[1 Corinthians 1, Proverbs 30]

H – 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

E – The Power of God!

Paul preached Christ crucified (1:23). It was the death, burial, and resurrection that was of first importance to Paul and the apostles (1 Corinthians 15). The cross of Christ was the power of God to bring about salvation to a lost humanity who would put faith in His great grace. There was no other salvific message except for the cross of Christ. 

We read, however, for the Jews the cross was a stumbling block and for the Gentiles it was folly (1:23). Many Jews didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah and demanded signs (1:22). The Gentiles and Greeks were smarter than the average bear and attempted to reason it to their intellectual liking (1:22). 

Yet, we find out the reason. It was God’s purpose and choosing (1:27). The cross of Christ is beyond any human reasoning, intellect, standard, or wisdom. The cross of Christ is simply God’s way to shame the worldliest, wisest, strongest, and most prestigious among us (1:27-28). 

Apart from Christ you can’t make it make sense. And, that’s the whole point. Yet, for those of us who have placed our faith in Christ death, burial, and resurrection; by His great grace we know His wisdom, have His righteousness, have been and are being sanctified, and are eternally redeemed (1:30). That is POWERFUL. 

A – Preach Christ crucified. It is the Gospel message and the grace of His salvation that is Powerful. Live continually in faith and obedience to this message and allow the wisdom from God to continue to change my life. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you for the cross. Thank you that the message you have given us is simple; Christ died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day rose again. Lord, help me to not waver in the message of the Gospel. God, would you use your message to change lives. God, I pray I see a move of God that changes churches, homes, communities, and a whole county. Lord, I want to experience your Power. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 19, Proverbs 29]

H – Acts 19:15, “But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

E – Who Are You?

This story of the seven sons of Sceva has always fascinated me. The question by the evil spirit also convicts me. The bases of the question is “who are you?” There are some interesting truths that are brought out by the question of the evil spirit. 

1. The enemy knows you. The enemy knows Jesus, recognizes Paul, and realizes that these seven sons of Sceva are not even in the same ‘spiritual’ category. The enemy knew that their invoking of the name of Jesus was a scam and the evil spirit was even put off by it; to the point that it leaped on them, mastered them, overpowered them, and beat the mess out of them until they were naked (19:16). 

2. The world will know you. It didn’t take long for the word to get out that these dudes were Jesus counterfeits. The world (those around them) heard and saw of their humiliation (19:17). This caused fear to fall on the people. After all, these seven men were sons of the High Priest; weren’t they suppose to be ‘religious’? 

3. Jesus knows you. Holy Spirit conviction fell on the people. Great repentance took place (19:18-20). Many of the believers came to the understanding that they were not faithfully following the One True God. They confessed, made known their sin, rid themselves of it, and surrendered to the Word of God. Only Jesus could bring about that type of immediate drastic change. 

The question for us is “who am I”? Am I a counterfeit proclaimer or true Jesus follower?

Do I invoke the name of Jesus based off what someone else has done or has there been individual surrender to the One True God?

A – Fear The Lord, Confess Sin, Repent, and Rid myself of any evil that the Lord reveals. Don’t play religious games. Be completely sold out to Jesus. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving us. Lord, I know there is a spiritual battle taking place and I don’t want to play games. I pray for protection through the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of my testimony. God, put your hand on me, my family, our faith family. Lead us into the way of understanding. Use us mightily for your Glory. I pray we would be genuinely yours by living a life of repentance in mission and vision. Lord, the victory is yours! Do great things. 

In Jesus Name!

[2 Thessalonians 3, Proverbs 28]

H – 2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

E – Direct My Heart, Lord!

Paul concludes his letter to the church at Thessalonians with a prayer of encouragement and a command against idleness. This prayer encouraged me this morning. It is brief and simple, yet in its fulness it is so profound. 

1. He prayed these believers hearts would be directed toward the love of God. This church had been through a lot in a short time. And now, they were also on the receiving end of persecution (3:3). Paul knew that for these believers to keep pressing forward in faith they needed full reminder of God’s love for them. His love was made evident through His Word, which is why Paul asked for prayers that the Word would speed ahead and be honored (3:1). 

