Voice of the Visionary

Testimony in Trials

2011-04-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

After Lazarus was raised from the dead, the people started to follow him, as many wanted to see the man who Jesus raised from the dead. Because of Lazarus' living testimony, many of the followers became believers of Christ. In John 12:10-11, the apostle recalls that "the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus." Lazarus was aware that others were plotting to kill him, and was not afraid because he had already overcome it, and lived his testimony so that others followed Christ; he was able to evangelize to others without saying a word, just by living his life.

Nothing to Lose

2011-03-31T04:35:00.000-07:00

In John 12:10, the apostle recalls that "the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also," when they saw that the crowd came to see Jesus and Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. Lazarus had nothing to lose; he was not afraid of the chief priests' plan to kill him because he had already seen death. When the enemy threatens us with all of the frightening things that he could do to us, and life threatens to take us to our lowest point, we must remember the great and might works that God has already done for us, and refer back to the unchanging faithfulness of God.

A Living Testimony

2011-03-30T04:24:00.000-07:00

In John 12:9, the apostle recalls that "the large crowd of the Jews then learned that Lazarus was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead." Throughout the New Testament, the apostles recall the crowds who followed Jesus; some were seeking miracles and some were just curious, but they followed Jesus nearly every where He went. In John 12, however, the crowds were there to see Lazarus as well. Lazarus, though he said nothing at the table, was a living testimony of the miracles that Jesus was able to perform. When we live and tell our testimony of the great things that God has done for us, we become a living testimony of God' great love, mercy, and unending power.

Seated at the Master's Table

2011-03-29T03:52:00.000-07:00

In John 12:1, the apostle recalls Jesus at Mary and Martha's home in Bethany. He writes "they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him." In Chapter 11, he recalls that Lazarus was sick, but Jesus declared that his sickness was "not unto death." Even though he died, Jesus raised him from the dead; now he is reclining at his table with Jesus. Regardless of what we go through, nothing, not even death, is able to remove us from our destiny, our seat at the Master's table, even if we have to go through a few detours, we will arrive at our promised destination.

A Miracle on the Way to the Sacrifice

2011-03-28T03:32:00.000-07:00

In John 12:1, the apostle recalls that "Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead." In John 11:55, John recalls that many of the Jews went up to Jerusalem, out of the country, to purify themselves before the Passover; Jesus was also on his way to Jerusalem, but not just to celebrate the Passover, but to sacrifice himself as the ultimate Passover lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world.

Worth More than the Birds

2011-03-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

While the Spring rains are falling and pools of rain are gathering in so many places, every creature has plenty of water to drink. In Matthew 6:26-27, Jesus encouraged the disciples "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"Worrying never adds anything to our lives; if anything, it will detract time and peace from our lives. The birds and animals around us never worry; neither should we!

Don't Worry; God has you Covered

2011-03-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

In each of our lives, we will have times that our faith is challenged. In Matthew 6: 25, Jesus encouraged the disciples not to worry. He said“do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" The current economy tells us that we should be concerned about our financial security; as believers, we should not worry about our provision.

Water Walker

2011-03-03T04:31:00.001-08:00

In Matthew 14:28-30, the Apostle recalls Peter's walk on the water. The storm was already rocking the boat in the midst of the storm when Jesus shows up on the water, yet Peter is not focused on the waves; he is focused on his Lord. Peter said “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.' Jesus said 'Come,' then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Although Peter was the one who requested the Lord to call him out on the water, in faith, Jesus' response was for everyone. As believers, we have the ability to do all things through faith, even "walking on water," or those things that seem impossible. As Peter, all we need is to step out on faith.

Take Courage; Christ is on the Way

2011-03-02T03:57:00.000-08:00

In Matthew 14: 25-27, the Apostle recalls Jesus walking out on the water in the midst of the storm. The Bible says "shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Many of the disciples were fishermen by trade; the legend of the lake was that ghosts of the fishermen killed in previous storms would haunt the lake in dangerous storms; Jesus declares his power in the midst of the storm as He walks out on the water. When the storm seems to be at its height, take courage; Christ is on the way!

Not Alone in the Storm

2011-03-01T09:34:00.000-08:00

In Mattthew 14: 23-24, the Apostle recalls that "after he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it." Jesus forced the disciples to get into the boat to travel to the other side of the sea, which was known for terrible, sudden storms. The disciples were separated from Christ, but they weren't alone. Even while Jesus was alone on the mountain, he was still with his beloved disciples in both prayer and spirit.

Obedience in Confusion

2011-02-28T04:59:00.000-08:00

In Matthew 14:22, the Apostle recalls a test of the disciples' faith. In verse 9, they received word that John the Baptist has been beheaded; verses 19-20, Jesus fed 5,000 men with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. They didn't understand how either of these events happend, confused and reluctant, Jesus had to physically make them get into the boat to travel to the other side in verse 22. There will be times in our Christian walk where we will not want to carry out the tasks that God has commanded us to do; He may need to push us, just as He did for the disciples. Just as the disciples, we may be afraid and confused, but must be obedient and rest assured that if God sent us to a destination, He will ensure that we arrive.

Thristy

2011-02-24T01:38:00.000-08:00

In John 4:13-15, Jesus answered the woman, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” She says to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” Drawing water from the well was not an easy task, but it was necessary as there was no running water in the home. At last, the woman has hope that Christ is able to help her, as Jesus relates her natural need for water to her spiritual need for his presence.

Identity Crisis

2011-02-23T01:25:00.000-08:00

In John 4:11-12, the Samaritan woman questions Jesus' identity and his authority. She asks “Sir, you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” She was having a bit of an identity crisis; struggling with her own identity as well as with the identity of Christ. The woman did not consider that Jesus was the onl one able to give her the living water that she desperately needed; she only saw Jesus as a traveller at the well at the hottest hour of the day, thirsty without a ladle to draw water out of the deep well.

Just Ask

2011-02-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

In John 4: 10, Jesus replied to the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman had no idea the man she was speaking with, in a risky conversation, was no ordinary traveller. It's true that Jesus was tired and thirsty, but his thirst for her soul was much greater than his physical thirst. Even today, Christ is yet thirsting for our souls, drawing us into a closer relationship with him. We only need to ask for His presence, and He will ensure that we have all that we need.

Breaking Protocol

2011-02-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

In John 4: 7-9, the Bible recalls a risky discussion between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. When the Samaritan woman was at the well at noon to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” For Jews do not associate with Samaritans." It was risky for her to have the discussion with Jesus; she was a woman having a conversation with a man in public who was not her husband, and the Samaritans and Jews were bitter enemies. Despite all of the risks, Jesus was more concerned about the woman than follow social protocol. At times, we must make the same decision to meet a need in spite of the risks.

Flow of Living Waters

2011-02-17T05:54:00.000-08:00

In Ezekiel 47:9, the prophet recalls his vision where God touched the waters and changed them from salty to fresh waters. He recalls that "swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live." In the prophet's vision, he saw where God changed the salty waters of the Dead Sea to fresh waters, lined with lush trees and swarms of living creatures. We must submerse ourselves into the flow of the Holy Spirit, as only He can change a dead situation into great flow of living waters.

Salty to Fresh Waters

2011-02-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

In Ezekiel 47: 7-8, the prophet recalls Ezekiel's vision. The Lord's messenger led the prophet from the entrance of the temple to the bank of the river, where he saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. The Lord's messenger said“This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh." The Dead Sea is called such because the waters are so dense with salt that almost nothing grows there. Just as God was able to touch the waters and change them from salty to fresh waters, He alone is able to touch the dead places of our hearts, souls, and spirits, and make them fresh and fertile.

A River Flowing

2011-02-15T06:27:00.001-08:00

In Ezekiel 47:4-5, the prophet recalls a vision where the Lord sent his messenger to the temple. The messenger measures the waters as they continue to rise throughout the temple: from a trickle to ankle-deep; from his ankle to waist-deep. In verse 5, the water had risen to a river that he could not cross, "because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross." True worship is a result of a sincere immersion of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit fills up the temple, of our hearts as well as our churches, the flow of the spirit will be undeniable and unstoppable.

Flowing in the Spirit

2011-02-14T06:09:00.000-08:00

In the Old Testament, God manifests himself in great and mighty ways; sometimes, he shows up in the water. In Ezekiel 47:1-2, the prophet recalls his vision from the Lord, who sent him a messager to show him the vision. At the entrance of the temple, Ezekiel saw that the water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. In verse 2, his guide led him "through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side." Just as the waters began to fill the temple, slowly and steadily, so does the Holy Spirit fill the temples of our hearts.

Defense of Sincere Worship

2011-02-11T04:04:00.000-08:00

In Mark 14:6-9, Jesus defended the woman who anointed him with the fragrant ointment. He says "Let her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me." In verse 9, He says "she has done what she could; she came beforehand to anoint My body for the burial. And surely I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the entire world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." The woman's intent was not to gain everlasting fame, nor was it to gain the attention of the men in the room...she poured out all she had simply as an act of worship. When we worship Christ with a sincere heart, we do not need to worry about what others think or the consequences of our worship.

A Sweet, Smelling Savor

2011-02-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

In Mark 14:4-5, after the woman poured all that she had to anoint Jesus with the expensive perfume, some of the men became bitterly angry. The Apostle recalls that there were some who were moved with indignation and said to themselves, "to what purpose was the perfumed ointment wasted? For it was possible to have sold this perfume for more than a year's worth of wages, and to have given to the poor. And they censured and reproved her." The others in the room were not angry because she had wasted the perfume; they were angry her worship was undeniable, as the fragrance of her worship filled the room.

Surrending All

2011-02-09T04:04:00.000-08:00

In Mark 14:3, the Apostle recalls "while Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head." The woman took a great risk by entering the room, as it was socially unnacceptable for her to be in the room; her desire to annoint Jesus greater than her risk. She was determined to pour out all that she had, in complete surrender, as an act of sincere worship to Christ.

Private Deceit to Public Service

2011-02-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

In Mark 14:1-2, the Apostle recalls the secret plot to persecute Christ. The Bible says "it was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were all the while seeking to arrest Jesus by secrecy and deceit and put Him to death, for they kept saying, It must not be during the Feast, for fear that there might be a riot of the people." The chief priests should have been the greatest supporters of Christ's ministry; instead, they were threatened and frightened to the point that they plotted to destroy him. Even today, those who are doing the work of the ministry are threats to those who claim to do so. Instead of plotting in secrecy, we must work together, serving openly, to meet the needs of the people.

God's Unchanging Hand

2011-01-31T07:39:00.000-08:00

People tend to be fickle. One day, they love you to pieces; the next day, they don't even know you. Thankfully, God never changes. In Malachi 3:6, the prophet declares "For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." Considering how we change from week to week and year to year, even concerning our faith and faithfulness, that's a good reason to praise God for His consistent, unchanging love.

Two Kings, Two Choices

2011-01-28T03:29:00.000-08:00

In Genesis14: 23, the Bible recalls Abram's choice after gaining great wealth from defeating the four kings. He had two kings before him: Melchizedek the high priest, and the king of Sodom. The king of Sodom encouraged him to offer up the people to him, and keep the goods for himself; Abram chose to give his offering to Melchizedek as an act of worship to God. Regarding the king of Sodom, Genesis 14:23, Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and Earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich." Just as Abram, we meet the same two kings when we receive financial blessings, and must decide whether to tithe, as an act of worship, or give it away to the world and keep the rest for ourselves.

Worship in Giving

2011-01-27T04:42:00.000-08:00

After Abram and his men defeated the four kings who captured his nephew Lot, he gained more than his nephew and his goods; he also gained all of the goods from the four kings. In Genesis 14:18-20, the Bible recalls that Melchizedek, king of Salem and high priest, brought out bread and wine when he met Abram. He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all." Abram acknowledged that his victory was a blessing from God; instead of taking all of the spoils of his victory and keeping them for himself, he sought out the high priest to give an offering, just a tenth or tithe of all his spoils, as an act of worship to give thanks for what the Lord has done.

Recovering All

2011-01-26T04:01:00.000-08:00

In Genesis 14:15-16, the Bible recalls the heroic rescue of Lot, his nephew. After they separated, Lot was kidnapped with all of his possessions. The Bible says that Abraham "divided his forces against the four kings by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people." Abram's rescue did not make sense: he was outnumbered, his army comprised of common men who lived in his household, and Abram was not a young man. His sheer determination to possess what God has promised him, in Genesis 13, was all that he needed to recover all that belonged to him.

Abundantly Blessed

2011-01-25T05:17:00.000-08:00

In Genesis 14:14-16, the Bible declares that after Abram and Lot had separated, the Lord said to Abram "Look around to the north, south, east, and west. I will give you and your family all the land you can see. It will be theirs forever! I will give you more descendants than there are specks of dust on the earth, and someday it will be easier to count the specks of dust than to count your descendants. " Abram was already wealthy; now God has promised to bless him abundantly, greater than he could imagine, not only for him, but for his decedents for generations to come.

Parting as Friends

2011-01-24T03:18:00.000-08:00

The Lord led Abram and his household out of Egypt, but he took his nephew Lot with him on the journey. Eventually, the land where they settled became overcrowded, and Abram decided that was time for the two to separate cordially. In Genesis 13:8-9, Abram says to Lot" Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” At times, on our own journey, we must separate from those that we love dearly. As Abram, we must be led by the spirit to separate ourselves cordially and part as friends.

Handle with Care

2011-01-20T05:43:00.000-08:00

In Genesis 4:6-7, the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." The Lord gave Cain a chance to change his mind about what he was plotting to do. Both Cain and Abel were exposed to the same teaching from their parents, and had the same opportunity to give an offering to the Lord, yet Cain became angry as the Lord favored his brother's offering over his. The Lord warned Cain to handle his anger, growing into sin, with great care before his anger overcame him.

Favor and Haters

2011-01-19T03:29:00.000-08:00

In Genesis 4:4-5, the Bible says "the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but, for Cain and for his offering He had no regard So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell." The Bible does not say why God regarded Abel's sacrifice over Cain's sacrifice; it only says that He did, and it made Cain very angry, as we will see, to point of violence. When God shows favor to our brothers, sisters, and neighbors, it is a reason to rejoice, not to become angry, because our anger takes the focus off of our primary objective for our offering: honoring God.

Equal Sacrifice

2011-01-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

In Genesis 4:2-4, the Bible says that "Abel became a sheep farmer, but Cain farmed the land. One day, Cain gave part of his harvest to the Lord, and Abel also gave an offering to the Lord." Both sons of Adam and Eve were given a job; they were both stewards: one over the land, the other over the animals. Their parents taught them the principle of giving an offering to the Lord. They were both willing to give it, however, the substance of their offerings were different. As we give our offerings to the Lord, He does not consider a larger offering as greater than a smaller; He considers our sacrifice as equal when we give willingly and cheerfully.

We Are One

2011-01-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

In John 17:20-21, Jesus prays for unity among believers; His prayer was not just for the disciples, but for every believer "who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me." In verse 21, His prayer is for "all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me." When we are all in agreement in the basic principles of Christianity; the virgin birth, sinless life, death and resurrection of Christ, we are able to work together as one in the body of Christ to glorify God and draw others to faith through the strength in our unity.

Blessed to be a Blessing

2011-01-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

It is God's desire to bless His people, as we are His people, those that He has chosen to carry out His work in the earth. Without finances, it is impossible to carry out the mission of Christ, as He declared in Matthew 25:35-36. He says "when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me." As we continue to carry out the work of the ministry, God continues to provide all that we need, as well more than enough to bless others.

Love of Money

2011-01-13T04:14:00.000-08:00

There is a common misconception that Christians should be poor; nothing could be further from the truth. In 1 Timothy 6:10, the Apostle declares "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." God desires His people to prosper, as the ministry must have money to meet the needs of the people; not for their own gain, but to bless His people and build up His kingdom.

Reversing the Curse

2011-01-12T03:43:00.000-08:00

After the fall of Adam, God cursed the ground, but did not curse his people, as He proclaimed in Genesis 3:17," “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life."In Malachi 3: 10, God declares through the prophet, to "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."As God is the only one who would curse the ground, He gave us opportunity to reverse the curse on the ground through our giving.

God Will Take Care of You

2011-01-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

In Philippians 4:19, Paul declares "my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Paul writes this promise to the Philippian church, but this promise that Paul declares did not apply to all churches or believers. In verses 14-18, Paul remarks on the support that the church has given him during his time of great trouble. Just as the church has taken care of Paul, he promises that God will take care of the needs of the church, as well as the members of that church, as God will honors their covenant, with one another and with their God.

Prayer for a Friend

2011-01-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

As believers, we should pray for our family, friends, and loved ones. In 3 John 2, Paul writes "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." The Apostle noticed that his friend Gaius experienced a similar problem that many modern-day Christians experience; prospering spiritually, but his finances are lacking. As Paul writes to his friend, he also writes to us today. Our prayers for friends, and for ourselves, should be to be made whole, surrendering our bodies, minds, and souls to our beloved Savior.

Forward Thinking

2011-01-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

As we end the first week of a new year, it's common to reflect on the trials and triumphs of the last year, but now is the time to set our thoughts on the promises of God instead of the mistakes of our past. In Philippians 3:15-16, Paul declares "all of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you. But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed." Even if we fall back to the things of our past, we are able to continue to move forward, starting with our thoughts in forward thinking.

Eyes on the Prize

2011-01-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

With the expectation to multi-task effectively, we are busier now than we have been in the past. In Philippians 3:4, Paul declares "I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done." With all of our responsibilities and expectations, it easy to get distracted from our ultimate prize: heaven. As Paul, we must keep our focus on obtaining the prize and promise of heaven through the sacrifice of Christ.

Keep Pressing

2011-01-05T03:27:00.000-08:00

In a race, all of the runners run forward; they may not run at the same speed, but they all move in the same direction, as moving forward is the most direct and effective way to arrive at any destination. In 1 Corinthians 3: 14, Paul declares "I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." As we continue on our goal for a closer relationship with Christ, we must press forward without looking back, because we have a much higher calling ahead of us.

Moving Forward

2011-01-04T04:01:00.000-08:00

One of the most common traps of the enemy is to use our past against us. In 1 Corinthians 3:13, Paul says "Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before." Paul went from being a zealous murderer of believers to an enthusiastic minister serving Christ for the rest of his life. As Paul purposely forgets the sins of his past and moves forward through his life in Christ, we have the same hope to move forward in Christ in total freedom.

Keep Striving

2011-01-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

Although Apostle Paul was brilliant, he was one of the most humble apostles, as he never forgot the terrible state he was in when he met Christ. In Philippians 3:12, Paul says "I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize." Paul compares himself to a runner in a great marathon, acknowledging that even he is far from perfect, but he continues to strive for the prize, a greater relationship with his Savior. As we begin 2011, we continue to strive through our own struggles, we too should continue to strive the prize of a greater, deeper relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, in spite of our shortcomings.

A Good Start to a New Year

2010-12-30T05:32:00.000-08:00

As we close the last days of 2010, now is a good time to plan our exit from 2010 to 2011. In Psalm 100:4, the psalmist declares that we should "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him, bless His name." As we make the transition to the upcoming year, let's enter the new year with thanksgiving and praise. Give thanks to God for the things that He has already brought us through, and praise for His blessings in store for us in 2011.

Our Original Manufacturer

2010-12-29T05:10:00.000-08:00

When a new vehicle needs replacement parts, we can only obtain those parts from the dealer, who orders those parts directly from the manufacturer. In Psalm 100:3, the psalmist declares for us to "Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." When we fall away from the perfect design that God has ordained for our lives, we can always return to God, our original manufacturer, to obtain the grace and mercy that we need to restore us into fellowship with God.

Joy in Serving God

2010-12-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

In Psalm 100:2, the psalmist urges us to "serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing." When we enter the sanctuary, or anywhere that we can experience the presence of God, we should do so joyfully. Our service to the kingdom is not a job or a chore; it's a privilege. Our service, time in worship, and communion with God can be a source of unspeakable joy when surrender our will to the will of God.

