Author: Dana Hagstrom

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-33

It is good to remember the past, maybe not best to “dwell” on it, but to look back and remember, and let the lessons learned speak to our hearts. That’s a good thing.  That is exactly what Paul is doing as he starts out this Chapter. Remember when…

I’m sure there are times in your life that are pivotal, where life’s lessons, while maybe hard, have moved you ahead to where you are today. As here, maybe it is the example of a friend or loved one and their struggle and victory that is speaking to you today.  Think a moment on your own experience, and then focus on the example of Moses, it’s a history we all share.

Paul gives this to the Corinthians and us as well as an example to learn from.  So what are some our takeaways?  Do not put Jesus (or God) to the test. Don’t grumble.  Stand strong.  Flee from idols.   Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.

One of the most misinterpreted verses of the Bible falls in this passage, verse 13.  Here it is: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”  Paul is talking about “temptations” not bad things.  Over the years, I’ve heard many people say, “God will never give you more than you can handle” when it comes to bad things that happen in our lives.  That is NOT what this is saying.  First of all, God doesn’t give us bad things.  Bad things happen because there is evil in this world and we are sinful.  When bad things happen, God will be there to hold and rescue us.  But the promise here is rescue from temptation.  God will surely show us a way out when we are tempted, we just need to be looking for it.

So, what things tempt you?  For some it’s alcohol and drugs, for others pornography, for others, gossip, for others spending, or overeating.  You have your own struggle.  But rest in the assurance that you are not alone, that God is giving you that way out so you can endure and overcome.

Let’s pray.  Lord thank you that you are looking over us and providing for us when we are tempted.  There are so many false prophets in the world today trying to confuse us and draw us away from you.  Help us to stand firm to their temptation and hold strong to you and your truth.  You will give us the strength to say no to those temptations.  Thank you for how you are moving in my life.  May all I do be to your glory.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

We are all runners in this race, we call life.  I like that analogy, but Paul also says that only one can win the race.  That’s true in a race of the world, but in the race of life, we can all win the prize of eternal life so long as we are running with Christ.  But aside from the image Paul leaves us with, he also challenges us from the start of this passage.

I can’t help but think of all my friends and colleagues who are running this race as missionaries, like Paul, having to raise their own funds.  That can be so daunting.  I’m not sure I could do it, that is, asking people for money so that I can have a paycheck.  But there lies the problem…the focus on money when it should be a focus on finding new believers and telling people about Jesus.  Curious how this expectation is Biblical.  That is, those involved in spreading the Gospel “professionally” back in Paul’s day also had to support themselves.  I think that makes it even more beautiful, really.  People for centuries, those called to be missionaries, all share the challenge of handling God’s sacred trust.

I like verse 19, “[E]ven though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.”  We are free indeed, but think a moment on what it means to become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.  What does that mean to you?  Feel free to share in the comments below.  We are all called to bring the good news of Jesus to those around us.  Some of us will be charged as missionaries and need to recruit their own funds.  I am certainly rethinking my giving to those friends on the front lines.

Let’s pray.  Father God you have called each one of us to be soldiers of the faith.  Give me a heart like Paul that I would rather die than lose my right to boast about Jesus.  Open the hearts of others to be ready to hear what I will be sharing.  Thank you for the opportunity to be on fire for you!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

What did you think of this reading today?  I’m not familiar with idol worship and offering of food.  But at the time Paul was writing this, the eating of idol meat was a big deal.  He was responding to the questions of these new followers, just as he had on other topics in our readings over the past couple days.  So while it may seem obscure to us today, let’s dig in a little.

These new followers were wrestling with how do we set boundaries between what God wants and what the world wants.  I could say that kind of wrestling continues to this day.  The world would lead us astray on so many paths, and it is up to us to read God’s word and listen for his counsel to determine the boundaries.

I like how Paul starts out the discussion reminding them that we all have knowledge, “[b]ut while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”  Love, indeed.  God has loved us first and in turn we are to love him and to love others.  Those are the two biggies.  Love God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

This whole “food issue” and what to eat or not to eat makes me think of the people in our society who are tending toward veganism (yes, that’s a word?)  In other words, they have chosen not to eat meat, fish or poultry, and a true vegan will not use animal products and by-products such as eggs, dairy products, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, cosmetics, and soaps derived from animal products.  I am not a vegan, so I can’t speak to the motivations to make this choice, maybe for some it is a spiritual belief.  If it is an oath they have made with God, then it would be a sin for them to eat or use these items.  And our reading today warns us not to encourage others to sin.

