1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Today's Scripture

¹If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is all you need. All you need is love. Well, this may be true, but it is not the kind of love described by our culture--but the love that comes from God. These scripture verses speak of that love, and remind us that if we have a thousand gifts, but do not love, we gain nothing.

Let all we do be tempered with love. Let us love others as we serve Christ, loving him above all else.

Paul spends the rest of the chapter describing this love, so we'll be back tomorrow!

- posted by Suzi @ 5:25 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 12
Today's Scripture

After struggling through the difficult passage of 1 Corinthians 11 regarding the headship of men, coverings for women in worship, and how we should approach the Lord's table, 1 Corinthians 12 concentrates on unity as well as celebrating and using the different gifts we have as members of Christ's body, the church.

Sometimes I may feel an insignificant part of the whole--perhaps I'm just a little toe or even a pinky fingernail. But Paul teaches that we all have worth and contribute to the body. I love verse 6: ^"There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV) We may have different jobs in the church, but we work for the same God, who works within each of us to accomplish his purposes.

Verse 26 reads "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." We hurt when other believers hurt. We rejoice when they rejoice. And as members of the body of Christ, we must work together and respect the different gifts that we have. I, as a fingernail, cannot compare myself to someone who is a foot. We both have different abilities and we need each other.

I am glad the head is reserved for Christ, and that we all serve under his Lordship. May we remember that as we go about our work for him, that all we do may be for his glory.


- posted by Suzi @ 9:31 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
It seems that the Corinthians were coming together for the Lord’s Supper and using it as a time and place to eat without waiting for others or even get drunk. Paul addresses this problem and reminds them that communion is a holy time—a time of remembrance of the Lord’s death. Those who take it lightly or abuse it in any way, without recognizing the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, are in danger of judgment and discipline.

I don’t believe, as some do, that this Scripture means that we must believe that the elements we partake of at communion are the actual body and blood of Christ. And I believe that we can participate in communion with any believers who regard the sacraments as holy and as we partake of them together, we participate in the body and blood of Christ.

It is our attitude about communion and our reverence for Christ that is important. We should revere one another and above all, the Lord as we worship him at the Lord’s Supper.

- posted by Suzi @ 4:30 AM 2 comments

 
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Today's Scripture

Usually when I sit down to write these devotionals, I write from what I hope is the Holy Spirit's leading. I draw on my past knowledge and experience, but I typically don't spend time reading other's views or opinions on the text before I comment myself.

This passage can be so controversial, however, that I decided to read some online commentaries. You can find some of them at the link below (Bible study helps). One that I used I actually found in a Google search, and can be linked to here.

I believe that we need to take every Scripture we read in its context, and in the context of the culture. At the same time I believe that the Word of God is true, inspired, and relevant for all times, regardless of time and culture.

Nonetheless, it is helpful to know that Paul wrote to a society where sexual immorality was prevalent. A sign of an adulteress woman or prostitute was a woman with a shaved head--and Paul may have had this in mind when he said women should have their heads covered. There seems to be disagreement as to whether Paul meant that her hair was her covering or that she should wear a head covering. Regardless, she should be reverent in worship and set apart from those who practiced immorality.

Paul talks about man being the head of his wife, as God the Father is the head of Christ. We know that the Father and the Son are equal, but the Son submitted to the will of the Father. So, too, the man and woman are created equal, but as the head, the man is to protect and cherish his wife, and the woman is to serve and honor her husband. This in no way demeans a woman's worth, I think, but elevates it, as she is to be cherished in her husband's eyes. And a man is given a special responsibility in caring for his wife as well.

One interesting thing I read about in a commentary concerns verse 10 mentioning that a woman should have a sign of authority on her head because of the angels. This commentator (David Guzik, at the link above) said that angels are present in our churches, and are particularly sensitive to improprieties in our worship. The larger picture reminds us that we live in a spiritual world, and that angels and demons are all about us. The battle we fight every day is not ours alone, but is a spiritual one, and we are to always be mindful of that.

I am heartened by the fact that Paul says that Eve came from Adam, but he also mentions that men are born from women. We need each other. As we read this passage, I pray that God can give us understanding and love for each other. We can appreciate our differences and acknowledge our need for each other.

If anyone would like to leave comments or a different interpretation of this Scripture, I would certainly welcome that and it would be helpful to any readers. May we ask for God's grace and understanding as we read particularly difficult passages in his Word.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:03 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Today's Scripture


Paul has spent a good deal of time commenting on the freedom we have in Christ, yet the need to be sensitive to others, especially weaker brothers. He also points out that our actions may be stumbling blocks in the way of the path for others to find Christ.