2. He prayed for these believers to following the example of Christ. Christ was the example of obedience to the Father and love for all people. This is the steadfastness of Christ. But, there could also be a dual meaning here. Most of 1 and 2 Thessalonians points to the return of Christ, which could also be an encouragement to be steadfast; ready and prepared for God’s display of love for all believers through the return of Christ. 

Regardless, these two objects of prayer are huge when placed together. Paul desired for them a deep, experiential comprehension of God’s love, an understanding of which would produce in them steadfast obedience and love (Phil. 1:9–10), preparing for the day of His return. 

A – I need my heart directed to the love of God, producing faithful obedience and readiness. I need His Word and the presence of His Spirit. I need to experience His love for me anew each day through the reading of His Word and through the power of my testimony. 

R – Lord God, direct my heart. May your word be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I pray your Word would show me each day your love for me and I pray I would never get over it. Lord God, I pray I would be able to remain self-controlled, steadfast, and ready for the day of your return. Lord God, until the day that I see you face to face, may my life be one of faithful obedience, imitating Christ the Lord. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Thessalonians 4, Proverbs 22]

H – 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification:……”

E – Sanctified!

I remember when I was growing into manhood that I constantly wanted to know God’s will for my life. I thought that God had this perfect will for me and if I found it then I would have the perfect relationships, with the perfect job, making the perfect amount of money, living in the perfect house, with the perfect dog, etc. etc. But Boy, was I wrong. I had perspective and priority all out of wack. I thought God’s will centered on the major choices I was going to have to make in life. But, God’s will for me has never been about earthly perfection that I can achieve through choices. There is no doubt I need guidance. However, God’s will for me from the beginning has been seeking and growing in His atoning perfection and letting everything else fall into His perfect plan, as I follow Him. 

I bet I’m not the only one that thought this growing up or maybe even thinks it now. Yet, this has the potential to bring revolutionary life change if you and I let it. Micheal Martin wrote on this topic. He stated, “I sometimes wonder why people would seek the will of God at a pivotal moment in life if they have been ignoring God’s will in their daily lives. Should God speak, would such a person listen? I rather doubt it. One who is not faithful in the small moments is unlikely to be faithful in the great.”

Wow! That is a huge statement. So, what does God’s desire for my life really look like then?

Your Daily Sanctification.

Sanctification is a process. It is the process of becoming Holy. It is the pursuit of becoming the product of Christ atoning work. It is a daily submission to His Spirit. It is the process of fleeing sin and resisting the temptation of sin by allowing His Sprit and the fruit of His Spirit to take root and flourish in your life. Sanctification is a daily dying to self and surrendering to Him. It is choosing Him and His perfection over anything of perfection we think this world could possibly offer us. 

You could say that sanctification is the lifelong pursuit of becoming holy, as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). 

God’s will for your life today is simply HIM. All of Him in all of you. Which comes through the personal spiritual sanctifying disciplines of Prayer, His Word, Worship, Godly Fellowship and Accountability, Biblical Sabbaths, and Service just to name a few. 

This is Huge, for it is God’s Will for our lives. 

A – Pursue God’s will of sanctification. Make Him, above all, the primacy of my life.

R – Lord God, I thank you for saving me. I thank you that I know I’m not who I use to be. God, I know I’m not where I need to be. Grow me, change me, sanctify me for your Glory. I don’t want to be tomorrow who I am today. I pray my life would be “more and more” changed by you. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Thessalonians 3, Proverbs 21]

H – 1 Thessalonians 3:8, “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”

E – Grateful!

Paul had a longing desire to meet again “face to face” with the brothers and sisters from the church of Thessalonians (2:18, 3:10). However, the enemy (Satan) hindered him from being able to get back (2:18). So, he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to see how the church was growing and exhort them in the faith (3:2). This was important because trials and suffering would be coming to this church and Paul wanted to make sure they were ready and would stand against opposition (temptation), in faith.

