2 Corinthians 4
In verses 3-4 Paul talks about how to some people the gospel (which means "good news"), is covered or hidden. Because they don't want to see the truth to be free. So, their minds then get blinded "lest" the light of the gospel shine on them. Remember the god of this age (who is that?), blinds them for the purpose of keeping them unable to "see"(see what?). Not God. So when we come across people in our daily lives whom we begin to see are blinded to the "good news", as we talk with them, how should we proceed?
Well Ephesians 6 give us some clues...How do we wrestle for the soul of some one else against the Devil?
Chapter 5
Verse 9-11 We will receive a reward for all our works, good or bad (remember the blog for 1 Cor. 3:12?). This is not the judgement to determine where we will spend eternity. It is about how much usable materials where created for eternity. What if all your works here on earth create materials that build your living place with Jesus?
Verse 11. Do we have an understanding of how terrified unsaved people will be before the Lord on the day of their judgement (that will be about where they spend eternity)? Imagine your unsaved friends and loved ones standing before the Lord, if they have not gotten saved...they will be terrified, and may even look at you on that day and ask "Why didn't you tell me?", that should break your heart and motivate you to a state of emergency for their soul.
Verse 18 talks about our ministry. Did you know YOU have a ministry? Yes you do. How good are you at it? Are you a faithful worker of YOUR ministry? It is the Ministry of reconciliation. Do you know what that word means in the greek? It means? It means exchange, restoration, to show divine favor to, reconciling.
Are you helping other get reconciled to Jesus?
Chapter 6.
Does grace give us a license to do what we want, or does it give us freedom and strength from the things we struggle with?
In verse 12 Paul says that our fleshly affections (what could fleshly affections be?), hold us back. Hold us back from what? Hint: look at verse 16-18.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
II Corinthians 1-3 (Saturday June 28)
Happy Saturday fellow Summer FUN Bible readers! Does anyone know why there is a second Corinthians? The first teen to answer this correctly gets a gift from me in Church tomorrow morning.
In the First Chapter Paul talks about comfort in suffering and then deliverance from suffering. In your walk you will hear people discuss God's part in this. (Is God causing the suffering or is He allowing the suffering? Or is the suffering caused by something else and God is there to deliver from the suffering?)
Verses 17 - 20 - What does verse 20 mean to you?
In Chapter 2 Paul talks about forgiveness again and verse 11 stood out to me; "lest satan should take advantage of us". Is Paul saying that if I don;t forgive that I am opening myself up to the devil taking advantage of me?
Then in verses 14-17 Paul talks about our triumph in Christ. I love verses 15 and 16. What is the fragrance of Christ? How is it possible that we can have the fragrance of Christ in God's eyes? What does this mean?
In Chapter 3 Paul stresses the importance of The Spirit of the Living God, as opposed to the letter of the law. He explains how much better and more powerful The Spirit is. What is Paul saying here? Why is The Spirit better? Do you know religious people who can quote the whole Bible but don't have The Holy Spirit? What do Christians (me, you and your friends) do to hinder The Holy Spirit?
In the First Chapter Paul talks about comfort in suffering and then deliverance from suffering. In your walk you will hear people discuss God's part in this. (Is God causing the suffering or is He allowing the suffering? Or is the suffering caused by something else and God is there to deliver from the suffering?)
Verses 17 - 20 - What does verse 20 mean to you?
In Chapter 2 Paul talks about forgiveness again and verse 11 stood out to me; "lest satan should take advantage of us". Is Paul saying that if I don;t forgive that I am opening myself up to the devil taking advantage of me?
Then in verses 14-17 Paul talks about our triumph in Christ. I love verses 15 and 16. What is the fragrance of Christ? How is it possible that we can have the fragrance of Christ in God's eyes? What does this mean?
In Chapter 3 Paul stresses the importance of The Spirit of the Living God, as opposed to the letter of the law. He explains how much better and more powerful The Spirit is. What is Paul saying here? Why is The Spirit better? Do you know religious people who can quote the whole Bible but don't have The Holy Spirit? What do Christians (me, you and your friends) do to hinder The Holy Spirit?