It seems that much of life is a balancing act--and I tend to become obsessive in one area or another. I pray with Paul that whatever I do, I may do it all for the glory of God (verse 30). If we keep this in mind as we go about our day, we are sure to please God. Let's ask ourselves today, is what I'm doing glorifying to God? If it is, it is to our benefit and to the benefit of others as well.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:47 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Today's Scripture

The words from verses 16 and 17 are often spoken at communion in a worship service: ¹⁶Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. (NIV) I feel that these times of fellowship with other believers is a time of coming together under the lordship of our Savior.

Paul is still addressing the issue of eating food that had been sacrificed for idols, and again pointing out that, though we have freedom to eat anything, for the sake of the whole body, we should participate in the breaking of bread at the Lord's table rather than eating food that others may see as unholy.

Christians will have struggles and disagreements about things like what they eat or drink, how they act or talk. It seems that Paul is pointing out here that unity is what Christ wants from us. It's okay to have differences if we resolve them in brotherly love. If the world looks on the internal squabbles of Christians, how are we attracting them to Jesus? Let them know us by our love, fellowship in harmony we share, thereby winning others to join our circle.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:42 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Today's Scripture

Many times in life when I face difficulty I feel alone and isolated. Selfishly, I feel that no one has ever experienced what I'm going through--or really knows how I feel.

But most of our pain is universal, or at least, common to many other people who have lived through the generations. And not only our pain is common, but also our temptations. Many people are tempted by sexual desires and symbols in our culture. Many get caught up in the trap of wanting more and needing more money. Many are guilty of being self-centered and putting others down to elevate themselves.

We are also guilty of being tempted to follow other gods, as the Israelites were in the desert in Moses' time. Their punishment serves as a warning to us today, and Paul leaves us with a special promise--a verse worth committing to memory:No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it. (verse 13, NIV)

- posted by Suzi @ 4:39 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
^{Today's Scripture}

As we go through our daily Christian lives, we should live as one striving for an ultimate prize--our goal is heaven and to take as many with us to heaven as possible.

We should live our lives in a way that glorifies God in all we do. This takes work and discipline, and may not be easy, especially if you live, work or play with other people! But we know that our efforts are not in vain, that we await the day when the Lord will say, well done good and faithful servant.

Jesus has done the work of our salvation. As his Holy Spirit dwells in us, let us live a life worthy of our calling to follow him, and in so doing, attract others to follow as well.

- posted by Suzi @ 2:14 PM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 9:1-23
Today's Scripture

Paul was a tentmaker, so as he traveled and preached, he worked with his hands to earn a living, so he did not have to depend on offerings for his support. But here, he points out that he has the right to ask for offerings--or that others who preach God’s word may indeed depend on offerings. He chooses not to ask for money, so that his hearers will not feel obligated in any way.
Although Paul has the freedom to ask for these things, he does not. In his freedom, he becomes a slave to all, and works to reach all by becoming like them. Examples he gives include: to the Jews he becomes like a Jew, to those under the law he becomes like one under the law, to the weak he becomes weak. He summarizes this in verse 22b: I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. (NIV).

As we worship in our churches, we should give generously so that those who minister to us can earn a decent living and focus on preaching the Word of God. Even though Paul chose tent making to earn his keep, most modern day pastors are dependent on the generosity of their parishioners. Let us give wholeheartedly and cheerfully to support them. And as we are all free, pastors and congregations, we should share this freedom and serve each other as though we were slaves, seeking to understand each individual from his or her own point of view. In this way, we win more to Christ and follow the example Paul sets before us here.


- posted by Suzi @ 5:09 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 8
Today's Scripture

Paul moves the discussion from marriage and the benefits of remaining single to food sacrificed for idols. Was it all right for Christians to eat food that had been set aside for idol worship? Since idols were not gods, wasn't it okay for Christians to eat this food? After all, God had told Peter in Acts 10 that Peter should not call food impure that God had now declared clean.

But Paul cautions about misusing our freedom in Christ. Perhaps another believer--one new to the faith--still thought of that meat as impure, and witnessed another Christian eating it. His faith might falter, and it would not be worth causing the "weaker" brother in the Lord pain. So, even when we have freedom in Christ, it is good to exercise self-control in the case of others.

