November 9
New Forever
Read 2 Corinthians 3 – 5
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 so from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
WE LIKE new things, don’t we? There’s excitement, almost a sense of accomplishment when we get a new car, buy or build a new home, make a new friend or enjoy a new restaurant. We feel something different. Something new has been added to our life, and we feel a degree of happiness and satisfaction.
Paul says something even more dramatic happens when we understand and accept Jesus Christ as Lord, as the promised Messiah. He says we are a “new creation”.
That’s a pretty amazing statement! “New creation” means an entire makeover, inside and out. What we once were, we are no longer. What we used to be God has made new.
What does that mean? A new car—it’s dent free and mechanically correct. A new shirt—it smells good and is unwrinkled. A new pair of shoes—shiny and attractive. A new house—a dream come true.
Yes, a life in God’s newness is correct, unwrinkled, shiny, attractive and a great place to dwell. It’s not perfect. New car’s need fixing. New shirts need ironing. New shoes need polishing. A new house need care. But when cared for properly everything new lasts a long time.
When you care for your new life with God properly, your newness will last forever.
Pause and Consider: you are new in Christ—every day.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
November 8, 2010 Thanks Be to God
November 8
Thanks Be to God
Read 2 Corinthians 1-2
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
QUESTIONS abound in our culture. And there are always questions about God. Who is he? Where did he come from? Does he really care about me? Why doesn’t he just make everything right, so people don’t have to suffer? Is he real?
The answers have been coming from many places throughout history. Some attack God. Some defend him. So what do we who love God say in response?
These words from Paul are a key to our response. Note how Paul displays a deep trust in God, “who leads us in triumphal procession in Christ”. The essence to understanding God and answering these challenging questions is to go to “the fragrance of the knowledge of him”.
Knowing God and believing on him can hold an incorruptible sweetness in our minds. Knowing that God is love and trusting God to fulfill his promises brings to us quiet above life’s tumult. Going to him in prayer in our deepest needs and greatest joys can fill us with a wondrous peace and exaltation. Knowing God brings sweetness to your soul.
People who keep asking questions have an emptiness only God can fill. They strive to know everything but God, and they are never satisfied.
Let’s help them know that we walk in “triumphal procession in Christ” that when they open their minds to know God, they, too, will savor the fragrance of God’s sweet salvation.
Pause and Consider: how sweet it is to follow the God who saves you.
Thanks Be to God
Read 2 Corinthians 1-2
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
QUESTIONS abound in our culture. And there are always questions about God. Who is he? Where did he come from? Does he really care about me? Why doesn’t he just make everything right, so people don’t have to suffer? Is he real?
The answers have been coming from many places throughout history. Some attack God. Some defend him. So what do we who love God say in response?
These words from Paul are a key to our response. Note how Paul displays a deep trust in God, “who leads us in triumphal procession in Christ”. The essence to understanding God and answering these challenging questions is to go to “the fragrance of the knowledge of him”.
Knowing God and believing on him can hold an incorruptible sweetness in our minds. Knowing that God is love and trusting God to fulfill his promises brings to us quiet above life’s tumult. Going to him in prayer in our deepest needs and greatest joys can fill us with a wondrous peace and exaltation. Knowing God brings sweetness to your soul.
People who keep asking questions have an emptiness only God can fill. They strive to know everything but God, and they are never satisfied.
Let’s help them know that we walk in “triumphal procession in Christ” that when they open their minds to know God, they, too, will savor the fragrance of God’s sweet salvation.
Pause and Consider: how sweet it is to follow the God who saves you.
november 7, 2010 Do You Prophesy?
November 7
Do You Prophesy?
Read 1 Corinthians 13 – 16
1 Corinthians 14:4 everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
DO you prophesy? Before you answer, “No.” let’s consider what “prophesy” means. You may think it means to foretell the future. That is one part of this gift from the Holy Spirit. But more often prophesying is the Holy Spirit coming to you to give you words and actions that teach people about God.
The Apostle Paul defines prophesying around comfort, encouragement and teaching others about God. Some of you are gifted to teach with your mouth. Some of you teach of God with acts of comfort, and some show God to people with encouraging words and prayer.
So I’ll ask the question again, “Do you prophesy?” If you see someone around you who is hurting, are you inclined to speak comfort to them? Are you ready to stop what you’re doing and listen to someone’s needs? Do you offer to pray for people? This is prophesying.
Prophesy. Tell of and do God’s wonderful Word.
Pause and Consider: what a precious gift this is to help others know their Savior.
Do You Prophesy?
