Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Today's Verses: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
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So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.... For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.--vs.31 and 33

Let's make a list. Name the top ten things you do each week that take time, energy, or money. Now, draw a line down the middle of the paper and label the two columns: God's Glory and My Glory. Consider each item on your list and ask yourself.

Why do I do this thing?

Place your items in the appropriate column according to how you answer. It is never easy to examine the heart or motive behind what we do.

Making you feel guilty is not the purpose of this exercise, and I'm not proposing that we quit doing anything on the lists. The verse says "whatever we do." Whatever we do, do it for His glory. Whatever career we have or whatever hobby we love. When we exercise or watch television. As we parent our kids or talk to the neighbors.

It is not really about doing something different, but more about who we do it for and the heart behind it that matters. We must do what we do not for our own good, but for the good of many. So that they might be saved.

Lord, help me examine my life: where I'm glorifying myself and

where I'm glorifying You. Convict me of the places and ways I 

advance myself. Teach me how to glorify You in all I do.

Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Today's Scripture; 1 Corinthians 10:11-22
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Just yesterday the mini-Methodists took a look at this same scripture. The lesson began with Jesus in the desert fasting and praying for forty days. It's no accident He went to the desert, a dry place. Nothing but sand and brush all around. No food, no roof over His head, no comfortable place to sit or lie down, and no one to talk to or encourage Him. His fasting time in the desert was so much more than choosing not to eat. As He nears the end of the fast, the enemy comes to tempt Him. Food, power, an easier way is offered and Jesus resists it all.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. He also says God provides a way out. Jesus had a way out and if you look closely you'll see it. In the face of every temptation, Jesus's response was God's Word. God's Word is the way out of temptation. It makes us stronger, wiser, and more discerning. My friend just recently said, "God's prayer language is His Word." So many times when I'm facing temptation a verse I've read will come to mind. His Word is living, a light to brighten our paths.

As we continue on our journey through the New Testament, let me ask you... How is God making a difference in your life through His Word? What verse has He brought to mind lately? Did it provide you a way out?

We would love to hear from you... hear your story. Won't you drop a note to us in the comment box about God working in your life through His Word?

Lord, Your are the Word made flesh.

As I pursue You, transform me to flesh out 

Your Word in my life.

Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-10
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I just finished reading the Exodus story and I didn't get it. I didn't see the connection to Christ until I read these verses in Corinthians today. One people following Moses through the sea, eating manna in the desert... drinking water from a rock. All along the way the people committed idolatry and indulged their flesh in ways God did not like. I noticed one sin continued on even after Moses died... grumbling and complaining. They often complained out loud, "We were better off in Egypt as slaves." We're bent to be complainers. It is so easy to find the negative in any situation. From the days of Moses up until this day, we are grumbling people.

Grumbling doesn't change who we are as a people. We too walk through the baptismal waters, we eat the body broken for us... drink blood shed for us. When the people had a chance to believe the good report and move into the Promise Land they didn't. Instead they listened to the spy's negative words and made them their own and didn't enter the land. God scattered their bodies as they wandered around in the desert for forty years that should have only taken a couple of weeks. It makes me wonder. What would have happened if they would have seen the positive side? What could have been different if they chose to praise instead of complain?

Could it be the same for us? Is our complaining and grumbling keeping us from crossing the Jordan into our own Promised Land? What would happen if we just stopped? God has given us the freedom to praise Him in the face of any circumstance. He has blessed us with the ability to see good in all things. This is our challenge. May we move from this day forward praising Him in our homes, work, community,and church.

Father God, forgive my grumbling and complaining, because

when I grumble, I complain about what You're doing in my life.

Your sovereignty in all things, brings what it wills into my life,

and You intend it all to be used for my good, the forming of

my character into that of Your Son.

Today I choose to give thanks... in all circumstances...

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Beyond the Gospels: Cornithians

Today's Verses: 1 Corinthians 9:13-27
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Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in a way that gets the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. --- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV

I so admire those I know who run marathons. I listen to them discuss their training methods and think of the preparation time that goes into being ready. Just this week one of  the mini-Methodists bounds through the door excited to tell me how well they did on their benchmark test. All training for THE test that's coming soon. A conversation about new classes with my oldest reminds me of the six years of training she's on to prepare for the career she hopes to have. Most anything we do takes preparation. Paul gets it too. He takes time to remind us training is all part of the game. Actually, it's the most important part.

It makes me wonder. What kind of training am I doing lately? Where do I spend my time and energy? Do I have a workout plan when it comes to spiritual things? Do you? Consider what you are training for today.

Father God, teach me to train for the race of faith.

I want to be prepared to glorify You with my life

whatever comes.

Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-12
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Paul takes time to defend himself to those who choose to judge. He asks about his own rights and it leaves me wondering... what rights do we really have? If we live within those rights will it stop others from judging. You know the answer to that question and so do I. No matter what our rights are, or what we do. If we are living and breathing, working and doing... somebody, somewhere will have something to say about it. It doesn't feel so great to be judged. Plain and simple, it causes lots of pain.

Over the years I've learned there is a far more important question. One which leads us to let go of what others think or say. A question I ask myself when the gavel of judgmental words ring in my ears.

"Where was my heart in this?"

When we are seeking God above all. When our hearts are turned towards him. The answer to the question gives us the freedom to continue on in the face of judgement. Sometimes, like Paul, we defend ourselves. Most often, we just have to keep on keeping on.

Lord, enable me to receive the judgments of others with a humble heart.

Remind me to bring any criticism to You first, so You can show me if it

is a legitimate issue in my heart. Turn my heart to care first and foremost

about Your judgment of me. You alone know what's in my heart.