Day 328 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 24 November 2023 reflections
Day 328, 24 November 2023
1) 1 Corinthians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 7, 1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 5
Judgment Against Immorality
1 (Lev 18:8; Dt 22:30) It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among you,
and such immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles,
that a man has his father's wife.
2 (1Co 5:13; 2Co 7:7-11) But you are arrogant. Instead you should
have mourned, so that he who has done this deed might be removed
from among you.
3 (Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17) For indeed, though absent in body
but present in spirit, I have already, as if I were present,
judged him who has done this deed,
4 (Jn 20:23; 2Co 13:3) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you are assembled, along with my spirit,
in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 (1Ti 1:20; 1Co 1:8) deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
so that the spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 (Gal 5:9; Jas 4:16) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that
a little yeast leavens the whole batch?
7 (Ex 12:15; Mk 14:12) Therefore purge out the old yeast,
that you may be a new batch, since you are unleavened.
For even Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us.
8 (Ex 12:15; Dt 16:3) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast,
nor with the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:14) I wrote to you in my letter not to keep company
with sexually immoral people.
10 (1Co 10:27) Yet I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or the covetous and extortioners, or the idolaters,
since you would then need to go out of the world.
11 (2Th 3:6; Mt 18:17; Ro 16:17) But I have written to you not to keep
company with any man who is called a brother, who is sexually immoral,
or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard,
or an extortioner. Do not even eat with such a person.
12 (Mk 4:11) For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?
Do you not judge those who are inside?
13 (Dt 13:5; 17:7) But God judges those who are outside. Therefore
"put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
(Dt 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7.)
[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such
fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should
have his father's wife.
[2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath
done this deed might be taken away from among you.
[3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged
already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this
deed,
[4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and
my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that
the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
[6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth
the whole lump?
[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
[8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth.
[9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
[10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out
of the world.
[11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is
called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer,
or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
[12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye
judge them that are within?
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among
yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 6
Going to Law Before Unbelievers
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to the law
before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 (Mt 19:28; Da 7:22) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest
matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things
that pertain to this life?
4 (1Co 5:12) If then you have judgments dealing with matters of this life,
do you appoint as judges those who are least esteemed in the church?
5 (1Co 4:14; 15:34) I speak to your shame. Is it true that there
is not even one wise man among you who shall be able to judge
between his brothers?
6 But brother goes to the law against brother, and before unbelievers,
at that.
7 (Pr 20:22; 1Pe 3:9) Now therefore it is already an utter failure
for you that you go to law against one another. Why not rather be wronged?
Why not rather be defrauded?
8 (1Th 4:6) But you yourselves do wrong and defraud,
and do this to your brothers.
9 (1Co 15:50; 1Ti 1:9-10) Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
10 (1Co 5:11) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 (1Co 1:2; Ac 22:16; Ro 8:30) Such were some of you. But you were washed,
you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
by the Spirit of our God.
[1] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the
unjust, and not before the saints?
[2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world
shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
[3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life?
[4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to
judge who are least esteemed in the church.
[5] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?
no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
[6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
[7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law
one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather
suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
[8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God.
Glorify God in Your Body
12 "All things are lawful to me," but not all things are helpful.
"All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought
under the power of anything.
13 (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:15) "Food is for the belly, and the belly is for food,"
but God will destroy both of them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
14 (Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19-20) God has raised up the Lord and will also raise us
up by His own power.
15 (Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:27) Do you not know that your bodies are the parts
of Christ? Shall I then take the parts of Christ and make them the parts
of a harlot? God forbid!
16 (Ge 2:24; Eph 5:31) What? Do you not know that he who is joined
to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says,
"shall become one flesh."(Ge 2:24.)
17 (Jn 17:21-23) But he who is joined to the Lord becomes
one spirit with Him.
18 (Heb 13:4; 2Co 12:21) Escape from sexual immorality.
Every sin that a man commits is outside the body.
But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 (1Co 3:16; Jn 2:21) What? Do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God,
and that you are not your own?
20 (1Co 7:23; Ac 20:28; Ro 12:1) You were bought with a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
[12] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
[13] Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy
both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and
the Lord for the body.
[14] And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his
own power.
[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then
take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God
forbid.
[16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for
two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
[17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
[18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but
he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.
