New Testament in a Year

1 Corinthians 12:1-26
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First Corinthians 12 is once again another amazing chapter in this book!  Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ…  it gets no better!  I love verses 4 through 7: “Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.”  If you are a believer in Jesus as your Lord, do you believe that a spiritual gift has been given to you?  Do you know what your spiritual gift is?  Are you using your spiritual gift as a means of helping the entire church?  (I think my spiritual gift is a gift that Paul did not write about in this chapter – the gift of blogging!  🙂

I love Paul’s discourse on the Body of Christ.  Verse 26 stands out: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.”  This makes me wonder about the Body of Christ in our world today.  Do you think that there are Christians in our world today who are suffering?  Who are starving?  Who are being persecuted?  Who are dying of disease?  And… if there are Christians – part of the Body of Christ just as we are part of the Body of Christ – who are suffering, are we sharing in the suffering with them in any way, shape, or form?  If we are not, are we ignoring part of our Body?  As Casting Crowns put it in their big hit Christian song – “If we are the Body, why aren’t His hands healing?  Why is His love not showing them there is a Way?”  Why?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Spirituality and Spiritual Gifts” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Third Day’s great song “Your Love Oh Lord!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP_Q4z0x_Fw

Do you know God’s love that reaches to the heavens? Click here to reach for faithfulness that reaches to the sky!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 11:17-34
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Wow..  great verses from Paul today!  I think most of us will recognize these words, or slight variations, as to how The Lord’s Supper happens at many churches today.  It is beautiful to come across these words in verses 23 through 26 in the context of Paul’s overall letter to the Corinthians.  It reminds me of how The Lord’s Supper comes upon us at church in the midst of our often busy / distracted lives. We so need to hear these words and so need to receive The Lord’s Supper: “For this is what the Lord himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”  How is The Lord’s Supper experience for you these days?  Do you consciously take The Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus?  Do you consciously realize when you participate in The Lord’s Supper you are announcing Jesus’ death until he comes again?

Paul’s teachings in verses in 27 through 29 are something for us to take note of: “So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.” How do these verses speak to you?  Do you examine yourself before participating in The Lord’s Supper? 

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Corrections for Communion” is at this link.

Worship Video: As Paul teaches on The Lord’s Supper today in First Corinthians, it seems an appropriate time to post up this video of Kutless’ “Sea of Faces.”  I have loved this song since I first heard it.  And every time I hear it I immediately think of The Lord’s Supper!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLHE4P-B2FA

Are you lost in a sea of faces? Click here to be Found!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you participate in the Lord’s Supper regularly. Pray that you are proclaiming the Lord’s death whenever you participate in the Lord’s Supper. Pray that you examine yourself before partaking in the Lord’s Supper.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 11:1-16
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Okay, I think it is important to keep in mind that these writings in First Corinthians 11 were directed to the church in Corinth.  And Paul is basically saying in this chapter that we need to be sensitive to the culture we are in.  Meaning, in 1st century Corinth men with long hair typically were prostitutes in pagan temples, so Paul says in this chapter it’s a disgrace for a man to have long hair.  Which it was in the culture and time of Corinth when this was written.  Same thing with women with short hair at this culture and time in Corinth – it was a sign of prostitution.  So, Paul says keep it long.  I know it can seem a bit tricky to figure out when the Bible should be taken literally word for word and when we need to consider context.  I would say that generally speaking, we need to consider context – context of one verse to the verse before and after.  Context to the chapter.   Context to the book.  Context to the Bible.  And context to the time and place that a particular book was written.  However, don’t let context mislead you into thinking that the Bible is not God’s Holy Word – that the Bible is not Truth.  For it is both.  The Bible is the Word of God.  The Bible is Truth.  And Paul’s words in today’s chapter essentially get at the Truth that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture – so that they (and we) will be believable witnesses for Jesus Christ.

I love verses 11 & 12 in today’s readings – “But in relationships among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, all men have been born from women ever since, and everything comes from God.”  It’s pretty hard to argue with this.  We are all dependent upon each other.  The Body of Christ is a community of believers.  Men and women are not independent.  We are dependent and interdependent on each other.  And things do not come from men or women – everything comes from God.

 

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Headship and Head Coverings” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Blessing Offur’s beautiful song “Brighter Days:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6lp1Oxb9L4

Do you need some brighter days? Click here for Brightness!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 10:14-33
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Great great unselfish words from Paul today in First Corinthians 10 verses 31 through 33! “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.”  How powerful is that?  Paul states that he doesn’t just do what is best for him – what is most comfortable for him – but he does what is best for others so that they may be saved!  Beautiful.  I am afraid that all too often we get “comfortably numb” in our lives and basically end up looking out for our own needs and desires and wants – even if we love Jesus.  We become a bit lazy in our Christianity.  We need to remember that there is a world out there that is dying.  Literally.  Dying. They need the love, healing, grace, peace, and salvation of Jesus in their lives!  We must accept some level of discomfort in our own lives so that others may be saved.  How about you today?  Are you allowing there to be some discomfort in your life so that others may be saved?  Are you being discomforted by sacrificially giving to your church and to ministries that serve the poor?  Are you being discomforted by volunteering on a very regular basis?  Are you being discomforted by supporting a missionary?  Are you comfortable with being discomforted so that others may be saved?  Will you bend over backwards for others so that they may be saved?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Table Talk” is at this link. 

Worship Video: 1 Corinthians 10:31 in today’s readings reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, “Do Everything:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW2Cz4dmz8o

Are you doing everything for God? Click here for Everything!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that all that you do today is done for the glory of God. Pray that your time on the internet is for the glory of God. Pray that all of your interactions with others today are for the glory of God. Pray that your life is for the glory of God.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13
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These are some of my favorite teachings of Paul’s today in First Corinthians chapter 9 verses 24 through 27! “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  The amazing thing about these words is that they are timeless.  Paul wrote these words nearly 2,000 years ago and they still ring so true today.  We still run races today.  We still have athletes.  We still win prizes.  We still have boxers.  I think so often in our world today we hear people in business or other fields use sports analogies.  Well, here is Paul using a sports analogy for faith!  🙂  I love it.  Please take a moment to re-read these verses above again.  Meditate for a few moments on the words.  What do they say to you?  Do you believe you are in a race for an eternal prize?  Do you want the eternal prize?  Are you disciplining your very life with purpose in your every step?  How are you running the race today?  Are you running to win?

First Corinthians 10 starts of with a few amazing verses that I haven’t really caught before.  Verses 2-4 – “As followers of Moses, they were all baptized in the cloud and the sea. And all of them ate the same miraculous food, and all of them drank the same miraculous water. For they all drank from the miraculous rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.” I love it!  The Israelites were baptized in the cloud and the Red Sea; ate the miraculous manna; and drank the water from the miraculous rock that Moses struck – and this rock that traveled with them was none other than Jesus!  This is a beautiful testimony that Jesus Christ was, is, and forever shall be.

First Corinthians 10 today ends in verses 12 and 13 with some powerful words of warning and encouragement that each of us should always remember – particularly in our darkest hours – “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”  Do you believe that you should always be careful to not fall into sin?  Particularly if you feel you are “standing strong?”  Do you realize that temptations will come into your life?  But, most importantly, do you realize that God will show you a way out of the temptations, so you will not give into them?  Will you pray fervently to God and Jesus to show you the way out when temptation comes your way?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Lessons from the Present and Past” is at this link and “Lessons we must learn from our ‘fathers’” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of the wonderful Selah video and song “You Raise Me Up:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2sZuJbxi8Y

Has God raised you up? Click here for Resurrection!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. “ 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that temptation will never completely overtake you. When tempted, pray that God will show you the way out so that you can endure it. Pray in thanksgiving that you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 9:1-18
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First Corinthians chapter 9 is an amazing look at Paul’s passion for the Gospel!  I think in this chapter Paul makes a very strong case for why we should support our local church.  Verse 10 says – “Just as farm workers who plow fields and thresh the grain expect a share of the harvest, Christian workers should be paid by those they serve.”  Our pastors, priests, ministers deserve our support.  Our local church deserves our support through our tithes.  It is interesting in today’s readings that Paul first lays out the case for “sharing our harvest” with Christian workers.  But – Paul refuses this payment because he says in verse 12 – “Yet we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.”  That is powerful!  Paul is not asking for nor expecting nor demanding payment or anything from those he serves, simply because he does not want to put up any obstacle in the way of the Gospel.  Incredible.  But again, remember this is the apostle Paul we are reading about here – your local church needs your tithe.  How is your tithing to your church going these days?  Are you consistently tithing to your church?  Will you pray about what God would have you tithe to your church and other ministries and nonprofits?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “When a Right May Be Wrong” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Chris Tomlin’s song “Holy is the Lord”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jbSNwvMDz8

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Click here for Strength!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 8:1-13
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Paul’s teachings today about food sacrificed to idols in First Corinthians chapter 8 should be considered along with chapter 10 verses 14 through 22.  In particular check out 10:19-21 – “Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?  No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”  Food sacrificed to idols was a major issue for Christians in Corinth to consider, so they wrote Paul asking about this issue.  Paul in chapter 8 hones in on the point that even though it may mean nothing to eat meat sacrificed to idols – which are nothing – it may mean a lot to some and cause some to stumble.  Then in chapter 10 Paul hones in on the point that sacrifices to idols are really sacrifices to demons.  This all makes me think about are world today.  As Christians, in our freedom in Christ many things are permissible.  But not all things are beneficial – to ourselves or to others that see us participating in some activities.  So, are there any areas of your life where perhaps you are participating in worldly activities that really don’t mean anything – they’re okay in our freedom – but that perhaps could cause others to stumble in some way?  Or, perhaps those activities could even cause you to stumble if you’re not careful?  Will you leave these activities by the wayside?  Related to that activity, would you be willing to say as Paul did in First Corinthians chapter 8 verse 13: “So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “The Great Divorce – Separating Truth From Love” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the wonderful Crowder/Maverick City song “God Really Loves Us:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-Y9bWlCw8

