1 & 2 Corinthians – Be Still…

2 Corinthians 4-5 – Fragile Clay Jars

What a great message for us as believers. Paul’s words to the Corinthians can speak to our hearts, too. Wasn’t it as if Paul knew exactly what we were thinking because he understood the struggle with faith questions? Many people today are looking ahead to the future and what comes next. Paul gives us a glimpse into the future, too. Now we understand the honor and privilege it is to be followers of Christ.

This was an abnormally long reading for devotions on the “Go,” but there is so much wisdom in these two chapters, especially helpful for new believers. Paul would have been writing to folks, perhaps just learning about Jesus and what his kingdom looks like. If Jews, these people would still be grappling with the fact that their Messiah came to fight a different battle than they expected. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 4-5 – Fragile Clay Jars”

1 Corinthians 15:1-26 – What is Coming?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-26

If you ever wonder what people mean when they say, “the gospel,” then Paul’s opening remarks here give you a wonderful example of that “Good News.” It’s also Paul’s testimony of how he came to be a follower of Christ rather than a key persecutor. God’s transformation of Paul is one of the beautiful stories of the New Testament.

Paul always points to God as his guiding light in life. I love how Paul talks about how, by the grace of God, God is working through him. We can have that same assurance. God has a purpose for each one of us. Finding and living out that purpose makes life on this planet so much fun. We find ourselves, like Paul, wanting to live life to the fullest, bringing honor to the kingdom. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 15:1-26 – What is Coming?”

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – What is Love?

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Clearly, God desires that we love others. In our world today, the word love gets shuffled around a bit carelessly. We say we love chocolate or love to stay up late and sleep in. Love is so much more than that, especially the Biblical love God intends for his people to share with Him and others. These verses give us a glimpse of what love is and is not.

How great is it that we have such great advice about love in the Bible! It shouldn’t surprise us that much because God calls us to love him and love each other. Understanding what love is all about helps us succeed at being better lovers. We also know that God loves us unconditionally. John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Continue reading “1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – What is Love?”

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 – Your Special Abilities

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Isn’t it great that as believers we not only have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, but we are also given special abilities or gifts. Some of us have been walking around our whole life with these superpowers but may not have realized what they were for or how they are to be used to further the kingdom of God. How does it make you feel to know you have a purpose as a chosen child of God?

The apostle Paul teaches us what these abilities might be. Because the idea of spiritual gifts or abilities may be a new concept for many, Paul’s analogy of a body makes a lot of sense. There needs to be many different gifts because there are a lot of “jobs” to do within the body of Christ. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 12:1-31 – Your Special Abilities”

1 Corinthians 3:16 – What’s Inside?

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Don’t you know what’s inside your body? Paul’s question might take us by surprise. Initially, we think of what’s tangible, like our heart, lungs, and other body organs. Where does the Spirit of God fit in?

Context (1 Corinthians 3:10-17): Paul counseled the Corinthian believers to understand more about faith and the role of the Holy Spirit. The foundation Paul talks of is Jesus, and our faith begins with him. Paul wanted his audience to be prepared for judgment day by not putting our trust in the wrong building materials. By reminding us we are the temple of God with the Spirit of God dwelling inside us, Paul wanted to empower us. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 3:16 – What’s Inside?”