[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
[20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7
Questions About Marriage
1 (1Co 7:8) Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me:
"It is good for a man not to touch a woman."
2 (1Co 7:9) Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 (Ex 21:10; 1Pe 3:7) Let the husband render to the wife due affection,
and likewise the wife to the husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.
Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but the wife does.
5 (Ex 19:15; 1Sa 21:4-5) Do not deprive one another except
with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.
Then come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you
for lack of self-control.
6 (2Co 8:8; 1Co 7:12) I speak this as a concession and not as a command.
7 (Mt 19:11-12; 1Co 9:5) For I would that all men were even as I myself.
But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner
and another after that.
8 (1Co 7:1) I say to the unmarried and widows that it is good for them
if they live even as I am.
9 (1Ti 5:14; 1Co 7:2) But if they cannot restrain themselves, let them marry.
For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 (Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18; Mal 2:14-16) Now to the married I command, not I,
but the Lord, do not let the wife depart from her husband.
11 But if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled
to her husband. And do not let the husband divorce his wife.
12 (1Co 7:6; 2Co 11:17) To the rest I speak, not the Lord:
If any brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him,
he should not divorce her.
13 And if the woman has an unbelieving husband who consents to live with her,
she should not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.
Otherwise, your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.
15 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:33) But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart.
A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace.
16 (Ro 11:14) For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save
your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
[1] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man
not to touch a woman.
[2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and
let every woman have her own husband.
[3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also
the wife unto the husband.
[4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise
also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
[5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that
ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that
Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
[6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
[7] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his
proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
[8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they
abide even as I.
[9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry
than to burn.
[10] And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband:
[11] But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to
her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
[12] But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that
believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her
away.
[13] And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be
pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
[14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children
unclean; but now are they holy.
[15] But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is
not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
[16] For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or
how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Living as God Called You
17 (1Co 4:17; 2Co 11:28) But as God has given to every man
and as the Lord has called every man, so let him walk.
This I command in all churches.
18 (Ac 15:5; 15:19) Is any man called while circumcised?
Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man called while uncircumcised?
Let him not be circumcised.
19 (Gal 5:6; 6:15) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything.
20 Let each man remain in the same condition in which he was called.
21 Were you called while a servant? Do not worry about it.
But if you may become free, do so.
22 (1Pe 2:16; Phm 1:16) For he who is called in the Lord
while a servant is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, he who is called
while free is Christ's servant.
23 (1Co 6:20; Lev 25:42) You were bought at a price.
Do not be the servants of men.
24 (1Co 7:20) Brothers, let every man, in whatever condition he is called,
remain there with God.
[17] But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every
one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
[18] Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised.
Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
[19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping
of the commandments of God.
[20] Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
[21] Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be
made free, use it rather.
[22] For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's
freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
[23] Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
[24] Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
The Unmarried and Widows
25 (1Co 7:6; 4:2) Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord.
Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord
to be faithful.
26 (1Co 7:1; 7:8) I suppose therefore that this is good
because of the present distress,
that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be uncommitted.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries,
she has not sinned. Nevertheless they will have trouble in this life,
but I would spare you that.
29 (Ro 13:11-12) But this I say, brothers, the time is short.
It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30 those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice,
as though they did not rejoice; those who buy,
as though they possessed nothing;
31 (1Jn 2:17; Ps 39:6; 1Co 9:18) and those who use this world,
as though they did not make full use of it.
For the form of this world is passing away.
32 (1Ti 5:5) But I prefer that you have no concern. He who is unmarried cares
for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world,
how he may please his wife.
34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 (1Co 7:36) I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint
upon you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord
without distraction.
36 If any man thinks that he is behaving improperly toward his virgin,
(Some versions translate this word as "virgin daughters,"
others translate it as "fiancée." Since the Greek text itself remains unclear,
the editors have chosen to keep the literal translation.)
and if she is past the flower of her youth, and passions so require,
let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart without necessity,
and has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart
that he will keep his virgin, does well.
38 (Heb 13:4) So then he who gives her in marriage does well,
but he who gives her not in marriage does better.
39 (Ro 7:2-3; 1Co 7:15) The wife is bound by the law as long
as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty
to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord.
40 But in my judgment she is happier if she so remains as she is.
And I think that I have the Spirit of God.