Friday, June 27, 2014
Friday June 27, 1Corinthians 14-16
HI All, I'm so sorry for the very late post. My mind was on the new house we got today!
1Corinthians 14, I love the opening of this chapter, follow the way of love. Did you know that your prayer language(speaking in tongues) is just between you and God. Yes God does sometimes use people to speak out loud in tongues and someone will give a message of what God wants us to hear. Why do you think that the God uses us to prophesy? Do you know what that means? Paul is developing the new church and he wants everything done in it to glorify God and help his people. Paul just breaks it all down to all. I, love how he uses things they already know about to show them how it relates to the church, praying and their lives in Christ. Vs.18-25 just read that think about it.
15: Do you believe? or just ya that's cool I believe. Paul is so on fire for God, and that Jesus died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit. He wants to make sure that you get it. Paul was not one of the original 12. So all of this is coming to him after he meets Jesus on the road. Again Paul gives such good analogies like a seed is a seed God determines what the body will be. And there are earthly body's and heavenly body's. vs 58 sticks out to me. What in chapter 15 sticks out to you?
16: Paul gives request that they should set aside part of their money according to what each person makes. why do you think it's important to set aside something for the Lord? Even if you don't have a job what can you set aside for God? In vs 13 he says Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith: be strong. Do everything in love. Asia was sending greetings to the people. That blows my mind. This was not a 12-20 hr flight, a phone call, or via the web. This was days,weeks, and sometimes months to get to one place to the other. This was word of mouth, written on tablets or scrolls. In today's world how can we share Gods word with others?
Love you all,
Kaylene (again thanks for letting me be late)
1Corinthians 14, I love the opening of this chapter, follow the way of love. Did you know that your prayer language(speaking in tongues) is just between you and God. Yes God does sometimes use people to speak out loud in tongues and someone will give a message of what God wants us to hear. Why do you think that the God uses us to prophesy? Do you know what that means? Paul is developing the new church and he wants everything done in it to glorify God and help his people. Paul just breaks it all down to all. I, love how he uses things they already know about to show them how it relates to the church, praying and their lives in Christ. Vs.18-25 just read that think about it.
15: Do you believe? or just ya that's cool I believe. Paul is so on fire for God, and that Jesus died and rose again and sent the Holy Spirit. He wants to make sure that you get it. Paul was not one of the original 12. So all of this is coming to him after he meets Jesus on the road. Again Paul gives such good analogies like a seed is a seed God determines what the body will be. And there are earthly body's and heavenly body's. vs 58 sticks out to me. What in chapter 15 sticks out to you?
16: Paul gives request that they should set aside part of their money according to what each person makes. why do you think it's important to set aside something for the Lord? Even if you don't have a job what can you set aside for God? In vs 13 he says Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith: be strong. Do everything in love. Asia was sending greetings to the people. That blows my mind. This was not a 12-20 hr flight, a phone call, or via the web. This was days,weeks, and sometimes months to get to one place to the other. This was word of mouth, written on tablets or scrolls. In today's world how can we share Gods word with others?
Love you all,
Kaylene (again thanks for letting me be late)
Thursday, June 26, 2014
I Corinthians 11-13 June 26
This chapter can be quit confusing. HEAD COVERINGS? What the what? Why? Really? Before you start making new rules about hats and hair take a look at 1 Cor 11:16 - "But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other custom nor do the churches of God". Paul was sending letters to real people in REAL time. He was training them according to church customs in these passage. I do believe that there are things we can learn from these passages but I DONT believe it is about actual head covering. There are spiritual truths here to glean. What was Paul trying to say here? What was the point? What do you think? And why should women have something on her head because of the angels???? Interesting.
In chapter 12 it says he is moving onto the things of the spirit. Unity in the body again. I love it. And I love that He gives each one of us gifts - to use for Him. Do you know what yours are? If you haven't taken a "gifts" test, let me know and I can show you a few. Each one of us have such wonderful and unique gifts! The Body of Jesus can not function at it's fullest without each one of us!
