1 Corinthians 7

God’s Assignments: Duty and Honor (1 Corinthians 7)

12:30 PM



ScriptureReading for Thursday 4/9: 1 Corinthians 7

The church of Corinth had lots of questions about what they should and shouldn’t do, especially concerning marriage and other duties. Paul did his best to answer their questions in such a way that the people of that young church ultimately thought about what honoring God would look like in their particular circumstances. And so it should be for each of us. We have truth in His Word to guide us. With prayer and careful consideration, God guides each of us in the right and honorable path. 

I liked the comments of John Calvin: “The Lord bids each one of us in all life’s actions to look to his calling. For he knows with what great restlessness human nature flames, with what fickleness is borne hither and thither, how its ambition longs to embrace various things at once. Therefore, lest through our stupidity and rashness everything be turned topsy-turvy, he has appointed duties for every man in his particular way of life. And that no one may thoughtlessly transgress his limits, he has named the various kinds of living “callings.” Therefore, each individual has his own kind of living assigned to him by the Lord as a sort of sentry post so he may not heedlessly wander about throughout life.

Each person is unique with unique life circumstances and a unique calling or assignment given by God to honor within those circumstances. As Paul discussed concerning marriage, different circumstances may dictate different decisions that are deemed “best” for each unique person in their particular situation. For some, they may be able to remain single and because they are single, dedicate more focus and service to God because they are not also having to be responsible to a family. For others, however, they may best be served to get married and honor God through their love and devotion to that family. The important thing, is that whether single or married, the focus God wants from us is to honor Him and extend His love through those circumstances. 

We may be single or married. We may be rich or poor. We may be married to a believer or married to an unbeliever. We may be employed or in school, a stay at home mom, retired, disabled, etc. But whatever our circumstance, we need to trust God to be our guide and sustainer in whatever calling He has put on our life. 
“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him..” (v17‬)

SometimesGod provides opportunities for our circumstances to change. Sometimes, however, He assigns us to stay in our current circumstances and rely on Him to sustain us there. Always, we must above all, seek His guidance and will for our lives, remembering that we are His and this life is meant to honor Him. Don’t compare your circumstances with another and judge or complain. Focus on what God asks of you as you learn to rely on and honor Him. 
“You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”‬ ‭(v23-24‬)

Acts 18

When Things Don't Go as Planned! {Acts 18}

10:00 AM

Today's Scripture: Acts 18


Has God ever called you to do something for Him? Anything! It could be working the nursery, or teaching Sunday School. Perhaps He's called you into full time ministry, or to begin a new ministry!

If so, some of you may have been thrilled at the time and some of you may have reacted more like Moses (Exodus 3-4) Gideon, Jonah ...(there's more) and me; who required more persuading. BUT the important thing IS -- we all came around to seeing things God's way...eventually.  
That is of course, until things don't seem to go how we believed they would or should have! Here's a perfect example that took place at the beginning of Paul's ministry in Acts 18:6-11,
"When they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.  Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.  And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”  And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
I'm sure Paul believed that all would openly welcome him and thank him profusely for coming and enlightening them into the Truths of Gospel, and then they'd all beg him to sit down and teach them until they were all great biblical scholars!

Don't we tend to do the same? I know I do! If I'm going to sacrifice my time and talents the very least they can do is appreciate all I've done for them! Right? I mean, right? Don't we as wives and moms feel that way? They better thank me up and down and offer to clean up the kitchen for me after I've slaved over the meatloaf!

The truth is however, if we are looking for recognition and even gratitude from the world we are setting ourselves up to be disappointed. I've had to learn this over and over again in the school called, LIFE.

Paul described this time in more detail in his first letter to the church in Corinth:
As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you." (1 Corinthians 2:1-3 emphasis mine) 
The Lord first showed me this passage long ago when He called me to lead women Bible studies, for that is the LAST thing I ever intended to do... EVER! It took six weeks for Him to convince me that I hadn't heard Him incorrectly, and that He definitely intended to use me in such a way. I took incredible comfort in knowing that both Moses (Ex. 3) and Paul were also frightened at one time, yet went on to allow God to use them in amazing ways. It was then that I surrendered to His will for me.

Only, over the years of ministry, I've been hit with waves of disappointments. Mostly because circumstances hadn't turned out the way I thought they would; women failed to show up, others failed in doing what they had committed to do, some even fought against me a time or two. And there were times I, like Paul was ready to "shake out my garments" and be done with them and the ministry! That's when the Lord would come and have to remind me again just Who I was ultimately serving.

