1 Corinthians

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Good news – you’re not condemned! (Almost)

I have some good news from God’s word – Jesus did not come to condemn you!

Isn’t that great!!!

His exact words were –

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

He is not here to condemn you!
He has come to save you!

I have discovered that many Christians want to condemn others. I have been guilty of that too.

But we are not here to condemn, anymore than Jesus came to condemn.

So why are Christians so prone to point out sin? I think it’s an attempt to salvation – the compelling nature to point out sin and to tell others they are condemned without Jesus.

That is also true!

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

What Jesus is saying is preach Jesus! That may sound a little self-fulfilling but He is the Messiah and Savior.

Paul said it best when he 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

Preach and teach God’s word and let the Holy Spirit use it to convict the hearer!
It works!

Abba, Your word is more powerful than my own. I debate whereas You end all debates. Your word is perfect and condemns and gives life through Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Your Ministry

I believe everyone has something to do in ministry.

The Bible says,

He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Eph 4:11

And

God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Cor 12:28

Sometimes the ministry is not glamorous or giving much credit.

And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Gen 22:5

Abraham and Isaac were going to worship and sacrifice to God. The young men with them were told to stay with the donkey.

On the surface it seems like Abraham is doing all the important ministry – the worshipping, the sacrifice, and the fellowship.

But the young men have just as important job. They had to watch the stuff. Perhaps Abraham set up camp and the young men are waiting on their return with a hot meal and drink.

When I was in elementary school I thought the coolest adult at school was the janitor. He got to handle all that neat trash, push garbage cans around, mop up messes, and he picked at us kids.

Now that I’m grown it’s just not as glamorous but I see how important it is.

Whatever God has you doing, whether it’s pastoring a church or handing out tracks on a sidewalk – be the best you can be at it. If it wasn’t important He wouldn’t have you doing it.

Abba, thank You for the ministry You have given me. I want to do my best in it. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Open Door

Look at a door that leads outside. If you opened it what will that do?

It will let in fresh air and sunshine. It will allow the sounds of the outdoors to enter your home – the sounds of a cicada buzzing away in a tree. The sound of a bird singing a beautiful song. The sound of wind in the leaves.

It will allow neighbors to walk up and talk with you.

It allows you the free access to go unhindered out or back in.

It also allows unwanted thing to enter. Flies, roaches, mice, snakes, wasps, or blowing dust could all makes its way into your home.

That’s the thing about an open door – it allows in the good and evil alike.

The same can be said of spiritual matters. When God opens a door many wonderful things can happen but Satan is always nearby to try to sneak in.

Paul said it this way:

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Cor 16:9

He knew the blessings of an open doorway but also knew of the opposition to it.

Anytime there is a great move in church, there is opposition to it.
When revival breaks out, there will always be someone to dampen it.

Stand strong in the message from the Lord Jesus:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Rev 3:20

Abba, help me to recognize that open door and use it for Your honor and glory. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Don’t be Piggish on the Foundation

Last night the unusual happened. Our speaker at church had given testimony and read from God’s word.

It was wonderful.

She then said she wanted to read from another book – a children’s book of bedtime stories.

She picked it up and thumbed over a few pages.
“Once upon at time,” she began, “there were three little pigs!”

She went on to tell the story of houses of straw, wood, and brick.

Then she wanted to tell of one more story of a house.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24-25‬

The funny thing to me is during the Three Little Pigs I found myself saddened by the plight of the two that were eaten by the big bad wolf.
Then I remembered how much I had enjoyed baked ham earlier that afternoon.

I have built my house on the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Rock.

I am not concerned about the foundation. But I am taking great care at what I build on it. (1 Cor 3:10-13)

Abba, You are my Rock. In Jesus name, help me to build rightfully on the Foundation. YES&AMEN

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Better Friends

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

For years I have said, “You have to get some new friends” to certain individuals. The problem is while they are striving to better themselves, they have friends that continually drag them down.

There are those people that have toxic personalities and unknowingly want to fulfill the old saying ‘misery loves company’.

Evil company deceives!
“Oh, come on! No one will know”
“Just one drink won’t hurt!”
“You’ll get home in plenty of time!”

Such things said are as deceptions.

If such company wants you to hide what you’re going to be doing or they have to assure you that it’s not going to hurt – then stay away from it.

Surround yourself with those that will help you; those that will encourage you to do better and not drag you down.

Separate yourself from poisonous, toxic people that will lead you into sin.

Abba, give me those that will encourage me. And let me be an encouragement to others that are trapped by their friends. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Guard your heart and mind

I am the protector of my household. If a wild animal comes into our yard, I am the one that will protect my family, pets, and property.

The same goes for people. Given the nature of today’s society, I am suspicious of people I don’t know that drive up to my house.
Are they merely lost and want to know where someone lives?
Are they casing my home to see what cannot be seen from the road?

I believe in God. I believe in his protection over me.
But God has also given me some common sense and I cannot let my guard down!

God told Abram,

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Gen 15:1

That’s some great assurance from God in that one sentence and the events that follow.

But Abram let’s his guard down some time after this declaration and fathered a child by a handmaid.

The Bible encourages you not to let your guard down.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant;
1 Cor 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
1 Thess 5:6 let us watch and be sober.

Abba, I trust Your promises to me. I believe You. Help me to always keep a guard on my heart and mind. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Let Christ bring us together!

Heb 7:21-22 “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'”), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

Many believe that Melchizedek is the pre-incarnate Jesus making an appearance in the Old Testament. As one commenter to the blog said, “I have heard it said that Melchizedek was Jesus in the flesh. Maybe, maybe not!”

I, personally, think not. I lean more toward Shem.

Perhaps the author of Hebrews does the same. The scripture mentions the order of Melchizedek and the better covenant of Jesus. It seems to me that if they were one in the same the writer of Hebrews could have indicated it in this verse.

Whether you believe it’s Shem, the pre-incarnate Christ, or a totally different individual, do not let it divide you from others that believe differently.

Melchizedek is not the real issue – Jesus is!

Christ brings all of us together. Man-made ideas divide and separate.

For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 1 Cor 3:3

Abba, there is much about Your word I do not know completely or understand. But I know what Jesus has done for me and it seems sufficient. YES&AMEN

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Defiled

Matt 15:18-19 Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Continue reading →

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Cleanse the Temple

John 2:16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Continue reading →

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There is Hope!

1 Cor 15:13-14 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Continue reading →