1 Corinthians 2 - 10.25.2024
Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 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.
Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?
If God ever has plans for me to become a pastor in this world, may I be a pastor like the apostle Paul.
Application - How will you apply this to your life?
I took a position within my company as a trainer recently. And while, three years ago I never thought I would be teaching people about cable industry, policy, and practice, I feel at peace that this is the role God would have me in. I may not be publicly sharing the testimony of God in my training classes, but I fully intend to be that city on a hill, that flame on a lampstand. Glory to God in the highest.
Prayer - Write out a prayer.
Lord, As I embark on this next journey of my life, I pray that you grant me wisdom that is not of human origin. Teach me to teach others father. For while I fell short of my goals of becoming a pastor, I lean not on my own wisdom or that of this world’s. I put my faith in Your Will, Your Wisdom, and Your Eloquence. Let me become a trainer who trains as is required of me by my company. But when the time is right, and if it is of Your design, may I be ready to take up that mantle, and share the testimony of God, and teach of Your salvation.
I pray for Desert Streams Church, father God. I thank you for surrounding me with such a loving, authentic, body of Christ. Continue to watch over this body, and the future body, as Pastors Levi and Katie continue to spread the love of Christ here in Santa Clarita. I pray that your blessings over this house, this body of Christ-worshippers, will runneth over, because like Pastor Levi likes to say, “...the best is yet to come.” Thank you God for all that you have done and will do.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
1 Corinthians 1 - 10.24.24
S – 1 Corinthians 1:10 - “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
O – This is a letter written by Paul to the Corinthians who were struggling with their environment. Paul had founded the church on his second missionary journey and just 18 months later arguments and division arose between the members. Some even slipped back to an immoral lifestyle. Paul wrote this letter to address these issues and to clear up any confusion regarding “right and wrong.” He began his letter with “Brothers and Sisters,” emphasizing that as Christians we are all part of God’s family. We have a bond, and that bond can even be deeper than the one we have with our biological families.
A – But agree with one another and let there be NO division among you? That seems like an impossible task! How can we possibly not disagree or quarrel? Well, I don’t believe that is exactly what God is saying. He knows our sinful nature and prideful ways, but He has expectations for how we live amongst each other.
If we truly believe we are God’s children and that our church family is made up of brothers and sisters, then we should at least begin with loving one another and caring for each other accordingly. This is not a request, but a command!
John 13:34-35 - “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (MSG)
Every family has a set of values and rules that their family follows. You just know that in your house you do or don’t do (fill in the blank). As God’s children He has his own standards (rules) for how we are to interact with our family. It’s not a suggestion (like these red lights and stop signs seem to be here in SCV). But I digress! As Christians, we are called to a higher standard because God IS the standard and He is the Most HIGH. This is what He calls us to do, plain and simple.
It does seem rather a difficult task, however, unity does not equal uniformity. Dwelling together in unity does not mean that we are all the same. Instead, we acknowledge that we have different gifts, personalities, and ministries, and we all live and work together peacefully. We are united in purpose, making every effort to use our unique giftings in harmony with all the others. The apostle Peter urged, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).
God wants His people to enjoy the rich blessing of dwelling together in unity. He calls us to help and support one another, share resources as we are able, worship and fellowship together, pray for one another, and build each other up in the faith.
Above all, dwelling together in unity means loving one another deeply and sincerely. Such unity among the people of God gives off a pleasing aroma that is attractive to unbelievers (John 13:35; 17:21, 23; 1 John 2:10; 3:14), but the stench of division destroys our witness in the world and drives unbelievers away. (Gotquestions.org)
Let’s not be stinky!
Psalm 133:1 - “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
P – Lord would you help us navigate this world where we are taught that we must protect ourselves, we must “get ours,” and we believe it’s our way or the highway. We are so easily offended and shut people out when they have any difference of opinion or a way of doing something. Yet YOU Lord, created us to be uniquely and wonderfully made. You made us to have our own thoughts and to do things differently. That is what makes us beautiful to You. Oh Lord, would you help us see that beauty in the differences of others! Help us to embrace the qualities you have given others and help us to learn from them. We are living in such a state of division within our city, our state, and the entire country. With the upcoming elections we are more divided than ever! Help each of us, as your children, let go of our own ideas of what/WHO, is right and wrong and focus solely and Your Will, Your Way! Help us love one another EVEN when we don’t agree, EVEN when we are different, EVEN when we think WE are right! Help us not be foolish in our thoughts.
Proverbs 14:12-16
12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
and the good rewarded for theirs.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,
but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
Give us a heart to bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, and LOVE one another as you have COMMANDED! Amen.
- Crystal Flory
Psalm 81 - 10.23.24
Scripture
Psalm 81:8-10
Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Observation
God is calling us to remember the times He has intervened and answered our prayers and to understand that He, and only He, is our source.
Application
On Sunday, during Pastor Levi’s sermon, I was reminded of some of the times that God has intervened on my behalf when the problems seemed insurmountable. Taking the time to remember and thank Him for things He has done for us in the past builds our faith (and the faith of others when we share those stories!), strengthens our relationship with Him, and helps prepare us for trials that are yet to come. When we stop and remember how much He loves us and how He has already proved himself faithful, it is easier to remember to take our problems to Him and trust that He is in control.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
But in Psalm 81 God also tells us to remember that He must be our only God. We can’t be searching for other things to fill our needs or put other things before Him. Jobs and relationships and possessions don’t meet our needs. He is the source of all we need. He says “open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”
Prayer
Father, thank you for all the times you have answered my prayers and come to my rescue. Help me to daily remember your goodness and faithfulness. Forgive me for the times I try to solve things on my own or run to others instead of running to you. Help me to humble myself and remember that every good gift comes from you. Build my faith. You are my God and the source of all I need. Amen
- Debbie Dunn