Monthly Archives: March 2011
food of the gods
1 Corinthians 8. The Corinthian Christians had been rescued from a pagan, animistic society that was in deep bondage to the spirits who masqueraded as gods. Having been set free and knowing the reality of Christ gave them knowledge that … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, idolatry, obedience, sanctification, witness, worldview
Tagged 1 Corinthians 8
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return!
Psalm 90. Moses highlights our dependence upon God and his sovereignty over all humanity in this prayer by using the same word in two different senses. The word is RETURN! First, Moses shows our dependence upon God for life by … Continue reading
let Christ reign today
1 Corinthians 7. In a time of increased distress, Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is meant to give them the most happiness. He challenges them to consider the state they are in now. Some are married, some are not. Some … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, family, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, obedience, relationship with God, submission
Tagged 1 Corinthians 7
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incongruous
1 Corinthians 6. Paul addresses two incidents in which people within the church in Corinth are acting in an incongruous manner. Their actions are inconsistent with what Jesus did for them. He justified them by his substitutionary death. He washed … Continue reading
Posted in church, discernment, faithfulness, holiness, Holy Spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry, integrity, kingdom of God, sanctification, witness
Tagged 1 Corinthians 6
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defiling the Passover
1 Corinthians 5. The Corinthians had been guilty of judging (criticizing) Paul and the others in his band. It was as if they had pointed out a speck in the eyes of the missionaries, but had failed to notice the … Continue reading
Posted in church, courage, discernment, holiness, hypocrisy, witness
Tagged 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 7
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the scum of the world
1 Corinthians 4. The ESV study Bible, commenting on verse 3, says “Some of the Corinthians, perhaps followers of Apollos or Cephas, probably spoke disparagingly of Paul, especially of his speaking ability (1:17; 2:3–4; 4:18–21; 2 Cor. 10:9), thinking they … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, equality, judgment, leadership, ministry
Tagged 1 Corinthians 4
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these are your gods
Exodus 32. It is hard to resist the temptation to make something happen when God wants you to wait. Israel had already agreed to keep the covenant, but grew impatient when Moses stayed atop Mt. Sinai. Their solution: worship God … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, idolatry, integrity, patience, relationship with God, trust, worship
Tagged Exodus 32
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fireproof buildings
1 Corinthians 3. Paul describes the Christian life as both God’s field and God’s building. As a field, the life is planted in us by God through one worker, and watered through another, but but workers answer to God — … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, divisions, future, Holy Spirit, preparation, scriptures, works
Tagged 1 Corinthians 3
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a wisdom ahead of its time
1 Corinthians 2. When Paul first shared the gospel with the Corinthians, he avoided demonstrating his considerable skill in Greek rhetoric, and he also avoided showing off his profound wisdom. He kept his message simple, and trusting God to make … Continue reading
Posted in church, discernment, gospel, Holy Spirit, scriptures, wisdom
Tagged 1 Corinthians 2
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the foolishness of God
1 Corinthians 1:18-31. The human mind is capable of astonishing leaps of insight, connecting the dots of thought and idea in a way that makes sense of an altogether complex world. But the unaided human mind stops and opens its … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, Jesus Christ, plan of God, praise, the cross
Tagged 1 Corinthians 1
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Devotions 