2 Corinthians 2 - 12.27.23

Scripture

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Cor 2:10-11, NIV)

Observation

Forgiving others is not an option. We are commanded to forgive everyone who has wronged us, throughout the New Testament. Paul reminds us that if we don't forgive, we are giving Satan a reason to take advantage of us (2 Cor 2:11, NKJV). In the parable of the unforgiving servant Jesus warns us of similar judgment, if we do not forgive others "from our heart" (Matthew 18:35). In the Lord's prayer, the Lord teaches us to pray to the Father to forgive us just as we have forgiven others. (Matthew 6:12).  It is followed by the reminder that if we do not forgive others, we will not be forgiven either (Matthew 6:15). 

Application

As we finish this year, let's search our hearts to see if we have a spirit of offense in our hearts, against anyone who has offended us. Let us ask God to help us to forgive those people who hurt us. Without His help, it is humanly impossible to forgive as the Lord requires us to. Let us start the new year without any grudges, and any lurking unforgiveness in our hearts.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for washing my sins away, and making me your child. Please help me to forgive those who have hurt me. Help me to remember if I am holding offenses against anyone in my heart. Help me to forgive that person just as you forgave me. I want to be wholly yours, and not give Satan a place in my life through unforgiveness. In Jesus name, I forgive everyone who has hurt me. Thank you Lord, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Zephaniah 1 - 12.26.23

SCRIPTURE:  Zephaniah 1:14-16 - “The great day of the Lord is near - near and coming quickly.  The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts His battle cry. That day will be a day of wrath  - a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness - a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.”

OBSERVATION:  Zephaniah was chosen by God to warn the people of Judah about their sins; complacency, and idol worship.  They had turned their backs against God!  He warned them that if they refused to repent of their sins, the entire nation, including the city of Jerusalem would be lost! He urged them to turn back to God. “The wages of sin is death”, and because God is just, He MUST punish sin!  He is also holy, and will judge and punish everyone who is content living in their sin, and who refuses to repent!

God commands that He alone be worshipped, and from the time of Moses, the Israelites had been warned about worshiping false gods. A day will come when God will punish all nations for their disobedience.  “I will bring such distress on all people…because they have sinned against the Lord!  Neither their silver or gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath!  In the fire of His jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth!”  What a horrible punishment that will come to those who defy the Lord!

APPLICATION:  As God used Zephaniah to warn the people to turn from their sins and return back to Him, He is warning people today! The ONLY way to escape the day of wrath is to become a child of God, and a true follower of Jesus!  When we believe Jesus is Lord and make Him our Savior, we are forgiven, and Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross allows us to be restored back to God, so… we don’t need to fear because the Lord promises us that we now have hope for our future!

When we speak of God’s coming judgement, our primary purpose should always be to encourage unrepentant people to come to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. 

PRAYER:  Lord, Your Word is truth, and EVERY Word You have spoken will come true!  Thank You that as Your children we don’t need to fear Your judgement because Jesus died so we could be saved.  Help us to demonstrate a deep sense of humility in our walk with You as we reflect Your love and compassion to the ones who are still lost in their sins, and who need to find real hope and true security in Jesus. 

- Robin Orefice

1 Corinthians 16 - 12.25.23

Scripture

1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

”Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

Observation

Paul is giving his final instructions to the Corinthian Church. He tells them of his plans to visit them real soon. Paul wishes to stay with them for awhile when he does visit them. Until then, Paul encourages the church to be on guard, be strong in their faith, to be courageous, and to do everything with love.

Application

Paul’s instructions to the church in Corinth still ring true for the Church today.

With the current state of the world and the Church, it would be wise for we as Christ Followers to take heed to Paul’s counsel. You see, the Church is under attack from this world’s culture, false teachers, and from the old sinful nature of its members. So now more than ever, we as a Church need to stand strong in our faith. We need to fight and be courageous in what we believe in. We need to remain in a close, intimate relationship with Jesus by knowing His Word, and understanding His Word so we are not fooled by counterfeits out there. We need to stand united with our brothers and sisters in Christ, loving each other, and loving others around us. And finally, we need to make sure that we are the thermostats and not thermometers in this world. Or to put it another way: Are we changing the culture around us, or is the culture changing us? 🤔

”Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.“-Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God I come to You today to ask and pray for strength and courage to stand firm in my faith for You. May I live my life trying to please You, rather than trying to please the world. May I love others the way You love me…and that’s unconditionally. Help me to be a thermostat and not a thermometer. I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi