2 Corinthians 5:11-21 God's Attitude Toward Sin Is Terror, But Through Christ We Are Reconciled

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. The only reason that I could make my morning prayer to God is that through the death and resurrection of Christ on the Cross, God now accredits to as holy in Christ Jesus. There was a time prior to my salvation when I was a stranger to God and had no access to him. Today through the gospel, I have the access to him as a son and he is my father. If you know him, his attitude toward toward sin is wrath and we should try to avoid sin. But for the sins we can't avoid, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins for Jesus' sake. Daily Prayer; Lord, limit my sins to those unintentional ones. Let not me knowingly contend with God because I fear his discipline in my life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Awaiting the New Body

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. The penalty for sin is death, and death comes to all mortal beings. Redemption is for those who follow Christ and inherit the victory won by him. He conquered death by raising from the dead and so will we his followers. Not raising in the spirit alone but in a body which has been transformed not to reflect the sin imputed in our former body. So now we grow old and groan as we die day by day awaiting the promise, sealed by the Holy Spirit for a a body that is not perishable, but imperishable. Daily Prayer: Lord, give us the faith to follow you and not to lean to our own understanding. By this and according to your holy promise, we will be given an imperishable body on the day of our salvation that will never die but will have eternal life. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:8-18 We are troubled on every side; but though out outward man may perish, the inward man is renewed day by day.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. The reason faith is necessary to be a follower of Jesus, is because more blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe. At this very moment, Jesus is in two places. He is heaven at the right hand of the father, and in the hearts of believers. Neither of these two places are we able to see. To follow Jesus, you must be willing to take up the cross as he did, and suffer in this world which is under the domination of Satan and withstand the tests of true faith. So suffering is the price to pay for glory. If you persevere until the end, you will inherit tremendous blessing, but if you do not, you will find deep regret. So take heart, your suffering is for a little while, but your reward is forever. Daily Prayer: Lord, produce true faith in you in my life. Let me know the unseen so that when I suffer, and I will, I will find joy instead of anguish knowing you are with me and will reward me. In your holy name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:1-7 The Prince of the World has blinded many to the truth of the gospel

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. In the prelude to the gospel of John, it states "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend it." Jesus came into a darkened world as the light to the world. But many people from all walks of life rejected him because they were blinded by the Prince of this world who is Satan. To those who were able to believe by the power of the Holy Spirit, the gospel is the means of everlasting life. To those who have never been touched by understanding, the lack of the gospel is the source of everlasting condemnation. No partaker in Jesus claims victory in themselves, but claim Jesus' victory on the Cross as the source of salvation and of life. Daily Prayer: Lord, since you have given my soul understanding, let me become a vehicle who brings others to you. Let me not separate myself from the world, but in the world bring the knowledge of the gospel which leads to faith. Amen.

2 Corinthians 3:6-18 In the New Testament, life of the Spirit replaces death of the law, and the appearing of Christ removes the vial of the knowledge of God

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. During the period of the Old Covenant, men and women pursued the Law of Moses, but could not perform it because of their sin nature. Since the appearing of Christ, we have now been given access to God the Father, because he accepts us by the blood of Christ. No longer to we live a futile life of trying and failing to keep the law, but instead receive the sanctifying life of the Holy Spirit to give us life and create in us a new man whose obedience is from the heart and not from Law. Daily Prayer: Lord, for those who don't know you, send the Holy Spirit to impart new life and salvation and an end to futile living. Do this not only for their sake, but for Jesus sake as he gave his life for the redemption of many. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 2:1-17 Make up your mind to be joyful and forgive your oppressors so that you will be a blessing and a cause of joy to others

