Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

1 Corinthians 3

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. v18

We are told that we cannot serve two masters:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Although the specific reference in Matthew refers to money, I believe the same can be said of any idol we may have, including worldly knowledge.  We should focus first and foremost on God and knowledge of Him, His Word, His Ways, His Commandments, etc. and intimacy with Him.  We are promised that He will bless us if we do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that is the creator and provider of all things (all good and perfect gifts as James says in James 1:17) and You bless me beyond what I deserve. I am selfish, lazy, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me!  Help me turn from such 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.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

1 Corinthians 3

 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. v16-17

We are to be good stewards with what God has entrusted to us.  I am also reminded of the following verse.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.  Luke 12:48

My Prayer: Lord, I know You have blessed me with time, treasure and talents and I am blessed with how You provide...more than abundantly.  I am not worth such blessing.  I am selfish, quick to anger, slow to listen, harsh with my words, thoughts and actions, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from such sin 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 and ever day.

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. v8-9

I've been praying regularly that I grow in Christ.  God wants us to be good stewards of what He places in our care, whether these are money, skills, children, etc.  

Paul writes to the church in Corinth:

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. v2

The implication is that we NEED to be ready...we should be growing.  I am also thinking of the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God in that You give all of Your children an abundance of provision so that we may grow.  This provision comes in many forms, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.  What a great God that You provide in such abundance!  I am not worth such abundance...I am selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  I am quick to anger and slow to listen...I am impatient, prideful, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me...help me turn from such 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.

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for,“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ. v15-16

For us to fully trust and have faith in Christ we must have an appreciation of the power of the Holy Spirit.  All believers have the Spirit and through the Spirit "we have the mind of Christ".  This is of course a power beyond imagination and one in which we "can do all things through Him who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13)

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God that You provide such "assistance" for us...to guide us and to provide for us in all circumstances.  Yet this is no "mere" assistance...this is the essence and full power of Christ...in describable power.  Amazing!  I am not worthy of being a good steward of such power...but You trust me despite my weakness and sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my selfishness, my harsh thoughts, words, and actions, my pride, etc.  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.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 1

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. v25

It is NOT weakness or lack of intelligence to love Christ.  I should not be ashamed but instead boldly proclaim my love for God.

My Prayer: Lord, You are indeed wise and strong beyond human comprehension and You are both my guide and my rock.  Without You I am nothing.  You formed me and saved me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  How awesome You are.  I am not worth the effort You have made and continue to make for me.  I am lazy, I take Your name in vain, I have harsh thoughts, words, and actions for others, I exacerbate my family, etc....the list is long...daily.  Thank You that you love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and 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 and everyday.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. v10

I often feel like I am falling down in my role as the spiritual head of my household, in this message by Paul convicts me in the sense that I am not driving unity in thought and mind in as many ways as possible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am deeply grateful for the blood You shed for me...and for all those with whom I am close - my family, etc.  I know You died for all of humanity but the gift most precious to me is eternity in heaven with those closest to me and that they have the blessings of Christ with them while on earth.  I am not worth such an unbelievable blessing - I am lazy, harsh with my thoughts, words, actions, selfish, envious, worrisome, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such 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.

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16

By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. v18

I often lament that I don't have the kinds of close intimate relationships with people that God calls us to have.  Based on appearances of others' relationships, I develop envy.  Yet I need to beware that looking at others obscures what I do have and what God provides for me.  I also need to beware that I might be tempted to behave in such a way that I develop the relationships I (vs what God thinks) think I need. 