An example today might be use of alcohol. Many Christians believe drinking in moderation is fine. But another believer may be a recovering alcoholic, who knows that he must abstain from any alcohol and enjoys the presence of other Christian "tea-totallers" who support him in his effort. Is it worth it for us to drink in front of others who may struggle with alcohol addiction?

We do have freedom in Christ, but not license to abuse that freedom. We need to seek God daily for the wisdom to use our freedom wisely.



- posted by Suzi @ 6:37 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Today's Scripture

Paul concludes chapter seven with more instructions on marriage and the value of remaining single--or if finding oneself single through death, remaining that way if possible. He does say that an individual is certainly free to marry after the death of a spouse, but may find happiness in singlehood and total devotion to the Lord as well.

In writing to the Corinthians, Paul no doubt had in his mind the culture of sexual immorality that was common there. So, he adds that it is better for someone to marry than not too if he or she has trouble controlling himself. It seems our culture may have a lot in common with the Corinthian one.

But setting the marriage/singleness conversation aside, I think Paul's point beyond this is that we should be content no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, and to serve God wholeheartedly whether married, single, with children, without children, or with grown children. May God give us the grace to live according to his will.

- posted by Suzi @ 5:05 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Today's Scripture

Paul speaks here again about the virtue of singleness, and that being married can bring on many troubles. As a married person, I know that I daily I am concerned about my husband and my children and am always thinking of how to meet their needs. I love them and am blessed by having them in my life, so I wouldn't want it any other way. But a single person can focus on the things of God without the distractions and sometimes trials of family life. I speak as a mother of teenagers! ;)

When Paul wrote, he believed that Jesus could come back at any time, so we should live each day as if he were to return soon. Two thousand years have past, but we are still to live in this expectant state. Every day we should focus on Christ and be ready to meet him, instead of being concerned with material things or meeting emotional needs that are trivial.

Lord, help me live for you and be pleasing for you. I know I fall short of who I should be, and I ask for your strength each day. Amen.

- posted by Suzi @ 4:51 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Today's Scripture

Here Paul addresses the issue of circumcision, which was a hot topic among Jewish Christians. Some believed that new converts (nonJews) should become circumcised before they be admitted to the faith. Paul focuses on keeping God's commands, not outward appearances or status.

Whatever position we find ourselves in--married, single, working, at home, with children, without children, with grown children--we should seek to serve the Lord with the gifts he has given us for the time we have now. So often we long for something different or "better," but God has equipped us for what we need to do his work and his will. I pray that he will guide me to serve him in whatever circumstances I find myself in, and give me humility and gratitude as well.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:02 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 7:8-16
Today's Scripture

Here Paul gives instructions for singles, widows, married people who may be contemplating separation, and those believers married to unbelievers. It is clear from this passage that it is best to be married to another believer, but that God can work through a believing spouse to reach an unbeliever. God also wants us to honor each other in our marriages, regardless of circumstances--and whether we are both believers or not, we are to live in peace.

I am blessed to be in a good marriage with a godly husband, so I'm in no position to give advice to those who are in different circumstances. I would say that those who are like me, we should be grateful that we are as we are, and not judge those who find themselves otherwise. We should pray for them as they have need, and also for the salvation of an unbelieving spouse. And, as I think of my growing teenagers, I pray that when and if they decide to marry, they find believers who will seek God above all else, and that as they grow closer to God, they can grow closer to each other in their marriage.


- posted by Suzi @ 9:37 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 7:1-7
Today's Scripture

Paul elevates celibacy and singleness in this chapter, but recognizes that it is better to marry than to be sexually promiscuous. And the husband and wife should give themselves to each other, for they do not belong to themselves, but to each other. It is not a good idea to be apart for a long period of time, unless you are devoting yourselves to prayer for awhile.

But Paul again comes back to the singleness as a gift--and admits that not all have the "gift of celibacy." I remember my single days and am glad for the time I had to grow in the Lord and the freedom I experienced. But I'm also so glad to be married to a wonderful man and be the mother to his children.

As we go through our years together, I know that there will be a time when one of us is single again, when the other goes on to be with the Lord. God will give us grace in that time, as he did before and during our marriage. In the meantime, I need to be sensitive to the needs of my husband and be glad to share everything with him.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:08 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Today's Scripture

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit--we are not our own, we have been bought with a price--the price of the sacrifice of God's own Son on the cross.

