3.13.23 - 1 Corninthians 11

Scripture

I Corinthians 11:17-18

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.

 Observation

In this chapter, Paul is correcting the Corinthians for treating their members differently based on social class, causing division in the church. “Paul takes for granted that the church is a heterogeneous entity. His solution is not one church for the rich, another for the poor; one for Jews, another for Gentiles.” Asbury Bible Commentary

 Application

The New Testament is filled with calls for unity within the church.

Colossians 3:13-14 - Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Philippians 2:2 -  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

I Cor. 1:10 - I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

It is important that we don’t let preferential treatment, hurt feelings, or differences of opinion separate or distract us. Because when we walk in unity - in our calling, there is no limit to how God will use us!

Matthew 18:19-20 - “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 Prayer

Lord, I pray that the people of DSC will remember their calling – to be streams of refreshing to Santa Clarita – to share the Good News with those who don’t know You – to show Your love to the world around us. Unite us in our purpose and use us for Your glory.

 - Debbie Dunn

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