[25] Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my
judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
[26] I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say,
that it is good for a man so to be.
[27] Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from
a wife? seek not a wife.
[28] But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she
hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I
spare you.
[29] But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both
they that have wives be as though they had none;
[30] And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as
though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
[31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of
this world passeth away.
[32] But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth
for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
[33] But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how
he may please his wife.
[34] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried
woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body
and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.
[35] And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon
you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord
without distraction.
[36] But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his
virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do
what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
[37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no
necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his
heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
[38] So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth
her not in marriage doeth better.
[39] The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her
husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in
the Lord.
[40] But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also
that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 (1Co 8:7; 8:4) Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that
"we all have knowledge." Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies.
2 (1Co 3:18; 13:8-9) So if anyone thinks that he knows anything,
he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 (Gal 4:9; Ex 33:12) But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 (Dt 6:4; 4:39) So concerning the eating of foods that are offered
in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one.
5 (2Th 2:4) For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven
or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords.
6 (Jn 1:3; Mal 2:10; Ro 11:36) But for us there is but one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things
and through whom we exist.
7 (Ro 14:14; 1Co 8:9-10) However, not everyone has this knowledge.
Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing
offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled.
8 (Ro 14:17) But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are
we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 (Gal 5:13; Ro 14:20-21; 14:1-2) But take heed, lest by any means
this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol's temple,
shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols,
11 (Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:13) and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died?
12 (Mt 25:45; 18:6) When you thus sin against the brothers,
wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 (Ro 14:21; 2Co 11:29) Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble,
I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8
[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
[2] And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as
he ought to know.
[3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in
sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but one.
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth,
(as there be gods many, and lords many,)
[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and
we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with
conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the
better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a
stumblingblock to them that are weak.
[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat
those things which are offered to idols;
[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
Christ died?
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, ye sin against Christ.
[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 November 2023 Titled
Worthy of All Praise
Psalms 18:1-6
1 I love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) The Lord is my pillar, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I will be saved from my enemies.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) The cords of death encircled me,
and the torrents of destruction terrified me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) In my distress I called on the Lord,
and cried for help to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
and my cry for help came before Him to His ears.
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
[2] The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my
strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,
and my high tower.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be
saved from mine enemies.
[4] The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me
afraid.
[5] The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
[6] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard
my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Many consider Ferrante and Teicher to be the greatest piano duet team of all
time. Their collaborative presentations were so precise that their style was
described as four hands but only one mind. Hearing their music, one can begin
to grasp the amount of effort required to perfect their craft.
But there's more. They loved what they did. In fact, even after they had
retired in 1989, Ferrante and Teicher would occasionally show up at a local
piano store just to play an impromptu concert. They simply loved making music.
David also loved making music-but he teamed up with God to give his song a
higher purpose. His psalms affirm his struggle-filled life and his desire to
live in deep dependence upon God. Yet, in the midst of his personal failures
and imperfections, his praise expressed a kind of spiritual "perfect pitch,"
acknowledging the greatness and goodness of God even in the darkest of times.
The heart behind David's praise is simply stated in Psalm 18:1, which reads, “ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.”
David continued, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised”
(v. 3) and turned to Him “in my distress” (v. 6). Regardless of our situation,
may we likewise lift our hearts to praise and worship our God.
He's worthy of all praise!
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you share your love for God with Him and with others?
What might be standing in the way of your worship?
Heavenly Father, You've put a new song in my mouth.
Please help my worship to express Your true goodness and greatness.
For further study, read Understanding the Bible: The Poetic Books.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 6 - It is Finished
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
"PLEASE BE PATIENT - GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET,"
the sweatshirt read. In this case, the message was an ironic one,
for the occupant of the shirt was a snaggle-toothed, freckle-faced six year
old!
In one sense, God is not finished with the work he has to do in each of us.
Life in Christ is an ongoing process of change and growth as we become
more like him. Certainly, the more we see of ourselves, the more we hope
he isn't finished with us!
Yet whatever plans God has for making us into the men and women he created
us to be, certain aspects of our life in Christ are finished, finalised.