Paul also goes on to to explain to the Corinthians what I sometimes need to be reminded about myself,
And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 emphasis mine)
He is the One in charge, not I, and all the Lord requires of me is to be a willing vessel; emptied out so that He can come in and take charge!
Blessings,
Sue 

1 Corinthians

Bloom Where You Are Planted {1 Cor. 7:1-9:27}

12:00 AM


During the days of Paul, the city of Corinth was a metropolis of wealth and immorality; a place in desperate need of the church Paul founded. This early church struggled in the midst of a pagan culture, so in response to the confusion of its members Paul wrote letters of both encouragement and instruction. One of the many issues Paul addressed, were the feelings of discontentment that plagued  some of those who were still being influenced by a society who glorified the idea of “more”. He urged the people to be satisfied where God had placed them by saying, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.” (7:17-24)

Discontentment is nothing new. Even the Israelites, freed from bondage in Egypt, grumbled against God and the way He cared for them throughout their trek in the desert. Not content with what He provided, their desire for more caused them to think how returning to that same bondage would be better then what God had to offer. Sadly at times I have shared that same attitude. I too in my own discontent have grumbled against the Lord, wanting more and being unappreciative of all He has and continues to provide. I too have mistakenly thought that returning to the bondage of the world was better then the Lord’s offerings. But God’s way is always the best, and by reminding ourselves to trust, submit, and serve Him, we can find both contentment, and the joy and peace it brings. 

Trust-God knows us better then we know ourselves. He knows what we need and better yet, what we don’t. In verse 29:11 Jeremiah reminds us of God’s intentions writing, “I know the plans that I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Discontentment  creeps in when we try to impose our plans on God rather then trusting in His. Our Father loves us beyond measure and promises that when we trust Him to work in His perfect way and timing, He will fulfill every good plan He has for our lives. 

Submit-Submitting to God means surrendering our will to His. Often times we try to take matters into our own hands, playing the role intended for Him alone. Nothing happens without His say so, and many times God uses the circumstances in our lives to deeper our relationship with Him. Deciding how we think things should go and attempting to make them happen shows that we want to be the authority in our lives instead of God. Paul endured much. Yet he lived a life in submission to God and in return found peace saying, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” ( Phil. 4:11,13)

Serve-There is a Chinese saying that goes, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” Serving God includes serving others. In 1 Peter 4:10 we are instructed, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Meeting the needs of others not only gives us the joy of pleasing God, it also shifts our focus. And when our focus is placed not on ourselves but instead on serving the Lord and others, we have little time to serve feelings of discontentment.

Being content with where we are and what we have is a choice each of us must make. Even if your circumstances may not be what you want, remember that they could always be worse and are always in God’s capable hands. Follow the advice of Paul and find contentment by pursuing those things which are good, aiming for godliness not gain. Strive to be satisfied with what God has given you and with where he has placed you in life. You can’t go wrong when you trust in Him, His love, and His plans for you. So wherever you are make the most of the calling God has given you, and bloom where you are planted!

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:6-12)


God's Calling

There Must Be Some Mistake {Jeremiah 1:1-4:31}

12:00 AM


Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet, and author of the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, was the son of Hilkiah, a Levitical priest from the small village of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. He was a prophet who served God during the rule of kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. The Lord called Jeremiah to deliver prophecies to the unrepentant people of Judah. He warned them of their soon to be bondage by the Babylonians, and begged them to repent of their sins and turn back to God. 

Although he faithfully served God for over forty years, when a youthful Jeremiah first heard God’s voice he did as many of us do; he questioned God. After all, being so young there was no way he could go out and be the voice of the Lord! He cried out, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak.” (vs. 1:6) He thought, “There must be some mistake. I can’t do this.” But there was no mistake. God knew exactly what He was doing. For in His perfect plan, He created Jeremiah just for this time and this purpose. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (vs. 1:5) God knew the purpose He had for Jeremiah because He knew Jeremiah, and us, even before the first beat of our hearts. Think of that! And not only did God fearfully and wonderfully create us (Ps. 139:14), He knows us by name,(John 10:3), how long we will live, (Ps. 139:16), and all we were created to be. (Eph. 2:10) And before we are born, He sets us apart for the purpose that is uniquely ours. 

Whatever that purpose may be, we can trust that God never intends for us to accomplish it alone, nor in our own strength. When Jeremiah faced the daunting challenge ahead, God reassured him saying, “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (vs. 1:8) “They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you.” (vs. 1:19) Although the task God gives may not be an easy or enjoyable one, (Jeremiah himself faced hatred and persecution), God does promise that when we walk in obedience, He will never leave or forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) will be our refuge and strength, (Ps.46:1), and will make all things possible. (Matt. 19:26).

“Each time God calls a servant into action, He essentially says, ‘You can be strong and courageous because I am with you. Victory isn’t about your abilities, your strength, your skill, your armor, your gifts, or your dedication; it has to do with My presence. You can be strong because I will be strong in you.’” (Dr. Charles Stanley)

No matter the calling, whether it be as simple as helping a friend in need, or as hard as delivering a message of doom to a nation, the next time you hear God’s voice, don’t ask, “Who me? There must be some mistake!” Remember you were created to be the perfect person for the job, and if God sees you to it, He’ll see you through it. So, as the Lord said to Jeremiah, “Gird up your loins and arise!” (vs. 1:17) There is work to be done!