QT 29 Nov 18, 1 Cor 16:5-6, Planning versus scheming

1 Corinthians 16:5–6 (ESV) — 5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.

NOTE: There is a principle here that has been repeated throughout the letter -- God has given us minds to use. We see it here. Paul makes plans. He is not completely sure of everything that will happens but he has a plan. He also allows God to intervene and change those plans (seen in other passages of scripture), but there is nothing wrong with planning. I think that planning becomes evil (or sin) when it turns to scheming. The words plan and scheme are not that much different. My point here is that when a scheme is secret, crafty, or devious, then it becomes wrong. We don't need to scheme to achieve our desires. We need to plan openly, and act openly and in integrity. And one last difference between godly planning and evil scheming is that we give our plans to God. We bathe them in prayer asking for his will, and we tell God that we are willing to change plans according to his will. There is no single path, in terms of details, that we must follow. God allows for a lot of variation. But there is a path, and there is a will of God. The path and his will is revealed in the scriptures for all. The variations are subject to our mind and the leading of the Spirit where applicable.

PRAYER: God lead me. Help me to plan and not to scheme. Help me to see when I am scheming. I confess the sin of scheming to you. I don't want to step beyond what I should do. Help me to see the difference.

QT 27 Nov 18, 1 Cor 15: 51-53 & 58, The whole world must know about the only name that saves, JESUS

1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (ESV) — 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) — Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

NOTE: I believe, though I could be wrong, that the last trumpet would have been understood as the "Great Tekiah" in the first century church. It is the long blast, the 100th blast, that occurs at the end of the blowing of the trumpets during the Jewish feast of trumpets. I believe it is also the rapture, because the dead are raised and the living are also changed. We will get new bodies, spiritual bodies, imperishable, and immortal. Therefore, Paul argues, your work is not in vain. History is moving to this point and our work brings that day closer. We are called to be a witness to the nations, and when the gospel has gone out into all the world, then that day will come. We are close. Satan would like to prevent this as well. The current politically correct teaching is that we should not introduce new religious ideas to indigenous cultures. That is the world view of the devil. The world must know of Jesus for his is the only name under heaven by which men can be saved.

PRAYER: Lord, hasten the day of your coming. May we be at work witnessing to your transforming love.

QT 26 Nov 18, 1 Cor 15:46-49, Our new bodies will bear the image of Jesus, not Adam

1 Corinthians 15:46–49 (ESV) — 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

NOTE: Paul argues that the natural precedes the spiritual. I don't know if he meant that as a principle or if he meant it as a truth in this case. If it is a principle, then all spiritual beings would first be natural. In this case he applies it directly to Adam, made of dust, and natural. The second man is Jesus, raised from the dead, and spiritual. We bear Adam's image now, sinners. We will bear Jesus' image soon, creature holiness. We won't struggle with issues of sin. We will not desire sin. We will desire what is good only. Why does the natural have to precede the spiritual? I don't know. But God has directed it in that order.

PRAYER: Thank you for the promise of a spiritual existence in a new body made possible because of Jesus' obedience and his death on the cross for me. Adam failed despite all the advantages he had. But we will have advantages in our spiritual body that Adam never knew. Lord, I don't understand it all, but I believe. I look forward to my new body and to the millennial kingdom.

QT 20 Nov 18, 1 Cor 15:14-20, The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important fact in history

1 Corinthians 15:14–20 (ESV) — 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

NOTE: Paul, an eyewitness to the resurrected Christ and a man who lived during the time of Jesus. A man who knew most of the other eyewitnesses, spells out the argument quite forcibly. Why, if the gospel was not true, would Paul be preaching the resurrected Jesus? Even a God-fearing man would be in danger of hell in so misleading people. An atheist certainly wouldn't waste his life, his time, and his body (to the beatings and deprivations) to preach something that he knew to be untrue. There is no gain. There might be gain today for televangelists to preach something they don't believe, but these first century eyewitnesses, especially the apostles, all faced painful deaths for their message. Why? Because it is a fact! Jesus has been risen from the dead, the firstfruits of many others.

PRAYER: Father, the historical accounts are such a strong argument. We don't need to defend it. But we can plant the seeds in others. There were over 500 eyewitnesses, many who gave their lives because of what they saw. Second generation martyrs are meaningless, but first generation, now that is hard to dismiss. Give us the boldness to respectfully share facts. It requires tremendous faith to ignore facts. Let us be the ones planting the facts.

QT 19 Nov 18, 1 Cor 15:1-8, The resurrection is a matter of historical fact

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (ESV) — 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

NOTE: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact attested to by many eyewitnesses, and was written down during the time that the eyewitnesses lived so that it could be refuted. This is one of the strongest arguments of our faith which Peter also emphasizes in his first letter, the eyewitnesses. Unlike Islam which has no eyewitnesses to its only miracle, the flight in the night from Medina to Jerusalem, Christianity is historically based, attested to, and consequently historical fact. Disbelief is a choice of faith for the evidence is strongly against any other view. The logical or scientific view is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The illogical and emotional view is that the events did not happen. Good luck with that on judgment day.

PRAYER: Father, give us boldness to share with others their weak position. That their unbelief is a belief of faith. The evidence against Christianity is not there. Rather we choose to not believe because we don't want to accept you as our Lord, period, dot.

