1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
In chapter 7 Paul is giving advice on marriage but mentions several times that this scripture is not a commandment, but just his judgment; and that he has the spirit of God so he felt it was what God's spirit was speaking to him.
1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
This is a really good scripture, because I find in my own marriage there are times when my wife wants my attention and affection but offten I am to busy to offer her affection. Especially over this weekend because I have been studying for two exams. But I realized I can never be to busy to take a few minutes out of my day to hug, kiss and tell her I love her.
Right before verse 3 in verse 2 Paul says "Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her won husband." when I read this it seemed like the context is singular, meaning one for each not two or three. The reason I feel this is because if you have more than one wife or husband you will not render unto your spouse the affection due. Just a side note to let people know that this is in the bible.
Through the whole chapter Paul mentions the benefits of being unmarried, and the obligations to being married. He makes it clear as stated above that this is just his judgment and even says in verse 38 "So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better." Meaning it is still good to be married but there comes more responsibilities where one may become distracted from serving God.
This is a good chapter to read because a lot of the church society puts pressure on its' young people to be married so my advice is to read this and know that you do not have to be married and that it is a blessing to be single.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Revenge or Forgive?
2 Samuel 19 David's army has just defeated his sons army who took his kingdom away and sought his fathers life. David mourned his son's death and then begins returning to his kingdom when someone who caused David a lot of shame returns, Shimei.
2 Samuel 16 When David was ran out of his kingdom, Shimei a decedent of Saul cursed David, threw stones at him and kicked dirt at him. But David being of good character spared his life when he could have easily ordered him to be killed.
Back to chapter 19 David's kingdom has been restored and now he is the most powerful person in Israel when Shimei runs to him in verse 18 and then says
2 Samuel 19:19 "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart." 20 "For I your servant, know that I have sinned."
After this one of Davids servants asked should he not be put to death? and in verse 22 -23 David told Shimei what have I to do with you and said shall any man be put to death in Israel? He then swore to him in verse 23 that he shall not die.
In this situation I'm sure David was thinking "my, how the tables have turned." and it would have been an easy decision to kill this man or even throw him in prison for life or enslave him. But David simply said why should you be my adversary today? And promised not to kill him.
Even though Shimei didn't deserve to be forgiven, when does anyone deserve forgiveness? There are sometimes very hurtful things that can be done to us and people who could care less about you and even seek to hurt you on purpose. But the very fact is we ourselves did not deserve forgiveness when Jesus died on the cross for our sins but we can receive by the covering of his blood if we repent and ask for forgiveness.
If you are ever faced with a situation like David where you can take revenge in your own hands remeber the words of Jesus, the ultimate forgiver;
Mark 11:25-26 "And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
2 Samuel 16 When David was ran out of his kingdom, Shimei a decedent of Saul cursed David, threw stones at him and kicked dirt at him. But David being of good character spared his life when he could have easily ordered him to be killed.
Back to chapter 19 David's kingdom has been restored and now he is the most powerful person in Israel when Shimei runs to him in verse 18 and then says
2 Samuel 19:19 "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart." 20 "For I your servant, know that I have sinned."
After this one of Davids servants asked should he not be put to death? and in verse 22 -23 David told Shimei what have I to do with you and said shall any man be put to death in Israel? He then swore to him in verse 23 that he shall not die.
In this situation I'm sure David was thinking "my, how the tables have turned." and it would have been an easy decision to kill this man or even throw him in prison for life or enslave him. But David simply said why should you be my adversary today? And promised not to kill him.
Even though Shimei didn't deserve to be forgiven, when does anyone deserve forgiveness? There are sometimes very hurtful things that can be done to us and people who could care less about you and even seek to hurt you on purpose. But the very fact is we ourselves did not deserve forgiveness when Jesus died on the cross for our sins but we can receive by the covering of his blood if we repent and ask for forgiveness.
If you are ever faced with a situation like David where you can take revenge in your own hands remeber the words of Jesus, the ultimate forgiver;
Mark 11:25-26 "And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul is addressing the church about abstaining from fellowship with sexually immoral people in the church. Paul clarifies he is talking about members of the church, because he says in
1 Cor 5:10 "Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world."
Paul knew it would be impossible for a Christian to avoid contact or fellowship with immoral people in the world that is why Jesus said "Go into the world and preach the gospel." in Mark 16:15; and Paul said,
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.
It also appears in verse 12-13 that the person who Paul was talking about had left the church and was trying to cause trouble Paul says it is not up to him to judge those who are outside and asked if they judge those who are inside. Then in verse 13 Paul says "those who are outside God judges. Therefore put way from yourselves the evil person."
Paul makes it clear in verse 11 not to have fellowship with a brother, meaning fellow Christian who is immoral. The reason for this is because I've seen so many times when a Christian is doing something in his life that is questionable and then when one of his friends knows hes doing it then excuses it for himself. This can spread like wild fire and before you know it everyone in a group is involved in the same sin. It is important to pray for these people and reach out to them but not go out for a beer to talk over their problems or you may find yourself excusing their sin for yourself.
