Category: I Corinthians

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Finish Strong

In my quiet time this morning the Lord reminded me of the importance of finishing strong.

Yesterday I told you about Caleb’s stand and how he said, “God is well-able”. It wasn’t just a slogan; it was his life’s mantra.

“Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. 11 I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. 12 So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.” Joshua 14:10-12 NLT

At 85, Caleb was still strong and still determined to see the will of God accomplished in his life. He didn’t care about the giants. He didn’t give up on God’s promise. Never give up on a God-given dream or promise.

“ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[a] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NLT a.2:9 Or in him dwells all the completeness of the Godhead bodily.

If the Father has made you a promise or given you a dream He has also given you the power and the plan to see it come to pass.

“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 NLT

We give thanks to God who gives us the victory over life’s situations because of our relationship with God through Christ Jesus. It may not always look like we are victorious but when we give Him thanks, we will see the circumstances change.

Jesus didn’t look victorious when they laid him in the tomb. Peter didn’t look victorious when he was sinking in the sea of Galilee. Daniel didn’t look victorious when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Paul didn’t look victorious when he was stoned and left for dead. At 85, Caleb probably didn’t look like a fighting man in his prime.

But…Thanks be to God who gave them the victory and He has given us victory as well. Paul said in Romans 8 that God calls us overcomers and more than conquerors. So, we will stand strong in doing the work that God has called us to do.

We have victory in Christ Jesus so let’s finish strong and give thanks.

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Washed Away

For the last several days Dave and I have sat and watched the waves of the Aegean Sea come rolling in. There’s been a sea wind they call “Meltemi” and it has kept the otherwise calm sea, breaking its waves over the rock jetty with some considerable strength.

Boats have stayed safely moored in the small harbor.

As we were sitting in a local taverna yesterday we were directly at the waters edge. I watched each wave and enjoyed the sea spray on a warm afternoon.

Later last night I began to think about the waves and how they wash the rocks as they roll in and recede.

Washed. Washed clean.

Kind of like what the Lord does in our lives.

“God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. 6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit.” Titus 3:4-6 CEV

By the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are washed cleaned and given a new, fresh beginning!

“…But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God.” I Corinthians 6:11 CEV

The things in our lives that we are ashamed of have been washed clean. Those things that make us embarrassed, that hold us by a grip of guilt, unworthiness and shame are the very things that are washed away by the Spirit of God and because of that washing we are cleansed.

“The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices…21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. 22  So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.” Hebrews 10:1-2, 21-22 CEV

Religion has no power to make us clean. It only serves to remind us of our sins, our misdeeds and our failings. However, when we come to Christ (our high priest), His forgiveness purifies our hearts and gives us a clean conscience. We are free from guilt and able to live each day knowing we have been washed clean.

“A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. 26 He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. 27 Christ did this, so he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.” Ephesians 5:25-27 CEV

The power to cleanse comes from Christ alone. His death removed the guilt and stain of sin from our lives. Through the power of His word we are reminded daily of that cleansing. We are a holy people without spot or flaw.

All our sins have been washed away!

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A Place of Worship

Recently our granddaughter was in Montreal, and she visited the Notre Dame Cathedral there. She sent us a picture and it is absolutely stunning, breathtaking as a matter of fact.

Churches and Cathedrals were once built to reflect the glory and majesty of God.

I have read over and over again the instructions that God gave Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the place of worship for the Israelites. It needed to be portable and easy to move during their wanderings in the desert, but it was also ornate and full of rich detail. Massive amounts of gold were fashioned for the decor. Only the finest linen was used, gemstones were hewn for the priests’ breastplates, even the carrying poles had gold rings and end caps.

This was God’s house and it had to reflect His grandeur of His majesty.

But as beautiful as that Tabernacle was only the priests could enjoy the beauty. Not everyone had open access to enter.

However, when Christ came a different and more common temple was fashioned.

“You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. 20 God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 CEV

We, the body of believers, are the dwelling place for the Spirit of God. We’re not quite as fancy with gilded walls and tapestries but we are where God has chosen to dwell.

“ Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 CEV

Christ asks our permission for entrance. He desires to make His home in our hearts, bringing His supernatural character to our natural existence.

“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Ephesians 3:15-20 MSG

All He asks of us is permission to enter, an open door into our lives. His presence makes us a glorious temple, a place of worship.

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Which Way, God?

Every day we make at least a dozen decisions that determine which way we will go.