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved/ I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 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. Now when I went to Troa to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. We should not carry around a hostile attitude. In Christ we should be joyful, as our sins are forgiven us! In the same way, we should fogive others, even if the spirit of joy does not rest in them. You don't want to imitate your oppressors do you? Instead set a Christ-like example to any oppressor so that they may come to their senses because they will be overcome by the power of love, which knows no bounds and reconciles to all for Christ' sake. Daily Prayer: Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, cause me to be joyful in all circumstances. This is pleasing to the Father and is evidence of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me. Through the love of others, it will help me support the cause of Christ and aid in overcoming evil that dwells in the world. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:12-24 In Christ God is faithful and has guaranteed that we will hold fast until the end

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”? But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. The reason that Paul's preaching is the word of God is because it does not originate from human wisdom, but from the grace of God. God strengthens us to hold firm to the truth of the gospel, and persevere until the end. God does not leave us as orphans, but instead has the Holy Spirit to indwell us to guide and protect us from the evil the lies waiting. By the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed our return to Christ who claims us as his own, who will in due time, hand us over to the Father who loves us. Daily Prayer: Lord, if we do not already possess the Holy Spirit, then save us and sanctify us through his presence. Let us speak boldly and fearlessly of you knowing that you are with us and will not leave us, even to the end of this age. Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Praise to the God of All Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. Jesus said, "In this world there will be trouble, but take heart because I have overcome he world." He also said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." Jesus also said, "Come unto me you who are weary and heavy laden. Take your yoke with me because my burden is easy and my load is light." The essence of these verses is that trouble will come and we need a refuge from trouble found in Christ himself. Our salvation is more than forgiveness of our sins, it is a shield in a trouble weary world. So cling to the one who defines life, Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead so that you may find life. Daily Prayer: Lord, uphold us in our faith in you, knowing that you know our trouble and can do something about it. Let us not doubt you, but instead confess you so that trouble and evil forces may be extinguished. Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:1-20 Live a life of charity, community, and humility before the Lord

The Collection for the Lord’s People 16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. Personal Requests After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong Do everything in love. You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. Final Greetings The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Solomon said it well when he penned "What is expected of you O man? Walk faithfully and in humility before the Lord your God." Paul is instructing the church to gather for the sake of those in want so that they can be with him when he distributes in charity. He desires the gathering of the saints and with the approval of the Lord wants to be with them. Paul recognizes that he is not the only soldier for Christ, but there are a host of men and women who serve Christ as he does. He wants them recognized by name and desires that the people treat well the servants of Jesus and not to cause personal conflict of division among them. Finally, he wants intimacy in the body of Christ so that all depend upon one another for a common purpose which is making the gospel known by a community of people who serve the Lord in love. Daily Prayer: Lord, build up my inner man so that I do not think more highly of myself than I ought to. Instead, focus my eyes on you who is the author and perfecter of faith whose faith leads to a life of good works and charity. In your holy name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 The Mystery of the Resurrection

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Most people in their heart don't believe in the resurrection, even though they may be Christian. They confuse eternal life as one as life in the spirit and not in the body. Whatever is the state of Jesus will be our state too. Hundreds of persons witnessed Jesus resurrected in the body and he leads the way to what will happen to humanity. That is why in the resurrection, Jesus conquered death. Do we fully understand it? No, but neither do we fully understand how God spoke humanity into being the first time. This is why it is called a mystery. But Christianity is founded on faith, because it is by believing in what one cannot see, that we become redeemed and a part of the family of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:35-53 The Resurrection Body

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. Does it strike you that men and women live 80 or more years and their heart and brain and members function all this time without replacing any parts or having an external power source? But then the human dies as is according to God's statute that wages of sin is death. Nobody can avoid it. Why do many not give God the credit for sustaining them for so long. Yet God's creation was not to make people who perish, but to make people who will live forever. When Jesus died and arose again, His risen body was not a body that would perish, but an everlasting body. And Jesus is the first fruits for all who will raise again. Like Jesus, our risen body will have the characteristics of Jesus'resurrected body - it will live forever. All persons are decreed to live forever, but only those who are saved by the work of Jesus will be with Him. Those who remain stubborn in their resurrected will be separated for forever, in outer darkness with deep regret.

1 Corinthians 15:12-28 The Importance & Order of the Resurrection

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. One must fully believe and understand that nothing is impossible for God. If you fail to grasp that you will not be able to grasp the hope of the Christian faith which is the resurrection. Because Christ died and arose again, so will all who belong to him arise again in his glory. This is our hope. But not only this, but all persons will be resurrected, some to glory and some to contempt. The faithful will find fulfillment in Christ and the evil will suffer in never ending agony. Why must some suffer in agony? Because they failed to receive Jesus as Savior. It is also the resurrection that gives us power over death and the devil and they will not prevail in our lives and our lives to come. Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us the faith to believe in the truth and embrace it as the blessed hope. Let us share the good news with others so that all may come to know you and believe in you, your love, and salvation. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Unless you confess Christ's gospel, your faith is in vein.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. You can be sure there are many false gospels. Even today there are churches that do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. How can such belief save? Jesus is the only provision God has made for our redemption. To slight his perfect life, his death on the Cross, and his resurrection from the dead is to be his anti-Christ. Neither religion or tradition saves, only the finished work of Christ on the Cross. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and thy house. Daily Prayer: Lord, keep us from doubt and keep us from stumbling. Let us not walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Give us your faith so that we might believe and by unshakable in our conviction. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 14:1-12 Whatever Your Gift, Let It Build-Up The Church

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. After love, the Holy Spirit's greatest gift is prophecy. In the New Testament, this is the ability to preach. It is useful because it edifies, or builds up the church as a whole. Where special gifts like speaking in tongues and healing certainly are distinct, they profit not the body of Christ. Jesus' greatest gift is his word and the word that is built up the body of Christ creates faith in Jesus. Words can destroy but they also can heal. So let our words be taken from his word so as to lead people to their Savior Jesus Christ. Daily Prayer: Lord transform my words so that they are taken from your words. Give me this gift so that I can glorify you in what I say. In your holy name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 It is love that makes a mature Christian

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 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. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. These verses are known as the love chapter in the Bible. It compares the virtues of love verses the virtues of faith and hope and concludes that love is most important to the world and especially a follower of Christ. It shifts one's focus from yourself to others and works to build up and not to tear down. It has the quality of patience and the strength to endure. It does not condemn but stays focused on the perfect - the mature in Christ. In the perfect sense, we all lack true love, but now have it in a dim way. The future is great for those in Christ because the day is coming where we will see Him face to face and will immediately be transformed. Daily Prayer: Lord help us to grow on the rudimentary love we now possess. Help us to exercise the love given us so that we imitate you in all areas of our lives. For the spiritual gifts received, let us share them freely in love, knowing that this glorifies you. In your holy name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Concerning Spiritual Gifts

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. The subject of spiritual gifts concerns the subject of the body of Christ. It can be compared to our physical bodies. Just as the ear and the foot are different in function, the body needs them both. How can a mouth sing if there is no voice? How can we run without legs? No one of us along can make a body and function. It takes the whole body of Christ to make a whole person and that whole person can be found in Christ's church where the gifts congregate. So do not forsake the assembling of the people because everyone in the church depends on you.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Before You Commune With The Lord, Examine Yourself

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. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. These early Christians were partaking in the communion with the Lord in an unworthy manner. The bread and wine are the body and blood of Jesus Christ and they were trying meet physical hunger and thirst with these elements. In doing so, they dishonor Christ and were bringing unto themselves. Paul is telling us that this is spiritual food for the forgiveness of sins and not the bread and wine of a meal. He says to avoid judgment by Christ to examine themselves and consider your life so that there is no divisions among you. Heal wounded relationships and physical divisions first, and then partake in communion because if you partake in an unworthy manner, you bring judgment on yourselves, even death as the reading says. So approach the throne of grace in all respect for your Savior. c

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 God is the covering of Christ, Christ is the covering of man, & man of woman

