1 Cor. 10 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The Children of Israel murmured and grumbled about anything that displeased them as they followed Moses and Aaron through the wilderness. God said they were murmuring against HIM.

God sets leaders over us. He does it. We may think our vote did it, but there is no civil authority except God has granted to them the power and opportunity to rule.

I must confess. I grumble about leaders TOO MUCH. I repent. I’m gonna quit grumbling. Whenever I am tempted to grumble, I’m gonna pray.

God destroyed the grumblers and murmurers. We don’t want THAT.

1 Cor. 7-9 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul intentionally molded and crafted his life to gain access and influence with everyone he met. This was his motive: to win men to Christ. He said, ” I am all things to all men to win some.”

If we are constantly thinking about what gives us the advantage, we are missing it. If salary, notoriety, advancement, or status are our goals, we are missing the mark.

We should always be thinking, “How will what I do affect the spiritual growth of those around me?”

1 Cor. 5, 6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul is firm in his rebuke of sexual wrongdoing in the Corinthian church. He is clear to encourage the saints to put pressure on those offending by cutting them off from fellowship. He cites that IF the saints will end up judging angels, they can surely judge members of the church who violate scripture morality. This is a harsh position, but he teaches that it’s better to get these issues ironed out here on earth before the final judgments are given.

It’s a warning to Christians of how destructive sexual impurity is. Our enemy is working so hard to trip us up with immorality.

1 Cor. 2-4 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul made it clear that a show of God’s power is more effective than mere words. He felt that his word message was weak, but that God moved by His power to authenticate the Apostle’s message.

There needs to be a longing, an appetite in our hearts for a demonstration of God’s power. The conviction power of the Holy Spirit is what brings men to repentance and salvation.

Paul discovered that God’s power came when he exposed his weakness.

 And (Christ) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [2 Cor. 12:9]

1 Corinthians 1 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Paul declares that it is the Lord Who will KEEP us safe and strong until the end. Make no mistake … apart from God’s grace and keeping power, our future would be questionable. We don’t always know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds our future.

It’s essential that we maintain our fellowship with the Lord through the reading of scripture, daily prayers, and faithfulness to assembling with the saints at our church or believer’s group. These contribute to our steadfastness in the Christian walk.

I’ve been down this road for a few miles now, and these disciplines have become the backbone of my Christian walk. I want to be an example to others of God’s keeping power and His blessing upon a family.

Romans 15, 16 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Where is Satan? He’s UNDER YOUR FEET.

Too often we give more credit to our enemy than he deserves. Paul says he is crushed, bruised, and defeated under our feet. Don’t let him wiggle out and roar like a lion. He’s no lion. He’s a serpent. He crawls along on his belly and we need to walk all over him.

Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan.” That is another position the enemy is confined to. Under and behind us.

Adam and Eve got into trouble when they allowed the serpent to speak and they listened. Let’s not be hoodwinked into the same predicament.

Keep him UNDER and BEHIND!

Romans 13 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The writer gives much instruction on civic duties and responsibilities in this chapter. Among them the admonition to “owe no man anything but to love one another.” [v. 8]

In our marriage, Patty is the more diligent in finances. In 54 years of marriage, she has never been late on a payment. (If it would have been my responsibility, we would have no such record.)

She cleverly uses automatic bill pay for most of our financial obligations. She really should be teaching a class to young married couples on how to “live on less.”

By the way, Shalom peace is achieved when you have your bills paid.

Romans 12 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Think of the things we are faithful in: getting or rest, eating, watching tv etc. Sadly, our commitment to prayer may have trouble making our daily habit list.

Being faithful in prayer has become increasingly important to me. I always knew my dad was praying for me, but he is gone now so the responsibility rests upon me. I refuse to relegate prayer for my loved ones to anyone else. I WILL COVER THEM IN PRAYER. I can’t take a chance on it not getting done. Besides, since upping my prayers for them, I’ve been more aware of God’s favor and blessing in their lives. So, I’m gonna keep it up and increase my faithfulness in prayer.

Romans 10, 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Presently, we really have no idea of how great and intelligent God is. One day we will, but for now we take verses such as the following and attempt to understand His greatness.

Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes. [Romans 11:33-36, The Message]

Romans 9, 10 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

What we have, we have because we believe in Christ Jesus. If we point to ourselves, the works we do, the goodness we thin we have, we are naively resting in our own works of the flesh. What we accomplish in goodness, we originated in our own will. Bravo! Good job!. Not good enough, though.

When we put our whole trust in Christ, in what He did on the cross, in His right-standing with the Heavenly Father, we are justified by our faith.

Who’s calling the shots in our inner man? Us or the Holy Spirit? (Yes, WE mortify or put to death our evil desires) But we do it because the Word says to … Col. 3:5

The Word and the Spirit are working together to usher us through this life and get us to Heaven. When Christ shall appear, we will be with Him. We will be clothed in HIS righteousness, not ours.

Why take any chances?