1 Corinthians 8 - 3.9.23

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 8:1 NLT

“Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue.

But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”

OBSERVATION:

In this first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul writes to address several concerns. Here in chapter eight we see Paul turning the topic to the concern of eating meat offered to Idols.

UNDERSTANDING:

The question of eating meat offered to Idols was a real problem to those recently converted to Christ from heathenism. The markets would sell meat that had been offered to Idols (usually at a reduced rate) or they might be invited to a social event where the meat that was served had previously been offered in Idol worship.

Paul wanted to make a very clear point—eating meat that has been offered to Idols is an issue of Knowledge, Love, and Conscience.

Paul explains the meat itself is not an issue one way or another. They ALL had Knowledge that there was Only ONE—GOD—therefore—the Idols were powerless and worthless. This kind of Knowledge would Free the Conscience of those who were mature believers who understood the truth. (New Believer’s Commentary and Precept Austin)

But—other—newer believers—did not understand this Truth. Their Conscience bothered them—they were troubled about eating the offered meat—and any other believer that ate it. This is where Knowledge needs to be balanced with Love.

Something can be permissible—and not a problem for one believer—but a hindrance for another believer. In this case, it’s not our Knowledge that is of primary importance—it’s how we are demonstrating God’s Love in the situation. Love seeks to Strengthen and Encourage other believers.

“A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” ( Matthew 22:39 NLT)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Love Others…Love Strengthens the Church…

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

LORD Jesus,

I pray You will cleanse my heart before you. I pray You will mold and shape my heart to be more like Yours. I Pray You will Overflow Your Love in me for others. Thank You for placing me at Desert Streams and surrounding me with so many godly people to disciple me. Give me greater courage to step out and share Your gospel wherever I go and to be more daring in praying for healing. Help me to pause and hear Your voice. In Jesus Name. amen

“Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” ( 1 Cor 8:2-3 NLT)

Tina L Kudelka

1 Corinthians 7 - 3.8.23

Scripture

1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT

“Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?”

Observation-What does it say?

The apostle Paul is writing the Corinthian Church and giving sound advice on marriage. In this particular verse, Paul is giving advice on husbands or wives who are married to unbelievers. He tells them if their unbelieving spouse is still willing to stay with them in the marriage, they should continue living with them. This way, the believing spouse brings holiness to the marriage and their family.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Demonstrating Christ’s love in your marriage.

As I was reading this passage I couldn’t help but think of all the marriages out there where one of the spouses was a believer, and the other was not. In today’s society, you usually see that scenario with the wife being the believer and the husband is not. You see it at church, every Mother’s Day. The mom typically wants to go to church as a family on Sunday morning to celebrate; But, she has to drag her husband and kids out of bed, and then drag them inside of church. You see it on the husband’s and kid’s faces that they don’t want to be there. They would rather be sleeping in and watching television on the couch that day. But, since it is Mother’s Day, they submit to what mom wants.

Now my heart goes out to any mom, or any believing spouse that not only goes through this every Mother’s Day, but every Sunday. My prayers are with you. But my advice for you is to stay strong in your faith, do not give up. Keep praying for your family. Keep demonstrating the love of Christ within your marriage and home. Just like Paul reminds us here:

“For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭

Life Application

Love is something that is shown and not forced.

So if they don’t want to go with you to church, that’s fine. Don’t force them. Let them know that you are going and why you are going. Let them know that you love them, and that you would love to have them join you sometime. The invitation is always open. No guilt trip needed. Just keep demonstrating the love Jesus shows us, (pure, perfect, unconditional, and sacrificial), within your home. Show them through your actions and words what a godly spouse looks like, and keep praying that it points them to Jesus. 🙏🏽

Father God I pray for all the marriages and families out there that are affected by this problem. I pray against the heart of discouragement in the believing spouse. May they continue to seek You first in everything they do. May they demonstrate Your love, and live the godly lives that You call them to live, especially in their home. May their spouse catch a glimpse of what You are about God. Draw their unbelieving spouse to You Jesus. Soften their hearts. May the love their spouse shows them each day, resonate in them how much You love them. May their hearts accept You. May lives, marriages, and families be transformed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm 13 - 3.7.23

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 13: 1-4  "How long, Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, Lord My God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him, and my foes will rejoice when I fall."

OBSERVATION:  David was experiencing a great amount of despair.  He had become so depressed that he thought he was going to die.  He even believed that God had forgotten and had abandoned him.   Out of the depths of his soul, David poured out his heart, and prayed that the Lord would bring him relief.

UNDERSTANDING:  What David did in verse 5 is key to how he received the answer to his prayer!   He poured out his heart to God and blurted out all his concerns, doubts, thoughts, and feelings.  After he did this, David's mind suddenly became clear and he was able to remember how faithful God had been to him in the past.  "But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance.  I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously.  There is no one who does good, not even one."

Even though David had believed the lie that God had forgotten and abandoned him, which led to the intense time of despair, God was there and helped David to renew his trust back in Him.   

LIFE APPLICATION:  I have certainly never faced anything that even comes close to what David faced as his life was being hunted down by his enemies,  but I have definitely experienced times of fear, anxiety, doubt, and feelings of hopelessness, BUT how grateful I am to be able to say that EVERY TIME I have run to God, He has helped me!  God is not threatened by my doubts or negative feelings, and His arms are always wide open for me to experience His love, comfort, strength, and encouragement when I call out to Him.  

God is delighted to be our burden-bearer!  AND, He delights when we carry one another's burdens.  We should never be afraid or embarrassed to share our concerns, questions, doubts, and even our feelings of despair with our trusted brothers and sisters in Christ.  God has made us a part of His family, and we are able to seek His guidance, freedom, and deliverance together through prayer.  When we are feeling weak, exhausted, weary, or worn out, or if we know of someone who is struggling with these kinds of feelings, we shouldn't hesitate to go and pray.  We can all identify with struggles, some are different than others, and as we keep our focus on God, He will help us to be humble and sensitive to His leading by letting us know that no one needs to go through their struggles alone!

- Robin Orefice