QT 31 Oct 18, 1 Cor 7:12, Gifts are given for the common good

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) — To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

NOTE: Our spiritual gift is not for us. It does not exalt us. It does not make us important. It is not about us at all. Our spiritual gift (or gifts) are for the benefit of the body, the common good. God is the one glorified. The church grows. And our job is to serve. I think, even in this area, we seek to benefit from spirituals given to strengthen the body. They don't make us more spiritual, they do give us reason to serve.

PRAYER: Father forgive us for the abuse of the gifts. It is not about us, it is about the body. We exercise our gifts for the common good. And if we are not doing that, we are abusing the spiritual gift you gave us.

QT 30 Oct 18, 1 Cor 11:28-30, Communion is a serious sacrament with physical ramifications

1 Corinthians 11:28–30 (ESV) —

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

NOTE: One of the central tenets of the New Covenant is that the blessings and judgments are primarily spiritual or experienced in the next life. There are some exceptions, but in comparison to the Old Covenant which was primarily physical, temporal, and near-term in its blessings and judgments (Deut 29), the New Covenant is clearly different. In this passage we have an example of one of the exceptions. There is physical judgment, to include illness and death, for those who do not take the communion table seriously. And what does that mean? Two things are emphasized in the passage. One, a failure to examine our life and confess sin. Two, confusing the table with a time to gorge at the expense of others.

PRAYER: Father forgive us for our sinful actions around the table of communion. It is a time of great significance and memory. We need to be reminded of the cleansing we have in Jesus and the need to daily cleanse ourselves from the dirt of this world. Clean me. Clean my mind to serve you.

QT 29 Oct 18,1 Cor 11:22, Think of others in all things

1 Corinthians 11:22 (ESV) — What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

NOTE: The verse is in reference to sharing the Lord's supper at church, something of a pot luck. The challenging The challenging thing to me is it appears each person brings his meal and doesn't share. So, some bring a lot to eat because they are wealthy while the poor bring little. Consequently, the poor are ashamed of the little that they can bring and are humiliated. This can happen today but in a different setting. Some can afford to go out and eat at fancy expensive restaurants. Others cannot (they are probably the better off). But by sharing your story of where you eat, you can humiliate those who can't afford that option. It is another example of not thinking of others but only yourself. Jesus thought of others ahead of himself. It is not about me. It is about God first, and other people (not me), second.

NOTE: Lord, forgive us of our pride and selfishness. Help us to see it. Open our eyes to our imperfections, our ingratitude, our snootiness, and our lack of true compassion. Help us to live like Jesus did.

QT 25 Oct 18, 1 Cor 11:11-16, We are fighting God when we choose feeling over facts

1 Corinthians 11:11–16 (ESV) — Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

NOTE: There is clearly a cultural background to these verses. And the implication is not that we should embrace culture, in many cases, we should do quite the opposite as our Babylonian culture is doing all it can to deny God's existence. But in regards to cultural norms that emphasize propriety, yes, we are to accept those norms. Most often those norms do have some reference back to God's commands. Constable has a good discussion on the earlier verses where he argues that Paul is emphasizing "origin." Sexual differences are also based on origin. Today, we are disputing origin and replacing it with feeling. We say it does not matter how you were born, it is what you choose that determines your sex or sexual preference. That is not true and is completely opposed to the word of God. We are born, created by God with sex at our origin. There is difference in the sexes because of origin. God had a special purpose for men and a special purpose for woman. Disagreement with the latter statement does not change the fact of it, rather it puts you in opposition to God on the issue. We don't choose our sex or God's plan for our life. He gives tremendous freedom, but there are boundaries that he has established. Again, disagreement does not put you in opposition to me, but to God, the creator of the entire universe.

PRAYER: Father, we are a badly deceived people, both in and outside of the church. We have bought the lies of the Father of lies, and we even enjoy the lies since they allow us to live as we choose. The lies allow us to be our own gods. Forgive us. Open up our mind once again to truth. Have mercy upon us.

QT 23 Oct 18, 1 Cor 1:11, What are we really living for?

1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) — Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

NOTE: We all should be saying the same thing. No, it does not mean we are perfect. But it does mean that we are fully sold out on knowing Christ, living like Christ, and telling others of Christ. Paul and others lived a life of sacrificial love. They truly put Christ first in all that they did. Those are examples we can live and we should live. It is true that we live in a narcissist society, dripping with self-love, and me-first attitudes, but that only means that a life lived for God and others should stand out even more.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for allowing the things of the world to deflect my eyes from you. Give me a love for people. Help me to see people as my mission, not my own betterment. Help me to love and care for them as I should. Have mercy on me.

