Day 321 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 17 November 2022 reflections
Day 321, 17 November 2022
1) 1 Corinthians 4
1 Corinthians 5
1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 7
1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of the Apostles
1 (Ro 16:25; Titus 1:7) Let a man so regard us as the ministers of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you
or by man's judgment. I do not even judge myself.
4 (Ps 143:2; 130:3) For I know nothing against myself.
Yet I am not justified by this. But He who judges me is the Lord.
5 (Ro 2:16; 2:1; 2:29) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time
until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness
and will reveal the purposes of the hearts. Then everyone will have
commendation from God.
6 (1Co 1:12; 13:4) Brothers, I have figuratively applied these things
to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, so that you may learn from us
not to think of men above that which is written, and that not one of you
would be arrogant for one against another.
7 (Jn 3:27; Ro 12:6) For who makes you differ from another?
And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you received it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 (Rev 3:17) Now you are full, now you are rich; you have begun reigning
as kings without us, and I wish to God you reigned, so that we also might
reign with you.
9 (Ro 8:36; Heb 10:33) For I think that God has exhibited us, the apostles,
last, as if we were sentenced to death. For we have been made a spectacle
to the world, to angels and to men.
10 (1Co 2:3; Ac 17:18; 26:24) We are fools for Christ's sake,
but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong.
You are honorable, but we are despised.
11 (Ro 8:35; 2Co 11:23-27) Even to this present hour we both hunger
and thirst, and are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless.
12 (1Pe 3:9; Ac 18:3; Mt 5:11) We labor, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
13 (La 3:45) Being slandered, we encourage. We are made as the filth
of the world, and are the refuse of all things to this day.
14 (1Th 2:11; 1Co 4:15) I do not write these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 (Gal 4:19; 1Co 3:10) For if you were to have ten thousand instructors
in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus
I have become a father to you through the gospel.
16 (1Co 11:1; Php 3:17) So I implore you, be followers of me.
17 (1Co 7:17; 1Ti 1:2) Therefore I have sent Timothy to you.
He is my beloved son and is faithful in the Lord.
He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ,
as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
19 (Ac 18:21; 19:21) But I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills.
And I will know not only what those who are arrogant are saying,
but also their power.
20 (1Co 2:4) For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 (2Co 13:2; 1:23) What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod,
or in love and in the spirit of meekness?
[1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards
of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
[3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or
of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
[4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that
judgeth me is the Lord.
[5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both
will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
[6] And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and
to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men
above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against
another.
[7] For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou
didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if
thou hadst not received it?
[8] Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us:
and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
[9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to
angels, and to men.
[10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak,
but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
[11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked,
and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
[12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer it:
[13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and
are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn
you.
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son,
and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways
which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
[18] Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
[19] But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not
the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
[20] For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
[21] What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the
spirit of meekness?
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.
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 November 2022
Entitled "Onwards! Unswerving"
1 Thessalonians 2:12 , 3:11-4:18
1 Thessalonians 2
12 (Eph 4:1; 1Th 5:24) that you would walk in a manner worthy of God,
who has called you to His kingdom and glory.
[12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
1 Thessalonians 3
11 (2Th 2:16; 1Th 3:13) Now may our God and Father Himself,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 (Php 1:9; 1Th 4:9-10) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.
13 (1Th 2:19; Zec 14:5) To this end may He establish your hearts
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
[11] Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
[12] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
[13] To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints.
1 Thessalonians 4
A Life Pleasing to God
1 (Eph 4:1; 2Th 1:3) Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please
God, you should excel more and more.
2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 (Ac 15:29; Ro 6:22) For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality,
4 (1Pe 3:7) that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel
in sanctification and honor,
5 (Ro 1:26; Gal 4:8) not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles
who do not know God,
6 (Ro 12:19; Heb 13:4) and that no man take advantage of
and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord
is the avenger in all these things,
as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 (1Th 2:3; Lev 11:44) For God has not called us to uncleanness,
but to holiness.
8 (1Jn 3:24; Lk 10:16) Therefore he that despises does not despise man,
but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
9 (1Th 5:1; Ro 12:10) As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me
to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
10 (1Th 1:7; 3:12) And indeed, you do have love for all the brothers
who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase
more and more.
11 (Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15) Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 (Mk 4:11; Ro 13:13) so that you may walk honestly toward
those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing.
[1] Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
[3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not
God:
[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and
testified.
[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also
given unto us his holy Spirit.
[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia:
but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work
with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may
have lack of nothing.
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
In the poem "Rest," the poet gently challenges our tendency to separate
"leisure" time from "work," asking, "Is not true leisure / One with true
toil?" If you want to experience true leisure, instead of trying to avoid
life's duties, the author urges, "Still do thy best; Use it, not waste it,
— / Else 'tis not rest. / Wouldst behold beauty / Near thee? all round?
/ Only hath duty / Such a sight found."
The poet concludes that true rest and joy are both found through love and
service-an idea that brings to mind Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians.
After describing his calling to encourage believers "That ye would walk worthy
of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:12), the apostle gives more specifics.
And the picture he paints of such a life is one of quiet integrity, love, and
service. Paul prays that God would "And the Lord make you to increase and
abound in love one toward another" (3:12). And he urges believers in Jesus
to "And that ye study to be quiet," to "and to do your own business, and to
work with your own hands, " (4:11). It's that kind of life, quietly loving
and serving in whatever ways God has enabled us, that reveals to others the
beauty of a life of faith (v. 12).
Or, as the writer puts it, true joy is "loving and serving / The highest
and best; / 'Tis onwards! Unswerving— / And that is true rest."
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
How does God's presence help you experience true joy?
How are rest and service united in God’s kingdom?
Loving God, thank You that
I don't need to avoid the duties
and rhythms of daily life to experience Your beauty.
Help me to know the joy of a quiet life lived with You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 5 Called by Name
Isaiah 43:1
1 But now, thus says the Lord
who created you, O Jacob,
and He who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob,
and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:
for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name;
thou art mine.
Eric, age 4, somehow lost his mother in a large and busy department store.
Found sobbing under a coat rack, the boy tried to tell the security guard
where he was when he got separated from his mother. Finally the guard said,
"what's your name, Son? Who do you belong to?"
The child brightened a bit, gave the guard his name, and within minutes
the frantic mother was reunited with her lost son.
One of the first questions we are asked, both as children and adults, is
"What is your name?" - that is, "Who are you? Who do you belong to?"
Children bear the name of their parents, and most women,
except for professional reasons,
take the name of their husbands when they marry.
Our names are our primary method of identification;
they connect us with our heritage and those we love.
In Isaiah 43:1, God declares that we belong to him.
The Lord who created us and formed us says,
"I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." God's
right of ownership in our lives extends beyond the bond of family and friends,
of parent, child, or spouse. We belong first to him;
we are called by him into oneness with him.
The Scripture is filled with images of the Lord's care for us;
when we are lost, he does
not wait for us to find him,
but takes the initiative, like a loving parent
to seek us out. That declaration of belonging can give us
a strong sense of security in our lives. God loves us;
he will never let us go.
Application
a) What experiences have I had of being lost of abandoned?
b) How can today's verse help me find security in belonging to God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4-5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
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
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
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 feel the power of the Kingdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, thank You that
I don't need to avoid the duties
and rhythms of daily life to experience Your beauty.
Help me to know the joy of a quiet life lived with You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember we are redeemed of the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to for your Light to shine in Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray approach the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy!
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 for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
Pray for for Wadia and her son in Egypt who are hiding after suffering
persecution from Family members.
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 4
1 Corinthians 5
1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 7
1 Corinthians 4
The Ministry of the Apostles
1 (Ro 16:25; Titus 1:7) Let a man so regard us as the ministers of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you
or by man's judgment. I do not even judge myself.
4 (Ps 143:2; 130:3) For I know nothing against myself.
Yet I am not justified by this. But He who judges me is the Lord.
5 (Ro 2:16; 2:1; 2:29) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time
until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness
and will reveal the purposes of the hearts. Then everyone will have
commendation from God.
6 (1Co 1:12; 13:4) Brothers, I have figuratively applied these things
to myself and to Apollos for your sakes, so that you may learn from us
not to think of men above that which is written, and that not one of you
would be arrogant for one against another.
7 (Jn 3:27; Ro 12:6) For who makes you differ from another?
And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you received it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 (Rev 3:17) Now you are full, now you are rich; you have begun reigning
as kings without us, and I wish to God you reigned, so that we also might
reign with you.
9 (Ro 8:36; Heb 10:33) For I think that God has exhibited us, the apostles,
last, as if we were sentenced to death. For we have been made a spectacle
to the world, to angels and to men.
10 (1Co 2:3; Ac 17:18; 26:24) We are fools for Christ's sake,
but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong.
You are honorable, but we are despised.
11 (Ro 8:35; 2Co 11:23-27) Even to this present hour we both hunger
and thirst, and are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless.
12 (1Pe 3:9; Ac 18:3; Mt 5:11) We labor, working with our own hands.
Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
13 (La 3:45) Being slandered, we encourage. We are made as the filth
of the world, and are the refuse of all things to this day.
14 (1Th 2:11; 1Co 4:15) I do not write these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 (Gal 4:19; 1Co 3:10) For if you were to have ten thousand instructors
in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus
I have become a father to you through the gospel.
16 (1Co 11:1; Php 3:17) So I implore you, be followers of me.
17 (1Co 7:17; 1Ti 1:2) Therefore I have sent Timothy to you.
He is my beloved son and is faithful in the Lord.
He will remind you of my ways which are in Christ,
as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
19 (Ac 18:21; 19:21) But I will come to you shortly if the Lord wills.
And I will know not only what those who are arrogant are saying,
but also their power.
20 (1Co 2:4) For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 (2Co 13:2; 1:23) What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod,
or in love and in the spirit of meekness?
[1] Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards
of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
[3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or
of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
[4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that
judgeth me is the Lord.
[5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both
will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest
the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
[6] And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and
to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men
above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against
another.
[7] For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou
didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if
thou hadst not received it?
[8] Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us:
and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
[9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were
appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to
angels, and to men.
[10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak,
but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
[11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked,
and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
[12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being
persecuted, we suffer it:
[13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and
are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
[14] I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn
you.
[15] For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son,
and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways
which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
[18] Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
[19] But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not
the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
[20] For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
[21] What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the
spirit of meekness?
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.
2) Our Daily Bread for 17 November 2022
Entitled "Onwards! Unswerving"
1 Thessalonians 2:12 , 3:11-4:18
1 Thessalonians 2
12 (Eph 4:1; 1Th 5:24) that you would walk in a manner worthy of God,
who has called you to His kingdom and glory.
[12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
1 Thessalonians 3
11 (2Th 2:16; 1Th 3:13) Now may our God and Father Himself,
and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 (Php 1:9; 1Th 4:9-10) And may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.
13 (1Th 2:19; Zec 14:5) To this end may He establish your hearts
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
[11] Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our
way unto you.
[12] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
[13] To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints.
1 Thessalonians 4
A Life Pleasing to God
1 (Eph 4:1; 2Th 1:3) Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please
God, you should excel more and more.
2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 (Ac 15:29; Ro 6:22) For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
that you should abstain from sexual immorality,
4 (1Pe 3:7) that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel
in sanctification and honor,
5 (Ro 1:26; Gal 4:8) not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles
who do not know God,
6 (Ro 12:19; Heb 13:4) and that no man take advantage of
and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord
is the avenger in all these things,
as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 (1Th 2:3; Lev 11:44) For God has not called us to uncleanness,
but to holiness.
8 (1Jn 3:24; Lk 10:16) Therefore he that despises does not despise man,
but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
9 (1Th 5:1; Ro 12:10) As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me
to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
10 (1Th 1:7; 3:12) And indeed, you do have love for all the brothers
who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase
more and more.
11 (Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15) Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
12 (Mk 4:11; Ro 13:13) so that you may walk honestly toward
those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing.
[1] Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
[3] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication:
[4] That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour;
[5] Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not
God:
[6] That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and
testified.
[7] For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
[8] He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also
given unto us his holy Spirit.
[9] But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
[10] And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia:
but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
[11] And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work
with your own hands, as we commanded you;
[12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may
have lack of nothing.
The Lord's Coming
13 (Eph 2:12; Lev 19:28) But I would not have you ignorant, brothers,
concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
who have no hope.
14 (1Th 4:13; Rev 1:18) For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again,
so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 (1Ki 20:35) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord
will not precede those who are asleep.
16 (1Co 15:23; Jude 1:9) For the Lord Himself will descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 (Jn 12:26; Ac 1:9) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we
shall be forever with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ
shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
In the poem "Rest," the poet gently challenges our tendency to separate
"leisure" time from "work," asking, "Is not true leisure / One with true
toil?" If you want to experience true leisure, instead of trying to avoid
life's duties, the author urges, "Still do thy best; Use it, not waste it,
— / Else 'tis not rest. / Wouldst behold beauty / Near thee? all round?
/ Only hath duty / Such a sight found."
The poet concludes that true rest and joy are both found through love and
service-an idea that brings to mind Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians.
After describing his calling to encourage believers "That ye would walk worthy
of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:12), the apostle gives more specifics.
And the picture he paints of such a life is one of quiet integrity, love, and
service. Paul prays that God would "And the Lord make you to increase and
abound in love one toward another" (3:12). And he urges believers in Jesus
to "And that ye study to be quiet," to "and to do your own business, and to
work with your own hands, " (4:11). It's that kind of life, quietly loving
and serving in whatever ways God has enabled us, that reveals to others the
beauty of a life of faith (v. 12).
Or, as the writer puts it, true joy is "loving and serving / The highest
and best; / 'Tis onwards! Unswerving— / And that is true rest."
By: Monica La Rose
Reflect & Pray
How does God's presence help you experience true joy?
How are rest and service united in God’s kingdom?
Loving God, thank You that
I don't need to avoid the duties
and rhythms of daily life to experience Your beauty.
Help me to know the joy of a quiet life lived with You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 5 Called by Name
Isaiah 43:1
1 But now, thus says the Lord
who created you, O Jacob,
and He who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob,
and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:
for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name;
thou art mine.
Eric, age 4, somehow lost his mother in a large and busy department store.
Found sobbing under a coat rack, the boy tried to tell the security guard
where he was when he got separated from his mother. Finally the guard said,
"what's your name, Son? Who do you belong to?"
The child brightened a bit, gave the guard his name, and within minutes
the frantic mother was reunited with her lost son.
One of the first questions we are asked, both as children and adults, is
"What is your name?" - that is, "Who are you? Who do you belong to?"
Children bear the name of their parents, and most women,
except for professional reasons,
take the name of their husbands when they marry.
Our names are our primary method of identification;
they connect us with our heritage and those we love.
In Isaiah 43:1, God declares that we belong to him.
The Lord who created us and formed us says,
"I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." God's
right of ownership in our lives extends beyond the bond of family and friends,
of parent, child, or spouse. We belong first to him;
we are called by him into oneness with him.
The Scripture is filled with images of the Lord's care for us;
when we are lost, he does
not wait for us to find him,
but takes the initiative, like a loving parent
to seek us out. That declaration of belonging can give us
a strong sense of security in our lives. God loves us;
he will never let us go.
Application
a) What experiences have I had of being lost of abandoned?
b) How can today's verse help me find security in belonging to God?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4-5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
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
17th Day of the Month
a) Pray for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
( Ps 122:7 - 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
7 Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.)
b) Pray for the province of Ontario
I) Pray for the leaders of Ontario,
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 feel the power of the Kingdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, thank You that
I don't need to avoid the duties
and rhythms of daily life to experience Your beauty.
Help me to know the joy of a quiet life lived with You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember we are redeemed of the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to for your Light to shine in Him.
Pray to the Lord and pray approach the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy!
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 for the safety of those
who live in your community -
safety from conflict an crimes
Pray for for Wadia and her son in Egypt who are hiding after suffering
persecution from Family members.
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.
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