Heal to deal with relationships.

In 1 Cor 5:1-5, Paul presents an interesting subject here.  This is called dealing with an immoral brother in the Lord.  Paul brings this out for us to think about because many are doing their own thing even though they know what God expects.  Paul says we are not even to eat with that person.  Have nothing to do with them is what Paul's says.  Jesus Himself dealt with this question.  Jesus said that if we have something against another believer we are to talk with them first.  Then if they do not hear us, we are to take another with us.  If they still do not hear us, then we are to take the matter before the church.  If they still do not hear us or repent we are to expose them to the church.  It is at this point that we have nothing to do with them.  Church discipline is important but let us never get out of step with God's plan.  Let us not run ahead and get hasty to discipline someome and also let us not be so slow and slack that no one is ever dealt with when it comes to sin.  We must also remember that everything we do is based in love.  One person said that Christians seem to be the only ones to shoot their wounded.  Today make every effort to heal that broken relationship or restore the fallen.  Your promises today are:  Psalm 107:20, Isaiah 41:10, Jer 15:21, Joel 2:20 and John 8:32.  Your Insightful Sayings are:  A man once told me that if he ever doubted the existence of God all he did was look around and that doubt disappeared.  When a person denies the existence of God, they are denying the one who gives them breath.  Gen 2:7, God man man and then breathes into him the breath of life and man became a living soul.

Built on Wisdom

In 1 Cor 2:1-5, We find that it was Paul's desire that the gospel not be built upon the wisdom of man.  There is wisdom in this world that is called human or natural wisdom.  This is brought about by learning, experience, intelligence and common sense.  Paul says that his message didn't come from this type of wisdom.  It came and rested on the power of God.  Paul was bringing to the Corinthians a message backed up by the power of God.  God Himself had sent Paul and God was going to back up this call.  With God for us who can be against us.  It wasn't with superior skills or great wisdom that Paul won people to Christ.  He won them through the love and power of God.  Paul told people that God through Christ could set them free from sin  Paul told them that Christ could heal and that is what happened.  God backed Paul all the way.  People are looking for something that is real.  They have had enough of human wisdom.  I saw a T.V. special about the Beatles one time.  They had gone to a great guru in India and when they found out he was a fake they became even more disillusioned.  Man has had enough of human wisdom, they want something that is real.  That only comes through Jesus Christ.  The gospel must rest on the power of God.  Remember God is standing behind you when you present the gospel.  So present it with confidence.  Your promises today are.  John 3:16, 2 Cor 5:17, 1John 1:9, James 4:7 1 John 4:4.  Your Insightful Sayings are:  Listen to the nudging within your heart, it is voice that will save you from a multitude of problems.  Battles are won and lost before we get into them when we walk defeated or believe we will lose. 

Jesus is Lord.

In Rom 14:11, we learn that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  People today think they can have nothing to do with Christ.  This portion points out that one day all creation will have to stand before Christ and confess that He is Lord.  Even the devil will have to do this act of servanthood.  What a day that will be.  Christ defeated the devil on the cross.  Christ broke the devil's power and one day the devil will be in complete subjection and the ultimate blow is when he will have to confess that Jesus is Lord.  One time when I was younger and in my first church we had a powerful service.  The Spirit was moving powerfully.  I met a young man after the service who saw souls saved and people filled with the Holy Spirit.  I testified to him and when I asked him if he was willing to surrender his life to Christ.  To my amazement he said, "no"  He said he was an athiest and had come to the service as a personal favor to a friend.  I began to pray for him.  I do not know if  he is serving the Lord today or is even alive but he has no excuse.  One day that man will stand before Christ and will have to confess that Jesus is Lord.  I am looking forward to that day, because I have already confessed that He is Lord.  I hope you have as well.  Your promises for today are:  Acts 13:18, Rom 3:25, 5:9, Col 1:13 and 1 John 1:9.  You Insightful Sayings are:  Avoid the way of the drunkard, it leads to poverty, loneliness and destruction.  A man who loves his wife will have a home where grace and love flourishes.

