Proverbs of steel for April 28, 2023

 

April 28 – What’s Important – 1 Cor 7:18-19

 April 28 – What’s Important – 1 Cor 7:18-19

 

18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

 

     Paul then takes a direct swipe at a group that was just starting to gain influence in the church of Corinth.  The Judaizers were a group that subscribe that new believer had to be circumcised to be followers of Christ.  Paul says that each should stay as they are.  The two positions mean nothing.  This must have sent the Judaizers into a frenzy.  Here a former member of the Jewish council is telling them that their little hobby horse is nothing.  Paul clarifies his position saying that doing what God commands is what count.  Obedience is better than personal beliefs, religious, doctrinal, or tradition.  Remember Samuel told Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 27, 2023

 

April 27 – Three Things – 1 Cor 7:17

 April 27 – Three Things – 1 Cor 7:17

 

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

 

     Paul lays down three rules for the Corinthians to follow.  First, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation they Lord has called them too.  Paul stated in other book that whatever state you find yourself be content.  This can happen when you realize that you are where you are for a purpose.  You are to bloom where you are planted.  To grow you need to sometime walk through some manure. 

     Secondly Paul reveals that where you are it has been assigned by God and you need to look at it as a calling.  This changes a unpleasant situation into a challenge and opportunity.  You see the positive and not the negative.  You see yourself as God’s ambassador and messenger to that time, place, and people.  This is a blessing not a curse and a growth time not a stagnant time.  Lastly Paul says this is a rue he lays down in all the churches.  Paul is again relating the consistency he keeps in every church and community.  Paul would later demonstrate this in a practical way during his years in prison. 

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 25, 2023

 

April 26 – There is Hope – 1 Cor 7:16

  

April 26 – There is Hope – 1 Cor 7:16

 

6 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

     Paul then gives a promise and hope; Remember faith and hope are based on God’s love.  The hope is that through our reaction that we can win our spouses back.  God has promised to save our spouses.  They have been sanctified through us.  God will be working behind the scenes.  We must stay true to the Lord, live in peace, and leave the door open for reconciliation.  In my first church we have a couple name Barb and Darrell and even thought they had been separated for years Barb was instrumental in getting Darrell saved and then they reconciled and became a stable and influential home for the Lord.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 25, 2023

 

April 25 – Reality Check – 1 Cor 7:15

 April 25 – Reality Check – 1 Cor 7:15

 

   15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

 

     Paul then clarifies the second cause for separation or divorce.  If an unbelieving spouse leaves, then let it be so.  The brother or sister is not bound in such circumstances.  It is not their fault.  They did not initiate the separation or divorce.  God has called us to live in peace.  There are many reasons for people to end a relationship, but the core issue is that the unbeliever and not the believer be the one who leaves.  This is a very important reality in a pagan or immoral society.  You cannot control what happen to you, but you can control how you react to it.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 23, 2023

 

April 24 – A Promise – 1 Cor 7:14

 April 24 – A Promise – 1 Cor 7:14

 

14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

 

     Paul declares a powerful truth and mystery.  The believers’ spouses and children are sanctified or set apart unto the Lord.  Remember the promise is that not only shall we be saved but our household as well in Acts 16:31. Joshua declares in Josh 24:15, that not only would he serve the Lord but his household as well.  Sanctification comes through the believing spouse and their children are clean and holy.  This means Prov 22:6, can become a reality that you train a child in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it. 

      This is a wonderful reality and promise.  It is wonderful to know that when married to an unbelieving spouse to know that God is working on your behalf and on your children.  That you daily walk with God is reaping results even if you do not see it right away.  God is working behind the scenes on hose you love and care about.

Prayer time for April 22, 2023

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 21, 2023

 

April 21 – Concise and clear – 1 Cor 7:8-9

 April 21 – Concise and clear – 1 Cor 7:8-9

 

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

 

    Paul then continues giving advice to the unmarried and widows.  He says that it is good for them to stay as they are as he himself is.  Paul knows that when you are unmarried you do not have divided loyalties.  You can dedicate yourself to the things God wants and not your spouse or family. 

     Paul then states that if you cannot control yourself, you should find a spouse and, in that way, you will not burn with passion and commit fornication which is pre-marital physical intimacy.  Paul wants everyone to know the context of what is acceptable to God and what is not.  This is too important a matter to just let lie.  You must have clear, concise and precise teaching in the matter especially in a world that is highly erotic and immoral where temptation is everywhere and where accepted norms are contrary to the Word of God.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 18, 2023

 

April 18 – Mutual Consent

 April 18 – Mutual Consent

 

4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.

 

     Paul is giving godly instruction on the issue of intimacy and proper relationships to a church and society replete of it.  Corinth by and large was a very immoral city, and the Corinthian church was comprised of brand-new believers who were navigating and learning about godly principles and concepts. 

     Paul then states that a woman contrary to what is stated by modern ideas in the context of marriage yields here body to her husband and vice versa.  Before marriage we have authority and control over the use of our body.  That changes in the context of marriage.  Both spouses yield consent to their spouse.   Never can demand or abuse this privilege.  It is willing surrender to the wishes and needs of each other.  The foundation for this consent is mutual love and respect for each and the institution of marriage.  The two become one flesh working together in mutual love and appreciation for each other. 

April 17 – One flesh – 1 Cor 7:3

 April 17 – One flesh – 1 Cor 7:3

 

3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

 

     Paul is addressing godly principles in an ungodly world.  Corinth is very much like what is happening today.  Most adults have grown up in a highly visual world filled with messages and images of immorality.  Paul needs to address the sanctity and integrity of marriage.  Here he tells the church that men and women should fulfill their duty and obligation of marital intimacy. 

     When physical needs are met and the two are becoming one flesh then the desire or propensity to seek satisfaction with another is greatly diminished.  Another important fact is that we must never use intimacy as a tool of power to get what we want from our spouse.  Intimacy should never be used in a selfish way for personal gain.

Prayer time for April 16th 2023

Cornerstone community church service for April 16, 2023

Prayer time for April 13, 2023

am 930 the light for April 13, 2023

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 14, 2023

 

April 14 – Facts are Facts – 1 Cor 6:18

 April 14 – Facts are Facts – 1 Cor 6:18

 

18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

 

     Paul introduces three thoughts in this verse.  First, be like Joseph when Potiphar’s wife tempted him.  He fled.  This is simple, clear, and concise.  You stand there and contemplate you book it our of there.  Satan knows how and who to tempt you with.  It has been proven over the centuries that in this area man is extremely weak.  Don’t think twice get out and flee temptation.

     Secondly Paul states that all other sins are outside the body.  You can be tempted with, popularity, pride, possession and even pleasure but sexual immorality is sin not just against God but against us.  This is the third truth Paul explains.  We are hurting ourselves for the reasons Paul introduced in the previous verses.  There are all kinds of repercussions when we do sexual immorality.  There are a wide serious of consequences especially if we have been unfaithful to a spouse.  Many today claim open and progressive relationships.  Bottom line is betrayal is betrayal no matter what moniker you hang on it.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR APRIL 14, 2023

 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 14, 2023