideration of God’s goodness and generosity, the experience of those profitable and excellent gifts from Him, may be, and most commonly are, the first motive of our love. But once we have entered into God’s love, and have tasted the goodness of God, we love the spring for its own excellency, passing from lust to reason, from thanking to adoring, from sense to spirit, from considering ourselves to a union with God. This is the image and little representation of heaven; it is beatitude in picture, or rather the infancy and beginnings of glory.
We need no incentives to move us to the love of God. There is in God an infinite nature, immensity or vastness without extension or limit, immutability, eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, holiness, dominion, providence, bounty, mercy, justice, perfection in Himself, and the end to which all things and all actions must be directed, and will at last arrive. Our appreciation of these things is heightened when we consider our distance from all these glories: our smallness and limited nature, our nothingness, our inconstancy, our brief age, our weakness and ignorance, our poverty, our mistakes and lack of consideration, our disabilities and disaffections to do good, our harsh natures and unmerciful inclinations, our universal iniquity, and our necessities and dependencies.
God is a torrent of pleasure for the voluptuous; He is the fountain of honor for the ambitious; and He is an inexhaustible treasure for the covetous. Fulfillment of our vices can truly and really be found nowhere but in God. [That is, true love of God will replace our earthly vices.] How much more so, then, will our virtues find a proper object in love of God. It is certain that this love will turn all into virtue. When all has been summed up, and it is asked whether someone is a good man or not, the answer is not found in what he believes, or what he hopes, but what he loves.

The Acts of Love of God Are:

1. Love does all things that may please the beloved person. It performs all his commandments. “This is love, that we keep His commandments.” Love is obedient.
2. It does all the intimations and secret significations of his pleasure whom we love. Great love is also pliant and inquisitive in the instances of its expression.
3. Love gives away all things so that the lover may advance the interest of the beloved person. It relieves all whom the loved one would have relieved. He never loved God who would quit anything of his religion in order to save his money. Love is always liberal.
4. It suffers all things that are imposed by its beloved, or that can happen for his sake, or that intervene in his service. Love does this cheerfully, sweetly, willingly-expecting that God will turn them into good, and instruments of joy. “Love hopes all things, endures all things.” Love is patient and content with anything, so long as the lover can be together with his beloved.
5. Love is also impatient of anything that may displease the beloved person, hating all sin as the enemy of its friend. For love contracts all the same relations, and marries the same friendships and the same hatreds. Any fondness for a sin is perfectly inconsistent with the love of God. Love is not divided between God and God’s enemy. We must love God with all our heart; that is, give Him a whole and undivided affection, having love for nothing else but such things that He allows and that He commands or loves Himself.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Servants of Christ

Servants of Christ – 1 Cor 4:1-2

Vs 1 – Paul begins this chapter with two thoughts.  He wants his audience and readers to know that he and those who work with him are first and foremost servants of Christ.  It is His will and work that is their focus.  They are more concerned about the spiritual and eternal than the natural and temporary.  Next, they are entrusted with the secret things of God.  The Gnostics who had manage to gain some influence talk about their secret knowledge.  Paul says he has been entrusted with the secret things of God.  Paul would reveal 18 mysteries in his writings.
Vs 2 – Those who have been entrusted with a great truth need to be faithful.  In a movie it was said that those who have been given great power also carry with it great responsibility.  This is what has been given to those who know Christ.  We have been entrusted with eternal and abundant life and in turn we must be faithful in bringing this message to the world.  Faithfulness is one thing all Christians will be judged on and be given a reward for.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Examples for Crist

Examples for Christ – 1 Cor 3:21-22

Vs 22 – Paul then follows it with examples.  Himself, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present or the future.  All these are theirs.  They have been purchased and given through Jesus Christ.  He is their foundation and building.  He is the past, present and future.  All they have in this life and the next are His.  Jesus Christ is your world, your life, present with you in death, He is your present and your future.
Vs 23 – Then Paul closes it off we this exclamation point.  You are of Christ.  You belong to Him and Christ is of God.  He is not only of God, He is God.  Jesus is God with a face.  The perfect union between the human and divine.  He is 100% God and 100% man.  He dealt with the sin problem because He is the eternal man.  Your perfect Savior.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Philosophy is futile

Philosophy is futile – 1 Cor 3:20-21

Vs 20 – The wise of this world and their philosophies they present are futile.  All the thoughts of men end up in self destruction and eternal damnation.  Every philosophy that does not include the Lord is in vain.  Man is the center and that will always lead away from God and into selfishness.

Vs 21 – Paul then exhorts them to stop boasting about men.  All things are theirs in Christ.  Paul would later explain what that means.  In reality all of heaven with its benefits are theirs.  Eternal and abundant life brought by grace and love belong to them.  God has lavish on His people all the benefits of heaven.  They come through and end in Christ.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Wisdom of this world

Wisdom of this world – 1 Cor 3:18-19

Vs 18 – Paul points out that the wisdom of this world is nothing but deception.  It is the fool that follows the wisdom, standards and values of the world.  Instead a person should be a fool to this world and wise unto God.  The wisdom of the world says that man is the measure of all things, that passion and possession are the way to abundant life.  To become wise you must abandon the wisdom of man and choose to fear the Lord because this is the beginning of wisdom.

Vs 19 – The wisdom of this world in foolishness in God’s sight.  Mankind can come up with all sorts of fables, tales and truths and all are foolish.  God catches the wise in their craftiness.  Apart from God all wisdom of men appeals to the five senses or their author is satan.  All false religions no matter what brand of name they have is satanic in origin.  Only Jesus Christ can give you eternal life.  All other religions are satanic in origin and end in separation from God.

Monday, August 4, 2014

You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit

– You are the temple of the Holy Spirit -

Vs 16 – Paul then reveals a powerful and revelational truth.  The Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He delivers this thought as question.  Do you know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit?   Has this truth and reality drove itself deep into your heart?  It changes everything once you know this.  The will of God becomes the most important.

Vs 17 – If anyone destroys God’s temple God will destroy them.  God is concerned about the preservation and the defense of His temple.  God’s temple is sacred and we are that temple.  Later on the Corinthian’s are again told this truth and also that this body has been bought with a price and so they are to glorify God with their bodies.  The Christian is not a tavern, porno palace, or casino.  We are temples of God.  One time I have the privilege of talking with a senior who happened to be a J.W.  She could not grasp the concept of us being a temple because she was not born again.  Only when you are a Christian can you understand this reality.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

The Master Builder

Master Builder – 1 Cor 3:10-12

Vs 10 – Paul reveals that it is by grace that He has been his responsibility.  Paul at one time was a persecutor of the church.  Now he is a master builder who lays a foundation of faith in Corinth.  After he leaves another will comes and builds upon his foundation.  Each one has the responsibility of how they build upon the foundation.  
Vs 11-  Paul then reveals the true foundation upon which all workers build.  It is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Jesus Christ who was killed, buried and rose again from the dead.  Jesus Christ who allow His body to be broken and His blood to be shed.  He is the only foundation that can be laid.

Vs 12 – Paul contrasts the material in which a builder can build.  It can be gold, silver and costly stones or wood, hay and stubble.  Material and skill is what is contrasted here.  Whether we build for His glory or ours build on a good foundation and when the time comes your material will be shown for what it is.