Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Corinthian’s chapter 5 today

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Corinthian’s chapter 4 today we see Paul imploring believers to be “Imitators of himself” (vs 16) regarding his passion for the Gospel, Christlike character, and zealous desire to help others grow in Christ.

Q. In light of Paul’s question in vs 7…

“What do you have that you did not receive from God?” How should we respond when we achieve or accomplish something good?

🙏 Heavenly Father forgive me for the many times of arrogantly trying to steal the credit that is rightly yours, and help us all to continually “Boast in You”, realizing that all of our abilities, opportunities, and blessings come from your good providence.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for your all important achievement and accomplishment at the cross – Please help us model your humility and service, as we rest in your finished work, and strive to imitate Paul as he has imitated you.

🙏 Holy Spirit please continue to point us to “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”, not merely as a matter of recited words but as a testimony of your transforming power to conform us to His image day by day, come what may…

✝️ “We are humble servants in Christ, so let us be found faithful…do not go beyond what is written in the Scriptures, but let us labor working with our own hands…when reviled we bless, when persecuted we endure, when slandered we entreat… therefore let us constantly be reminded of the ways of Christ.”

1 Cor 4:vs medley

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Corinthian’s chapter 3 today we see Paul chastising believers for their (in the flesh) divisive and childish behavior (vs 1), and also encouraging them that their (in the Spirit) pursuit of eternal things will be highly rewarded (vs 14).

Q. Have you ever sacrificed friendship or unity to align yourself with a “better clique”, or tried to team up with the most sought after group, leaving others behind for the sake of your own popularity and glory?

Q. Have you ever elevated somebody beyond what they deserve, and then boasted in the fact that you were on their squad and partnered with them so that you could be elevated too?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that we can openly confess and repent for our immature, glory seeking, worldly perspectives and failures toward you – Please help us not to rob our leaders and mentors of their dignity by putting them on a pedestal and giving them a place that is reserved for Christ alone.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for your atoning sacrifice and finished work on our behalf – Please help us all to realize that you are enough to fully satisfy us, and you alone are worthy of all glory and praise…

✝️ “So let no one boast in men for all things are yours, whether leaders, or the world, or life or death, or the present or the future, all things belong to you and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Corinthian’s chapter 2 today we see our sweet lady Lora Lee’s favorite verse in the Bible – 1 Cor 2:9…😇🙏🌻

❤️ Thinking of Lora today and missing her a lot, but knowing that she is in God‘s presence where there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand where there are pleasures forevermore!

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for the great reminder and encouragement of what is coming soon for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord 👑🎁😊…

✝️ “But, as it is written, ‘Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Corinthian’s chapter 1 today we see God turning the world’s wisdom upside down as He chooses and uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, expanding the Kingdom in His name, by His grace, for His glory…

“For I was sent by Christ to preach the Gospel, not with extraordinary words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power – God forbid that man should get the glory instead of God” (vs 17).

Q. Can you answer (in a single word) why the message of the Gospel is so offensive and foolish by the world’s standards? (Backward spelling – EDIRP)!

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for killing me softly with your words in the Scripture below, and revealing the humbling truth that so many of us can identify with about our sinful & fallen nature, and your redeeming mercy in Christ…

✝️ “For consider your calling brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is low and despised in the world so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption!”

1Cor 1:26-30

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 As we finish the book of Romans today in chapter 16, Paul is filled with thankfulness and joy as he specifically calls out by name over 35 of his closest co-workers in Christ who have labored side-by-side with him to advance the Gospel and build the Spirit-driven foundation of the early church.

🇺🇸 As we celebrate with great gratitude our nation of religious and other personal freedoms today, may we also celebrate with equal and even greater enthusiasm, the liberty and freedom that we have in Christ as blessed and favored children of the living God!

🙏 Heavenly Father we thank you so much that you have called each one of us by name, and blessed us with the opportunity to live in our temporary home here in the USA where your transforming Word of Truth is so readily available – What a privilege to encounter you these last few weeks through an amazing Gospel-centered journey through the book of Romans.

🙏 Holy Spirit we praise you today for life, liberty, and the pursuit of holiness – Please help us always remember that Jesus Christ is our greatest treasure, our full portion, our true satisfaction, & our all in all; And let us pledge eternal allegiance to the God of all Grace above all things…

✝️ “Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to the Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…to bring about the obedience of faith – To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ, Amen!”