Jesus declares with absolute assurance, "whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
Because we do not have to earn or deserve God's grace, because we are not
called to prove ourselves worthy of Salvation, we can have immediate
and total assurance of the security of life in Jesus Christ. The one who
put his trust in the Lord has eternal life; he will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.
This "crossing over" into life happens in the split second when we acknowledge
our dependence upon Christ alone. And the rest of our lives is given over to
the development of his image in us.
God is not finished with us yet.
But his work of salvation is finished - complete,
fully dependable an accomplished fact.
Application
a) Have I ever doubted the "accomplished fact" of my own salvation? Why?
b) How can today's verse help me realise that, although I may have a lot of
growing yet to do, my salvation in Jesus Christ is secure?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD?
Or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,
And maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet,
And setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war,
So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be an honourable witness to the Lord in His eyes.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, You've put a new song in my mouth.
Please help my worship to express Your true goodness and greatness."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that Salvation is accomplished fully in
Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray to have love and charity.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that His ways are perfect!
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray for those facing Sri Lankan governmental discrimination because of their
Christian witness.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) 1 Corinthians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 7, 1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 5
Judgment Against Immorality
1 (Lev 18:8; Dt 22:30) It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among you,
and such immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles,
that a man has his father's wife.
2 (1Co 5:13; 2Co 7:7-11) But you are arrogant. Instead you should
have mourned, so that he who has done this deed might be removed
from among you.
3 (Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17) For indeed, though absent in body
but present in spirit, I have already, as if I were present,
judged him who has done this deed,
4 (Jn 20:23; 2Co 13:3) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When you are assembled, along with my spirit,
in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 (1Ti 1:20; 1Co 1:8) deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
so that the spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 (Gal 5:9; Jas 4:16) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that
a little yeast leavens the whole batch?
7 (Ex 12:15; Mk 14:12) Therefore purge out the old yeast,
that you may be a new batch, since you are unleavened.
For even Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us.
8 (Ex 12:15; Dt 16:3) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast,
nor with the yeast of malice and wickedness,
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 (Eph 5:11; 2Co 6:14) I wrote to you in my letter not to keep company
with sexually immoral people.
10 (1Co 10:27) Yet I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world,
or the covetous and extortioners, or the idolaters,
since you would then need to go out of the world.
11 (2Th 3:6; Mt 18:17; Ro 16:17) But I have written to you not to keep
company with any man who is called a brother, who is sexually immoral,
or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard,
or an extortioner. Do not even eat with such a person.
12 (Mk 4:11) For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside?
Do you not judge those who are inside?
13 (Dt 13:5; 17:7) But God judges those who are outside. Therefore
"put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
(Dt 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7.)
[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such
fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should
have his father's wife.
[2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath
done this deed might be taken away from among you.
[3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged
already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this
deed,
[4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and
my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that
the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
[6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth
the whole lump?
[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
[8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth.
[9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
[10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out
of the world.
[11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is
called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer,
or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
[12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye
judge them that are within?
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among
yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 6
Going to Law Before Unbelievers
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to the law
before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 (Mt 19:28; Da 7:22) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?
If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest
matters?
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more the things
that pertain to this life?
4 (1Co 5:12) If then you have judgments dealing with matters of this life,
do you appoint as judges those who are least esteemed in the church?
5 (1Co 4:14; 15:34) I speak to your shame. Is it true that there
is not even one wise man among you who shall be able to judge
between his brothers?
6 But brother goes to the law against brother, and before unbelievers,
at that.
7 (Pr 20:22; 1Pe 3:9) Now therefore it is already an utter failure
for you that you go to law against one another. Why not rather be wronged?
Why not rather be defrauded?
8 (1Th 4:6) But you yourselves do wrong and defraud,
and do this to your brothers.
9 (1Co 15:50; 1Ti 1:9-10) Do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
10 (1Co 5:11) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 (1Co 1:2; Ac 22:16; Ro 8:30) Such were some of you. But you were washed,
you were sanctified, and you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
by the Spirit of our God.
[1] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the
unjust, and not before the saints?
[2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world
shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
[3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life?
[4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to
judge who are least esteemed in the church.
[5] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?
no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
[6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
[7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law
one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather
suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
[8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God.
Glorify God in Your Body
12 "All things are lawful to me," but not all things are helpful.
"All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought
under the power of anything.