We leave the house in the morning and pull out of the driveway, turn right or left like we always do. We stop at the same grocery store, follow the same path to work and in fact we get upset if the road is blocked and we have to turn another way. We like doing things the way we’ve always done; we like the familiar but what if there’s another way?

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

God’s ways are higher than ours but that doesn’t mean we can’t understand God or know His ways.

The Bible is our loving Father communicating with man so that we can know His ways. He gave his plan to Moses, the prophets and spoke His plan to Jesus, who was the fulfillment of that plan.

He gave his plan to Paul who penned over half the New Testament so that we would continue to have the direction we needed.

Then He placed His Spirit within us when we were born again so we could have greater understanding of His ways.

“But as the Scriptures say, ‘No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’

10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit knows all things. The Spirit even knows the deep secrets of God. 11 It is like this: No one knows the thoughts that another person has. Only the person’s spirit that lives inside knows those thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit. 12 We received the Spirit that is from God, not the spirit of the world. We received God’s Spirit so that we can know all that God has given us.

13 When we say this, we don’t use words taught to us by human wisdom. We use words taught to us by the Spirit. We use the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 People who do not have God’s Spirit do not accept the things that come from his Spirit. They think these things are foolish. They cannot understand them, because they can only be understood with the Spirit’s help. 15 We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say, ‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’ But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:9-16 ERV

A good way to start each day is to ask the Lord to make His way of thinking clear to us. When we follow what He puts in our hearts we will go the right way and we will do the right things.

If you’re having difficulty understanding the things of God, ask the Holy Spirit who lives within you for the direction you need – He’ll be more than glad to help!

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Inquiring Minds

A long time ago I was asked by some students who worked for me “Are you one of those born again ‘Christians’?” I could tell by the question that this was an opening from the Lord and I could also tell that I wasn’t what they were asking.

Let’s read this morning’s verses and then come back and I’ll give you my answer to their question.

“Friends, when I came and told you the mystery that God had shared with us, I didn’t use big words or try to sound wise. 2 In fact, while I was with you, I made up my mind to speak only about Jesus Christ, who had been nailed to a cross.

3 At first, I was weak and trembling with fear. 4 When I talked with you or preached, I didn’t try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God’s Spirit show his power. 5 That way you would have faith because of God’s power and not because of human wisdom.” I Corinthians 2:1-5 CEV

I asked the student posing the question what he meant by Christian. He said that his aunt and uncle were always telling he couldn’t do this and had to do that. If he didn’t he was going to hell. And they are “Christians” so are you one of those?

I took a deep breath and answered. “No, I’m not a Christian like that but let me tell you what I am”. My office area was filled with students because it was midday and they always came to hang out in my office. They all got quiet and gave me their attention.

“I am a Christian because Christian means one who is like Christ. I am born again because that means I have been given new life by Jesus. He has forgiven my sins and made me new.

I am a fanatic because I trust the Lord with what I do each and every day. I pray over my grocery list. I pray for my kids to be healed and my husband to be safe at work. I pray for you (calling a student by name) to pass your Algebra test and for another student to find something valuable that she had lost.

I believe that God wants to be involved in every part of my life and I also know that He can handle it so much better than I can do on my own.

I don’t live by a long list of do’s and don’ts. I live by relationship with a Heavenly Father who loves and wants the best for me. I want to do nothing that would displease Him. When I do fail, because I do, I go to Him and find His forgiveness. His love isn’t based on my goodness – it’s unconditional!

So I guess to answer your question, yes, I am a born again Christian. I’m a fanatic who believes that God wants to show me his love and his power and I pray that each one of you will want a relationship like that too.”

That day the Lord opened the door for me to talk with and pray for many of the students in that room. I thank Him that my life wasn’t filled with religious words and condescending looks but with real life relationship. From that day forward I have tried to live and teach Jesus in a practical way that cowboys, farmers, ranchers, students and just plain folks could understand.

I encourage you to live a life that draws questions. Inquiring minds want to know the answer is Jesus!

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What’s Missing?

When you get up in the morning do you feel things are missing in your life? Or do you get up with a smile on your lips and a song in your heart knowing that life is good?

Too often we are focused on the wrong things – what we need, what we want, what we don’t have. Instead, we should be seeing what we have been given – it’s definitely more than enough.

