So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. v18

As a follow up to my post yesterday, today my scripture is how Paul encourages us to focus not on the day-to-day struggles and concerns we may have but on where our citizenship ultimately lies - in Heaven. 

See also posts on

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. v8-9

Paul describes how we have this light (v4, 6) and how we have this treasure in jars of clay (v7).  Of course referring to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Paul wants us to understand how we have an earthly live and body that while it will be subject to difficulties we should not lose hope because ultimately we will gain victory over the sting of sin and death. Hallelujah!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me victory over the sting of sin and death!  Thank You Jesus - You are the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I am meek and I should be more bold with my faith.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. v17-18

Two great promises here, one that we have freedom in Christ, and the other that we (with unveiled faces) are being transformed into His image.  This latter point is decently described in a short video lesson by John Piper and this sanctification is further defined here as "progressively becoming like Jesus."  We all want to become more like Jesus - there are areas where we are all weak and sinful that need to be stronger and purified.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me great freedom and strengthened me to battle sin - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me.  I continue in my sin and I am weak.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. v4-5

Arrogance is dangerous and it often leads people to deny God or knowingly commit sin with the belief that no consequence will be too great - dangerous indeed! Fear of God should drive us into His arms and towards obedience.  On the other hand, humility is rightly knowing that we all need a Savior and it is He who works in us in all things. Yes, we should have confidence - but it should rest in God alone.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me life and all things - abundantly - thank You Jesus.  Is am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1

 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. v20

I have previously posted on God's faithfulness with regards to His promises and here in Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth we have yet another example of scripture demonstrating such faithfulness.  I also like Luke 1:37:

 For no word from God will ever fail.

John Piper has a great short post on God's faithfulness as well.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are faithful indeed - every promise You make - You keep and You have never let me down and always provided for me and been there for me - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I also know that I am undeserving of such faithfulness - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. v7

Paul writes a second letter to the church in Corinth, and this time he is more encouraging.  He starts by describing to us how our sufferings and resulting comfort from God serves to provide comfort to others as we learn to gain comfort from God and minister to others who share the same challenges.   We've all had challenges and it is comforting that we can be a comfort to others particularly when we question why we are experiencing our challenges.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has comforted me in my challenges and used my challenges to serve others - I am grateful for all that You are and do for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry, and I am selfish among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. v56-57

John Piper writes that Christ's resurrection is foundational for our faith.  Using Romans 10:9, he writes: ..."believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is much more than accepting a fact. It means being confident that God is for you, that he has closed ranks with you, that he is transforming your life, and that he will save you for eternal joy.  Believing in the resurrection means trusting in all the promises of life and hope and righteousness for which it stands.  It means being so confident of God’s power and love that no fear of worldly loss or greed for worldly gain will lure us to disobey his will".

With Christ and His forgiveness, the Holy Spirit and eternal life, we have freedom and victory over the sting of sin and death

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a an awesome God who loves me and who has given me freedom and victory over the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed beyond what words can describe.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings. I worry, and fail to be as encouraging as You desire for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

1 Corinthians 13

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. v11

As Paul moves from spiritual gifts in chapter 12 (see post yesterday), he level sets with us that the use of spiritual gifts without love means nothing (v1-3).  He then defines love (v4-8) and encourages us in our spiritual growth as John Piper indicates "[r]ight knowing or right thinking, the right use of your mature mind, is for the sake of child like faith. We should grow up in our thinking, so that we can grow down in our humility, so that we can have faith like a child".  The implication I believe is that we focus on emptying ourselves of our childish ways, grow closer to God, love Him more, and love others more. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have helped see my childish ways and helped me shed much of these ways - You have transformed my heart and life and I am grateful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love. I worry and I have other sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.

1 Corinthians 12

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. v22-23

This chapter focuses on spiritual gifts and this morning I think about Dustin and his purpose and his gifts - I believe purpose and gifts are connected in that our purpose is to use (steward) the gifts God has distributed to us to serve one another - inside and outside the church.  See also John Piper on What is a Spiritual Gift - using 1 Peter 4:10 as a means to help us better understand this topic.  I also believe that people do not necessarily have to exercise any effort to use their gifts as these gifts are part of their unique design by God.  Dustin serves me in many ways by helping me become more patient, more compassionate, etc. I am blessed beyond imagination by such a gift - who does not want to become more patient and compassionate.  "[T]hose parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable"...indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with others such as Dustin who serve me with THEIR spiritual gifts - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed beyond imagination and beyond what I deserve.  I am selfish as I often fail to use my gifts or don't want to use my gifts out of selfishness, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. v27

Zach, my son, has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, so he lets the bread and cup pass him by at church when we celebrate communion.  While it is difficult for me to watch this - I want to see Zach in Heaven - I am adamant that it is his choice to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.   I still love him and I am still proud of who he is.  This in mind, it is appropriate that Zach let the bread and cup pass him by - as anyone should if they are not a professed Christian.  See also John Piper on this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and You softened my heart to believe and accept You as my Lord and Savior - for this I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for setting me free!  I am not deserving of Your love and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am selfish, I gossip, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to support and encourage them.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. v31-33

Using the example of how we should respond to offers of food sacrificed to idols, Paul wants us to focus on glory of God so that others be saved - emphasizing the two most important commandments to love God and to love others (to be saved).

