1 Cor. 8-10

God always provides a way OUT. Temptation, trials, afflictions etc. God leads us out.

The children of Israel came OUT of Egypt. God leads us OUT of darkness into His marvelous light. Lazarus came OUT of the tomb. We are to come OUT of worldliness and into a life of consecration to the Lord.

If you seem to be trapped in an ungodly or discouraging cycle, cry OUT to God and He will hear your prayer and deliver you.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  He brought me up also OUT of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  [Ps. 40:1,2]

1 Cor. 4-6

Paul harshly condemns immorality in the church at Corinth. He even recommends isolation and rejection of Christians practicing immorality. His strongest argument is that our bodies are the temple of God’s Holy Spirit and that we should render them only to serving God’s holy and moral purposes.

Viewing pornography allows this defilement to enter the eye-gate and lodge in our minds. We have the mind of Christ which is at war with sensuality and lust.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  [Matt. 5:8]

1 Cor. 3

Patty and I are going to have a shed built in our backyard. Foundations are on my mind right now.

The Apostle Paul gives attention to this concept in his letter to the Corinthians. Obviously, there were some misconceptions about how to build a spiritual building. He reproved the new church for being allured into carnal methods of building. He restated that Christ Jesus was THE FOUNDATION. Then, they were to be very careful how their spiritual lives were constructed. Build with quality materials such as gold, silver and precious stones. Build for the storm rather than for fair weather. Every day we read and study God’s Word, we are using the best materials available.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. [Matt. 7:24]

1 Corinthians 1,2

We all know that NOBODY is perfect. And yet, Paul declares that through Christ we can stand at the end with nothing to be blamed for. Yes, we have sinned … ALL have sinned and come short … but all confessed sin can be removed because Christ bore it and removed it.

It’s as if we owed a gigantic bill and He paid it. We were severely blemished and He approved us.

Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.

Romans 15,16

Paul greets a long list of faithful friends in the Gospel at the end of Romans and includes this special commendation … to those who have been faithful in endurance. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” [Ps. 34:19]

We can be faithful BECAUSE God is faithful.  As Christ set an example of faithfulness for us, we can in turn be faithful for those who lean on us and watch our lives.

Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. 1 Thess. 5:24 [Amplified]

Romans 13,14

The person who loves has fulfilled the law. If you love (your neighbor, your spouse, your enemy etc.) you will have conducted yourself in a manner that pleases God and removes the necessity to abide by rules of conduct.

It’s really very simple. Let love be your primary motive in all that you do. If you have trouble loving someone, allow God’s love for that person to flow through you. Treat them like a loving parent.

Romans 12

The Bible does not encourage communism where all things are common. It does encourage benevolence whereby we share with others that which we have.

The prophet told the widow to make him a cake from the flour and oil she had left. She did, and thereafter never had to refill her supply of oil … God supernaturally kept her supply full.

The liberal, giving soul shall be made fat, flourishing.

Romans 10,11

The writer, after giving an explanation of the how and why the love and gospel of God was shared with the Gentiles, he pauses and takes a long look into the deep wisdom of God. He quotes from both Isaiah and Job as he expresses his amazement at the infinite wisdom and love of God to us.

It is a moment of realization … that God is go great and all-knowing and we are so finitely dependent and helpless apart from His merciful gesture of love and acceptance to us through Christ.

This approaches the true meaning of awe.

Romans 9

God said, “I will have mercy and compassion upon whomever I want.” He is the potter and we are the clay. We can’t ask him, “Why did you make me this way?”

Wouldn’t it be ridiculous if my lawnmower told me, “I don’t want to mow your lawn anymore. I want to be your truck.” As Homer Simpson would say, “Doh!”

Whenever we accomplish anything for God, we must acknowledge His mercy in granting us the privilege to work for Him. We apply our efforts in the direction he points us. If we are a lawn mower, we make the best looking lawn possible.

Note: John Oliver is VERY SICK. Please keep praying. His life is in the balance. The Lord’s will be done.

Romans 8

John introduced me to my wife of over 50 years. I am eternally grateful to him and the Lord for our marriage.

John is in Dublin Methodist Hospital right now struggling with the Covid virus. He is at risk because of his age and his bad heart. Please pray. His life is in the balance.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:39