1 Corinthians 1 - 5.27.25

SCRIPTURE:  1 Corinthians 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."

OBSERVATION:  Paul wrote this straight forward letter to the Corinthian Church.  He addressed a variety of problems, pressures and struggles that were going on in the life-style of the Corinthian Church.  Personality cults that were centering around Paul, Apollos, and Peter led to divisions, and false pride among the Corinthians.       

Paul reminded them of the gospel message, and urged them to stay faithful to God, and to grow in their faith.   Some of the brethren had sent Paul a list of questions and concerns, and he answered each one by backing them up with Biblical truths and values.  Paul's letter reminded them that they were all on the same team as followers of Christ, and that they were to be of the same mind and in the same judgement as Jesus was their leader.

APPLICATION:  Paul's message to the Church in Corinth is the same message for the Church today:  We are to be reconciled to God through Jesus, and we are to be encouraged in heart, and united in love as we all strive to keep the Lord Jesus at the center of our lives. We are to read and apply the Word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to use us to accomplish God's purposes.

PRAYER: With all the evil, corruption, and sin around us, I pray the body of Christ will abide in Jesus and walk closely to Him.  I thank Him for for being the Head of the Church, and for giving us His wisdom to be able to handle the problems in and out of the Church by allowing His Word to direct us.  Whether it's jealousy, sexual immorality, or divisiveness, Paul taught us to use the Scriptures to address each and every problem.  And, we are always to correct with gentleness and love.  The unbelievers will know that we are Christians by our love.  As we walk in God's power, wisdom and strength, I pray we will work towards being united in our mind's and thoughts as we keep God first and at the center of our heart's, and pray that He will help us to boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

- Robin Orefice

Psalm 115 - 5.26.25

Scripture

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Observation

This psalm is a call for all of God’s people to give God all the glory, honor, and praise that He deserves. This psalm reminds us to not put our trust in false idols that are merely man-made. Rather, it urges us to trust in The One True Living God, Who is our ultimate source of help and protection.

Application

In God We Trust.

I know we’ve all heard or seen this phrase before. After all, it’s written on our all of our currency. But, can we actually say that we live it out? 🤔

This psalm reminds us that we serve the One True Living God; the Creator of the universe; the One Who parts the seas and moves the mountains; the One Who heals the sick and raises the dead; the One whose love for us is so great that He came out of the comforts of Heaven. He humbly came to this earth. He showed us how to live godly lives and although He was sinless in every way, He willingly laid His life down on that cross and died a sinner’s death, to pay for our sins. Jesus was God in the flesh and His resurrection proves that. While others put their hope and faith in things that wither and fade away, we as Christians should stand strong in our faith knowing that we serve a God Who can do the impossible. We serve a God Who conquered death and everything in this world. But most importantly, we serve a God Who lives! So where or who is our trust going to today? I know Who I am trusting in…Jesus Christ! Let’s give Him all the glory and honor and praise. 🙌🏽

“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” -Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭7‬

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.”-Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭8‬ ‭

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” -Psalms‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭

““But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” -Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God, I praise the name of Jesus today. Thank You for all that you have done and all that You continue to do in my life. You are so faithful! Please forgive me for the times I may turn to other things in life when troubles come my way. May I always remember to run to You first. May You always get all the praise and glory so that others will know of Your love and faithfulness. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi 

Romans 13 - 5.23.25

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c]

Observation

Paul is reminding believers that we are “Morning People”. The dawn is coming, the alarm is ringing, the day is at hand. We need to wake up and be aware of what God is doing in this world. We need to put on the Armor of God and fight our battles on our knees. We need to clothe ourselves in righteousness and anticipate the Coming of Jesus.

Application

Jesus has given us “Night Vision” so we can see the darkness, but anticipate the hope of His salvation.

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

We need to wake up as Believers in Jesus Christ and fight against the darkness. We are summoned to battle, not with other people, but with the forces of destruction that enslave and divide humanity through hatred and fear. We need to be on our knees, praying fervently; we need to walk in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Not arguing and fighting amongst ourselves, but lifting each other up and encouraging them to fight. We need to have an urgency in our spirits to share Jesus with the lost and welcoming and embracing them just as Jesus did with us.

If you watch the news and see what’s happening around the world there is so much evidence that God is on the move and Jesus is coming back soon. Are you awake? Are you ready? Are you clothed in Jesus?

Prayer

Dear Lord, Wake us up! Help us to be the Men and Women of Christ that you died and rose again for. Make us Strong and Courageous knowing that you go before us in all situations. Help us to use our “night vision” so we don’t get swept away by lies and schemes of the devil. Help us to clothe ourselves in Jesus and shine our light. Let us live our lives as more than conquerors…Awake and Ready!

- Michelle Craig