The report that Timothy brought back was one of encouragement to Paul. He heard of their love for one another and their continued faith in the Lord (3:6). He was grateful! His ministry to this church was not in vain (3:5-6). 

Paul, therefore, wrote them this encouragement, “For now we live, (if) you are standing fast in the Lord.”

Grateful for their love and faith, he encouraged them all the more to hold fast, stand in the Lord, and increase in what you are already doing (3:12). 

A – What a great example for the church; love one another well and stand in the faith. The encouragement to me as a Pastor is to pray earnestly for His church and help supply what is lacking in others faith (3:10). From my efforts and the Spirit of God actively working in the hearts and lives of others I pray that I would see His church increasing in love and faith. 

R – Lord God, I can’t thank you enough for what I’ve seen you do in and through my life and in and through the lives of others that I’ve had a privilege of being with. I’ve seen the evidence of your Spirit transform and eternally change many. I thank you for what I’m seeing now. I see people who are being changed through your Word and by your Spirit. Lord, help me to lead people well through your Word. God, continue to transform people that they would abound in love for one another and stand firm in the faith. I am grateful for what I have witnessed and I don’t want to get over it. Lord, allow me to continue to see life change. 

In Jesus Name!

[1 Thessalonians 2, Proverbs 18]

H – 1 Thessalonians 2:3–4, “[3] For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, [4] but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

E – A Life Pleasing to God!

One thing is for certain, God knows our heart. There are too many references to reference, but according to God’s Word He searches all hearts, looks at the heart, knows and understands the intent of every heart, and judges the heart. 

King David knew this truth and declared in knowledge of this truth, Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” In other words, let my life be pleasing unto you alone oh God. 

For Paul, his heart was to please God alone by speaking the truth of the Gospel that was entrusted to HIm. It was/is the Gospel that changes lives. His hope was the Gospel that changed lives to the point that they became imitators of the Gospel (2:19). His joy was seeing the body of Christ persevere through suffering for the sake of the Gospel they believed in (2:14). His crown was those that believed the truth in which he preached (2:19). 

God knew his heart. He knew God’s heart. Therefore, it was his great desire to share the Gospel for the Glory of ONE and the good of all (2:6). Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 to continue to look at this life pleasing to God. 

A – Being God knows my heart I should desirously want a live a life pleasing unto Him by living a life of repentance. From a life of repentance, the intentions of my heart should be to please the audience of ONE, by proclaiming the true Gospel. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be saved through the faith in the death – burial – resurrection of King Jesus. Lord, may my life be pleasing to you. I pray you would give me opportunities to open up m mouth and proclaim the glorious truth of your Word. Lord, open hearts and transform hearts that hear. 

In Jesus Name!

[Acts 18, Proverbs 16]

H – Acts 18:26, “He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

E – Going Deeper!

Apollos is an interesting man. What we know about Apollos is somewhat limited, but what we do know is both fascinating and telling. Apollos was a Jew that heard of Jesus and left Judaism. He had heard of the Lord and been instructed in the way of the Lord (18:25). Apollos was competent (1:24) and fervent in Spirit (1:25). He was bold and unashamed in what he knew (18:26). Yet, he was missing vital information. Apollos left Judaism on half knowledge of Jesus’s ministry. Primarily his death, burial, and resurrection. 

Apollos had only heard about the baptism that came from John. He had missed the command from The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) that began being administered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). You could almost say that Apollos’s view of the Gospel was deficient, even though he taught accurately about what he knew. 

So, when Priscilla and Aquila heard this man they knew they had to reel him in and explain to him the way of God more accurately. This would be beneficial to his ministry and the impact of the Holy Spirit of God in his life as he would powerfully refute Judaism through the use of Scripture, now “in context” (18:28). 

