1 Corinthians 10 - 3.13.23
Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Observation
The Apostle Paul is writing the Corinthian Church here reminding them to learn from the mistakes of their ancestors, (who wandered in the wilderness of the desert for 40 years). God delivered them from Egyptian slavery. God split the Red Sea for them to walk across. He then guided them in the desert with a cloud, and fed them with water through a rock. What more can they ask for? Yet the people of Israel still fell into their temptations. From idolatry, to sexual immorality, to putting God to the test; the people of Israel were always finding ways to rouse God’s anger.
Instead of seeking God to thank Him and give Him praise for what He has provided and done for them, the Israelites found a way to complain about everything else. They only saw the negative things in their situation, which led them to be more susceptible to fall into their temptations instead of trusting God.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7
Application
There is always a way out.
Whenever you find yourself in a tempting situation, before taking that next step, may I suggest that you seek God first? Ask Him for help to deliver you from the situation. Remember the verse I chose today. Know that God is faithful to never allow the temptation to be more than you can handle. He always provides a way out, so be sure to find those “emergency exits.” Flee from sin. Learn from others (the Israelites’) mistakes. Don’t allow your fleshly desires to overcome your spiritual desires.
““Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.””-Matthew 26:41
Prayer
Father God, I pray that I always remember Your faithfulness. I pray that I seek You above anything else during those times I am tempted. May You show me those “emergency exits” to flee from sin and may I never look back. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Isaiah 26 - 3.10.23
Scripture
Isaiah 26:12b
…all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Observation – What does it say?
Following God’s coming judgement against the nations, Isaiah prophesies of a song that God’s people will sing. It’s a song of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging that God deserves credit for any good accomplishment.
Understanding – What does it mean?
All that we have accomplished, God has done for us.
We may give God credit for things obviously outside our control, like a beautiful sunset or a miraculous answer to prayer for healing or provision. But the point here is that God deserves credit even for the things “we have accomplished.” How?
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
I love how the New Living Translation puts that verse: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
If it wasn’t for God, we wouldn’t have anything, not even the breath in our lungs. He formed us in our mother’s womb, so any gifting or talent we possess is because he put it there. Any desire to do something good with that gifting or talent originates with him. And, any power to act on that desire and carry it out comes from him!
That means even if I give to the poor or I pray for an hour, I can’t pat myself on the back and take credit because God was the one who gave me both the desire and the power to do it!
We read Psalm 21 today as well, where King David recognized this and praised God for being the source of every victory and blessing he had experienced. He started with this opening line and then went on to list all the good things God had done:
Psalm 21:1
The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
Life Application
Give God credit and praise him for every blessing.
God, every good and perfect gift is from you (James 1). I recognize that any compliment I’ve received, anything good I’ve accomplished, anything I’ve taken pride in, is only because of your work in and through me. I humble myself before you, casting my crowns/compliments/achievements at your feet. The credit and praise and glory for every one of those things belongs to you! Please keep me and each of us from pride. We are your masterpieces. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are gifted and anointed and destined for greatness. BUT, may we always recognize that you are the source of our greatness. And may we always give you praise for every accomplishment. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
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