QT 15 Nov 18, 1 Cor 14:33-35, Roles are very important to God

1 Corinthians 14:33 –35 (ESV) — 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

NOTE: The issue is not a women's ability but rather the role God has given to men. It appears that the church was self-taught. All the men could share a prophecy, a hymn, a word of encouragement. In the case of prophecy, others would evaluate what was said, probably the elders. I think the issue is fairly practical. If women were allowed to speak in the church, they might dominate the discussion to the point that the men withdrew from their God appointed role to lead. In order to emphasize that role, Paul and the other churches did not allow the women to teach or lead the worship experience. It was never an issue of ability but of roles. We may disagree with God on this point, but that would be pretty foolish since we are quite deficient from God in our intelligence or wisdom.

PRAYER: God you have created us with purpose. You have defined roles in the two major spiritual platforms, the home and the church. Beyond that you have given us great freedom. Women ran businesses and owned homes in the early church. Some of the meetings took place in their homes. But when it came to the spiritual role, it is a role given to men that we have failed at far too often. Forgive us and help us to see the importance of the role you have given to us.

QT 13 Nov 18, 1 Cor 14:20, Science is not opposed to Faith

1 Corinthians 14:20 (ESV) — Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

NOTE: Science is not at odds with the bible, faith, or Christians. Certain scientists who seek to prove an agenda may be, but not science itself. Science is the discovery of God's creation. When understood, it amplifies our faith and encourages our trust in God. Science uses the mind which God has given us to discover truth. Science is good. Faith is good. Our mind is good to use.

PRAYER: Lord, let us not shrink back from discussions of science. Nor should we shrink back from your word. Again and again, science has been proving the bible correct. Keep our minds focused on discovering truth.

QT 12 Nov 18, 1 Cor 14:19, Use your mind

1 Corinthians 14:19 (ESV) — 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

NOTE: Tongues is an inferior gift in comparison to using your mind. Our mind is our greatest gift and it is given to worship God too. We are certainly not missing out if we do not speak in tongues. But we are missing out if we are not using our mind and spending time in prayer. Both (mind and prayer) are extremely important and are mentioned throughout the New Testament. Whereas, I believe, tongues is barely mentioned at all, and almost entirely in this letter and that because it was being misused and misunderstood. Spirituality is not defined by spiritual gifts, but rather by the impact on the body in the use of your gifts and abilities. God cares for his body, not for our status in it.

PRAYER: God forgive me for my sin of pride. It is not how people perceive me that is important, but is the impact for good and love that I can have in the life of another. Help me to build up and not to tear down. Help me to love and support. Help me to be Jesus in the life of another.

QT 8 Nov 18, 1 Cor 14:13, Prophecy is also consoling the hurting

1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV) — 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

NOTE: So here is a definition of prophesy. I tend to think of prophesy as exposing sin or bad behavior in another's life. That does fit under upbuilding. But the prophet is also good at consoling. The person is empathetic and understands another's hurts. He does not just attack, but he wants to see growth. And when appropriate, he encourages people. He tells them good things when he sees good things.

PRAYER: We do all need the gift of prophecy, not just challenging people to live godly lives but consoling them when they are hurting. God give us a love for others. Help us to really care. Not about ourselves or how we are perceived, but to really care and love others.

QT 5 Nov 18, 1 Cor 13:3, Actions without love don't really add value

1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV) — If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

NOTE: It is not about what you do, but what is the reason for what you do. Love is certainly shown in action. But action can be motivated by reasons other than love. A person can serve to be seen. A person can give away great sums of money out of pride, not because they actually care. We need to love first. We need to be the person who is stricken in our soul out of compassion, empathy, and love for the other person. Actions are nice, but a person without love is like an unpainted wall -- no one is moved by it. Unloving people are not enjoyable. You do not like being with them. They are critical of everything. No one does anything right and they really don't care what you think of their expressing an opinion. They don't care who they hurt. The camouflage their criticism in appeals for excellence or other spiritual terms, but really they are critics who don't care about the people who are really the targets of the criticism.

PRAYER: Father, we all are guilty at one time or another of unloving criticism, and unloving actions. Forgive us. Open my own eyes to when I speak without thinking and caring for the person I am speaking to. I don't want to be seen that way. I want to be known as a person who cares, and who loves others.

QT 2 Nov 18, 1 Cor 12:29-31, Clearly, the gift of tongues is not universal

1 Corinthians 12:29–31 (ESV) — 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

NOTE: This is pretty clear, not everyone has all the gifts. Not everyone speaks in tongues. Not everyone can heal. In the verse that follows, it says to earnestly desire the higher gifts, which is not tongues, but apostles (missionary work), prophets (evangelists), and teachers. Those are the things we should desire, not tongues. Why do we desire the lesser gifts. Of course, all gifts are important, and we need to honor those with lesser gifts. But there is a distinction in terms of the gifts we should desire. They are all important, but some have a greater impact in the world.

PRAYER: Father, help me to exercise my gift more and more under the power of the Holy Spirit and less and less under my own power. I don't want to rest on my logic or my mind. I need the mind of Christ to share the truths of Christ. Speak through me. Teach me so I can teach others.

QT 1 Nov 18, 1 Cor 12:26, Living counter culture

1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) — If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

NOTE: One of the things I most appreciate about our Intentional Discipleship Groups (IDG), is that if one person cannot make it, then we don't meet. We are intentional. We are committed to each other. Fellowship and bible study are not optional activities. If we decide not to go, then no one gathers. I think this is great because this is the way the body of Christ is supposed to work. We are not individuals but we are members of one body. This goes against the culture and direction of society which is so unbiblical in its view of community. I love what we do. We are building biblical communities. We are changing from spoiled rich Americans, into loving sacrificial Christians.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for leading us in the direction we are heading. How I pray the effort will continue to grow. How I pray that we will see massive changes in the lives of the people involved. We want to be new creations exhibiting your glory for the whole world to see.