Read 1 Corinthians 13 – 16
1 Corinthians 14:4 everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
DO you prophesy? Before you answer, “No.” let’s consider what “prophesy” means. You may think it means to foretell the future. That is one part of this gift from the Holy Spirit. But more often prophesying is the Holy Spirit coming to you to give you words and actions that teach people about God.
The Apostle Paul defines prophesying around comfort, encouragement and teaching others about God. Some of you are gifted to teach with your mouth. Some of you teach of God with acts of comfort, and some show God to people with encouraging words and prayer.
So I’ll ask the question again, “Do you prophesy?” If you see someone around you who is hurting, are you inclined to speak comfort to them? Are you ready to stop what you’re doing and listen to someone’s needs? Do you offer to pray for people? This is prophesying.
Prophesy. Tell of and do God’s wonderful Word.
Pause and Consider: what a precious gift this is to help others know their Savior.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 5, 2010 Show God's Freedom
November 5
Show God’s Freedom
Read 1 Corinthians 7 – 9
1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
OUR God is a wonderful, loving God, isn’t he? He gives you himself, freeing you from sin’s shackles that you may live a full and free life with him. He calls out to you to come and walk with him as you arise each morning to step into life. You have many opportunities each day to feel his good pleasure on your life.
Freedom is a wonderful thing when you choose to use it wisely. But there is a sad reality in the church. When you look at how many Christians live, sadly you will find very few differences between their thinking and behavior and that of the non-Christian culture. This has to be a great heartache for God. In essence people who say, “I believe in God.” and then live their own way are telling the world, “God’s nothing special.”
Please be careful of what you say and do. It’s not about you. It’s about your Savior, who died for you. It’s about your Father, who created you. It’s about the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.
God loves you so much he unshackled the bonds of sin and gave you freedom. Use your freedom well. Show your friends what freedom from sin truly looks like.
Pause and Consider: how important it is to correctly show your Lord to the world.
Show God’s Freedom
Read 1 Corinthians 7 – 9
1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
OUR God is a wonderful, loving God, isn’t he? He gives you himself, freeing you from sin’s shackles that you may live a full and free life with him. He calls out to you to come and walk with him as you arise each morning to step into life. You have many opportunities each day to feel his good pleasure on your life.
Freedom is a wonderful thing when you choose to use it wisely. But there is a sad reality in the church. When you look at how many Christians live, sadly you will find very few differences between their thinking and behavior and that of the non-Christian culture. This has to be a great heartache for God. In essence people who say, “I believe in God.” and then live their own way are telling the world, “God’s nothing special.”
Please be careful of what you say and do. It’s not about you. It’s about your Savior, who died for you. It’s about your Father, who created you. It’s about the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.
God loves you so much he unshackled the bonds of sin and gave you freedom. Use your freedom well. Show your friends what freedom from sin truly looks like.
Pause and Consider: how important it is to correctly show your Lord to the world.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November 4, 2010 Peace for You
November 4
Peace for You
Read 1 Corinthians 3 – 6
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
DO YOU live in a world of conflict or a world of peace? At first glance, you may think this is a silly question. After all, are we not surrounded with conflict? Regardless of where we turn, we see a world broken with conflict, from international wars to private disputes. In secular society and in the church, there is no break from conflict.
Or is there?
What would happen if we took to heart these words from Paul? He was very disturbed that there were lawsuits among people in the church. He saw it as a rejection of the Gospel, of the fellowship and peace Jesus’ Good News offers. People were in conflict because they were not willing to submit to and love others.
Yes, when someone wrongs you, perhaps there is a time to stand and fight. But more often, I think, there is a time to let go and forgive. Jesus was “attacked” verbally and spiritually wherever he ministered. But he let go of the accusations, and he let go of the ridicule. He looked to the Father, and he held on to the Gospel.
This is what Paul is talking about here. We can choose conflict, or we can choose peace. Conflict contaminates your life. Peace cleanses your life. Jesus came to clean the conflict away and replace it with his peace. This is for you.
Pause and Consider: how you resolve conflict in your life.
Peace for You
Read 1 Corinthians 3 – 6
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.
DO YOU live in a world of conflict or a world of peace? At first glance, you may think this is a silly question. After all, are we not surrounded with conflict? Regardless of where we turn, we see a world broken with conflict, from international wars to private disputes. In secular society and in the church, there is no break from conflict.
Or is there?
What would happen if we took to heart these words from Paul? He was very disturbed that there were lawsuits among people in the church. He saw it as a rejection of the Gospel, of the fellowship and peace Jesus’ Good News offers. People were in conflict because they were not willing to submit to and love others.
Yes, when someone wrongs you, perhaps there is a time to stand and fight. But more often, I think, there is a time to let go and forgive. Jesus was “attacked” verbally and spiritually wherever he ministered. But he let go of the accusations, and he let go of the ridicule. He looked to the Father, and he held on to the Gospel.