Romans 16:25-27

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Romans chapter 15 today Paul continues his strong exhortation that we seek the benefit and interests of others over our own, and model the service & humility of Jesus…

“For Christ did not please Himself, and gave no thought to His own interests, but for our sake (took on our burdens) and bore our reproaches (vs 3).

Q. Of all the beautiful aspects and promises of the Gospel, what is the one that spurs you on most to overcome selfishness and have proactive care & regard for the good of others?

Q. Why is it truly much better to give than to receive?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive my many sins of omission and commission, neglecting numerous opportunities to serve the needs of others, and placing my own comfort and pleasure over love for my neighbor and your people.

🙏 Holy Spirit we have no good apart from you, and we will never overcome our selfish motives unless you intervene – Please open our eyes to see service toward others as opportunities instead of burdens, and give us a holy zeal to unite with Jesus for the glory of God in word and in deed…

✝️ “May the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that in full agreement you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…Welcome and love one another, just as Christ has also welcomed and loved you to the glory of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:5-7‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Romans chapter 14 today we see the apostle Paul addressing various “Freedoms in Christ” and “Matters of conscious” regarding eating habits, worship days, and other cultural topics of the time – Although these freedoms have been the center of much debate throughout church history, what is not debatable is Paul’s specific call (and central message of the chapter) for humility, unity, and others-centered living for the body of Christ…

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother…Let us fully pursue among each other what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (vs 13,19).

Q. Is it fair to say that God does truly care about our moral and physical conduct (His general law), but cares even more deeply about our love and sacrifice for each other in response to Jesus love and sacrifice for us (His royal law)?

🙏 Heavenly Father forgive me for the many times that I “Passed judgment on another” because of self righteous pride, or “Despised a brother or sister in Christ” out of bitterness, because they didn’t do things exactly the way I did – Please bless us all with guidance and wisdom in the daily decisions we make, and help us always to keep love as our # 1 agenda in fellowship with others.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you always obeyed the will of the Father, and have always loved us perfectly – Please help us to use our Christian freedoms for the sake of love instead of selfishness, and teach us how to consistently give thanks to you because we are not our own, but by your grace we are yours both now and forever…

✝️ “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

Romans 14:8-9

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Romans chapter 13 today the apostle Paul makes a crystal clear case for a soul-satisfying union with Jesus as the Gospel’s primary antidote to overwhelm our sinful tendencies, and fight against words & deeds that dishonor God…

“Let us walk properly in the Lord and put off quarreling, jealousy, drunkenness, and sexual immorality…and let us put on Christ, making no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires” (vs 13-14).

Q. Do you have confidence that God has given you…

– “Everything you need for life and godliness?” in order to

– “Put on Christ” and live in a well-pleasing way toward God by the liberating power of His Holy Spirit?

Q. Even though you will not be free from indwelling sin until you see Jesus face-to-face in heaven, have you made up your mind to…

– “Wage war daily against your sin?”

– “Hate what is evil and hold fast to what is good?”

– “Make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires?”

– “Pursue holiness, without which no one will see God?”

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that you have not abandoned us to a life of moral carelessness or complacency, but have called us to action as the return of Christ approaches – Please help us all to honor you by staying vigilant and alert, and let us be about your business as purposeful and devoted sons and daughters.

🙏 Lord Jesus we give you praise today that after your finished and redeeming work at the cross here on earth, you ascended to heaven and sent us your empowering Holy Spirit, so that we could be eternally united with you and walk in newness of life as salt and light to a lost and dying world…

✝️ “The time has come for you to depart from your old ways and awake from your slumber. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed, so let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:11-12‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Romans chapter 12 today we see that God has sovereignly assigned unique and specific gifts, talents, and strengths to each of His children in order that we all be unified and work humbly to love one another and advance the Gospel of hope together…

“For as in one (physical) body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function…so we are all one body in Christ, being individual members of His family, and we also have gifts that differ according to the grace that was given to us (vs 4-6‬).

Q. Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s talents, believing that they have been blessed by God more than you?

Q. Have you ever thought of yourself more highly than you should, because you have been given certain strengths that some others don’t have?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive my far too often envy and pride regarding the measure of faith and God-given ability that you have purposely assigned – Help us all to be fully content with exactly how you have made us, according to your perfect wisdom and grace.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that the good news of your finished work at the cross propels us to love and serve others as we have been loved and served by you – Please empower us to identify and use all that we have (physical, mental, and spiritual gifts) to bring you glory in all that we think, say, and do…

✝️ “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