I of course need to focus on the relationship I have in Christ.  See related posts here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the only true friendship I really need...You provide, guide, protect, counsel, comfort, etc....like no person can!  I am truly thankful that I have a God like You in my life.  I am not worthy of such a God.  I am lazy, unforgiving, judgmental, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me instead to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love and accept 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.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. v7

Just as it says in John 15:7, " My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you;", Paul tells us to accept one another for who we are.  God wired each person to be who they are for a specific purpose and also brought people together for a specific purpose - all for His glory, and for His pure and perfect plan.  While we can encourage one another...it is to be done in love, and not for us, but for Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love for me, completely accepting of me, knowing everything about me even before I was born.  You came to earth for me and willingly laid down Your life for me.  What a great God You are!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, among my many sins!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus 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 every day.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Romans 14

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. v13

I often have harsh thoughts, words, or even actions for others.  All are equally bad and sinful.  Paul's words to the believers in Rome touch my heart:


Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. v1-4

Another sin pointed out to me through Paul's words is pride. I puff myself up by tearing someone else down. Again sin.

I am thankful I have a God full of mercy, kindness, compassion, gentleness, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are a complete demonstration of the fruits of the Spirit...You are the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit!  That You know everything about me, yet You chose me and came to save me, then suffered and died for me, is amazing!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I am prideful, and I am harsh with my thoughts, words and actions.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and 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.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 13

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. v14

For me to clothe myself with the Lord Jesus Christ, I am to seek Him out in all ways, the Bible, prayer, worship, service, reflection, fellowship, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...You know everything about me yet You chose me, and You willingly laid down Your life for me...and You continue to bless me in ways I cannot even see and appreciate.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am full of pride, and worry.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such 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.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. v1

As I posted yesterday, I am struggling with my relationship with my boss and today's message from Paul is equally encouraging in terms of providing guidance and wisdom from Him about how I can improve this situation.

Paul's instructions go further:

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:2-5

While these verses primarily focus on my response to public officials, I believe these verses apply equally to my managers at work.  John MacArthur, quoted below supports my belief.

"Since He alone is the sovereign ruler of the universe (Pss. 62: 11; 103: 19; 1 Tim. 6: 15), He has instituted four authorities on earth: (1) the government over all citizens; (2) the church over all believers; (3) the parents over all children; and (4) the masters over all employees. appointed."

MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 51081-51083). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed a great God and You know everything about me even well before I was born.  You intend only good for my life and You have blessed me tremendously.  I am not deserving of such rich blessings.  I am harsh with my words, thoughts, actions, etc, I am quick to anger, slow to listen, full of pride, etc.  Thank You for Your unbounding love anyway.  Please forgive me for my sins today.  Help me turn from these sins 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.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

Romans 12

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. v17

This verse goes hand in hand with similar verses:
  

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:22-24

I am currently struggling with my own boss and badly need the power of God and His wisdom to see me through.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and You can accomplish anything and I can accomplish anything through You if it is Your will.  Thank You Jesus that You are on my side!  I am not worthy of such a loving God.  I am selfish, I have harsh thoughts, words, actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such 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.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12

 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. v11

Loving and serving the Lord should be full of joy, excitement...and fervor!  The Lord is indeed great and we exist to glorify Him.  See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed worthy of my worship...even if my worship is insufficient to match Your glory.  I am not worthy of Your love yet You love me all the same.  Thank You Jesus.  I am lazy, selfish, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions.  I also often fail to glorify You in all that I do.  Please forgive me for my sin and 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 grow in my faith. Help me understand Your message for me, be obedient to this message, and apply it to my life today and every day.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. v3

I DO have a pride issue...I often think I should be doing more with job...that I am so much more capable and I should have more exciting job based on my intelligence, skills, and capabilities...this smacks of arrogance and it flies in the face with what Paul is saying here.  I should have a more sober assessment of myself so that I can more fully perform my function as part of God's plan for me and His church.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great - Your design is perfect as I experience Your design constantly and it is amazing how You work all things for Your glory!  I never cease to be amazed by You.  Your glory is deserved of course.  On the other hand I am not deserving of glory yet many times I think I am...this arrogance is sinful and I thank You that You love me Jesus but I need You to forgive me for such arrogance.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such 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 Your message for me, be obedient to it, and apply - today and every day.  I love You Jesus.

