For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.13.12.NIV
God knows us fully and loves us completely. When Christ returns we will see God face to face and know him fully! That is awesome and exciting!
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.12.7.NIV
God gives gifts to his people to build up the body of Christ
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
1 Corinthians 11:5 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.11.5.NIV
This passage is quite clear but is either ignored or deemed to be culturally bound and no longer relevant. Paul makes clear later that this is done because of the angels- e.g. not of God's angels, but rather of the fallen angels.
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
1 Corinthians 7:33 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.7.33.NIV
One set of problems happen when married people live like they are single - each person looking just to their own interests and not to aim to serve and please their spouse.
Another set of problems occurs when the relationship with God loses focus. There must be a focus on both to have the best outcome.
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Verse 11
After the long list of serious sins, Paul says that is what some of you were. Praise God that he sets us free from sin and makes us new! We don't have to be identified by the past. Jesus forgives us, changes us and makes us new!
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Verse 18
Paul calls out sexual immorality as a strong sin we must flee from. Truly it is still causing much harm to the people of God. Lord Jesus please rescue us and set us free!
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
This verse has important impact on his we view and treat our bodies. Some would say that the physical body isn't important - only the spirit. But this shows that to be a wrong perspective. Others elevator the body and make it a god to be worshiped which is also incorrect.
As we see in the following verse, we are to honor God with our bodies.
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:11, 18-20 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.6.11-20.NIV
I've read. Some of the things that spoke to me. Paul was speaking about our faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Secrets of God being revealed by the Holy Spirit. Cautions of being in the flesh and still on milk instead of growing up, that our work will be tested by fire to see what sort of work we have done. How we should act towards each other even if it means we are wronged.
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
1 Corinthians 5:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.5.11.NIV
The topic of church discipline is one that most do not pay attention to these days. It can be difficult at times but is meant for the eternal benefit of those in the church. It is tough love in action.
Verses 4-5 (NIV), "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes." I pray the Lord help me not judge the people in my life (home, workplace, church, etc.), but pray for them.
Verse 13 (NIV), "Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." These words are hard for me to accept in the beginning, but it is true because the value of the cross conflicts with the value of the world. If we seek and follow God, the world will hate us. Lord Jesus, please help me find the truth and eternal value in you!
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 10-11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1co.2.4-11.NIV
God's Spirit gives us life, saves us, speaks to us, leads us, changes us on the inside, shows us God's ways and knows us deeply. Thank you Jesus for sending your Spirit to us!
Verse 13, "And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." I want to keep good relationship with the Lord Jesus, and because of this relationship we can be never tire of doing what is right.
For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV
http://bible.com/111/2th.2.11-12.NIV
I know how easy it is for us to be self deceived, so this is somewhat scary and makes me want to reach out all the more to those around me so that they can find God's great love and mercy while there is still time!
Lord Jesus, please send your Spirit to convict of sin and righteousness and judgement! Have mercy and do whatever is necessary to bring people to you! Thank you for your great love!
Verse 10, "And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." Love helps us overcome fear and give us feeling of belonging. Dear Lord Jesus, please increase my faith to love all the people in my life more and more.
Verse 5, "For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless", indicates the senior believers care about the younger believers for their faith when temptations come. Encouraging and helping each other's faith with love (words and behaviors) is important and often works.
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1th.3.6.NIV
This chapter tells us a lot about Paul's relationship to the Thessalonians, how he loved them, was worried about them and missed them.
It also tells us when Paul wrote the letter. In Acts 18:5 Timothy returns to Paul after Paul was alone in Athens. That corresponds to the statements above.
Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1th.2.7-12.NIV
It is interesting how Paul describes his relationship to the believers as child, mother and father. Each of them also has descriptions which are useful, especially to parents. The one that stands out to me as a father is the three things he describes a father doing for the children: 1) encouraging, 2) comforting and 3) urging you to live lives worthy of God. It is a good measuring stick and gives me a good list to work on as a father.
Verse 9 stands out to me, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up".
Also verse 6, "Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor."
Keep asking God for help to keep loving the people in my life. God is the source of hope, patience, perseverance, goodness, wisdom, and passion.
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/1th.1.3.NIV
Interesting cause and effect list. Faith produced work (similar to what James says), love prompts labor, and hope in Jesus inspires endurance.
I propose we go next to First Thessalonians and see what is happening in that city.
Just for reference, Paul's first missionary journey is thought to have started sometime around AD 47 and his second journey around AD 49-51 and his third journey around AD 53-54. So First Thessalonians was probably written on his second journey.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gal.3.26-29.NIV
Thank you Jesus that I have become a child of God by trusting in you!
