KEEP IT SIMPLE

 

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

 

 

1.       As we have learned in previous messages that when Paul came to Corinth after Athens, he made a conscience decision to do several things.  He decided to reset his life and ministry.  When he arrived in Corinth, he was sick, fearful, and trembling.  He was in a weak period of his life.  He started working in his tentmaking trade with Aquila and Pricilla.  He then went full time when Timothy and Silas arrived.  After persecution and slander from his fellow Jew he decided to go exclusively to the gentiles.  He then decided to preach only about Jesus and his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.  He would emphasize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus and the benefits thereof. 

2.      Paul then focused on making sure that the message he brought and the preaching he delivered was not laced or full of wise and persuasive words.  Paul was an orator.  This training was required to be a rabbi, teacher, scribe, and a member of the Sanhedrin which he was.  In Galatians when we hear his testimony Paul was a student of Gamaliel the foremost scholar and teacher of his day.  Paul excelled and was Gamaliel’s best student.  He was more than capable of delivering a emotional, persuasive and effective message and sermon.

3.      Part of Paul’s reset was to keep his message simple, clear, and concise.  Paul’s decided to tell them his testimony of who he was, how he got saved and why he was doing what he was doing.  This is an excellent preaching style. 

4.      Paul like all the apostles used signs, wonders, and miracles to attract an audience.  This of course was simply following Mark 16:15-18, which states that these signs follow them who believe.  This is a wonderful component of the gospel. 

5.      Paul relied on the demonstration of the Spirit’s power.  It came in the form of the gifts of the Spirit.  Now Paul later in the book gave regulation and order to the practice.

6.      Paul saw the blind eyes open, demonic people freed, in fact aprons and clothes he used were used in healing people and driving out demons.  This brought about a platform for the gospel.  Signs are given to show people the way to Christ.  Healing is designed to show the healer.

 

5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

 

1.      Paul then reminds the Corinthians that our message must never rely on human wisdom. 

2.      He also understood how the devil operated with accusation, temptation, and deception.  He was keenly aware of the attack of the world with pride, pleasure, and possessions.  He also comprehended our inner struggle with our desires, wants and needs. 

3.      So, faith had to rely on God’s power.  Only resurrection power can fully free and deliver us from our adversaries. 

4.      Here are some wonderful benefits of resurrection power. 

 

a.      When we submit to God and resist the devil, he must flee from us.  Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. 

b.      We have been born into a new life and all the benefits and resources that come with that.

c.      We have fellowship, friendship, and a relationship with the creator of the universe.  He is our Father, friend, and Lord.

d.      Eph 1:18-20 says we have light, hope, holiness, riches, and an inheritance.  Our faith is based on God’s power and wisdom. 

PRAYERS FOR THE DEPRESSED

 

If You Feel Suicidal:

Lord, I come before You with a heavy heart. I feel so much and yet sometimes I feel nothing at all. I don't know where to turn, who to talk to, or how to deal with the things going on in my life. You see everything, Lord. You know everything, Lord. Yet when I seek you it is so hard to feel You here with me. Lord, help me through this. I don't see any other way to get out of this. There is no light at the end of my tunnel, yet everyone says You can show it to me. Lord, help me find that light. Let it be Your light. Give me someone to help. Let me feel You with me. Lord, let me see what You provide and see an alternative to taking my life. Let me feel Your blessings and comfort. Amen.

If Your Friend Feels Suicidal:

Lord, I come before You with a heavy heart for my friend. He/She is struggling so much right now with the things happening in his/her life. I know You can be his/her greatest comfort. I know You can step in and make a difference. Show me how I can best help him/her. Give me the words and actions that will keep him/her from taking that ultimate step of suicide, Lord. Let him/her see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that suicide is not the route to take. Lord, let Your presence be felt in his/her life and let your comfort be what he/she needs. Amen.

Father I feel as if you dealt me a hand that is unfair. This mountain seems insurmountable and my cares and worries weigh so heavy on my soul, that I see no way out. I feel as though I am on an ocean, adrift, just knowing I cannot make it. Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.   1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Abba, when depression sets in, sometimes I think of ending it all. I feel pathetic and weak because I know this is not the way but I just feel as though I have no other way out. I feel guilty because I know so many people suffer so much more than I do yet they survive and I know suicide is wrong but I am not well.

QUOTES FOR MARCH 23, 2026

 

March 23 – Philistia - Isaiah 14:28-32

 March 23 – Philistia - Isaiah 14:28-32

     This prophecy that Isaiah was about to lay out happen the same year King Ahaz died.  Remember Ahaz did not want to tempt the lord.  This is a prophecy given towards Philistia.  The power they had was about to be broken.  He equates them as a poisonous snake.  They will be destroyed by famine, and it will slay their survivors.  The attack will come from the north, and they will be destroyed.  They will send envoys to that nation, but they will be rejected.  The Philistines will be destroyed but the people of Israel will see her afflicted people find refuge and shelter.  

     There is a stark contrast between how the Lord will deal with Philistia and Israel.  The Philistines were the sworn enemy of Israel.  That hatred continues even today.  Ancient hatred doesn’t always go away it just surfaces with new venom in modern times. 

JOURNAL ON PRAYER

 

Journal on Prayer.