13 (Mt 15:17; 1Co 6:15) "Food is for the belly, and the belly is for food,"
but God will destroy both of them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality,
but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
14 (Ac 2:24; Eph 1:19-20) God has raised up the Lord and will also raise us
up by His own power.
15 (Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:27) Do you not know that your bodies are the parts
of Christ? Shall I then take the parts of Christ and make them the parts
of a harlot? God forbid!
16 (Ge 2:24; Eph 5:31) What? Do you not know that he who is joined
to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says,
"shall become one flesh."(Ge 2:24.)
17 (Jn 17:21-23) But he who is joined to the Lord becomes
one spirit with Him.
18 (Heb 13:4; 2Co 12:21) Escape from sexual immorality.
Every sin that a man commits is outside the body.
But he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 (1Co 3:16; Jn 2:21) What? Do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God,
and that you are not your own?
20 (1Co 7:23; Ac 20:28; Ro 12:1) You were bought with a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
[12] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
[13] Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy
both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and
the Lord for the body.
[14] And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his
own power.
[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then
take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God
forbid.
[16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for
two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
[17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
[18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but
he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body.
[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
[20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7
Questions About Marriage
1 (1Co 7:8) Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me:
"It is good for a man not to touch a woman."
2 (1Co 7:9) Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 (Ex 21:10; 1Pe 3:7) Let the husband render to the wife due affection,
and likewise the wife to the husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.
Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but the wife does.
5 (Ex 19:15; 1Sa 21:4-5) Do not deprive one another except
with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.
Then come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you
for lack of self-control.
6 (2Co 8:8; 1Co 7:12) I speak this as a concession and not as a command.
7 (Mt 19:11-12; 1Co 9:5) For I would that all men were even as I myself.
But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner
and another after that.
8 (1Co 7:1) I say to the unmarried and widows that it is good for them
if they live even as I am.
9 (1Ti 5:14; 1Co 7:2) But if they cannot restrain themselves, let them marry.
For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 (Mt 5:32; Lk 16:18; Mal 2:14-16) Now to the married I command, not I,
but the Lord, do not let the wife depart from her husband.
11 But if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled
to her husband. And do not let the husband divorce his wife.
12 (1Co 7:6; 2Co 11:17) To the rest I speak, not the Lord:
If any brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him,
he should not divorce her.
13 And if the woman has an unbelieving husband who consents to live with her,
she should not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.
Otherwise, your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.
15 (Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:33) But if the unbeliever departs, let that one depart.
A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called us to peace.
16 (Ro 11:14) For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save
your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
[1] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man
not to touch a woman.
[2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and
let every woman have her own husband.
[3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also
the wife unto the husband.
[4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise
also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
[5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that
ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that
Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
[6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
[7] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his
proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
[8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they
abide even as I.
[9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry
than to burn.
[10] And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband:
[11] But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to
her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
[12] But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that
believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her
away.
[13] And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be
pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
[14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children
unclean; but now are they holy.
[15] But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is
not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
[16] For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or
how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
Living as God Called You
17 (1Co 4:17; 2Co 11:28) But as God has given to every man
and as the Lord has called every man, so let him walk.
This I command in all churches.
18 (Ac 15:5; 15:19) Is any man called while circumcised?
Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any man called while uncircumcised?
Let him not be circumcised.
19 (Gal 5:6; 6:15) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing,
but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything.
20 Let each man remain in the same condition in which he was called.
21 Were you called while a servant? Do not worry about it.
But if you may become free, do so.
22 (1Pe 2:16; Phm 1:16) For he who is called in the Lord
while a servant is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, he who is called
while free is Christ's servant.
23 (1Co 6:20; Lev 25:42) You were bought at a price.
Do not be the servants of men.
24 (1Co 7:20) Brothers, let every man, in whatever condition he is called,
remain there with God.
[17] But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every
one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
[18] Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised.
Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
[19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping
of the commandments of God.
[20] Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
[21] Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be
made free, use it rather.
[22] For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's
freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
[23] Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
[24] Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
The Unmarried and Widows
25 (1Co 7:6; 4:2) Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the Lord.
Yet I will give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord
to be faithful.
26 (1Co 7:1; 7:8) I suppose therefore that this is good
because of the present distress,
that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be uncommitted.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries,
she has not sinned. Nevertheless they will have trouble in this life,
but I would spare you that.
29 (Ro 13:11-12) But this I say, brothers, the time is short.
It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none;
30 those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice,
as though they did not rejoice; those who buy,
as though they possessed nothing;
31 (1Jn 2:17; Ps 39:6; 1Co 9:18) and those who use this world,
as though they did not make full use of it.
For the form of this world is passing away.
32 (1Ti 5:5) But I prefer that you have no concern. He who is unmarried cares
for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world,
how he may please his wife.
34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 (1Co 7:36) I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint
upon you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord
without distraction.
36 If any man thinks that he is behaving improperly toward his virgin,
(Some versions translate this word as "virgin daughters,"
others translate it as "fiancée." Since the Greek text itself remains unclear,
the editors have chosen to keep the literal translation.)
and if she is past the flower of her youth, and passions so require,
let him do what he will. He does not sin. Let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart without necessity,
and has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart
that he will keep his virgin, does well.
38 (Heb 13:4) So then he who gives her in marriage does well,
but he who gives her not in marriage does better.
39 (Ro 7:2-3; 1Co 7:15) The wife is bound by the law as long
as her husband lives. But if her husband dies, she is at liberty
to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord.
40 But in my judgment she is happier if she so remains as she is.
And I think that I have the Spirit of God.
[25] Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my
judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
[26] I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say,
that it is good for a man so to be.
[27] Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from
a wife? seek not a wife.
[28] But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she
hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I
spare you.
[29] But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both
they that have wives be as though they had none;
[30] And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as
though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
[31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of
this world passeth away.
[32] But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth
for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
[33] But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how
he may please his wife.
[34] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried
woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body
and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.
[35] And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon
you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord
without distraction.
[36] But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his
virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do
what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
[37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no
necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his
heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
[38] So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth
her not in marriage doeth better.
[39] The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her
husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in
the Lord.
[40] But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also
that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 (1Co 8:7; 8:4) Now as concerning food offered to idols: We know that
"we all have knowledge." Knowledge produces arrogance, but love edifies.
2 (1Co 3:18; 13:8-9) So if anyone thinks that he knows anything,
he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 (Gal 4:9; Ex 33:12) But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
4 (Dt 6:4; 4:39) So concerning the eating of foods that are offered
in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one.
5 (2Th 2:4) For there are those who are called gods, whether in heaven
or in earth, as there are many gods and many lords.
6 (Jn 1:3; Mal 2:10; Ro 11:36) But for us there is but one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist.
And there is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things
and through whom we exist.
7 (Ro 14:14; 1Co 8:9-10) However, not everyone has this knowledge.
Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat the food as a thing
offered to an idol. So their weak conscience is defiled.
8 (Ro 14:17) But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we eat are
we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
9 (Gal 5:13; Ro 14:20-21; 14:1-2) But take heed, lest by any means
this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.
10 For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, eating in the idol's temple,
shall the conscience of him who is weak not be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols,
11 (Ro 14:15; 1Co 8:13) and by your knowledge shall the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died?
12 (Mt 25:45; 18:6) When you thus sin against the brothers,
wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
13 (Ro 14:21; 2Co 11:29) Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble,
I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8
[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
[2] And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as
he ought to know.
[3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in
sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but one.
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth,
(as there be gods many, and lords many,)
[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and
we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with
conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the
better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a
stumblingblock to them that are weak.
[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat
those things which are offered to idols;
[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
Christ died?
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
conscience, ye sin against Christ.
[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 November 2023 Titled
Worthy of All Praise
Psalms 18:1-6
1 I love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) The Lord is my pillar, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I will be saved from my enemies.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) The cords of death encircled me,
and the torrents of destruction terrified me.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
the snares of death confronted me.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) In my distress I called on the Lord,
and cried for help to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
and my cry for help came before Him to His ears.
[1] I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
[2] The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my
strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,
and my high tower.
[3] I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be
saved from mine enemies.
[4] The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me
afraid.
[5] The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
[6] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard
my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Many consider Ferrante and Teicher to be the greatest piano duet team of all
time. Their collaborative presentations were so precise that their style was
described as four hands but only one mind. Hearing their music, one can begin
to grasp the amount of effort required to perfect their craft.