Verses 11-21 talk about Paul opposes Peter and other Jews for their hypocrisy and misunderstanding of being justified. I admire Paul's boldness to speak the righteous words to the brothers, since these words are important and the foundation of the gospel. I also admire Peter's humbleness for he accepted Paul's words. Both Paul and Peter have the same heart of loving the Lord Jesus Christ and the zeal of preaching the gospel to people no matter Jews and Gentiles.
I've read. I'm grateful of his gift of faith, and his promises.
He is a good father. Thank you Jesus without you it is impossible.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
Galatians 2:20-21 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gal.2.20-21.NIV
Paul recognized that the only way to live a righteous life is by the power of Christ Jesus in him. We cannot fulfill God's law on our own but only Christ can and did and now we die to our selves and follow Jesus our lord and master. His righteousness is credited to us and then his Spirit begins to change us from within, sanctifying and purifying our hearts and lives so that we begin to reflect Jesus's righteousness in our lives and then continually grow in that righteousness and change by the power and working of his Spirit.
Thank you Lord Jesus for you gift to us and for your love that changes us!
I have read it.
Verses 3 and 4, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father". It summarizes the gospel: because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, our sins can be forgiven, and we can be rescued from the evil age and get grace and peace from God. It also indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, obeys the will of God the Father, even if they are the same and only one God. Jesus took himself as an example of obedience for us.
Verse 10, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ", reminds me who I need to please in daily life.
Verse 20, "I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie". I believe what Paul said and shared is true in both my mind and heart. Not only because I cannot find any evidence that approves Paul lies, but also because I have seen and experienced God's love and faithfulness in my personal life.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7 NIV
http://bible.com/111/gal.1.6-7.NIV
This whole topic of circumcision is quite a big deal in the early church and causes Paul to argue quite forcefully, and rightly so.
The concept behind this is still one of great confusion to many believers, namely: what is my responsibility to obey the old testament law.
Some throw out all the law saying that have covers all so it doesn't matter how I live or what I do. Others still hold rigidly to many old testament laws such as sabbath, recitation of the 10 commandments and dietary restrictions.
Neither extreme is what God wants for us. He wants us to live in freedom and in the free gift of forgiveness and be clothed in his righteousness and to follow him. As we follow him, and give up our own control, his Spirit changes us to become more like Christ. We fulfill the moral code of loving God with all of our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves, not because we are able by ourselves, but again by his Spirit living in us.
Thank you Jesus for your indescribable and great gift!
I've read. It's amazing how much a person might
have to go through to get where God wants him to
be. Paul sent to prison, ship wrecked, just to be able to speak to the
people about Jesus. We need the Lord to keep directing
us or we could focus on the circumstances and lose sight of our
calling.
How to participate
If you plan to participate, pray before you read and ask God to speak at least one thing to you from the reading.
Then after you have read, you can simply send your email to say that you've read to encourage others to continue reading as well, or you can also send your post update about what God has spoken to you, what thing(s) stood out to you, or about questions you have about what the chapter. Feel free to comment on posts, ask questions and get involved!
His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.
Acts 28:8 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.28.8.NIV
I'm always interested to see how healings happen. Here Paul visits, then prays, then places his hands on the man, an then heals him.
I'm wondering if the first prayer was asking God if he should pray for healing, or if he was praying for God to heal him. In either case it seems that after prayer he felt led to put his hands on the man and heal him.
Thank you Father for your love and for demonstrating you love through the healing of our souls from sin and the healing of our bodies from sickness!
We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.
Acts 27:2-3 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.27.2-3.NIV
Even though Paul was theoretically a prisoner, he was given favor by God and so treated quite kindly. He had a friend, aristarchus, sailing with him and at ports of call he was able to visit friends.
I have experienced God's favor and regularly pray for it. Thank you father for your love!
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
Acts 26:28-29 NIV
http://bible.com/111/act.26.28-29.NIV
Agrippa recognized that what Paul was saying was true. He threw up a defensive wall though and chose not to listen.
Many times when God is speaking to us, perhaps more when another person is bringing the message, we give excuses why we shouldn't listen and change. By them we justify our inaction as OK, even though it is the sin of rebellion - choosing to go our own way.
Lord Jesus, make my heart soft and help me to listen to your voice and obey, especially when you are speaking through another person!
I've read. It's a good idea to remember that you can do what is right
and still be in the middle of trouble.
I have read.
In verse 25, Felix was afraid and stopped Paul talking when Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come. But when a person is in Christ Jesus, he/she will not be afraid about all these Paul talked about. This is the true freedom and source of joy that God gives to his people.