It reminds me a little of how my husband and I will refrain from drinking alcohol if we are in the presence of a recovering alcoholic. It is, in part because of the wisdom and counsel of verse 9.  We certainly don’t want to, in any way, be the reason a friend would “stumble”.

I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on this.  Please feel free to share in the comments below.  It is always good for us to read passages like this and while they don’t immediately seem relevant to us today, we need dig deeper.  Here Paul is helping them balance the boundaries between church and culture.  It is still necessary today to balance these, and with the rise of tolerance it is becoming harder and harder for our churches to thrive.  Christians often are ridiculed as bigots or hypocrites.  That’s not new, but it doesn’t feel good. However, it is important we take a stand on our beliefs and what we know to be right and wrong, from a Biblical standpoint.  Being wishy washy is not helpful.

What are the idols in your life that are keeping you from being a truly devoted servant of Christ?   Materialism?  Power?  Contemporary heros, i.e. sports teams, entertainers, etc.?  Wrestle with these and ask God to help you avoid destruction.

Let’s pray.  Father there are so many voices in our world today, so many messages pulling us away from you.  Lord help me be discerning and stand strong against injustice, against untruth, and be bold and courageous to stand for you.  Help me to love you with my whole heart and love others as well, even if they are different from me. May others see you in me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Today’s reading confirms for me that Paul is not married.  I do believe I have read that in commentaries as well.  It sounds like he sees marriage, while not sinful, as a proverbial “noose” and if married you are limited in your freedoms, particularly your freedom to follow God.  If he is married, and because he is such a soldier for God, he feels like he is doing his wife an injustice, and therefore that is why he says it is better not to marry.

If married, you can be too focused on your spouse’s needs, etc., that you are not “all in” for God.  Paul states several times that it is not a sin to be married or get married. In fact, there are other places in the Bible where marriage is explained as holy.  This whole section starts by him giving the disclaimer that he does not have the word from God, but it is for unmarried women.  His dialogue quickly changes to involve more.  

I’d like to think that the main point here is not to focus on the world or things of the world, for they too quickly pass away (v. 31).  That we need to focus on doing the work of the Lord the best we know how, and if that focus is limited by a marriage partner, that is the problem.  We should not only unite with someone we love, but one who shares our love of the Savior and our devotion to serve Him and do His work.  Together, working for God, the team is stronger than an individual on their own, that would be my thinking anyway.  

So much of the preceding verses here in this chapter have cautioned against marriage, separation, being with non-believers, etc.  It makes sense to me that if yoked with another believer wanting to focus on doing the work of the Lord, that that is a strong yoke, and that is what we should be seeking.  So if we want to be married, we need to seek a Godly man to share our life with.  I did just that…it just took me a do-over to get it done.  

How are you feeling after reading the rest of this chapter?  Feel free to comment below.  Perhaps you are feeling energized and empowered to do a better job as a follower of Christ?  Perhaps a bit dismayed at how you’ve fallen away and into some bad habits?  Perhaps confused and not sure how to balance it all?  Let these verses speak to your heart and ignite some action, whatever that may be.

Let’s pray.  Lord I come to you feeling a little overwhelmed.  While I am married to a man full of integrity and love for you, sometimes I don’t feel like we are doing enough to further your kingdom.  Open up opportunities for us to minister to those around us.  Help us to see with your eyes the needs and help fill them.  Thank you for this servant heart, and I continue to grow closer to you myself, use my life as a testament to others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

We are to remain.  This excerpt says it THREE times.  We need to live in the situation God has placed us and remain. My question is though, “as you were when God first called you”.  What does that mean exactly?  

I am in a much different place now than when I was first called, and having been a Christian all my life, I’m not sure when that “calling” began. I do have a moment when I cried out to God to use me, to forgive me, and I feel like that a moment of rebirth.  That was in March 1998. I was a single mom then, and I was just getting involved in the church.  If that is when I was “first called,” I have come a long way.  After reading this I now wonder if I’m supposed to go back!  If so, go back to what?  My children are grown, I married a pastor, and we’re retired now.  Able to serve the Lord in a different way.  

The reminder is here…keep God’s commandments.  That’s pretty clear, and God’s word sets these out for us.  I don’t think of them as rules, but on what God wants and expects from me, and as a devoted child I want to follow and yearn to please him.

But I think the main point of today’s reading is PERSEVERE until God moves us on. God is moving in all of us.  We just need to let the spirit move.  Take a moment to reflect on this, “let the spirit move.”  What does that mean for you today?  This month?  This year?

Let’s pray.  Father, thank you for the opportunities you have opened.  Help us to follow your commands, and may our behavior be honoring to you at all times.  Fill us with your spirit and move in us, reveal your perfect plan and give us the strength to live in it.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.