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man neither was man created for woman, but woman for man It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. Despite what can result in prideful situations, Christians ought to follow the word of God, even if they disagree. The Bible introduces the idea of headship (meaning leader). Christ himself was under a leader being God. He said not my will, but Thy will be done. In the same way, we are told that every man called by Christ is under his leadership. In the same way, in Genesis we learn that woman was given to man, because it is not good to be alone. So in our house holds, the man is the head of his family, but under Christ. However, if man is disobedient, woman should obey Christ less she would sin. The trouble comes because we are in a fallen world and people are born into sin. Disobedience to God's order disrespects God himself and is a result of sinful pride. So it is necessary for us to "empty ourselves" of human inclinations and follow God who is our God and creator. Daily Prayer: Lord, help us in learning how to empty ourselves and become humble and able to learn from you. Extinguish our pride, because that is from the Evil One and let us image Christ in our obedience to you. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it!

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. The subject is Christian liberty and how we should treat the conscience of another. One can see why the dietary laws ceased. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it! So instead of labeling something unclean, we should partake in it because it comes from the Lord and we give thanks for it. The proper behavior is to do whatever builds up the body of believers. If another doesn't understand their freedom in Christ and label some things off limits, for the sake of another refrain, because we are in the business of uniting the body and not dividing it. Daily Prayer: Lord, give me to full understanding of liberty found in you. At the same time give me the judgment to know when to refrain for the sake of another so that Your House will be united and not divided. Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:1-10 Warnings From Israel’s History

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. A person may ask, "Why should I read the Bible?" Because God is presenting us with human examples how to live our life and his responses to our lives. The proud may say that they don't need examples from so long ago. But to refute guidance constitutes folly and is the opposite of wisdom. We have two choices. The first is life in the flesh which is corrupt and sinful by nature. The second is godly living following the examples God have give us for instruction. To put ones' face against God leads to death. But to follow God's examples leads to live as the good son of God.

1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Fight The Good Fight For Jesus' Gospel

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel. Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I shirk when I hear pastor's joke about their teenage children. How is the preacher going to win the teen for Christ if he doesn't come into their world. Ethnicity is another problem in the church. Denominations have been formed as much around ethnicity as theology. We must present ourselves to all persons in light of winning them to the gospel. What about the poor or those who are dirty? Did not Christ go to the cross for their souls also. So we must fight the good fight and have sober judgment so that we may be found faithful to Christ. Daily Prayer: Lord search me. Where ever you find bias or self-esteem, purge me from it. For your sake and for the sake of the gospel, have me not only persevere, but do so from a motivation of love. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 We Must Be Careful With Those Whose Faith Is Weak, Not To Violate Their Conscience

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know But whoever loves God is known by God. So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. Today's message is directed toward the relationship between a mature Christine who understands their liberty in the resurrection of Christ from the Cross verses an infant in the faith who still compares the Christian faith with religions of the world. To the mature, they recognize there is only one True God and idols made with human effort are nothing. Furthermore they recognize sacrifices to man imagined gods is nothing and tendering food to this idol is likewise nothing. But to the weak, they do not want to violate their conscience by eating perfectly good food for fear that it would violate God's holiness. For the sake of the weak, do not exercise Christian liberty if it causes another believer to feel guilty. Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us all to become your disciples instead of believers only. This way our minds will know your will and keep superstition out of our life in Christ. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 The Unmarried and the Widowed

Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no good and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. The main message here is one of a divided heart. If your first loyalty is to your spouse,then, has the Lord been slighted. Yet there is concern over human passions. If a persons' passions are out of control, it is better to marry so that you don't sin. However, if you have control over your passions, that is better, because you can turn all or your resources into godly living. A widow who depends on a husband for support and remarries has not sinned, but she should marry a Christian so that she will not be unequally yoked. The best advise is to remain as you are - neither intentionally seek marriage or annul one, but be content in the Lord and his provisions.