According to John MacArthur, believers should not object or worry about food sacrificed to idols if offered by an unbeliever (so as to not offend the host) but should refrain from eating such food if another believer of weaker faith objects to such a meal - again so as to not offend the host - "since love for other believers is the strongest witness Christians have".

Today's scripture reinforces Paul's efforts from my post several days ago to be "all things for all people". 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has graced me with blessings beyond my imagination - forgiveness, life, joy, grace, compassion, etc.   Thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving.  I often focus on myself above others - please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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

Paul uses his encouragement for self discipline (see post yesterday) to then discuss temptation and how we can resist and fight temptation as a means to endure in our race. We have the Holy Spirit, God's grace, and the power of redemption to spur us on, even when we stumble.  There is a battle for our soul but with God on our side - we will defeat sin and be free from the sting of sin and death.

Read more about John Piper's thoughts on this here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me in my battle with sin and for my soul - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful that You have saved me. I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. v24

Paul wants believers to stay focused and to press on towards the prize - which is eternity in Heaven with Jesus.  He likens the Christian journey to that of an Olympic race and the training required for such a race.  We should be focused and self-disciplined.  John Piper helps breakdown what that means for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who strengthens me as I run my race - thank You Jesus.  I am unable to run without You.  Thank You for such love and care.  I am undeserving of such love and care.  I worry and my sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. v21-23

In chapters 4-10 Paul moves on to practical matters about living, including "dealing with the church’s lack of judgment on sex and legal disputes, marriage, divorce, and virginity, then on to eating meat used for idol worship".  In chapter 9, however we see a nugget of scripture that we can use as a basis for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

John Piper helps us better understand how we are to become all things to all men to save some:

"In freedom, for love's sake, you try to overcome unnecessary, alienating differences that cut you off from unbelievers. In freedom, for love's sake, you learn the Maninka language and translate the Bible. In freedom, for love's sake, you eat dinner together the way they eat dinner. In freedom, for love's sake, you dress pretty much like the middle class American natives. In freedom, for love's sake, you get into their politics and their sports and their businesses.

And all the while you keep a vigilant watch over your heart to see if you are in the law of Christ."

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who became a man and died as a man so that I could have freedom from sin and eternal life - thank You Jesus!  You are an awesome God!  I am undeserving of such love and such a gift.  I sin..greatly...and all the time.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

1 Corinthians 3

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. v2-3

Paul continues to admonish the church in Corinth for their overemphasis on which of the church leaders to follow (Paul, Peter, Apollos, etc.) and on worldly wisdom.  He expects this of new believers whose faith is perhaps weaker and still developing. The implication of course is that we must grow and mature as believers. Peter also references spiritual milk and encourages us to grow:

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

The author of Hebrews also encourages growth:

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rite, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

This post also provides a decent summary of what spiritual growth looks like.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who feeds me...daily.  You help me grow daily and You strengthen me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”[d] But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2

“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. v16

Building on chapter 1 (see post yesterday), Paul continues to remind us of the source and purpose of wisdom.  He tells us that he has no wisdom apart from the Holy Spirit in him (v2-5) and that God reveals to believers this wisdom (v9-10, 12, 13).  This is of course very humbling and exciting at the same time - that we don't possess wisdom from and for ourselves but from and for God.  If we consider that God is all knowing isn't it amazing that God would even disclose a sliver of this wisdom to us?

See also posts here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has shown my great wisdom and this has helped me through great difficulties and helped me grow closer to You - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful!  Yet I am humbled and undeserving.  I worry and my sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” v27-31

Moving from unity (focus of recent posts), we find Paul addressing division in the church at Corinth.  Paul founded the church in Corinth and spent a considerable amount of time there (see OverviewBible.com and Acts 18), and his first letter to Corinth includes a reprimand of the church over its division, and an encouragement to focus on what matters.  Paul starts by admonishing those who over-emphasize church leaders (v10-17) and wisdom of human beings vs that of God.  We value wisdom but we must recognize the source and purpose of wisdom - it's not about us as we exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve with Your wisdom and a heart to grow closer to You - yet I am undeserving of such blessings and often sin (worry, gossip, etc.) and this separates me from You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Romans 16

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. v17-18

As Paul closes out his letter to believers in Rome, he focuses once again on unity but this time through the lens of doctrinal purity. There are people both in the church who pull us apart and away from God - we must be on the lookout for these people and avoid them.

