1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 says, "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 everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
What if one of our actions caused someone from being saved? And that one action turned them off from God completely? Well, that one action, caused them an eternity in hell.
It's something to think and pray about. God tells us over and over again not to do anything that causes another person to stumble, no matter who they are. This is a hard thing to do as we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But He gives us hope in this verse, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor. 10:13
Notice it says God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. But not just that, He also provides us a way out! God helps us in two ways when it comes to temptations. So how come we still cannot just say no? We still choose to sin. We still choose to cause others to stumble. Aren't we then choosing to possibly commit that one act that causes another an eternity in hell?
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Honoring God with our Bodies
Lately I have been reading in 1 Corinthians for my daily devotions and something caught my eye. In this chapter Paul is addressing the church of Corinth on their behaviors. Apparently some of the members of the church thought that everything was permissible for them. That what they did with their bodies would have no effect on their spiritual life. However, Paul rebukes them explaining that everything we do with our bodies, effects our spiritual life.
God raised Christ from the dead and he is also going to raise us. If God is going to take the effort to raise us as well, don't you think he values our bodies? Not only that, but our bodies are members of Jesus Christ. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us the Holy Spirit to live within us. Therefore, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; if we disgrace ourselves are we not also disgracing the Holy Spirit within us? If we confess to be Christians we need to honor God with our bodies. If we are disgracing our bodies with possibly gluttony, immodesty, sexual immorality, etc., we are showing the world that we don't value what God has done for us by giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
God raised Christ from the dead and he is also going to raise us. If God is going to take the effort to raise us as well, don't you think he values our bodies? Not only that, but our bodies are members of Jesus Christ. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us the Holy Spirit to live within us. Therefore, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; if we disgrace ourselves are we not also disgracing the Holy Spirit within us? If we confess to be Christians we need to honor God with our bodies. If we are disgracing our bodies with possibly gluttony, immodesty, sexual immorality, etc., we are showing the world that we don't value what God has done for us by giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Life's Thirst
The word of the Lord is like a deep thirst quenching drink. It's that ice cold drink of water I can never seem to get enough of. The thirst is like the thirst derived from working in a garden in the heat of the day, the sun relentlessly pounding on my back. The humidity so great, my brow is wet from perspiration. The ice cold water tastes so good on my lips after the remarkable thirst I endured while gardening. The garden is my life and everything in it. Each day I have been torn down and beaten upon by not only the mayhem and destruction that enter the garden, but also by my own disturbances, sins. I am constantly pouring energy into pulling weeds and making sure pests are not killing my garden, making me tired and thirsty for the cold replenishing drink of water. After a long and gratifying drink, my strength is renewed and I am ready to face whatever havoc comes my way.
This came as an inspiration after reading Amos 8:11,
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
I had written this a while ago and I wanted it to be on my blog because I wrote it when I was on such a spiritual high. Sometimes I forget that feeling when you are so on fire for God that you can't seem to think of anything but Him. As I look back on what I have written, it just reminds me of how much I need to consistently read God's word in order to not fall into the temptations of this world. I am so thankful that God gave us His word in order that we may my rejuvenated! We truly could not live a worthy life without Him aiding us.
This came as an inspiration after reading Amos 8:11,
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
I had written this a while ago and I wanted it to be on my blog because I wrote it when I was on such a spiritual high. Sometimes I forget that feeling when you are so on fire for God that you can't seem to think of anything but Him. As I look back on what I have written, it just reminds me of how much I need to consistently read God's word in order to not fall into the temptations of this world. I am so thankful that God gave us His word in order that we may my rejuvenated! We truly could not live a worthy life without Him aiding us.
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