A Reason to Shout

2010-12-27T07:12:00.000-08:00

In Psalm 100:1, the psalmist declares "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth." When we consider all that has happened this year, both the good and the bad, the fact that we are still here, alive and well, and still able to shout is a great reason to shout for joy!

Baptized in Spirit

2010-12-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

The baptism ceremony is time of great celebration, as it is a believer's public declaration that they have accepted Christ as their Savior. In Mark 1:8, John the Baptist declared "I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” The water baptism alone is neither a requirement nor a guarantee for salvation; it's the conviction that a believer has before they meet the water that makes all the difference. Without the inward conviction of accepting Christ, the baptism is simply a public bath.

Unworthy but Grateful

2010-12-22T03:59:00.000-08:00

In Mark 1: 7, the apostle recalls the message of John the Baptist; he declared "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie." John the Baptist lived a righteous life; he dedicated his life to preaching the gospel, urging men to repent of their sins, and baptizing believers. Even with his righteous life, he realized that he was not worthy to be compared with our Savior. In all of our best intentions and good deeds, we too must realize that we are unworthy of God's grace and mercy. Thankfully, Christ has already paved the way for us to receive God's greatest gift; salvation through his Son.

Simply Redeemed

2010-12-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

In Mark 1: 4-5, the apostle recalls that "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." The fall man caused a break in fellowship between man and God; the preaching of John cleared a pathway to restore that fellowship, but the birth of Christ built the bridge to restore man into that fellowship. Regardless of how good we have tried to be, we must be redeemed to our fellowship with God; as believers, we must recognize that they only way to be redeemed is to accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Preparing the Way

2010-12-20T05:28:00.000-08:00

In Mark 1-3, the apostle begins his story describing the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. He refers to the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet;" I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way,' “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” Although John the Baptist was not the Messiah, he played a critical role in preparing the hearts of the people to receive the Christ as Savior of the world.

Higher Thoughts

2010-12-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

In Isaiah 55:9, the Lord declares through the prophet, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." The Lord makes His illustration plainly; just as we can only view the heavens from the Earth, we can only imagine the thoughts of God though our carnal minds. Thankfully, we have His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide our minds and hearts to the will of God.

God's Thoughts and Ours

2010-12-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

In Isaiah 55:8, the prophet writes “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. We should be glad that the Lord's thoughts are not like my own, as our thoughts are often unrighteous; and rejoice that the Lord's ways are not like our ways, as oftentimes, our actions do not line up with the Word of God. Thankfully, in spite of our thoughts and ways, God continues to love us and show us abundant grace and mercy every day.

God's Perfect Will

2010-12-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

In Luke 1: 38, the apostle recalls Mary's response to the angel's prophecy. She answered him, declaring “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary was called to be the mother of Christ long before she was born; her acceptance of the angel's prophecy, however, is the very thing that pushed her into her destiny. Having a prophecy spoken over our lives is only the beginning; to push us into our destiny, God still requires us to accept His perfect will for our lives, which will impact us and many generations to come.

Blessed by Association

2010-12-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

In Luke 1:35-36, the angel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary that "the Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.”

Although the prophecy was proclaimed to Mary, the prophecy affected more than just her immediate family; her relatives were also abundantly blessed just because they were close to her. Consider that the prophecy and purpose that God has ordained for each of our lives affects more than just our households. Just as Mary, those around will be abundantly blessed because of your acceptance of your relationship with God and acceptance of His will in your life.

Prophecy of Generations

2010-12-08T04:02:00.001-08:00

When God has sent his messenger with a prophecy, it of applies beyond the one He has sent the propehcy. The prophecy is not just for the recipient, but for the generations to come. In Luke 1:31-33, the angel Gabriel proclaims to Mary that " you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” The prophecy of Christ affected more than Mary and Joseph, but continues to bless God's people even in this generation.

No Fear of God's Favor

2010-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

In Luke 1:29-30, the apostle recalls that Mary was greatly troubled at the angel Gabriel's words, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God." Mary did not understand why she was called, but accepted the calling and greeting from the angel as God's messenger. When God calls us for our purpose, the purpose He has called us for may seem overwhelming. As God calls us, just as He called Mary, He gives us great favor to fulfill that calling of our purpose.

Called to Greatness

2010-12-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

In Luke 1:26-28, the Bible tells of the calling of Mary as the mother of Christ. The apostle recalls that "the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth,to a girl never having been married and a virgin engaged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Hail, O favored one endued with grace! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!" There was nothing special about Mary, according to those around her, but she accepted the angel's call, and was willing to be used for the greatest birth in history; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Be the Judge

2010-11-23T02:45:00.000-08:00

True believers have the responsibility of treating one another civilly, especially in the sight of the world. In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Paul writes "do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? " Paul urges the Corinthians to find a competent person among the congregation to judge disputes among the members, as the body of Christ sets the standard for conduct based on the word of God.

In-House Resolution

2010-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

Oftentimes, when members of an independent entity have a dispute or an issue with another member of the community, they resolve that dispute within their own community through their own justice system. In 1 Corinthians 6:1, Paul asks "does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints?" As Paul asks, how can a judge who has no first-hand experience with the life of the saints judge a dispute among them? I ask the same question; how can someone outside of the body of Christ judge a dispute between members?