 

     Recently I made a decision that I would dedicate the rest of my life to prayer.  It was an easy decision because I love to pray.  Larry Lea called it the highest calling because it is what Jesus is doing.  Prayer I have found brings clarity in a confused world.  Prayer changes our view because in a moment of prayer we can have God’s perspective.  In my life I have written 200 psalms, 150 parables and 3200 proverbs.  Great accomplishments I believe but my greatest accomplishment will be by far my prayer life.  In this prayer journal I hope to release my thoughts on prayer.  For those who read it I pray it will encourage them to pray.  George Mueller who has been called the apostle of prayer said that patience in prayer is key.  Is 40:31, states that they who wait upon the Lord shall be renewed.  I have found that to be so true.  One of my proverbs goes as follows.  “A day in quiet reflection is more profitable than a month of furious activity.”   So today take a moment away from all the activity of the day and spend time with the Lord.  It will be the best moments of the day and bring a godly perspective back into your life.

QUOTES FOR MARCH 21, 2026

 

JOSEPH LIFE LESSONS

 

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.

 

 

     So after Joseph had reassured his brothers about his forgiveness he lived in Egypt for the rest of his life.  Now Joseph was 56, when he buried his father and showed this incredible act of forgiveness and loves.  So he lives another 54 years in Egypt.  He lived there with all his father’s family.  His duty was to care for and protect his family.  He would have been the Prime Minister as long as the king lived for he was trusted.  Joseph was also honored in Egypt because of his saving the country from a severe famine.  Joseph had the privilege of seeing the third generation of his family, his great grandchildren.  The reason Makir is mentioned because he becomes the most important tribe of Manasseh. Placing children on one’s knees is akin to adopting them. This cements the connection between Joseph and Makir. Furthermore, these generations speak to Joseph being blessed with long life.  Joseph never returns to Canaan during his life time.  Joseph was the means for his family to get to Egypt.  It was here that Israel would become a great people and eventually need an Exodus and a Moses.  There is a divine plan in all of our lives.  God uses circumstances, people and situations to get us where we need to be.  We need to be open, sensitive and obedient to him to live in the middle of God’s will.

 

24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

 

     Joseph on his deathbed, and he tells his brothers that he is about to die.   Joseph again reassures them of divine protection and aid.  Joseph had been their benefactor, protector and friend for over 50 years.  He had been a go between them and the Egyptians.  With Joseph passing there was a lot of uncertainty.  Joseph had given them favor with a foreign people and now they were not sure what was going to happen next.  He reassures them God was behind all this and He will be there with them.  We have the promise today of Matt 28:20 that the Lord will never leave or forsake them.  Jesus gave this same reassurance in the upper room to his disciples.  Remember Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and forever.  What God did yesterday, he will do today and tomorrow.  God’s help, protection, guidance and love are consistent.  They would not be alone.  Remember the promises are yes and amen.  Good lesson for them and us.

     Joseph then gives them a prophetic promise. God will take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is not the land that God has, on oath, promised to give them. They are in Egypt, not the Promised Land.  This land they are living in a temporary place.

     Remember Egypt is where they dwell but it is not their home.  A good lesson for us.  Like Israel we have a home.  We live in this world but are not of it.  Like Israel we are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God.  Egypt had become familiar.  Joseph reminds them of God’s oath.  Even at the end Joseph is bringing God into their remembrance.  That is why we need constant reminders for God.  They needed to be reminded they were the people of God.  That is why we need to remind our families today.  Jesus told us He goes to prepare a place for us.  Remember any moment Jesus could come back.  That is why we must live ready.  You are not settlers here Joseph was telling them and us.

 

    Joseph then makes them swear an oath to take his bones back to Canaan.  Even though Joseph had left Canaan at the age of 17, it never left him.  Canaan was his identity, his happy childhood, the place where he was connected too.  To the Jew Canaan will always be the land of promise.  It is their identity, and it is the place that was promised to them.  Joseph wanted his bones to be buried there.  Joseph was a patriarch the promise of firstborn had been given to him.  He was the head of the family here and so he is giving his final instruction.

 

 

26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

 

     Joseph lives to be a 110 and they embalm him and he was place in a coffin in Egypt.  Moses closes off Genesis with a simple statement.  This last chapter sets up the stage for the next chapter in Israel and that is the Exodus where Joseph bones would be carried back to Canaan and placed in burial place in Shechem.  Joseph’s tomb is there right now. 

 

Now I want to spend just a couple of moments talking about the lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life.

 

1.      No matter who you are you are not immune from bad things happening in your life.  Joseph was a prince in Canaan.

2.      Even bad things have a purpose.  Joseph through slavery, prison learned to trust God in a bad place.

3.      You can flourish and be successful even in ungodly and difficult places.  Bloom where you are planted.  Joseph flourished in Potiphar’s house and in prison.

4.      God is with you no matter where you go.  God was with Joseph and help him prosper.

5.      Even bad things can be stepping stones when we have a godly view, right attitudes and see them as they are.

6.      Be faithful where you are until promotion comes.

7.      Life can change in a moment.  Joseph went from prison to Prime Minister in a day.

8.      God will use the talents you have to work his will.  Joseph was wise, able to interpret dreams.

9.      Walk in forgiveness.  Remember you are not the judge.  Forgive immediately and reassure others you have.  Joseph did.  He forgave all who hurt him.

10.   Remember God has a bigger plan in mind for you when you trust Him.