This is what Paul is talking about here. We can choose conflict, or we can choose peace. Conflict contaminates your life. Peace cleanses your life. Jesus came to clean the conflict away and replace it with his peace. This is for you.
Pause and Consider: how you resolve conflict in your life.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
November 3, 2010 God's Love Letter
November 3
God’s Love Letter
1 Corinthians 1 – 2
1 Corinthians 1:2 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.
THE Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth. And he wrote it to someone else. He wrote it to you.
What? You weren’t alive then? You’ve never been to Corinth? You didn’t know Paul, and he didn’t know you?
It doesn’t matter. God appointed Paul to tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and the world is still here. You are part of the world. God gave you life and put you here. He called you to himself, just as he called those believers in Corinth. And this message is for “all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When you understand this letter to be directly to you, I hope that this letter takes on a deeper and more personal meaning for you.
I also hope that you begin to see the entire bible as a letter from God to you personally.
God’s Holy Word is a message of love that demonstrates how God personally gave himself through Christ Jesus to the world across cultures and time. He gave himself so that we might know him and be saved through him.
So what should you do with the rest of this letter to the Corinthians? What might happen if you approach God’s Word as his love letter of truth to you?
Pause and Consider: what a special privilege it is to hear from God.
God’s Love Letter
1 Corinthians 1 – 2
1 Corinthians 1:2 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.
THE Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth. And he wrote it to someone else. He wrote it to you.
What? You weren’t alive then? You’ve never been to Corinth? You didn’t know Paul, and he didn’t know you?
It doesn’t matter. God appointed Paul to tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, and the world is still here. You are part of the world. God gave you life and put you here. He called you to himself, just as he called those believers in Corinth. And this message is for “all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When you understand this letter to be directly to you, I hope that this letter takes on a deeper and more personal meaning for you.
I also hope that you begin to see the entire bible as a letter from God to you personally.
God’s Holy Word is a message of love that demonstrates how God personally gave himself through Christ Jesus to the world across cultures and time. He gave himself so that we might know him and be saved through him.
So what should you do with the rest of this letter to the Corinthians? What might happen if you approach God’s Word as his love letter of truth to you?
Pause and Consider: what a special privilege it is to hear from God.
Monday, November 1, 2010
november 2, 2010 Unsung Heroes
November 2
Unsung Heroes
Read Romans 16
Rom 16:3-4 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
WHEN YOU list the many remarkable people in scripture, do you include Priscilla and Aquila? You should. Look at who they are and what they’ve done.
Paul calls them, “fellow workers in Christ Jesus”. That is quite an honor, isn’t it? This great Apostle who has severely labored, debated, and been humiliated for his teaching of the Lord Jesus calls them his “fellow workers”. They are his equals in ministry as they have labored alongside Paul.
No, we don’t have any of Priscilla’s and Aquila’s written words, and we don’t know what they have precisely done. But we do know they have sacrificed themselves for the Kingdom of God, working with and risking their lives for Paul and Jesus’ church.
“They risked their lives for me.” is a remarkable statement. To risk their lives, Priscilla and Aquila, this wife-husband team, might have stood by Paul when the mobs tried to stone him. They might have traveled with him to new territory and to help plant churches. They might have stood against persecution and mistreatment because they stood for the Gospel.
Priscilla and Aquila left a wonderful legacy of faith and service didn’t they?
Pause and Consider: how faithful service sometimes requires we risk, even give our lives for the Gospel.
Unsung Heroes
Read Romans 16
Rom 16:3-4 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
WHEN YOU list the many remarkable people in scripture, do you include Priscilla and Aquila? You should. Look at who they are and what they’ve done.
Paul calls them, “fellow workers in Christ Jesus”. That is quite an honor, isn’t it? This great Apostle who has severely labored, debated, and been humiliated for his teaching of the Lord Jesus calls them his “fellow workers”. They are his equals in ministry as they have labored alongside Paul.
No, we don’t have any of Priscilla’s and Aquila’s written words, and we don’t know what they have precisely done. But we do know they have sacrificed themselves for the Kingdom of God, working with and risking their lives for Paul and Jesus’ church.
“They risked their lives for me.” is a remarkable statement. To risk their lives, Priscilla and Aquila, this wife-husband team, might have stood by Paul when the mobs tried to stone him. They might have traveled with him to new territory and to help plant churches. They might have stood against persecution and mistreatment because they stood for the Gospel.
Priscilla and Aquila left a wonderful legacy of faith and service didn’t they?
Pause and Consider: how faithful service sometimes requires we risk, even give our lives for the Gospel.
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