God has enabled me to be faithful to my husband, so I don't seem to struggle with sexual immorality, but it is still hard for me to treat my body as God's temple. I may consume unhealthy foods or not exercise enough or sleep too much or too little. And the thoughts I allow into my mind may sometimes be impure as well.

God wants us to remember that he indwells us. We need to treat the body he has given us with respect and know we are made in his image. When we have Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living in us! How grateful I am for this!

And someday, we will have new bodies--heavenly ones! How I long for that day!


- posted by Suzi @ 6:43 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Today's Scripture

Paul continues with his theme of judging others, as he chides the believers for going to secular courts for disputes they have with brothers. He implores them to settle their differences among believers, as saints are more qualified to make judgments than those who do not worship God.

The wicked are not the ones who will inherit the kingdom of God, Paul adds in verse 9. But he says that is what we were before we knew Christ. Because we are washed by his blood, sanctified and justified by his name, we should live in harmony with one another and settle our differences among ourselves.



- posted by Suzi @ 4:53 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Today's Scripture

Sometimes it is difficult to know how to relate to people who fall into sin--of course, we are all guilty of this, so no one can really judge the heart but Christ. Yet, how are we to respond to people who seem to willfully sin? In Matthew 7:1-2 Jesus said we are not to judge others. But later in the chapter he warns against false prophets, saying, "by their fruits you will recognize them." (NIV) in verse 16 and repeats this in verse 20.

Paul seems to be clarifying this point for us here. We are not to judge those who do not claim to follow Christ, but those who do. If there are those among us who say they are brothers or sisters in Christ, but live a lifestyle not consistent with biblical principles, we need to confront that individual in love and perhaps even put them out of the church if they do not repent.

Always, always, though, I believe we should look in our own hearts first, confess our sins to God, make restitution for any wrong we ourselves have done. Then we can go to our brothers with a clean heart and offer them the same grace that God has so lavishly given to us.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:44 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Today's Scripture


It's easy to look at someone else in their difficult circumstances and wonder if they are at fault for the mess they find themselves in. Sometimes this is true, but it's not helpful to point a finger.

We may find ourselves in similar circumstances at some point in our lives. Before I had children, I wondered why parents couldn't control their wriggling, crying babies or toddlers in public places. I wondered why teenagers would make poor choices--thinking that the parents must somehow be to blame.

So, I will not boast in my great parenting skills, for I've made many mistakes. This boasting can only lead to pride that will work its way through my life and heart like yeast, puffing myself up until I am finally I am flattened by something beyond my control.

Instead of puffing with pride, I will seek to do as Paul does--keep the Festival not with yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the bread without yeast--the bread of sincerity and truth. For in my weakness, God is strong, and perhaps can use me to help others who share my weaknesses.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:36 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Today's Scripture


I often take for granted that I have a good marriage, with a husband who is faithful to me and I to him. It must be terrible for some married people to wonder if their spouse is having an affair or engaged in sexually immoral behavior.

Before I become too proud in my blessings, I need to remember that there are other ways I pollute my body--things I may view on TV, impure thoughts that may enter my brain, losing my temper with family members, etc. etc. (I'll stop the list here.)

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and when we're tempted to do something to harm ourselves physically--whether that's overeating or engaging in sexually impure behavior--we are guilty of abusing that temple. I will ask God for the reminder that He indwells me so I may live a life worthy of his presence.

- posted by Suzi @ 8:31 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Today's Scripture


¹⁴I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. ¹⁵Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. ¹⁶Therefore I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

¹⁸Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. ¹⁹But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ²¹What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

How fortunate we are today to have a heritage of many spiritual fathers throughout the 2000 year history of Christianity! Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, who didn't have such a wealth of leaders to draw from. He himself appeared unable to come to them at this time, but promised to send Timothy, who would remind them of the way of life Paul lived, following Jesus.

Of course, with a multitude of leaders today, comes more of a possibility to follow false teachers. We must be discerning and follow them as they follow Christ.

I love Paul's plain language in verse 21. He promises to come to them eventually, even though some are arrogant and do not believe they need the guidance Paul can give. When he would arrive, he wondered if he would find empty talkers, or ones who had the true power of Christ. In verse 21 he says, "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" (NIV) I don't hear many preachers speaking on this verse, but I'm sure most prefer to come in love with a gentle spirit. Sometimes we need painful discipline from the pulpit, but if we seek to follow Christ as those who lead us follow him, we can worship and grow together in love and with a gentle spirit.