QT 22 Oct 18, 1 Cor 10:21, We cannot have two maste

1 Corinthians 10:21 (ESV) — You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

NOTE: You cannot play the game on both sides. Jesus said something that is quite similar, you cannot serve God and mammon (money). Who is going to be your Lord and Master? You cannot serve God and self. We need to surrender ourselves to the Lord and do what he asks us to do, not what is comfortable for us to do. We need to sacrifice for others. We need to lay down our lives, because that is the example that Jesus gave us. It is now wonder we have little impact in the world when we live two different lives, a secular life during the week, and a spiritual life during church. It is wrong. We need to be one person, fully committed to one set of ideals.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for trying to live two lives. I am your servant and you own me. I must not shrink back in my love and devotion and words. But I must also do it in gentleness. Let me see opportunities today to live that one life.

QT 18 Oct 18, 1 Cor 9:21, The law of Christ

1 Corinthians 9:21 (ESV) — To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

NOTE: We are not under the OT law, that law has been nailed to the cross. It has been nullified. The letters written on tablets of stone do not have any authority over the NT believer. But we are under a law, the law of Christ. It is the law spoken by Jesus. It is a law not of the letter but of the heart and is best summarized by two phrases-- loving God and loving others. All real laws revolve around those two items. There is no requirement for ceremony or dietary restrictions, although gluttony would suggest a sin against others, since the food we eat in excess could be eaten by others who are truly hunger. The bottom line, the law of Christ compels us and directs us. The OT law has no claim upon us, only the law of Christ.

PRAYER: Father, for someone reason, we as a people want to be under a law. I don't know if it feeds our pride or our sense of earning your pleasure. But you love us completely. We can never earn your favor. We have your favor in abundance as your children. Help us to live in that knowledge.

QT 16 Oct 18, 1 Cor 9:13, Do we really believe ministers are important?

1 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV) — Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?

NOTE: Evidently, the Corinthians were taking offense that they should pay Paul's wages. I imagined the gossip went something like this: "Well, he is single. He can pay for himself. He doesn't need much since he is by himself. We should not have to support him. We have families to support. He should give of himself because that is what God him too. …" Ugly, terrible, and selfish is how I would describe those comments. We are so greedy. And we don't recognize the importance of the job. We only care if the minister is making more than we are making. And of course, a minister should never make more than a congregant. What ridiculous hypocritical nonsense! We will be judge by God for such effrontery.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our ugly, greedy, selfish, coveting behavior. Thank you so much for those who have given their lives for the gospel. They do so much for us and suffer so much for us. Have mercy on them and on us for our ugly attitudes.

QT 15 Oct 18, I Cor 8:8,13, Is it really that important?

1 Corinthians 8:8, 13 (ESV) — 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. … 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

NOTE: We are free, but our freedom can hurt others. Therefore, the overriding interest is not our rights or our freedom, but the other's rights and his freedom (or lack thereof). This calls for an unselfish attitude. Rather than defending myself, especially when I'm right, I may need to give it up. Is it really that big of a deal? Must I always defend inconsequential things? What does it really matter? Paul at the beginning of the book say that he really doesn't care who judges him, it is God's judgment that he cares about. I need to be less prickly and more cuddly.

PRAYER: Father, free us from our pride that is always looking to exalt self. Forgive us. Forgive me for the stupid things that I let bother me.

QT 11 Oct 18, 1 Cor 7:30b-31, Living for what matters

1 Corinthians 7:30b –31 (ESV) — … and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

NOTE: This suggestion for an attitude toward this life was written almost 2000 years ago, and so it would be even more true to today as we are closer to this world passing away than at any time in history. We have to buy goods. We have to deal with the world. But we do not have to live for goods or the world. They are not our gods or goals or what provides purpose and meaning to life. Knowing God, loving God, and serving people through ministry is our purpose and gives our lives true meaning and value. All else is garbage. It is easy to say, but it is hard to live in a world consumed by materialism.

PRAYER: Father, protect your children from the sin that so easily entangles. Protect us from settling for garbage when we can enjoy your presence and the joy of service. Open our eyes to what truly matters in life.

QT 9 Oct 18, 1 Cor 7:17, What is my lot?

