1 Corinthians 9 - 11.1.24
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV
”Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.“
Observation:
Paul is comparing our Christian lives to a race. Everyone runs and undergoes strict training, but only one wins. Then he contrasts the prize they will get with the one believers receive. After all that hard work, they get one that won’t last; in these times most likely one made of olive branches. We get a crown that will last forever. We need to run with purpose, for a great reward awaits.
Application:
Athletes train very hard to become skillful. Not all receive a reward. Paul is saying that if they work so hard for a moment of glory, why should believers not follow their example. God wants us to work diligently because He has a great reward for us.
What would this look like?
• Knowing our playbook, the Bible.
• Working out, strengthening our muscles through prayer.
• Time listening to our coach, the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent Him as our helper. We need to take time to wait and see what His will is. Then, act on it.
• Be a team player-fellowship with God’s people and contribute to the body.
Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for your complete work in our lives. You gave all for us. Please help me remember what you’ve done for me and work hard to give my all for you. May I always seek your will and rely on your strength to accomplish it. Thank you that you send your Holy Spirit to bring remembrance of your Word and to be my guide. Help me be read up and prayed up.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
1 Corinthians 8 - 10.31.24
SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 8:6-9
But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created all things and made us to be his own; and one Lord Jesus Christ, who made everything and gives us life.
However, some Christians don’t realize this.
All their lives they have been used to thinking of idols as alive, and have believed that food offered to the idols is really being offered to actual gods.
So when they eat such food it bothers them and hurts their tender consciences.
Just remember that God doesn’t care whether we eat it or not. We are no worse off if we don’t eat it, and no better off if we do.
But be careful not to use your freedom to eat it, lest you cause some Christian brother to sin whose conscience is weaker than yours.
OBSERVATION
While at first glance a chapter that is dealing with the matter of “food offered to idols” wouldn’t seem to have much significance for us today, yet there IS an overall relevant lesson.
For believers in Corinth staying clear of any contact from the food offered to idols was next to impossible for two main reasons.
First, it was an accepted “social practice” for all people to eat meals in the temples associated with idol worship because it was a hub for all social events including weddings and large family celebrations.
Second, any food that was left over from the temple sacrifices were sent to the marketplace and it was sold for discounted prices making it more affordable for the average families.
So even eating in a friend’s home, you could very well be eating food that came from the marketplace—which would most likely would have come from the pagan temples.
This was a great concern to some believers—and other believers weren’t concerned as they didn’t believe that the Food, itself, whether it had been offered to idols or not—could impact them OR their Faith in Jesus.
So, the question came to Paul—should believers eat food that had been sacrificed to idols?
APPLICATION
To get the right ANSWER you need to Ask the Right QUESTION
Paul explains that the question here is not really about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols.
The Correct Question was: How much do you Love your fellow believers?
[Note: to be clear, Paul does acknowledge that there are demonic powers behind these idols-BUT—Food in and of itself is Neutral [1 Corinthians 10:18-22].
““ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Jesus called the crowd to him and said,
“Listen and understand.
What goes INTO someone’s mouth does not defile them,
but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”” (Matthew 15:8, 10-11 NIV)
How much do you Love others?
Paul gives us an overriding important principle —Let LOVE—inform your decision.
Since there is no specific commandment here-and the concern is the division amongst you—
Let your Love for your fellow brother or sister believer inform your decision.
“Now about food sacrificed to idols….knowledge puffs up—while love builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1b NIV)
Knowledge is important…to guide our decisions. We need to read and study God’s word daily and seek the Holy Spirit for Wisdom and understanding —But it ALL must be knitted together with LOVE.
“I wisdom, live together with Good Judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” (Proverbs 8:12 NLT)
“If I have the gift of prophecy and if I can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.“ (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV)
If I have knowledge that it is okay for me to have a drink of wine, or buy a lottery ticket, or go on a shopping spree…or do anything that may be allowable for me BUT might cause someone who has a weakness in that area to sin—and do it anyways claiming my freedom—this is not showing wisdom AND it is not showing Love for the weaker believer.
“Only be careful that this liberty of yours [this power to choose] does not somehow become a stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the weak [in conscience]. And when you sin against the brothers and sisters in this way and wound their conscience [by confusing them], you sin against Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 8:9, 12 AMP)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
There is only ONE God The Father who Created ALL things and made us to BE His Own for His Glory! AND One Lord Jesus Christ—Who Gives us eternal Life.
Thank You for Your Love and calling me out of darkness to make me Your own.
Help me Lord-to Love others the way You have loved me. Help me to lay down my rights and put others first. This is not something I can do in my flesh, but by Your Holy Spirit-melt me and mold me to be more like You.
Help me to seek Your Wisdom and Your Kingdom first. Give me strength to serve you and glorify You in my life. May others see YOU in me. May they SEE Your LOVE.
In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Joshua 20 - 10.30.24
Scripture
Then the Lord said to Joshua “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.” (Joshua 20:1-3)
Observation
In Deuteronomy 19, God had given instructions to Moses about the cities of refuge. Now Joshua has conquered the Promised Land, and he is in the process of designating cities. God asks him to designate the cities of refuge. In the Old Testament, the law is “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24), which means retaliation is allowed and expected for every sin. If someone is murdered, the law required the murderer to be killed in retaliation. (Exodus 21:12). However, God provided provision for an accidental killing. Someone who killed someone accidentally can flee to one of the designated cities of refuge, and once inside the city’s boundaries, he cannot be killed. He is free to return home once the High Priest of the time dies, and can no longer be killed.
Everything in the Old Testament is a shadow (Colossians 2:17) of Jesus and God’s plan of redemption through Him. The cities of refuge are a shadow of Jesus, to whom we can run and be safe. Once covered by His blood, we are safe from the wages of our sin. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and Jesus died for us. In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and his death has freed us from the penalty of our sins.
In writing this Observation, I drew inspiration from my mother, Susamma Chacko, and her book “Jesus in the Old Testament”.
Application
Jesus is our refuge to which we can run into, everytime we fall. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7-8). We were bought with a price (1 Cor 7:23). It cost God everything to save us - the blood of his Son, Jesus. Let us live a life that acknowledges the price He paid, bringing glory to His name.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for reminding me that you are the city of refuge that I can run into. You have paid the price for my sin. Your blood has washed me. Your death and resurrection has set me free. Help me to live a life that is worthy of the calling you have placed on my life (Ephesians 4:1), bringing glory to your name. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George