This may not seem like a big deal, but I believe it is huge. I have been Apollos. I look over my ministry and see where I started and honestly think God should have killed me for the way I preached some of the sermons I have, haha. I know there is grace and I’m thankful for the growth, but I also know that I’m not done growing, changing. I see the need for His church to go deeper into His Word and understanding of His ministry. One of the reasons that the church (outside of the 4 walls) does not have impact is because we are not deep or accurate in the way of God (inside the 4 walls and personal devotion time). I think this view has even changed the way I preach and preach through books of the Bible in as much simple exposition as possible. 

Think with me for a moment. I’ve heard passionate believers (pastors and lay alike) speak boldly in what they believe. However, many have missed truth by going deeper in context (even heard it this week). It seems that some believers are passionate about certain Scriptures, but take them out of context. I know of claimed believers that are passionate about Old Testament battles between the Israelites and Canaanites and take it to mean that whites shouldn’t marry blacks, using claimed scriptures to back it up (however so badly out of context in which it breeds racism) (Just one of many examples). I’ve heard scripture passionately spoken to fuel the charismatic movement and emotionalism. And, I’ve heard scripture spoken in ways that leaves churches spiritually dead and powerless. I’ve heard people passionately speak of God’s love (and we should) but miss the truth of His wrath (even to the point of justifying homosexuality). I could go on and one, but maybe that is a small glimpse that helps in my point.

A – As I Christ follower I must go deeper. I must view and study His Word in context to His Story. I cannot make the Bible mean what it does not. I cannot add or take away from truth. I need an accurate view of God. And, I also must speak accurately about the way of God. I truly need to H.E.A.R the Word. 

R – Lord God, thank you for growing me. Thank you for teaching me. God, thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for bearing with my failings and rightful handling of your Word. Thank you for putting people in my life that have been Pricilla’s and Aquila’s to me. Thank you for using your Word to guide my life and lead me. Lord, I don’t want to get over your Word. I pray even today that I would have not read it to finish, but have read it to change. Change me today and give me a more accurate view of you, everyday. 

In Jesus Name!

[Galatians 5, Proverbs 11]

H – Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

E – Freedom!

When I hear the word “Freedom” I picture William Wallace on Braveheart willing to go the distance and fight for his country. His fight was for freedom. Freedom is something we all want. We want to live in a free country, with freedom in our choices, have freedom with our rights, and experience freedom in our minds. But, what about the greatest freedom that can be given; Spiritual Freedom?

Paul had wrote over the last 3 chapters (2,3,4) in Galatians warning these believers not to submit again to the yoke of slavery, which was going back to justifying their salvation by keeping the law. He reminded them that true freedom could never be accomplished through anything they could do, but only by faith in Christ Jesus. 

Notice these words in context to Galatians

1. “For Freedom Christ has set us free……” – Christ had set them free from the ceremonial law and regulations. Their freedom could not come from circumcision, eating the right foods, worshipping on the right days, or anything else that could be obtained by individual human effort. Nope, freedom was simply faith and belief that Jesus Christ was/is/will be sufficient for my justification and surrendered obedience to him, which makes our freedom alive through His Spirit (5:25).

2. “stand firm therefore……” – Paul commands the Galatians to “stand firm”. Because of who God is and what he has done for believers in Jesus Christ, Christians are commanded to “become what they are,” that is, to make visible in the earthly realm of their human existence what God has already declared and sealed in the divine verdict of justification. When I forget or downplay my justification and true freedom comes only from Christ then the temptation for the Christian is to lapse back into legalism, which binds me back into slavery and steals my freedom

3. “do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Paul knew the evidence of slavery. He had been there, enslaved by his flesh (5:19). Yet, because of his justification and continued sanctification (being obedient to who Christ calls Christians to be) he also knew the evidence of true freedom which is His Spirit alive and living through the life of a Christ follower. 

For instances the yoke of slavery is selfishness. The yoke of freedom is surrender. When i surrender you will see the evidence of Christ in my life (5:22-24). When I’m selfish you will see the evidence of me in my life (5:19-21). Therefore, true freedom remains when we continue to walk in the Spirit of the one who has righteously justified us (5:16). 

A – FREEDOM!! Don’t go back (5:1), run well in obedience (5:7), lovingly serve others (5:13), walk in the Spirit (5:16), crucify the desires of the flesh (5:24). 

