1 Corinthians

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End the Disputing

1 Tim 6:4 …but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words,

As I got up this morning, my pc had updated and rebooted overnight.
I signed in and opened my browser, which opened my start pages, including Facebook.
I saw a discussion over a Christian principle and read a few of the comments.
It reminded me of today’s verse, in which I only gave a part.
The entire verse says ” If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Tim 6:3-5
I do not argue the word of God.
He did not call me to argue or dispute His word but to preach and teach it.
Christian arguing over minor things does nothing to bring the lost to Christ.
Paul said, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Cor 2:1-2
This is what others must hear from our lips – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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Turning Away

Prov 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Years ago a man told me about a friend stopping by and asking him to go with him to a certain neighborhood.
He told me, “I knew he was going for some drugs.”
He went with him and bought some too, even though he was trying to break the addiction.
I told him, “You need some new friends!”
There are family members and friendships that take a toll on you mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Our scripture today says to walk away.
That is not to say you cannot pray for them and love them but you cannot maintain a bosom buddy relationship with them.
Paul told Timothy about the last days and the types of people he would encounter.
2 Tim 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Did you read the last line?
1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.

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If He changed me, He will change you.

1 Cor 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

I love people that imitate others.
One of the best, in my opinion, was Rich Little.
He had the speech and mannerisms of many movie stars and politicians down to a fine art.
Close your eyes while Rich imitated someone and you’d really think it was the actual person.
The old saying is imitation is “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
The King James says, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
When I first read this verse in New King James, I was taken aback.
I thought it somewhat arrogant to say “follow me” or “imitate me”.
That’s not what Paul is trying to get across.
I believe he is saying, “Look, I’m striving to follow Christ. You can too!”
It is good to keep your heart and mind on how God wants you to act and behave.
It’s not always easy.
Many things will come against you, as Paul experienced.
Yet, he never quit.
A man that went from persecuting the church to leading the church.
Paul is saying, “If God changed my life, He can change yours too.”

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Discipline my body

1 Cor 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

If I wanted to run a marathon I would need to get into shape.
I would need to get up every morning and work out with some walking, weight lifting, and a diet that supports my desire to run a marathon.
I would have to build up my endurance and stamina to where I could run a few laps, eventually to a mile, then five, and on to ten, and so on.
I will need to discipline my body to keep going because, although my mind wants to run, my body wants to stop.
I want to stay in bed.
I don’t want to get up and work out anymore.
I understand that even when you are in top physical condition, you’re body will try to tell you to stop during such a long run.
Your mind must tell your body to keep going, keep pushing forward, and reach the finish line.
In Christianity, it is much the same as your flesh and mind war against your spirit.
This is the reason Paul said he disciplined his body to bring it into subjection.
I know how difficult it is to read the Bible every day.
Going to church every Sunday and Wednesday gets old when there are so many other things that need your attention.
This is where you must discipline yourself to press on and reach toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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You need to find yours.

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel

Paul did baptize a few friends but not everyone.
It wasn’t his ministry.
He was a missionary preaching the gospel, setting up churches, and establishing pastors over those churches.
Each Christian has a ministry.
You need to find yours.
Years ago I was talking with a man about ministry.
He said to me, “You know that feeling you get when someone in the drunk tank accepts Jesus as Savior?”
I said, “No. I’ve never been in the drunk tank.”
He was shocked and rebuked me because I did not have a jail ministry.
I asked him, “You ever been on the radio?”
His answer was no.
That’s because radio wasn’t his ministry, it is mine.
He also wasn’t a pastor, but I was.
Just as Paul was not called to baptize but to preach the gospel, each of us has a ministry.
You need to find yours.

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Mandatory Evacuation

One more thought on our evacuation; after Wednesday’s incident I began looking on Google Earth at the gas wells in the area. I was a little surprised.

There are sixteen wells within five miles of my house. Continue reading →

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The Message

You are surrounded by messages every day; messages through the form of texting, Facebook, and Twitter. A message is left on the refrigerator to do the dishes or clean up your room. Continue reading →

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It’s the game!

Sunday night the Dallas Cowboys were playing the Greenbay Packers. It was quite a game.

The game came down to a fourth quarter play in which the Dallas receiver caught the ball around the goal line.
The catch was contested and overruled. It appears he wasn’t in totally in control of the ball when he hit the ground. Continue reading →

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Born to preach and teach

Everyone has something they love to do – something they need to do. Something they were born to do.

You are born to do something and I hope you are doing it.

I have wanted to be a DJ on the radio since I was about 7 years old. Along the way I accepted Jesus as my Savior and then God called me into the ministry.

He also led me into radio broadcasting where I am a DJ.

I am also a pastor and have been for 15 years at my present church; preceded by 6 years at my former pastorate.

I have to talk. It’s what God has called me to do. It is what I love to do. I can take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul,

Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor 9:16

He may have been saying that he had to preach the Gospel and would be reprimanded by God if he didn’t.
Or, like me, he may have been saying that it was his calling and he had to preach the Gospel – that it was a part of him. That it was his life!

For me, it is what I was born to do. To preach, teach, and talk about the Gospel.

Woe is me if I don’t.

Abba, I am blessed by the knowledge of Your word. I want to know more and share more with others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN