As Paul addressed the Corinthian church on the subject of marriage, he stated that the time was short, and that the world as they knew it was passing away.

Here we are nearly 2000 years later, and we read the same expression.  Clearly, the time is shorter now than it was then.

What’s the message?  Live this life with a focus on the hereafter so that we don’t get unduly invested in the temporal.  Our future is in heaven with the Lord.  Again, an expression from Paul, set your affection on things above.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, my future is with You in heaven.  My present is to work faithfully to see Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

DAILY READING:  1 Cor. 7-9

The Apostle Paul is VERY CLEAR that Christians are to flee sexual immorality.  Sexual sin involves the body, and the body is to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Since the Lord purchased those who have received His salvation, our bodies are not our own, but we belong to God.  Therefore, he says, honor God with your bodies.

Sin brings destruction, but righteousness through faith brings abundant life, here and forever.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I belong to You.  I want to honor You with every thought and deed.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.

DAILY READING:  1 Cor. 4-6

Paul always began his letters with this salutation … “Grace and Peace.”

In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of marriage, these are timely Kingdom provisions to help Christians posture themselves for whatever outcome the ruling generates.  Incidentally, this ruling did not take God by surprise.

God gives grace to do what’s righteous, and the presence of His peace makes us know He’s in control.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, we trust You to unfold Your plan for the end of the age.  We rest in the peace You give.

DAILY READING:  1 Cor. 1-3

Ambition can be productive.  It can also be achieved at the cost of others.

Paul revealed a healthy avenue for personal ambition when he declared, “ It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.”

The Body of Christ is in full display when we all work together to accomplish the Lord’s purposes without destroying each other through self-serving personal ambition.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, stir up within me the goals You have for me.

DAILY READING:  Romans 12-6

We are all like clay in the hand of the Master Potter, our Heavenly Father.  Paul therefore asks the question, “Hath not the potter power over the clay?”

Which lump of clay are you concerned about?  God has power over them, and can mold them into what He envisions.  Pray with this in mind about any lump of clay for whom you have a burden..

It works.  Just ask me.

DAILY PRAYER;  Heavenly Father, You are the potter and we are the clay.  I am praying today for __________, and ask, in Jesus’ name, that You bring them all the way into Your perfect will for their life.  Thank You.

DAILY READING:  Romans 9-11

God’s love through Christ Jesus given to us for an eternal life with Him in heaven, and a total package of support to successfully navigate the challenges of our mortal lives here on earth … all is available to us because of His Love for us.

It took 2300+ pages in 66 chapters [NIV, Life Application Bible] to describe the package.  Then, Paul adds that NOTHING can separate us from God’s free gift of an eternal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus.

NOTHING CAN COMPARE TO THAT DEAL!

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in heaven, we are awed by glimpses we get of Your great love to us through Christ.  We hereby give all we have to You to use for Your purposes.

DAILY READING:  Romans 7,8

We can be both.  Romans alludes to reigning in life, yet it turns around and discusses being a slave to righteousness.  Both capacities are possible.  We reign in life as co-inheritors of all of Christ’s Kingdom, yet we are slaves to righteousness rather than slaves to sin.

We joyfully submit ourselves to being mastered by Christ’s teachings and His Spirit, yet we exude the air of royalty as we tread triumphantly over every temptation that tries to dethrone us.

DAILY PRAYER: Jesus, You reign over all, and we reign with You.  You have caused us to sit with You in heavenly places.  We face this day empowered to do Your righteous will.

DAILY READING:  Romans 4-6

As Paul addresses the Christians at Rome, he describes God’s intent for their lives in the same way he describes God’s intent for his life.  He uses the word “Called.”  As he was called to be an apostle, so were they called to be God’s holy people.

Holiness is the presence of all that is good and the absence of sin.  God is holy.  No other god is holy.  God imputes His holiness to us through our faith in Christ Jesus.  We are distinctly and separately His rather than aligned with any other way of life.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, You have called me to be like You, and You have made me holy through the blood of Christ.  Your grace empowers me to live a life that pleases You.

DAILY READING:  Romans 1-3

Paul related to King Agrippa how he had seen the light from heaven and had heard the Lord give him specific instructions on what to do with his life.

Have you heard from heaven?  Do you hear God giving you direction for your life?

Be intentional to obey what you sense the Lord has called you to do.  If you need clarity, simple ask Him to reveal His design for your life.  Do it right now!

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, You have given us so much, and we are grateful.  Now, reveal to us the purpose for our life so we can give You the obedience You deserve.:

DAILY READING:  Acts 25-8

As Paul defended himself before Felix, the governor of Judea, concerning the trumped up charges laid against him by the religious resistance of the Judaic system, he declared that he strove to keep his conscience clear before God and man.

God’s grace has been given to us to enable us to do the right thing whenever there’s a question of what to do.  As we resolve in our hearts to always do the right thing, we empower ourselves to not only follow through with action that pleases God, but we also maintain a clear conscience before Him and those around us.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You are the Author of Righteousness, and we seek to please You in all our decisions today.

DAILY READING:  Acts 21-4