Be careful of passing judgment

In Romans 14:1, Paul warns us about passing judgement on each other.  Passing judgment on another is so easy to do.  I have seen more people get into fights over what is called disputable matters than anything else.  Paul says that we should accept a man whose faith is weak.  In this age of controversy we should be more lenient with brothers in the Lord.  It is so easy to be judgmental.  That does not mean we should compromise our convictins, by no means.  What it does mean is that we are to be more supportive, strengthen and help those who are weaker in tthe Lord.  I remember a brother in the Lord and I got into a major argument on whether or not a Christian should dance or not.  I was accused of compromise when I defended those who committed the unpardonable sin of dancing.  I wanted to simply point out that people of the faith have different convictions.  It may be because they have weaker faith or maybe because of some other reasons.  Paul says let us not pass judgment on someone in a disputable matter.  Let us be supportive and help them walk through these matters.  Think about that today.  Your promises are:  Prov 3:5-6, Psalm 25:9, 32:8, 37:23-24, 73:23, 121:8 Isaiah 30:21.  Your Insighful Saying is:  Be careful to watch your words they have a habit of returning to haunt you. 

One Day Closer

In Rom 13:11-12, Paul reveals that the last days are closer than you think.  How true this statement is.  One can truly say that we are living in the last days and each day we live is one day closer.  No time in history has the whole world been in such a state as it is at this time.  Th systems for the rise of the anti-christ are in place.  We should be ready for the coming of the Lord.  The day of the Lord will come like a thief.  Yet we who believe and are ready for the coming of the Lord will not be surprised.  Jesus said, "that no man knows the day or the hour but He warns us to be ready.  I remember a story about a preacher who every morning would look out his window and say, "Lord you may come this day, I pray that I will be ready."  Then every night he would look out the window and say, "Lord if you come tonight, let me be ready."  I hope this is your prayer and also that you would be like the children of Israel, in the land of the Exodus.  Moses told them to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.  It trust you will be ready.  Like the old saying when we played hide and seek.  "Ready or not here, I come."  Your promises are:  Matt 11:24, 21:22, Mark 9:23, 16:16, John 1:12, 6:15.  Your Insightful Sayings are:  Communication is the key to strong friendships and marriages.  So keep your messages clear and simple.  Words have the power to heal or destroy so choose your words well. 

Gospel in a Nutshell

In Rom 10:9-10, is the verses in which the gospel is given in a nutshell on how to be saved.  If we confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts, we will be saved.  I have a friend who has a real problem with this concept.  He thinks that there must be more to it than that.  Yet the gospel isn't.  People are willing to accept all kinds of false things because they cannot perceive this truth.  Paul said that he only preached Christ crucified.  All a person has to do is confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts.  This of cours has to be a sincere confession and belief.  Let us pray that mankind will see this truth before it is too late.  Your promises today are:  2 Cor 5:17, John 3:16-17, Rom 12:11, Prov 3:5-6 and Phil 4:8-9.  Your Insightful Sayings are: Battles are won or lost before we get into them when we walk defeated or believe we will lose.  Actions speak louder than words, so make sure your actions are saying the right things. 

A Disturbing Habit.

In Romans 9:19-21, Paul reveals man's very disturbing habit of questioning everything.  This can be good but in most cases when it comes to God it is not the smartest thing to do.  My son when he was four years old would ask the same question, over and over again.  I would give him an answer and then he would question my answer.  It came to the point when he had to learn to be satisfied with the answer I gave him.  It is the same with God.  We must be satisfied with the answer He gives to our questions.  For example, God in a way that He uses is something that we should not question.  We all have been called into ministry.  My ministry as a communicator may be have a little more recognition than someone who makes coffee on Sunday morning but mine is not more important than theirs.  I once knew two people.  One was an evangelist and the other an usher in the church.  The evangelist was great at preaching and getting people saved, yet as a man of hospitality he was quite lacking.  The other man who was an usher shone at making people feel right home in the church.  He would invite newcomers home after church for dinner.  Both ministries are important.  So do not get uptight if you do not have an up front ministry.  Remember God has given us all a ministry that only we can do whether great or small.  Your promises are:  Psalm 33:1, 50:23, 148:14, 149:1, Isaiah 25:1, 43:21, Phil 4:6, 1 Thess 5:18 and Heb 13:15.  Your Insightful Sayings are:  When a person denies the existence of God they are denying the very one who gives them breath.  Gen 2:7, God made man and then breathed into him the breath of life and man became a living soul.  Listen to the nudging within your heart, it is the voice that will save you from a multitude of problems.