If you are living right your friend who is in obvious sin will not feel comfortable being around you because they will know that you are strong in your position and won't accept their sin. This is not a bad thing, remember to let them know you are praying for them and last but not least do not tell them it is ok. The last thing you need is for your friend to excuse their sin because you told them it was ok, or they feel comfortable sinning around you or with you.
1 Cor 5:10 "Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world."
Paul knew it would be impossible for a Christian to avoid contact or fellowship with immoral people in the world that is why Jesus said "Go into the world and preach the gospel." in Mark 16:15; and Paul said,
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God.
It also appears in verse 12-13 that the person who Paul was talking about had left the church and was trying to cause trouble Paul says it is not up to him to judge those who are outside and asked if they judge those who are inside. Then in verse 13 Paul says "those who are outside God judges. Therefore put way from yourselves the evil person."
Paul makes it clear in verse 11 not to have fellowship with a brother, meaning fellow Christian who is immoral. The reason for this is because I've seen so many times when a Christian is doing something in his life that is questionable and then when one of his friends knows hes doing it then excuses it for himself. This can spread like wild fire and before you know it everyone in a group is involved in the same sin. It is important to pray for these people and reach out to them but not go out for a beer to talk over their problems or you may find yourself excusing their sin for yourself.
If you are living right your friend who is in obvious sin will not feel comfortable being around you because they will know that you are strong in your position and won't accept their sin. This is not a bad thing, remember to let them know you are praying for them and last but not least do not tell them it is ok. The last thing you need is for your friend to excuse their sin because you told them it was ok, or they feel comfortable sinning around you or with you.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Being Optimistic in Difficult Times
As a person traveling through the journeys off life it is impossible to live with out tragedies. The most one can do is look to God for comfort and a guide to press on. A great example of this is King David who was ran out of his kingdom by his own son Absalom who took over as king and wanted to destroy David's very life.
In 2 Samuel 16 David has just escaped his son's plan and is traveling away from Israel when a man from the house of Saul "Davids former adversary." began following David and cursing him continuously as well as throwing rocks and kicking dirt at him. This man's name was Shimei and he was blaming Davids problems on the fact that he was bloodthirsty and that the Lord is punishing him and has returned his kingdom to his son.
In verse 9 a servant of David said "why should this dead dog curse my lord the kin? Please let me go over and take off his head!" In all of Davids frustration allowing his servant to kill a crazy man whom is insulting him would have been an easy task but David being of God character did not allow his misfortunes to dictate his behavior. Instead David said this:
2 Samuel 16: 12 "It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day."
This verse really speaks how we should behave in times of adversity and when we are cursed by others. To often our first response is to repay evil for evil and act on our emotions when in fact we should be lifting our problems up to the Lord and say I know this is only for a season and it may be that God will reward me for these troubles.
In 2 Samuel 16 David has just escaped his son's plan and is traveling away from Israel when a man from the house of Saul "Davids former adversary." began following David and cursing him continuously as well as throwing rocks and kicking dirt at him. This man's name was Shimei and he was blaming Davids problems on the fact that he was bloodthirsty and that the Lord is punishing him and has returned his kingdom to his son.
In verse 9 a servant of David said "why should this dead dog curse my lord the kin? Please let me go over and take off his head!" In all of Davids frustration allowing his servant to kill a crazy man whom is insulting him would have been an easy task but David being of God character did not allow his misfortunes to dictate his behavior. Instead David said this:
2 Samuel 16: 12 "It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day."
This verse really speaks how we should behave in times of adversity and when we are cursed by others. To often our first response is to repay evil for evil and act on our emotions when in fact we should be lifting our problems up to the Lord and say I know this is only for a season and it may be that God will reward me for these troubles.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
1 Corinthians 4
Paul starts off chapter 4 with a reference to Christians as stewards of the mysteries of God and that it is required that stewards be found faithful. With being faithful Paul noted that he should not be judged by the court, the people or even himself but that the true judge God would be the judge.
verse 7 is really good, Paul says
"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"
To me this verse means that everything we are as humans has been given to us from God, and nothing we have has been achieved by our own strengths but has been granted to us by our creator. For example our looks, talents, charm and sense of humor are traits that God created us with. So if we are more talented in an area God does not want us to boast and put down others who lack that talent.
Paul also describes what it is to be an apostle versus 9 -17 and then ends the chapter dealing with complaints that Paul sent Timothy to teach rather then teaching himself, he states in verse 21 "What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"
verse 7 is really good, Paul says
"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"
To me this verse means that everything we are as humans has been given to us from God, and nothing we have has been achieved by our own strengths but has been granted to us by our creator. For example our looks, talents, charm and sense of humor are traits that God created us with. So if we are more talented in an area God does not want us to boast and put down others who lack that talent.
Paul also describes what it is to be an apostle versus 9 -17 and then ends the chapter dealing with complaints that Paul sent Timothy to teach rather then teaching himself, he states in verse 21 "What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"
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