“ I always thank my God for you because of the grace that he has given you through Christ Jesus. 5 In him you have been blessed in every way. You have been blessed in all your speaking and all your knowledge. 6 This proves that what we told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every gift from God while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again. 8 He will keep you strong until the end so that on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes, you will be free from all blame. 9 God is faithful. He is the one who has chosen you to share life with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:4-9

Did you see that – God is faithful!

We have every gift from God, now, while you wait. Heaven will be glorious, but God has a plan while we’re here. These verses were written by the Apostle Paul, but Peter said the same thing.

“Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4

We have been given EVERYTHING we need – we have been given the Father’s great and precious promises!

If Peter and Paul aren’t credible enough, let’s look at what John has to say on the subject.

“So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 17 If God’s love is made perfect in us, we can be without fear on the day when God judges the world. We will be without fear, because in this world we are like Jesus. 18 Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.” I John 4:16-18 ERV

In this world we are like Jesus! I didn’t say that, the Apostle John did. Jesus had the promises of God and lived by them and expected to see God’s word work in His life. He lived a life of love – loved by the Father and loving the Father. There was no fear in Him. We have the same promises; we have the same Father’s love and so we can live in this world with the same power and blessing.

That pie, with the missing piece, should serve as a reminder of the “goodness of God” that we have already enjoyed. It should also be an indication that there is more than enough left to nourish us each day.

When we let the Scripture be our source of authority it will overrule our circumstances and fill our days with His power.

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Increased Knowledge

For those of you who aren’t very tech savvy you will be able to empathize with me.

In the past week I have backed-up my old phone and activated and downloaded all my info to my new phone. Then I received my birthday present from Dave a couple weeks early – an Apple watch. Final tech treat was a GoPro camera which we will take to Greece with us in September.

My goodness I had to go to YouTube just to learn how to charge and turn these things on! I do ok with my laptop and my old phone (which had started to malfunction) but three new devices in one week put my brain on overload.

“But as for you, Daniel, keep these words hidden and lock up the Book until the end of time. Many will travel here and there and knowledge will be more and more.” Daniel 12:4 NLV

We are definitely living in a time when knowledge is “more and more”, increasing. Every year or so Apple comes out with a new phone, so do the others. More advancement. Technology hasn’t just aided communication but it has also brought great advancement to the medical field. In my younger years, a surgical procedure would require several days stay in the hospital but now those same procedures are considered outpatient surgeries and you go home in the same day.

I could go on with the list of advancements in industry – automobile, entertainment, travel, information technology and so many more. Knowledge is amazing, just what I have seen in my lifetime is mind boggling.

But I like simplicity.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NLV

“ God’s plan looked foolish to men, but it is wiser than the best plans of men. God’s plan which may look weak is stronger than the strongest plans of men.” I Corinthians 1:25 NLV

The Gospel of Jesus is simple and it’s unchanging. The love of God will far surpass and outlast the knowledge of man.

“Love never fails— but where there are prophecies, they will pass away; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” I Corinthians 13:8 TLV

Although the knowledge of this generation is greater than any generation before it will never compare to love of God. Technology will always require an update to function properly but the love of God will never fail.

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Without A Limp

A few days ago, while working outside, I tripped and fell. When Dave helped me up, I could see and feel that my right knee took the brunt of the impact.

For the last week and a half we have been working outside in the cool of the morning. We were almost done and in the process of some clean up. We had laid a ladder down on the patio, it needed to be washed and put away.

I had walked around it several times but this time I forgot it was there. Distracted with something else, it caught the toe of my shoe, I lost my balance and fell forward. I landed hard with my knee hitting the ladder and then the concrete. I was less than graceful.

My knee began swelling immediately – the body’s way of providing protection to the injured part. I pushed myself to finish a couple of small chores and then came in to ice and elevate it. My body was sore and so was my ego. How could I have been so unaware?

Each step the last couple of days, my body has reminded me that I needed to go slow and not overdo. I have done so and this morning when I woke 95% of the pain and stiffness is gone and only a little bruising is left.

It was nice to walk around without a limp and feel back to normal. God has designed our bodies with the amazing ability to heal and regenerate itself.

But it’s not just this physical body, the ability to heal also applies to the spiritual body, the Body of Christ.

