1 Corinthians 2 - 3.1.23

Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:2-5

And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

Observation-What does it say?

The Apostle Paul is preaching to the Corinthian church about His reliance on God’s wisdom and how that wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, not from himself. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

Paul wanted the church to place their faith in the right Person. 

One of the many things that I love about the Apostle Paul is that he never forgot where he came from. His complete dependence on and gratitude for Jesus Christ for salvation and his reliance on the Holy Spirit for wisdom/guidance was what made his ministry very powerful.  He made sure the Corinthian church knew that his ability to proclaim Christ crucified and his persuasive preaching didn’t come from himself, but rested on God’s power.

Life Application

Feeling like you are in a funk in your relationship with Jesus? Call on the Holy Spirit for help!

One of the many functions of the Holy Spirit is to enable us to have faith in Jesus Christ and proclaim Jesus as Lord. I confess that there have been seasons in my walk with Christ where I have tried to sustain my faith with my own strength/abilities. That never lasts very long and always leaves me feeling very tired and discouraged. In His patience and grace, He reminds me that He left me with a Helper Who enables me to continue running the race. 

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

-John 14:25-27 NIV

Thank You Jesus for leaving us Your Holy Spirit. I pray that we would not neglect Him as our guide, teacher and counselor in our faith journey with You. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Corinthians 1 - 2.28.23

Scripture

I Corinthians 1:7

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

Observation

You are not lacking – you have already been given the spiritual resources you need to fulfill your calling!

Understanding

Do you struggle with feeling that you’re not “spiritual” enough or mature enough in your walk with Jesus to step out and pray for needs of others? Are you scared to share the Good News that Jesus loves them and wants to have relationship with them? Sometimes we think if we were just a little more spiritually mature, then God would work through us. That’s because we are focusing on ourselves instead of the greatness of God. I think we are trying to earn the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We can never be good enough or wise enough or holy enough! But you know what? It doesn’t matter that I’m not good enough because HE IS! If he has called you, then he has equipped you and you need to step out and believe it!

Hebrews 13:21 May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

 Life Application

Jesus, thank you for the reminder today that I will never be good enough for you to use me. But you are good and you are wise and you are holy. Help me to walk in the knowledge that you have called me and you have equipped me to do your work.

- Debbie Dunn

Psalm 7 - 2.27.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!”

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Observation-What does it say?

This is a psalm of David. It is a time in David’s life where his enemies were out to get him, and he didn’t quite know who to trust. Correction!..David did know WHO to trust. David knew just exactly WHO he could call. David’s first response: He called on God!

Understanding-What does it mean?

Who or what do you turn to when life’s storms come your way?

Some people seek refuge in their friends and family. Some people try to go all “Rambo” and try to take on their problems head on, all by themselves. Then you have others who may try to escape their reality through drugs and alcohol. May I suggest something? Let’s learn from David. David’s first response was to turn to God. David’s confidence and faith was always in God to rescue him from his enemies and his troubles. I believe we should do the same. Cry out to God. Know that He hears you. Know that He loves you. Please don’t worry if you currently don’t have a relationship with God. Don’t wait and try to clean your act up before seeking Him. Seek Him first, then allow Him to clean you up.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭‬‬

Life Application

Don’t treat God like some “genie in a bottle”!

Don’t just go to God when you need something. What kind of relationship would that be?! Turn to God to share with Him your praises. Spend time daily not only speaking to Him through prayer, but also listening to Him in quiet, and through reading His Word. Journal what you hear from Him. Watch your relationship with Him grow! Then you too can have the same faith and confidence that David had in the awesome God we serve!💪🏽 😊

-Moses Gaddi