But there's more. They loved what they did. In fact, even after they had
retired in 1989, Ferrante and Teicher would occasionally show up at a local
piano store just to play an impromptu concert. They simply loved making music.
David also loved making music-but he teamed up with God to give his song a
higher purpose. His psalms affirm his struggle-filled life and his desire to
live in deep dependence upon God. Yet, in the midst of his personal failures
and imperfections, his praise expressed a kind of spiritual "perfect pitch,"
acknowledging the greatness and goodness of God even in the darkest of times.
The heart behind David's praise is simply stated in Psalm 18:1, which reads, “ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.”
David continued, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised”
(v. 3) and turned to Him “in my distress” (v. 6). Regardless of our situation,
may we likewise lift our hearts to praise and worship our God.
He's worthy of all praise!
By: Bill Crowder
Reflect & Pray
In what ways do you share your love for God with Him and with others?
What might be standing in the way of your worship?
Heavenly Father, You've put a new song in my mouth.
Please help my worship to express Your true goodness and greatness.
For further study, read Understanding the Bible: The Poetic Books.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 2 - Saved by Grace - Day 6 - It is Finished
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
"PLEASE BE PATIENT - GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET,"
the sweatshirt read. In this case, the message was an ironic one,
for the occupant of the shirt was a snaggle-toothed, freckle-faced six year
old!
In one sense, God is not finished with the work he has to do in each of us.
Life in Christ is an ongoing process of change and growth as we become
more like him. Certainly, the more we see of ourselves, the more we hope
he isn't finished with us!
Yet whatever plans God has for making us into the men and women he created
us to be, certain aspects of our life in Christ are finished, finalised.
Jesus declares with absolute assurance, "whoever hears
My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life
and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. "
Because we do not have to earn or deserve God's grace, because we are not
called to prove ourselves worthy of Salvation, we can have immediate
and total assurance of the security of life in Jesus Christ. The one who
put his trust in the Lord has eternal life; he will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.
This "crossing over" into life happens in the split second when we acknowledge
our dependence upon Christ alone. And the rest of our lives is given over to
the development of his image in us.
God is not finished with us yet.
But his work of salvation is finished - complete,
fully dependable an accomplished fact.
Application
a) Have I ever doubted the "accomplished fact" of my own salvation? Why?
b) How can today's verse help me realise that, although I may have a lot of
growing yet to do, my salvation in Jesus Christ is secure?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD?
Or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,
And maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet,
And setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war,
So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Newfoundland & Labrador
Total population 527000
Muslim population (est.) 2065
As of Autumn 2014, St. John's does not have a local CNMM network. Pray with us
for God's people to come together in prayer
and cooperative efforts to reach Muslims with the Good News.
St. John's has one mosque and 2 more musallas , or prayer locations, which
may grow into mosques of their own. The mosque is called Masjid an Noor,
The Mosque of the Light, and mosque historical documents record a trip in 1986
to Saudi Arabia to raise funds for the land purchase and construction costs.
A small number of Muslim families had come prior to 1964, but moved on to
other places after a short time. After this date, a small community began
to remain and grow , reaching about 25 families in the 1980s. A number
of international students also join the community annually
ranging from 25 to 60.
In 2014 the mosque website reports the community is made up of some 200
families and many university students attending Memorial University. A
small number of native Newfoundlanders have also converted to the Islamic
faith, one saying of this religion in Newfoundland, "Islam is a growing face".
With the growth of the community, the current challenge is lack of space
in the mosque, which they are now looking at expanding.
Pray for
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...)
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be an honourable witness to the Lord in His eyes.
Pray to the Lord: "Heavenly Father, You've put a new song in my mouth.
Please help my worship to express Your true goodness and greatness."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that Salvation is accomplished fully in
Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray to have love and charity.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that His ways are perfect!
Pray for in Newfoundland and Labrador
- The true Light of life, Jesus Christ, to be revealed to Muslims
in Newfoundland through the word, dreams, visions and answers to prayer.
- Christians to be as "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" regarding
Islam and reaching out in loving witness to Muslims in St. John's.
- for a dedicated, intentional witness to the growing number of Muslim
students on the university, college and trade school campuses.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society.
Pray for those facing Sri Lankan governmental discrimination because of their
Christian witness.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.