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

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. v13

Lord, I know that life on earth is a great spiritual battle and You are my weapon.  I need only You and what You provide. I have fought off many temptations when I allow Your strength to work through my weakness.

Right now the temptation (with Lisa's cancer) is to stop having faith and trust in You and instead have a hardened heart.  I certainly don't want this and I know You are always there and will never stop loving me and Lisa.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed an awesome God.  What Lisa is going through is certainly not fun and there are moments when I worry and fail to trust You.  I am deeply grateful that You love me despite these sins.  I am also deeply grateful that You love me anyway, and for all of the love and support You provide through Your Son, Your Word, and through the brothers and sisters in Christ that have so greatly encouraged us.  I need You badly Lord...help me be strong so I can be strong for Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Please cure Lisa!  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Please also help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

1 Corinthians 10

 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. v10

Last night at BSF, we were talking about how the Israelites constantly grumbled and complained, regardless of how the Lord rescued them from bondage, parted the Red Sea for them, and repeatedly provided for them as the set out for the Promised Land.  We all grumble and complain, often times multiple times during the day.  God is in control and our complaints reflect a displeasure and complaint against God and so Paul instructs to avoid grumbling and complaining.

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

...instead we are to:

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My Prayer: Lord, I know You have great plans for me...plans not for harm but to prosper me (and Lisa).  You never break Your promises. Yet I have many questions and doubt at this time...please forgive me Jesus!  I thank You that You know everything about me, including my doubt and worry, yet You love me anyway.  Forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me truly love and trust You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today.  Give me strength.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air

1 Corinthians 9

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. v25

God has a plan...we know that...and God wants You to have a plan...one grounded in God's guidance for You (through the word, wise counsel, prayer, confirming circumstances, etc.).  We are to be intentional in our lives to live out what we believe is God's plan for us.

See also the following link:

"For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Once we understand God's will for our lives we are to be intentional...instead of running aimlessly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, just and merciful.  I don't know why things happen but I know that You have a plan and it is not for harm, but to prosper Lisa and myself.  Thank You Jesus so much for being the great God that You are...to me personally.  I am not deserving of a great God yet You are there...and You always have been and always will be.  I am selfish, my thoughts are often evil and sinful...please forgive me for such sin Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  Help me lead my household and Lisa through this difficult journey.

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 9

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. v22

Lord, You came to seek and save the lost and Your charge all of your servants to do the same.  Here Paul encourages me to meet people where they are.  We should not be someone we are not but we should be in relationship with people and not an "outsider" to the extent that we cannot fully appreciate the circumstances in which people find themselves.  To win the hearts and minds of unbelievers we must be in relationship with others and appreciate their circumstances...so we can talk into their lives where they are.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...what an awesome God You are.  You knew everything about me...sin and all...yet You chose to come for me...to suffer and die for me.  You continue to serve me daily and I know You love me more than anyone on earth ever can.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and sacrifice...I am lustful, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, etc.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?

1 Corinthians 8

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? v9-10

Our life should be a witness to others, and we are not be slack in our ways or a hypocrite...even in the slightest or smallest "insignificant" ways.  Unbelievers will use our ways to justify their own wicked ways.  

I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:45

My Prayer:  Lord, You ARE Holy...pure, holy and blameless.  Yet You willingly came to earth, for me, and then suffered and died for me.  You rose again to beat death, so that I would no longer be a slave to sin, I would have forgiveness for my sin, and that I would have new life and life in Heaven forever with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  How awesome You are.  I am not all of what You have done..or any of it.  I have lust in my heart, I am selfish, quick to anger and slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and there is more.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

1 Corinthians 4

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. v20

Paul warns us of arrogance and haughty talk...this is foolishness.  What we say means nothing unless we submit to Jesus Christ and allow Him to speak through us.  If we don't and we speak using our own words and through our worldly worldview, then of course our words are meaningless.  As Paul writes we should be come "fools for Christ" vs wise in this world.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, all wisdom and knowledge comes from You are wise indeed - beyond any description and I am to see You in all of my moments and days for guidance in my life and my challenges.  I am lost without You.  I need You desperately in my life...I am sinful. I lust in my heart, commit adultery in my heart sometimes...thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Please help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness....2 Timothy 3:16

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God

1 Corinthians 4

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. v5

Heavenly Father, I do want to store up treasures in Heaven...I do want to please You vs pleasing others and success in earthly terms.  As I posted Friday, what is wise in this age is not wise according to the Father, so let me understand and please You Jesus so that I can live for Heaven and pleasing You.  I don't want to be tripped up.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are wisdom and understanding and Your ways and will are perfect - I want to be part of Your plan and Your will and I don't want to focus on earthly or my own plans or designs.  You are a great God and I know You are my guide.  I don't always follow You or love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength but I want to.  You have transformed my life, my heart, and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Clearly I am not worth the blessing You have provided and the mercy and compassion You have poured out for me.  Thank You that You love me despite my sin...but please forgive me and help me turn from my sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today.