1 Corinthians 7:17 (ESV) — Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

NOTE: I think we all want something another has attained. It is covetous and also discontentment. There is nothing wrong for wanting to achieve a dream, but not everyone's dream is the same. It is a very good thing in God's eyes to lead a godly life, to love your wife, to raise up your children, to serve people (in the community and church), to give freely, and to do have done what God called you to do. Or said more simple, love God and love your neighbor. There is no shame in leading the life the Lord has assigned. Of course, the question then becomes, "how do I know?" I think we know deep down in our hearts, but we don't want to face the fact because our flesh wants something else. Not a very good answer, but it is my answer after 40 plus years of walking with God.

PRAYER: Lord, speak to our hearts. Show us the lot assigned to us. Give us contentment in doing your will in our lives

QT 8 Oct 18, 1 Cor 7:15, Despite the statistics, the breaking of unions is increasing

1 Corinthians 7:15 (ESV) — But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

NOTE: Verses on divorce, marriage, and remarriage are very controversial. Here Paul says that the believer is free (not enslaved) if the unbeliever leaves the union. Previously, he has said if unmarried cannot exercise self-control, they can marry. Even Jesus said that the Law allow divorce due to the hardness of people's heart, basically sin. There will be divorce, but it is not God's design, desire, or standard. We live in a day and age where divorce is rampant. And yes, statistically people are getting divorced less, but that is because they are having unions outside of marriage, and then separating from those unions. Which technically is the same thing as divorce. And it probably occurs more often too. We are a sinful society.

PRAYER: Father, my country is tearing itself apart in sin and deception. Please open our eyes to our sin. Please heal my nation. Please bring justice.

QT 5 Oct 18, 1 Cor 7:7, What really is a spiritual gift?

1 Corinthians 7:7 (ESV) — I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

NOTE: in context, Paul is comparing his singleness with other's desire to be married. What is interesting is that he calls it a gift of God. And he mentions, as is also mentioned in Romans that there are different kinds of gifts. None of the "gift" passages in scripture list the same number and group of gifts. I believe God intentionally left that topic open. I've seen a list of 21 gifts, where individuals have accumulated the gifts from the various passages on spiritual gifts. I'm not sure I've seen anyone add this gift, celibacy, to that list of 21 spiritual gifts. The important point, is that God gives spiritual gifts and they are not the same. And potentially, they may not even be in the list of all spiritual gifts mentioned. What we need to do is to search for the things that God has given us a special ability to do, and then use it for his glory. Who is to say that it is not a natural talent but rather a spiritual gift? And why is it that natural talents cannot also be spiritual gifts? Yes, they came before a person received the Holy Spirit, but God determines our gifts. And as a believer, everything we have is God-given. If God takes a natural talent and increases it by adding spiritual power, how can I say that he cannot do that. The important thing is that in all things, God gets the glory, not me.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the gifts you have given me. Thank you for the opportunities to exercise them. May they always be for your glory and not for mine. Everything I have is what you have given me.

QT 4 Oct 18, 1 Cor 6:19-20, We are actual temples of the living God

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

NOTE: I do know, but do I live it? Do we really consider that the Holy Spirit is residing in our body at all times? Do we meditate on what it means to be a temple? In our case, our temple is where God resides. In the OT, God's name resided in the temple. If I really believed that, it would affect my decisions. I would want the temple to be pure and holy at all times. I would want my life to reflect God's name in a good way to everyone I meet. And I certainly desire that, although I do fall short at times.

PRAYER: Father I want to glorify you with my body and my life. I want my life to reflect your name in a good way to those around me. Remind throughout the day today that I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. Everything I do, is done with you.

QT 1 Oct 18, 1 Cor 5:1-2, God's standard is holiness

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 (ESV) — 1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

NOTE: In today's age, this incident would be uncomfortable to some, but hardly the issue that Paul makes it out to be. But this world is not our standard of morality. God is our standard, and disobedience to his command is still sin, especially willful disobedience. We are required in cases of know willful disobedience to first warn a person, then bring another along (preferably an elder), and then it is brought to the whole church. The punishment is to be sent out from the church and the protection of the church. I've seen this done once. It was not a pretty situation. And it did mean a lot to the person in sin. He did not change his sin, but his tears and emotion were quite real.

PRAYER: Father, protect our body from sin. Expose sin where it is needed. Protect us from Satan's traps. We want to live holy lives before you.