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

Romans 11

For from him and through him and for him are all things. v36

Lord, You are the creator, the beginning, the end, and everything in between.  I am desperate without You!  I need You in all ways, all of the time.  Yet I often am disrespectful of You.  This is a grave sin for which I am deeply sorry.  Thank You for Your love and I once again appeal to You for Your continued love and forgiveness.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You.  You provided wisdom that can be found nowhere else...You protect, You provide, You are kind...You are the fruits of the Spirit.  I deeply desire to fully have within me all the fruits of the spirit.  Yet I often act as if my relationship with You is not important.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of Your 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.

I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Romans 9

I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. v17 (See also Exodus 9:16).

All of us a purpose and that is to glorify God.

See also Psalms 139, Jeremiah 29, etc.

My Prayer: Lord, You indeed are a great God able to do amazing things through Your children...all through sinners and ordinary people.  Indeed amazing.  I am humbled that You want to use me...for Your purposes...which are perfect and of course great.  I am not worth such love, trust, blessing, etc.  I am selfish, lazy, harsh with thoughts, words and actions, quick to anger and slow to listen...and of course these are just a few of my sins.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such 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 everyday. 

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.

Romans 9

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. v2-4

I should great sorrow for those who have yet to hear and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ...this should motivate me to tell my story and to tell others of Jesus.  I must be more intentional.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great in that You are goodness...all the time...You provide a peace and a joy that is unsurpassed and only available in and through You.  You provide the Holy Spirit so You can be with us all the time.  What an amazing gift You are!  I am not worth such a gift.  I am selfish, lazy, disobedient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions....I am prideful, I am quick to anger and slow to listen...and of course there is more.  Thank You that You love me anyway...knowing everything about me.  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.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. v28

I often wonder whether I am truly being obedient to God's will and whether decisions I am making are according to God's will.  Rather than choose to focus on the unknowns, I focus on what is known...that I am to love God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  I am then to love others as Jesus does.  I also focus on God's promises, such as this one today that God works all things (the good and the bad in my perception as for God it is all good) for the good of those who love Him.  I pray that my life, my love, etc. for Him is sufficient.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great...beyond my or any description. I know You have always and always will work for me...doing things for me...and that You are always there.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such love and devotion.  I am weak...full of excuses for disobedience.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such 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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. v26

Our God cares about us deeply.  He listens to us...even when we don't use words.  He knows what is in our hearts and on our minds...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...I am weak in prayer but I deeply desire to know and glorify You...I know You love me deeply...more than I will ever comprehend.  Thank You Jesus...I know I am not worth such love but You provide it freely...as a gift to me...the greatest gift of all time.  Please forgive me for my sin...I fail to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength...and this is the #1 command!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You Jesus.  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.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again....

Romans 8

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again....v15

Having posted Friday that I (as we all do) struggle with sin....although I desperately desire to live a holy life.  Today's verse provides hope in the sense that we are both saved from the wrath of God due to our sin and also from the cycle of shame and guilt we often suffer due to our sin.  God is both gracious and full of unbounded love for me..(and all of His children).  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God!  I am not worthy of the love, mercy, grace...all of the fruits of the spirit, that You freely give me.  I am impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions, quick to anger and slow to listen, etc.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me...and help me turn from such 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.

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

Romans 7

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. v22-23

I am often reminded that our earthly life is filled with battles against sin...if you do not believe that Satan is at work in your life and in the lives of your family (for whom you are to lead spiritually) you are sorely mistaken.  Paul speaks of this and thus provides an explicit scriptural example.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are pure, holy and blameless.  You did not have to die for me yet You willingly did so...for me specifically.  Your death and resurrection for me gave me freedom from sin and eternal life...the greatest gift of all-time.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I continue to battle against sin, including anger, selfishness, pride, impatience, etc.  Thank You that You love anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such 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.