- posted by Suzi @ 8:05 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Today's Scripture

As I read this Scripture passage, I thought of pastors and Christian leaders I know. As Paul writes here, leaders (apostles in this case) are often on display as spectacles--as fools for Christ, dishonored by the world. It is true that for the amount of education a seminary trained pastor has, he is at the low end of the pay scale. When they are cursed, they bless, they endure in persecution, and respond to slander with a soft answer.

We need to be praying for our pastors, who shoulder a heavy load on behalf of those they minister to. We need to help them carry their weight--to join them as fools for Christ, to share the wealth we as laypeople may have that they don't.

I thank God for people who are willing to devote their entire lives to ministry. Let us join them in prayer and humility, lifting them up with our prayers and love.





- posted by Suzi @ 7:42 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 4:6-7
Today's Scripture

So often we read meaning into things that were not intended. If my kids say that they're not hungry, it doesn't mean I'm a terrible cook. If my husband asks me to straighten the pantry to make room for his lunch pail, it doesn't mean I'm the worst housekeeper in the state.

It is also tempting to go beyond what we read or hear from the Bible. True, we must interpret God's word, and many interpretations are valid. But it is necessary to read the text in its context and ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we read. Here, Paul advises us to "not go beyond what is written." In this situation it seems to mean that we should not value ourselves as better than others because of what God has given us. We need to focus on the giver, not ourselves, and be grateful to a loving a extravagant God, who wants to give to us all. Let us boast in God and his goodness, and not in what we have ourselves.


- posted by Suzi @ 6:48 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Today's Scripture

I think it is human nature to judge people. We look at them, and judge them by their appearance. We listen to them, or read what they write, and judge them by their words.

My husband Tim recently bought a game called Typecast. It contains cards with pictures of dozens of people. On the back of the card is a quote of that person, and three categories with lists, including that person's favorite thing from that list (for example, favorite food: pizza, from a list of six other foods). The object of the game is to be the first one to correctly guess what five persons' favorite things are, based only on their picture and their quote.

Paul says in this passage that we shouldn't care about what others say in judgment of us--only what Jesus says. He cautions us against judging others, for the Lord will come and bring to light what is hidden and expose the motives of the heart. Let us look at each other's hearts, not appearance, and seek to please God, not others, in what we do. And, as we please God, we will please those who are also seeking after God's heart.

- posted by Suzi @ 8:38 AM 2 comments

 
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Today's Scripture

As a middle-aged person, I sometimes get tired of the body I have. It's not as pretty as it once was, or as thin, or as healthy. Like all of creation, my body and I groan and await the second coming of Christ, when we will become new.

I'm diabetic, so I need to take special care of my body. I need to check my blood sugar and take oral medication as well as insulin. This is a daily occurrence--in fact, more than once a day. I am conscious of what I eat and try to balance out my diet.

But I don't just maintain my body for health's sake. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and I need to be more mindful of that than I am. What I put in--whether food in my stomach or food for my mind--affects me as God's child. I need to be nourishing the body God has given me, with healthy food and uplifting thoughts.

When I dwell on God's word, I'm feeding on God's wisdom. The Word is not always understood by the world, but as I seek God, he shows me his wisdom is best and what will help me grow to become more like him.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:45 AM 0 comments

 
1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Today's Scripture

Since I've helped my husband in his construction work several times, I know a little bit (very little, but still a bit) about building a house. Tim's work is finishing work--getting the walls ready to be painted--so he sometimes has to cover the mistakes of those who worked before him. I've spent time screwing in screws more tightly on sheetrock, or repairing gashes in walls that have been nicked by tools, ladders, or whatever. The drywall taper needs to make the walls smooth and sanded nicely for the painter.

Of course, a good painter can cover up for the drywall taper, too. Putting on a good primer coat helps a lot, as well as using flat paint as opposed to satin or another high sheen paint.

But it always comes back to the foundation. If the foundation isn't on something firm, the house will settle. Even the best sheetrock hanging, drywall taping, and painting can't hide cracks that form after a house settles.

In this passage, Paul speaks of Jesus Christ as our foundation. We may all have different roles in building up the body of Christ, but we should always look to the one who is our bedrock--our solid cornerstone. Instead of quarreling about who may be better or trying to do someone else's job, we should focus on what God has given us the gifts to do to strengthen his body. And always, we need to look to the Master Builder for the correct blueprint. If we're all looking at the same plan, we can build in unity and glorify God in the process.



- posted by Suzi @ 10:07 AM 0 comments