Do you believe that God really loves you? Click here and receive God’s love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that the exercise of your freedom on Christ does not become a stumbling block to weaker brothers and sisters. Pray that your life and actions grow brothers and sisters to be more godly in character and lifestyle.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 7:25-40
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First Corinthians chapter 7 verses 32 through 34 are intriguing words from Paul: “An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man can’t do that so well. He has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided.”  I see his logic of these words – and these words have often rung so very true in my own life.  But, I also see the blessing of the family.  Of marriage.  Of being part of a Holy Family.   Obviously each of us came into this world because of the union of a woman and man.  There are a billion reasons of why marriage is important – why the family is important.  It produces people like us!  🙂  Unfortunately in our world today I am afraid the concept of the “Holy Family” is not so strong.  Family can turn into a negative word for many people, instead of the holy word it should be.  All this to say – I believe many of us are called to family life – to marriage and to kids.  But I also believe that many of us are called to singleness.  I really do.  And I do believe being called to singleness is truly a blessing – just as being called to marriage is a blessing as well.  Have you spent much time in your life discerning whether God has called you to singleness or to marriage?  I think it’s worth reflecting upon periodically – but not to stress out about.  It’s better to ultimately remember Paul’s words in verses 29 through 33: “The time that remains is very short, so husbands should not let marriage be their major concern. Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God’s work. Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away. In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life.”  Whether you are single or married, do you believe these preceding verses are true for you?  What does it mean to you that “the time that remains is very short”?  How might this affect how you live your life?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Undistracted Devotion” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the awesome Sidewalk Prophets song called “The Words I Would Say:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyU9cwNp0k

What are the words God would say to you? Click here for the Word!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 7:1-24
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Today we read 1 Corinthians Chapter 7.  This has been a very powerful chapter of the Bible for much of my spiritual journey.  For a period of about 7 years I felt the call to “singleness” through this chapter through much prayer and reflection.  I think the call to singleness for some of us may be just for a season, or it could be for many seasons.  At the same time, just as valuable is the call to marriage and family life for many of us in this chapter as well.  These are some powerful verses.  Some say it is best just to consider these verses in “context” of the Corinthian church two thousand years ago.  However, I do believe there is value in this chapter’s verses for our lives as well.  How does First Corinthians chapter 7 speak to you and your life today?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Sex and the Spiritual Christian” is at this link, “The Relationship Between Spirituality and Sexuality” is at this link, and “Spirituality and the Status Quo” is at this link.

Worship Video: First Corinthians Chapter 7 seems an appropriate point to share with you this phenomenal song by Rebecca St. James that she wrote for her future husband called “Wait for Me”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1thVi6T9rEo

Are you waiting on God’s timing in your life? Click here and wait for Him no longer!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for God’s perfect will to be done in your life in regards to being married or being single. Pray a prayer of praise and contentment for whichever calling is upon your life. Pray that you don’t live a life burning with sexual passion. Pray you live a life of passion for God’s glory.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Corinthians 6:1-20
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Today in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 we read: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside their body, but you who sins sexually sins against your own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” These are powerful verses. And verses that seem to fly in the face of much of what we are sold in today’s culture. Reflect on these verses. Do you believe that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that you are not your own? Do you realize that you were bought at a price by Jesus on the cross? If you see sexual immorality heading your way, do you flee from it? Will you flee from it? What are the consequences if you do not flee from sexual immorality? Do you believe that sexual immorality is a sin you commit against your very own body? (self-abuse, if you will – though, I strongly believe others around you suffer from this sin against your own body as well. Nobody sins in a vacuum. It affects everyone we interact with. It affects everyone in our community. Think that sin is a selfish act?) Do you realize that when you sin sexually, you are sinning against a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells? Will you flee from sexual immorality? Please – literally – flee from it.

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in First Corinthians titled “Courting Sin” is at this link and “The Relationship between Spirituality and Sexual Morality” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Casting Crowns song “If We are the Body.”  Here’s a live version of this powerful song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYbGMQ5Y3Uo

Are you part of the Body? Click here to join God’s Body!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins people commit are outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you flee from sexual immorality. Pray that you will run to Jesus in prayer if/when sexual temptation comes your way. Pray that you will not sin against your own body, a temple of the Holy Spirit (if you are in a saving relationship with Jesus). Pray that you will honor God with your body. Pray that you will never ever look at pornography under any circumstances.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!