1 Corinthians 13 - Nathanael

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!

1 Corinthians 12 - Nathanael

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

1 Corinthians 11 - Nathanael

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.

1 Corinthians 9-10-Hanjun

I have read it.

1 Corinthians 8-Hanjun

I like the word, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up". It reminds me to keep humble with the increase of knowledge in all areas, and put loving the Lord and people first when think about and do something.

1 Cor. Chapters 7-9 Debbie

I've read

1 Corinthians 7- Wun-gwi

I've read.

God gave us good thing, husband and wife relationship/ love and please each other.

However, it can also give distraction from God.

I need to be aware not to lose focus on God.

1 Corinthians 7 - Nathanael

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.

1 Corinthians 6 - Nathanael

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

1 Cor. Chapters 1-6 Debbie

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. 

1 Corinthians 5 - Nathanael

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.

1 Corinthians 4- Hanjun

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!

 

1 Corinthians 4 - Nathanael

Verse 4 -  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

An interesting comment that demonstrates that our conscience is not fallible.  This is clearly seen in our lives as many times we think that we are doing everything correctly but then God shows us an area of wrongdoing and we are convicted of the sin, though we were previously unaware.  

The older I get the more I realize that I am a sinner in need of God's grace each day!  Thank you Jesus for your love and mercy! 

Verse 7 - What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

A good reminder that we need to be humble.  Pride is a sin and it demonstrates that we don't know who we are, were we came from and how we received what we have.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for all that you have provided!  I do not deserve your grace or love, but I thank you for your goodness!

1 Corinthians 3 - Wun-gwi

¹⁶ Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

In the small group bible study yesterday, in Mark 2:21~22, we've talked about pouring new wines in the new wineskins.

What is the new wineskin refer?

We talked the new wineskins are the church and us as our body is the God's temple.

I want to keep our God's temple in God's best way.

1 Corinthians 3- Hanjun

Verses 1-3, "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly - mere infants in Christ. 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?"

I was touched when I read these verses. God spoke to me that I am still not ready for the solid food, an infant in Christ, and worldly, because I still like to compare with others, and judge the people sometimes. 

God would not answer my prayer requests immediately, and I think it is because God wants to discipline me with patience, trust, and a loving heart for him and the people in my life. These words make me feel that I need to be humble and continue to follow God, get disciplined, and grow in him by denying myself and giving him thanksgiving. Thank you, God!

1 Corinthians 2 - Nathanael

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!

2 Thessalonians 3- Wun-gwi

"³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."Isaiah 41:10 NIV

God is calling me through this 2 verses. I feel the presence of God who takes care of me and strengthen/ help/ protect me.

Thank you Jesus.

2 Thess 3 - Nathanael

Verse 3 -  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Though not all have faith and there are wicked persons and an evil one who will attack, the God we worship is strong and faithful!  Thank you Jesus for your love and protection!

Verse 14 - Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.

Paul gives instructions for church discipline.  There are requirements for fellowship which mainly revolve around seeking God and doing what is right.  As 1 John 1:7 says " But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Lord Jesus, keep us in you!

2 Thessalonians 3- Hanjun

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.

2 Thessalonians 2- David

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way."
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I just had a question about this verse. I believe that God is the one who can restrain the lawlessness that is already at work. But I wonder what it means that this will be until he is out of the way?

Thanks,

David Bentley
(404) 205-2692