Also, John Piper, in this post, helps us understand that we must have BOTH unity and doctrinal purity and emphasizes purity for the sake of unity as both cannot exist without each other.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has helped me find both greater purity and unity through brothers and sisters in Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and blessings as I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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

In Romans 14 (see previous post), I wrote about how Paul desires for us to be humble and not get wrapped around the axle based on debatable matters of faith.  Paul wants us to focus on what matters - loving (God and others) and encouraging one another so that there is unity in the church because if their is unity - there is strength. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who encourages me - constantly...through the Holy Spirit, Your Word, the church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and encouragement.  I worry...and I neglect You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

Romans 14

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. v1

In this chapter, Paul uses the distinction of ceremonial vs moral law (the latter of which is done away with as part the new covenant with Jesus) to encourage stronger more mature believers from looking down on those who faith is either weaker or less mature.  He uses the example of clean vs unclean food (meat) that some Jewish and Gentile believers may still desire to follow Old Testament laws regarding what to eat - Paul writes that this is a disputable matter and that we should "get bent out of shape" over this with those who faith is weaker and less mature.  

Of course, we must be humble. 

We must also encourage and build other believers up in their faith - we are to grow in mature in our own faith and help others to do the same.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have grown in my heart and life and been full of grace and patience as I have often stalled in my growth.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  I worry and my sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13

Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. v9

In Romans 13:8-10, Paul pivots to how we are repay our debts, and he moves on to the importance of love.  Although many Bible scholars believe Jesus new covenant focuses on moral vs ceremonial law, there is still much in moral law for us to follow.  Yet both Jesus and Paul remind us how love (of God and for others) is most important.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You love me - more than I can ever imagine or understand.  I am grateful that You love me, because I am undeserving of Your love and for the countless ways You bless me and for Your grace.  Thank You.  Yet I worry and I have much sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. v6

We should be viewing our circumstances as being controlled (either directed or allowed - see also posts on free will) by God and using Romans 13:1-6 as an example, we need to view governing authorities as being servants of God and worthy of our respect because if we don't our disrespect is not just of the governing authorities but also of God.  The same can be said of grumbling or complaining about your circumstances as this is also seen as doing so against God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all of my needs and never ever leaves or forsakes me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry...and my sin is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. v21

We are instructed by Paul in v9-21 that love must be sincere, which is defined in the dictionary as "free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings".  Paul goes on to provide several examples or descriptions of love, including 
- "hatred" of evil
- devotion to and honor of others
- joyful
- hopeful
- patient
- generous
- hospitable
- humble
- peaceful

We are also to be restrained from taking revenge - instead leaving this to the Lord (v19) and overcoming evil "with good".

In the face of sin/evil, we are tempted to judge and or take other actions that do not define love.  We must instead draw near to the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who abounds in love and compassion.  I experience Your love and compassion - daily.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  I worry and I have other sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me 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 ougeht, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. v3

John Piper help us unpack v3-8, and he indicates that we should of course be humble, and that our individual identity in Christ is found through our togetherness and service to one another.  

Piper says: "Love other people with all your heart in reliance on Christ and you will discover who you are."

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me new life and others with whom I can share Christ and serve and be served.  I am blessed with such togetherness - more than I deserve.  I worry and I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. v2

I have many times posted or referred to Romans 12:2 as it is to me a foundational verse.  Paul instructs on two matters: (1) to avoid conformance with the sin and evil of this world; this is very similar to repentance; (2) to focus on renewal of our minds - how we do that is daily study of God's Word and through prayer.   There is then a promise - that if we do (1) and (2) we will be able better understand God's will in our lives both over more contemplative decisions and spontaneous decisions.  John Piper has great posts on these topics -  The Renewed Mind and How to Have It, and What is the Will of God and How Do We Know It?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has both transformed my heart and life and given me a great taste of the fruits of the Spirit and many other blessings - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I have much more sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. v1

In light of Paul's discussion on Israel's lack of belief and God's response (chapters 9-11), Paul wants  us to fully embrace how those of who are saved should remember clearly that we are saved by grace alone and that there is nothing in our ancestry or our works that saves us.  If we remember this, then we should fall on our knees in worship and seek to serve the God who saves us. God does not want animal sacrifice - but a "living" one - that we exist to glorify God through who we are and what we do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an amazing God who is SO full of mercy and compassion - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such compassion and mercy - I worry and my sin is much greater than that!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.