“Our own body has many parts. When all these many parts are put together, they are only one body. The body of Christ is like this…14 The body is not one part, but many parts. 15 If the foot should say, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that would not stop it from being a part of the body. 16 If the ear should say, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye,’ that would not stop it from being a part of the body…18 But God has put all the parts into the body just as He wants to have them. 19 If all the parts were the same, it could not be a body. 20 But now there are many parts, but one body…24 The parts that can be seen do not need as much care. God has made the body so more care is given to the parts that need it most. 25 This is so the body will not be divided into parts. All the parts care for each other. 26 If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. If one part is given special care, the other parts are happy. 27 You are all a part of the body of Christ.” I Corinthians 12:13-17 NLV

If one part of the body hurts the other parts hurt with it.

As Christians we are all a part of the body of Christ and when you hurt, I should feel your pain and come to your aide. That’s what it means to be part of His body. We all share in the process of healing.

If you hurt and hide it, I can’t come to your assistance. If I am self-centered I may be judgmental and unwilling to help. Neither condition is of Christ’s choosing.

Let’s all take an active part in seeing that the Body of Christ stays healthy and whole!

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Breaking the Bank

Last month Dave and I made two expenditures we had been saving for. These weren’t part of the regular monthly budget. No, they were items we had to plan for and save for. Maybe you don’t live on a budget, but we always have.

Each month we have dollars allotted for the different categories: food, clothing, home, electric, internet, phone, tithe, savings, allowance, taxes, insurance. To stay within budget for groceries I look over the ads and find the sales. I do the same when we need a new pair of shoes or other clothes.

We know the Lord expects us to be good stewards of the money He blesses us with and so we try to spend wisely. However, there is one event that we are allowing ourselves the right to be extravagant. It’s our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Greece in September. Oh, we’ve set a budget for the trip, but it is a substantial one. This is a once in a lifetime experience.

This morning I was reminded of another budget blowing expenditure that I have been involved in. It is my relationship with the Lord. He is the One who blew the budget and I am the one who is the recipient of His grace.

“God paid a high price for you, so don’t be slaves to anyone else.” I Corinthians 7:23 ERV

Have you ever stopped to consider how deeply the Father loves us? We are invaluable to Him.

“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. He hid it again and was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned and bought the field. 45 Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it.” Matthew 13:44-46 ERV

The earth is the field, God the Father is the man, we are the treasure and Jesus is the price that was paid!

What is it that would cause you to sell all you have – your home, jewelry, cars, boat, horses, RV? What would make you cash in the CD’s and empty the savings account? What would be valuable enough to have you sell all to buy one treasure?

We are that treasure! God gave His only begotten Son to purchase us!

No words can convey what I am feeling in my heart this morning as I focus on the depth of God’s love for me.

“And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV

“Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to you.” Psalm 36:7 ERV

Father, I will take my words from the Psalms, nothing is more precious than your lovingkindness. Thank you for loving us enough to break the bank!

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Heart to Heart

Every morning when Dave gets up he comes to the living room, kisses me, tells me he loves me and then takes and fills my coffee cup. He’s been doing this for the past 9 years but for the past 50 years he has kissed me and told me he loves me – the filling my coffee cup is a new addition. One I never tire of.

I have a similar routine for my Bible reading and quiet time. Every morning I tell the Lord that I love Him, I even write it in my journal and then I open my Bible and have favorite verses I read which tell me of the Lord’s love for me and His commitment to walking with me each day.

I never tire of that either, it is a time that we share heart to heart.

This morning I want to encourage you to listen to God’s leading. Listen to His heart!

As you read the Bible if you come across something you don’t really understand then tell the Lord and ask Him to give you the insight you need to properly apply what you are reading.

God’s desire from the very beginning of time was to walk and talk to us and to tell us what was on His heart. He never changes so that is still His desire today. We just need to take the time to slow down and listen.

“But we speak God’s secret wisdom that has been hidden from everyone until now. God planned this wisdom for our glory. He planned it before the world began. 8 None of the rulers of this world understood this wisdom. If they had understood it, they would not have killed our great and glorious Lord on a cross. 9 But as the Scriptures say,

‘No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’

10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit knows all things. The Spirit even knows the deep secrets of God. 11 It is like this: No one knows the thoughts that another person has. Only the person’s spirit that lives inside knows those thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit. 12 We received the Spirit that is from God, not the spirit of the world. We received God’s Spirit so that we can know all that God has given us.” I Corinthians 2:6-12 ERV

Trust the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of Christ’s way of thinking. He wants us to know His ways and walk each day directed by Him. He wants us to know the depth of His love.

He wants to share with us heart to heart.

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