It's a Shame

2010-11-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

The world has much higher expectations of those who are members of the body of Christ. Those higher expectations have been in effects for believers since the establishment of the early church. In 1 Corinthians 5:1, Paul writes "1 Corinthians 5 "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife." Even in the world, this kind of behavior would be suspect; in the church, however, it is a public shame, not only on himself, but the entire church. Consider today that your actions affect more than just yourself, as we represent more than ourselves; we represent Christ for the world.

Leaders in Christ

2010-11-02T01:04:00.000-07:00

It is easy to mistake the greatness of people, especially our leaders, as their own power and greatness instead of the great power of God working through them. In 1 Corinthians 3:21, Paul writes there should be"no more boasting about human leaders!" Leaders in Christ will not accept the praise of the people, but will humbly deflect your praise to give praise and glory to God. They realize that they are nothing on their own, as Christ instructed His disciples in John 15:15, apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Wisdom in the Word

2010-11-01T01:57:00.000-07:00

It is easy to believe that wisdom comes as a result of one's age, experience, or education, which are all indications of one being wise in the world. The Bible, however, advocates for us to be wise in the Word. In 1 Corinthians 3:19-20, Paul writes "for the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." The world may call us wise because we have reached a certain age, level of experience, or level of education; but to be wise in God's eyes, we must be wise in the Word.

Yielding into Submisison

2010-10-29T03:25:00.000-07:00

In the last days of Joshua's life, he poured out his life before the people to urge them to serve the Lord, as they had been serving foreign gods. In Joshua 24:18, the prophet recalled "the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God." The people realized the great things that God had already done, and yielded themselves into serving the Lord as they recognized what He had already done for them.

God has Done Great Things

2010-10-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

We only need to reflect on what God has already done for us if we ever doubt His powerful love for us. In Joshua 24:17, the people reflect that "it was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled." Even though the people engaged in sin, they still remembered the great things that the Lord had already done for them. Even when we stray off of the path that God has set for us, we cannot forget or deny the great things that He has already done for us.

Responding to the Word

2010-10-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Most self-help books and programs start with an admission that there is a problem; the rationale is that you cannot address a problem until you admit that there is a problem; the same is true with sin. In Joshua 24: 16, "the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!" Joshua received a word from the Lord to warn the people to put away their false gods and serve the Lord; instead of repentance, their response was of denial. When the Word comes forth with a warning, we should acknowledge our sin, repent immediately, and turn away from it for good.

Choosing to Serve the Lord

2010-10-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Our God is truly almighty and all-powerful; yet even in his infinite power, He loves us enough to give us the choice to serve Him. In Joshua 24:15, the prophet declares to the people "if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua declared to the people his choice to serve the Lord, not only for himself, but for his entire household. As people of God, we have the choice to serve the Lord, but we must remember that our choice affects more than just ourselves but may impact our entire household, in this generation and the generations to come.

Sin's Expiration

2010-10-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

Every perishable product has a visible expiration date printed in a prominent place on the package, so the consumer will know when it has outlived its time of usefulness. When that date passes, it usually is a good idea to throw it out, as consuming it may be harmful to the consumer. In Joshua 24: 14 , the prophet declares to the people"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." God has delivered us from our old sinful ways, just as he delivered the Israelites from their old ways of serving other gods. As Joshua urged the people to throw away the gods of their forefathers, God is now encouraging us to throw away the sinful nature of our past.

Don't be fooled

2010-10-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

In today's society, a person's knowledge is assumed by the level of education they have obtained through their diplomas, degrees, and certifications. In 1 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise." Regardless of your level of education, we all are able to be counted wise when we become a "fool" for Christ.

Do Not Destroy!

2010-10-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Most believers are aware the the church is God's house; it is holy ground and should be set apart for God's use. In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul writes "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." It is not enough for us to take care of the physical house of God; we must also take care of and protect our own bodies, as they are the temples of God. Just was we would never destroy the house of God, we must protect our bodies from destruction as well, as they are sacred temples for God's spirit to dwell.

God's Temples

2010-10-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Many people believe that their bodies are their own, and they are able to do whatever they want with them. As believers in Christ, our view of our bodies differ from the world's perspective. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul writes "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" The Spirit of God lives in us, as our bodies house that Spirit. Considering that we are not our own, we must be mindful of what we put into our bodies and the things that we do with our bodies, as they are truly the temples of God.

Working on Purpose

2010-10-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

Each person who works in ministry should be working towards one purpose: building up the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 3:8-9, Paul writes "The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." As God's co-laborers, our primary purpose for ministry, using our gifts in the capacity that God allows us to work, is to build up His kingdom. We will surely be rewarded according to our own labor as we have worked to accomplish this goal.

Plant the Seed

2010-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

When God has given the man or woman of God a word for His people, He may have others to plant, water, and nurture the seed of the word that He has already ordained for His people. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul writes "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." Even though Paul had a great love for the people, he realized that he had a specific purpose in his ministry, to plant the seed of the word, as God is the one who provides the increase.

Are You Ready?