R – Lord God, thank you for freedom. Help me to fight for freedom the right way. Thank you for your Spirit that lives within me. Lord, I pray your Spirit would guide me in your ways, convict me when I turn away from truth, and lead me back into the freedom of your righteousness. Continue to cultivate in my life the fruit of your Spirit. 

[Galatians 4, Proverbs 10]

H – Galatians 4:8–9, “[8] Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. [9] But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”

E – Don’t Turn Back!

These Gentile Galatians had heard the Gospel. It was apparent that they had verbally believed in the Gospel. There was even evidence that their belief in Christ lead to turning away from Idolatry to the True God. 

Yet, they are once again in danger of slavery. The slavery that the Galatians are in danger of embracing again is not just a matter of forfeiting sonship but of abandoning the true God. They would be returning to false gods (v. 8), to worldly principles and structures (v. 9–10). It would be as if they had never even heard the gospel from Paul (v. 11). For these Gentile Galatian Christians, turning back to the Jewish law would be like returning to their paganism.

Why would they do that? 

Paul was perplexed and anguished by what he had heard from these believers (v. 19-20). So, Paul reminded them of their former life. Paul reminded them of their life in Christ (v. 4-7). And, Paul was passionately bold to remind them of the truth (v.16). 

His reminder: Live in Freedom and continually turn to God. Don’t Turn Back!

A – When my Spirit doesn’t cry out, Abba! Father!, I should have concern. I must remain in the His truth, clinging to His truth, and be changed by His Truth. I’m no longer a slave. I am an adopted, joint heir, through King Jesus. I know him and his love for me. I know who I use to be and I know who I am now. I am not the same. Therefore, I do not turn back. I remain obedient. 

R – Lord God, thank you for rescuing me. Lord, I do not want to get over it. Help me to live each day in surrendered obedience to you. Lord, I praise you for rescuing me from slavery. I do not want to go back. Help me to fix my eyes on you, the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). I pray I will experience and know your freedom today. 

In Jesus Name!

[Galatians 2, Proverbs 8]

H – Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

E – No Longer The Same!

Paul’s letter to Galatians was addressed to a group of churches in the region of Galatia. He had preached the Gospel to these churches were he had seen lives changed. But, he had to write to them burdened by many quickly deserting the Gospel of grace and clinging again to earned salvation, specifically being circumcised (1:6). 

Paul’s letter implored these churches that salvation could only come through faith in Jesus Christ (2:16). And, when there was true justification by the working of God’s grace through His death, burial, and resurrection then there was freedom (2:4). 

Freedom was knowing that his former self was dead. He was not the same person. He had allowed and believed the crucifixion of Christ was the atonement for his sins. 

Freedom was knowing that Christ lived within him. He know longer had to lord over his own life and justify himself by his religion or zealous actions (1:13-14). Rather, he was now justified through Christ and the Holy Spirit of God lived within him. Now, Christ directs and empowers him. 

Freedom is knowing that faith in Christ means that he know longer lives for himself. It has been said that faith is the principle that unlocks the life of Christ in a believer. The more we exercise faith in Christ the more He is free to live through us. Therefore, there is freedom in walking in faith instead of choosing the flesh. 

Freedom is knowing that I’m loved, regardless of how bad I’ve messed up. Because of God’s great love for me He gave His one and only son, to die for my sins, that I may have abundant and eternal life through Him. Freedom is clinging to His great love, knowing that He is the God of countless second chances. 

When I walk in His freedom I no longer walk the same!

A – I’m not who I used to be. Continue to submit to Christ as Lord. Allow Him to direct and empower. Let grace abound in and through faith. Live by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of my flesh. Cling to His love. Be changed anew, each day. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me in that while I was still yet a sinner you sent Jesus to die for me. Lord thank you for your great grace. Lord, I want to walk in your freedom today. I die to my selfish desires today. Lord, fill me anew with your Spirit. Help me to walk each moment in faith to you. Change me anew Lord. I never want to be the same. 

In Jesus Name!