Chapter 13 is the famous LOVE chapter. Try reading it in the Message version. It's pretty cool. Sometimes we forget what is most important in our character and in our walk with the Lord. Love. Loving Him, loving others, and letting Him love us. This is a good chapter to remind ourselves of often. Are we loving well? God help us to be good representatives of YOU.
In chapter 12 it says he is moving onto the things of the spirit. Unity in the body again. I love it. And I love that He gives each one of us gifts - to use for Him. Do you know what yours are? If you haven't taken a "gifts" test, let me know and I can show you a few. Each one of us have such wonderful and unique gifts! The Body of Jesus can not function at it's fullest without each one of us!
Chapter 13 is the famous LOVE chapter. Try reading it in the Message version. It's pretty cool. Sometimes we forget what is most important in our character and in our walk with the Lord. Love. Loving Him, loving others, and letting Him love us. This is a good chapter to remind ourselves of often. Are we loving well? God help us to be good representatives of YOU.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday June 25 1 Corinthians 8-10
OK, ok, ok. I know you guys are just ichn' to get to this things so
lets start. Keagan says sorry so late, look at it like a test of
patience.
Chapter 8.
v 1
Knowledge (via legalism) puffs up and what you think you know you really don't know because LOVE build up (is productive).
When we correct some one doing something wrong, do we do it in LOVE with hopes for true correction or do we do it to point out how wrong they are and how right and smart we are??
If a weaker brother or sister (weaker in the sense that they don't have as much revelation of freedom from God), has a conviction that they should NOT eat bacon. Then you walk in eating a Baconator from Wendys. When they see that, they feel like "If they can do that I can too" and start eating bacon, but then get really sick and die because they felt they really should not have eaten the bacon and they disobeyed their conscience, you (as Paul says in verse 11) "caused the weaker brother to perish" in verse 11) and you wounded their weak conscience and then you sin against Christ (v.12). Use Grace to uplift and edify, not tear down and destroy.
Why do you think it is important to care, and be careful for the weaker brothers and sisters??
Have you ever taken your "liberty" to do something that has caused another brother or sister to stumble?
I have, and I am still sorry to this day for it. Some very bad things can happen to the weaker person.
We are to protect and care for each other. If eating bacon in front of some one cause an inner struggle and temptation they stumble at... that I will not eat it in front of them... remember its more than just bacon I am talking about here. :-)
Chapter 9 Paul continues the thought. The greatest is the servant, and the servant denies him self or her self... and serves (v.19) all men.
This week do something to lay your self down, and deny your self. and strive (yes strive) to sacrifice your self more and more. When you do that, you will sense the Lord walking closer and closer to you. God is drawn to the humble...but hates the prideful.
WHAT WILL YOU SACRIFICE?
Chapter 10 talks about idolatry which you might say, "That does not relate to me, I have no idols in my house that I burn incense to". Well, ALL idolatry begin with the worship of self, and your ideas of what YOU want, what YOU think, what YOU desire. Then they turn in to "things". IF you had to say ANYTHING in your life was an idol, what would it be?? What should you do with it if you know realize it is an idol??
Chapter 8.
v 1
Knowledge (via legalism) puffs up and what you think you know you really don't know because LOVE build up (is productive).
When we correct some one doing something wrong, do we do it in LOVE with hopes for true correction or do we do it to point out how wrong they are and how right and smart we are??
If a weaker brother or sister (weaker in the sense that they don't have as much revelation of freedom from God), has a conviction that they should NOT eat bacon. Then you walk in eating a Baconator from Wendys. When they see that, they feel like "If they can do that I can too" and start eating bacon, but then get really sick and die because they felt they really should not have eaten the bacon and they disobeyed their conscience, you (as Paul says in verse 11) "caused the weaker brother to perish" in verse 11) and you wounded their weak conscience and then you sin against Christ (v.12). Use Grace to uplift and edify, not tear down and destroy.
Why do you think it is important to care, and be careful for the weaker brothers and sisters??
Have you ever taken your "liberty" to do something that has caused another brother or sister to stumble?
I have, and I am still sorry to this day for it. Some very bad things can happen to the weaker person.