2010-10-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

When the man or woman of God preaches the Word, he or she must craft the message, as led by the Spirit, to an audience with a broad range of maturity. In 1 Corinthians 3:2-3, Paul writes "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" Paul wanted to teach the word as God had given him, but as most pastors today, he realized that they were simply not ready for the word. Consider the new level of liberty, joy, peace, and so many other benefits of the word that you may be missing out on simply because you are not ready.

Babies in Christ

2010-10-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

Children are rarely exposed to the whole truth because they are unable to handle the brutal details of many situations. In 1 Corinthians 3:1, Paul writes "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ." Paul had a desire to address the church as mature Christians, but was not able to do so because they were still babies in Christ; mature in their age and stature, but immature in their faith. As we begin this week, consider areas in which God is urging us to grow up.

Great Things

2010-10-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

At times, walking in the calling that God has ordained for us can be quite challenging. It can be uncomfortable at times, but well worth the trouble. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-11, Paul writes "No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed it to us by His spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." God has great things in store for those who are obedient to his will. When this life becomes uncomfortable, it will not become unbearable, as God has already given us the wisdom to get through every situation.

If Only You Knew

2010-10-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Wisdom, for many people, is the ability to analyze a situation and make the best decision based on their knowledge and experience. In 1 Corinthians 2:8, Paul writes "None of the rulers of this world perceived and recognized God's wisdom, for if they had, they would have never crucified the Lord of Glory." The birth, life, and death of Christ were all ordained before the foundation of the world, as God knew that man would need a Savior. The rulers of the world at the time of Christ thought they acted wisely by crucifying Christ, when the opposite was true. Contrary to the wisdom of the world, God's wisdom does not depend on knowledge or experience; it depends on faith.

Secret Wisdom

2010-10-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

So many aspects of our world advocate and demands us to seek after more knowledge and information. The more information that someone is able to obtain, the wiser they are often considered by those around them. In 1 Corinthians 2:7, Paul writes "We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." God has already provided a secret wisdom for those who follow him. God's wisdom may appear to be foolishness to those who are wise in the world, but God's secret wisdom that has been hidden from the world, gives us strength and builds up our faith.

God's Wisdom

2010-10-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wisdom is considered of great value, but oftentimes, God does things that simply don't make sense to those who are considered wise in this world. In 1 Corinthians 2:6, Paul writes "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing." Those who are wise in the ways of this world may not understand the reasoning of the Christian faith. They may call our faith foolishness, but God continues to speak His word of wisdom into the lives of His people, which makes being called foolish well worth it.

Forgiveness as a Command

2010-09-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

It is difficult to forgive the hurt others have caused us, especially when our brothers and sisters in Christ have caused that hurt. It may be difficult, but God forgiveness is not an option, it is a command. In 2 Corinthians 2:8-9, Paul writes "I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything." Paul encourages us to demonstrate and renew our love our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Even when they have caused an offense, must love and forgive them, not just for their sakes, but out of obedience to the will of God.

Redeemed and Restored

2010-09-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

When a fellow brother or sister in Christ has caused an offense in the church, the scandal alone is often sufficient to discipline them. In 2 Corinthians 2:6, Paul writes "The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him." Once the brother or sister has been forgiven and disciplined for their offense, they have been redeemed and must be restored into fellowship.

Bodily Harm

2010-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

As the body of Christ, just as with the human body, we cannot experience pain in one part of the body without impacting the rest of the body. In 2 Corinthians 2: 5, Paul writes "if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree--in order not to say too much--to all of you."When an entity causes harm to a member or members of the body of Christ, our collective body is impacted and damaged to some degree, as we all make up the body of Christ.

Working while Wounded

2010-09-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

The church is often considered a hospital, as so many people within the body are sick and wounded in their bodies, minds, and souls. In 2 Corinthians 2:4, Paul writes "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you." Even though Paul had suffered immense sorrow and injury from within the body of Christ, he continued to be faithful to carry out the purpose that God called him to complete.

Bragging Rights

2010-09-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

When someone or a team wins an intense competition, they earn the right to brag about their victory until the next competition. When someone does something great, it's only natural to brag about them to others around you. In 1 Corinthians 1:31, Paul writes "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."God has done remarkable things in the lives of His people, the most amazing is the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. Instead of bragging on ourselves and the things that we have done, try bragging on how great our God is, and watch God move in your life.

More than wise in Christ

2010-09-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

God could have used anyone that He wanted to do the work of the ministry and carry out His word. He had, at His disposal, a host of angels, great rulers, educated priests, and men of great wealth, but He chose those of lower status to deliver the good news of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul writes "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." We may not be wise according to the standards of the world, but we are able to stand up and be accounted as more than wise; we are righteous, holy, and redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ.

Glory to God

2010-09-22T03:22:00.000-07:00

The true testament of a believer does not begin with the story of their overcoming a test; it begins with the solid foundation of the word and faith that they had in Christ before they went through the test. In 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, Paul wrote that God "chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." As we consider our testimonies, consider where God has brought us from and is taking us to, consider that we can do nothing without God, and He alone is worthy of the glory.

Fool for Christ

2010-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

In most cultures, calling someone a "fool" is hurtful insult, as the word implies that someone is unwise. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Considering that Christ is the King of Kings, it would make sense for Him to arrive in grand style; instead, He was born in a lowly manger, and chose fishermen for His disciples instead of the Bible scholars of His time. Today, God is still choosing things and people that the world calls "foolish," as He sees us as willing vessels as He empowers us to build up the Kingdom of God.

Underdogs

2010-09-20T03:22:00.000-07:00

An "underdog" is considered as a team or someone who is not expected to win or succeed. God often calls the underdogs, those of low degree, to do the work of the ministry. In 1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul writes "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth." Many of those who God is calling to do the work of the ministry may not be the ones who people would choose. Thankfully, God does not call us underdogs; He calls us His masterpiece.

Power of One

2010-09-17T03:54:00.000-07:00

As a church community, as well as the larger body of Christ, there is great power when we work together in unity. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." When we work together as one, with a common goal of building up the kingdom of God, there is little that we cannot accomplish when we make Christ our focus and work together despite our differences.

Mission-Focused Ministry

2010-09-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

Paul is often considered one of the greatest, most prolific authors of the new testament. Rightfully so, since he wrote more than half of the new testament. In 1 Corinthians 1: 17, Paul writes "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." In all that Paul accomplished during his ministry, however, he maintained his focus on his God-given mission: to preach the gospel. We all have our own desires and goals that we wish to accomplish, but just as Paul, we must not lose sight of the mission that God has called us to complete.

Back to the Basics

2010-09-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Having disagreements within the church is only natural, as any body of people will not agree on all issues at all times. In 1 Corinthians 1:12-15, Paul writes "One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." He responds in verse 13-14, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name." As Paul mentioned, the church at Corinth was sharply divided, even to the point of leadership. As Paul stated, Christ is not divided; regardless of our personal beliefs and disagreements, our central focus must remain on Christ: his virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, and powerful resurrection.

Going Public

2010-09-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

In 1 Corinthians 1:11, Paul writes "My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you." Many family members are told to keep private family disagreements as private and are scorned when they share their family affairs with others who are outside of the family. At times, however, the family affairs become too critical to keep quiet, and the private family issues become public, as the quarrel ls in the church at Corinth had become so disruptive that members of the church alerted Paul to intervene. Consider the impact that those private disputes between one another could have on the church, as a body, when our private disputes become public to the world.

Power in Agreement

2010-09-13T17:32:00.000-07:00

Imagine what church would be like if the entire church operated in agreement. It's possible, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:10, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Paul is not suggesting for the church, with all of its members, agree on everything; he is simply asking for the church to elevate their corporate love for Christ above their individual disagreements.

A Right to Praise

2010-09-10T03:43:00.001-07:00

In 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 Paul declares to the church at Corinth that "therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." God has given us a right and a reason to praise Him, as He has given us much more than the gifts that He has graciously given us. God has also given us a right to praise Him, as He continues to strengthen us and washes the blame of our sin with the blood of Christ.

Gift of Grace in Christ

2010-09-09T05:03:00.000-07:00

Some people believe that they can please God by living a good life. They try to do as much good as they are able to, and stay away from what they consider to be evil. In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul declares "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." The church at Corinth was in a corrupt area, and many of the members were still struggling between their old nature and new life in Christ. Paul encourages them, just as he encourages us today, that regardless of how good we try to be, we all have the gift of grace through the blood of Christ that washes us of our sin and restores our right-standing with God.

All in the Family

2010-09-08T05:08:00.000-07:00

In 1 Corinthians 1:2-3, Paul writes "to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul establishes his fellowship with the church; although the church at Corinth were fairly new Christians, they were still members of the family of faith. Regardless of how long Christians have been in the family of faith, whether new members of the family received Christ 30 years ago or 30 minutes ago, we are all equal members of the household of faith.

I am who God says I am

2010-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

In 1 Corinthians 1:1, Paul declares that he is "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes." The 11 remaining apostles disputed Paul's apostleship as he had not walked with Christ in the flesh, but Paul did not waver from his calling or his position. He begins his letter by identifying himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ" as that was who God called him to be. He refused to let the apostles, congregation at the church of Corinth, or anyone minimize his Christ. Regardless of what others may say, hold fast to the calling and the Word that God has already prophesied over your life.

Rejoice in Reconconcilliation

2010-09-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

The dictionary defines reconciliation as "making oneself or another no longer opposed, or to re-establish friendly relations with another." In Romans 5:11, Paul declares that "we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." The sin of the world separated us from God, but Christ re-established our friendship with God so that we have reunited with the Father. That reconciliation is the hope of our salvation; that alone is a great reason to rejoice.

Justified, Reconciled, and Saved

2010-09-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

In Romans 5:9-10, Paul declares "since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" The sin of the world made us all enemies of God; Christ, in His mercy and compassion, gave His life to bridge the gap between God and man. To access and communicate with God, we only need to accept Christ as our Savior.

Love is an Action Word

2010-09-01T04:12:00.000-07:00

People often say the love us, sometimes out of habit or obligation as you declare your love for another. In Romans 5:8, Paul declares But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." We were the enemies of God as sinners, without hope of redemption. Christ did more than simply say that He loves us; He demonstrated His love for us by exchanging our sin for His life.