We are to protect and care for each other. If eating bacon in front of some one cause an inner struggle and temptation they stumble at... that I will not eat it in front of them... remember its more than just bacon I am talking about here. :-)
Chapter 9 Paul continues the thought. The greatest is the servant, and the servant denies him self or her self... and serves (v.19) all men.
This week do something to lay your self down, and deny your self. and strive (yes strive) to sacrifice your self more and more. When you do that, you will sense the Lord walking closer and closer to you. God is drawn to the humble...but hates the prideful.
WHAT WILL YOU SACRIFICE?
Chapter 10 talks about idolatry which you might say, "That does not relate to me, I have no idols in my house that I burn incense to". Well, ALL idolatry begin with the worship of self, and your ideas of what YOU want, what YOU think, what YOU desire. Then they turn in to "things". IF you had to say ANYTHING in your life was an idol, what would it be?? What should you do with it if you know realize it is an idol??
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
1 Corinthians 5-7, Jume 24
Hi guys. Sorry I'm late. Again.
Okay, okay, so today in chapter 5, we read about sexual immorality- a hot topic among youths today. This topic is addressed all throughout the bible. Here, Paul talks about not associating yourself with a brother who commits acts such as these. Now, if you're really reading and paying attention to this, 1 Corinthians 5:11 should confuse you a little. It says that we should not even eat with people who claim to be brothers but are sexually immoral. "Well, shouldn't we love everyone? Especially the sinners?" Yes, we should, but look carefully. It says do not associate with those who claim to be brothers. What does that mean, Allycia?! Well, I will tell you. If someone is claiming to be a brother, it means that they are claiming to be Christians. In other words, Paul is saying that you shouldn't associate yourself with people who don't follow God's word, but still claim to be Christians.
In chapter 6, Paul talks about how to handle smaller problems within the church, amongst fellow church-goers. Law systems are set up for people who are non-believers, but disputes against a fellow believer should never be taken to court. With the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ on your side, why should you take a problem to a judge who doesn't take into account God's wisdom?
And then we go back to the topic of sexual immorality.
As you can see, this is a huge thing in God's eyes because it's talked about in so many different books. I think one of the key verses in this chapter is 6:13- particularly the part that says "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." I think with everything we're taught today in schools and with science and evolution, we're being told the exact opposite. That our body's natural instinct is to 'mate' or feel at one with someone else. And, yes this can be true, but only within marriage. And that's where people get confused. They feel the need to be 'one' with someone at a pretty early age. They feel like they need to fill a whole inside them that they think can only be filled with sexual immorality. Well, this verse is telling us that it needs to be filled with God. And I can tell you that filling it with him is much more satisfying than anything you can think of.
Ok, phew, trucking along here. Chapter 7. What do you think this chapter will be about? I'll give you one hint.
So basically, Paul is saying being single is a very good thing. That the only reason a man should marry is if he cannot control himself; and the same goes for women. He also says that widows shouldn't re-marry and that Christian couples shouldn't divorce (unless one commits adultery). Do you think we as Christians still follow these rules? Do you think we should
Paul then goes on to talk about Christian marriages and other things that might seem a little off. At least they do to me. I think it's just how we've been raised in this society now. We feel like we have to find a husband or wife and start a family or we've failed. But we should really stop looking at it that way. In my eye, a life devoted to the Lord is a life well lived, wether you have a spouse or not. What do you think?
Okay, okay, so today in chapter 5, we read about sexual immorality- a hot topic among youths today. This topic is addressed all throughout the bible. Here, Paul talks about not associating yourself with a brother who commits acts such as these. Now, if you're really reading and paying attention to this, 1 Corinthians 5:11 should confuse you a little. It says that we should not even eat with people who claim to be brothers but are sexually immoral. "Well, shouldn't we love everyone? Especially the sinners?" Yes, we should, but look carefully. It says do not associate with those who claim to be brothers. What does that mean, Allycia?! Well, I will tell you. If someone is claiming to be a brother, it means that they are claiming to be Christians. In other words, Paul is saying that you shouldn't associate yourself with people who don't follow God's word, but still claim to be Christians.
In chapter 6, Paul talks about how to handle smaller problems within the church, amongst fellow church-goers. Law systems are set up for people who are non-believers, but disputes against a fellow believer should never be taken to court. With the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ on your side, why should you take a problem to a judge who doesn't take into account God's wisdom?
And then we go back to the topic of sexual immorality.
As you can see, this is a huge thing in God's eyes because it's talked about in so many different books. I think one of the key verses in this chapter is 6:13- particularly the part that says "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." I think with everything we're taught today in schools and with science and evolution, we're being told the exact opposite. That our body's natural instinct is to 'mate' or feel at one with someone else. And, yes this can be true, but only within marriage. And that's where people get confused. They feel the need to be 'one' with someone at a pretty early age. They feel like they need to fill a whole inside them that they think can only be filled with sexual immorality. Well, this verse is telling us that it needs to be filled with God. And I can tell you that filling it with him is much more satisfying than anything you can think of.
Ok, phew, trucking along here. Chapter 7. What do you think this chapter will be about? I'll give you one hint.
So basically, Paul is saying being single is a very good thing. That the only reason a man should marry is if he cannot control himself; and the same goes for women. He also says that widows shouldn't re-marry and that Christian couples shouldn't divorce (unless one commits adultery). Do you think we as Christians still follow these rules? Do you think we should
Paul then goes on to talk about Christian marriages and other things that might seem a little off. At least they do to me. I think it's just how we've been raised in this society now. We feel like we have to find a husband or wife and start a family or we've failed. But we should really stop looking at it that way. In my eye, a life devoted to the Lord is a life well lived, wether you have a spouse or not. What do you think?
Sunday, June 22, 2014
1 Corinthian 2-4 (Monday June 22)
1 Corinthians 2 v1-4
Of all people, Paul most certainly COULD come with "excellence of speech, wisdom declaring the testimony of God, persuasive words of human wisdom". He was the best orator of the time, with much wisdom and debating skill. BUT he chose to come in humility, and in the demonstration of the Spirit and Power.
WHY?
Between a great debate, and a convincing argument to win people over, OR the demonstration of the Spirit and Power, which one opens the hearts of the people, frees them and sets them on a path of relationship with Jesus?
1 Corinthians 3 v 11-14
We will not be Judged for our failures. When we all stand before the judgement seat of Christ our works will be tested for an eternal reward. Somethings we have "produced" will be tried through the fire and will be counted to us as eternal rewards, others... ashes... This "Day" will not determine your salvation.
So my question is: what things do WE produce as Christians that will produce "gold, silver, precious stones" that will make it through the fire, and what might we be doing that will only produce "wood, hay, and straw"?
1 Corinthians 4 v1
What ARE the mysteries of God that WE are stewards of and are we stewarding them well????
In the original Greek the words "steward" means distributor and "mystery" means secret. So really it says we are the distributor of the secrets of God.
Of all people, Paul most certainly COULD come with "excellence of speech, wisdom declaring the testimony of God, persuasive words of human wisdom". He was the best orator of the time, with much wisdom and debating skill. BUT he chose to come in humility, and in the demonstration of the Spirit and Power.
WHY?
Between a great debate, and a convincing argument to win people over, OR the demonstration of the Spirit and Power, which one opens the hearts of the people, frees them and sets them on a path of relationship with Jesus?
1 Corinthians 3 v 11-14
We will not be Judged for our failures. When we all stand before the judgement seat of Christ our works will be tested for an eternal reward. Somethings we have "produced" will be tried through the fire and will be counted to us as eternal rewards, others... ashes... This "Day" will not determine your salvation.
So my question is: what things do WE produce as Christians that will produce "gold, silver, precious stones" that will make it through the fire, and what might we be doing that will only produce "wood, hay, and straw"?
1 Corinthians 4 v1
What ARE the mysteries of God that WE are stewards of and are we stewarding them well????
In the original Greek the words "steward" means distributor and "mystery" means secret. So really it says we are the distributor of the secrets of God.
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