Let Us Do the Same

1 Timothy 1:15-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201%3A15-17&version=NIV;NLT

  

We honor people in lots of ways. It could be something as simple as opening the door for

someone or buying a meal or calling them sir or madam. It could be something more significant like an award. For example, last Sunday was The Oscars and the coveted golden statue was awarded to a number of individuals in the movie industry.

 

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.        NLT

 

When you read this verse, do you have trouble believing that Paul was really the worst

sinner? After all, he wrote the majority of the New Testament and almost single handedly spread the Gospel throughout the known world in the first century. However, previous to that, he assisted in stoning Stephen and zealously persecuted the church. Basically, Paul was a murderer and a bully.

 

¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.  NLT

 

Despite what Paul had done, or maybe because of it, God chose him to be an apostle. He chose him as someone who would change, not only the first century world, but the world for centuries to come. Ironic isn’t it?

 

Paul’s conversion is an example that gives me hope; hope that all that I have done or will do, can and will be forgiven. Hope that God will use me in His redemptive work here on earth.

 

Often times, our service men and women have been honored publicly by recognizing their service and sacrifice; sometimes, their ultimate sacrifice. God understands this depth of sacrifice. Because He too made the ultimate sacrifice by sending His one and only son to die, not only for Paul’s sins, but for ours.

 

¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory

for ever and ever. Amen.      NIV

 

Paul responds to God’s mercy and grace by recognizing His ultimate sacrifice. He gives God all the honor and glory. Let us do the same.

 

 

The Spirit prepares us for God’s work

  January 14

Scripture Reading

Read 1 Corinthians 12:3-11 and reflect on the passages.

In this Bible passage, the Apostle Paul describes in lavish terms the work of the Holy Spirit. If we believe in Jesus, we have the Spirit working in our lives—and what the Spirit does with each of us may be quite different.

We may look at other believers and wish for or wonder why we don’t have the spiritual gifts they seem to have. We may never know why we have or don’t have. But Paul is very clear that all spiritual gifts are for the good of the whole body, the whole Church of Jesus that we are part of by the Spirit’s most important gift—faith in Jesus. “The Spirit apportions” the gifts we have. The Spirit needs no advice or help in giving gifts—just surrender and use them for the good of others. Some gifts may seem more important— they are not. Some spiritual gifts may seem more attractive—to whom and why?

God the Holy Spirit wants to be active and working in our lives every day. Our job is to use what we have been given, and not wish for something different. We want to be glad the Spirit is at work in us all the time.

Questions

1.      What spiritual gift(s) do you believe you have? Are you satisfied and grateful for the gifts you have?

2.      Who could help you discern the gift(s) you have so that you might use them better? Get connected with them to help you enjoy giftedness.

Prayer

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me. Help me to know how you’ve gifted me and how to use you gifts in me. Amen.

—Paul Ulring

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

The God of All Comfort

I had long been an adult before I heard the word duvet (due vay). I thought to myself, “What in the world is that?” To have posed that question aloud may have made me look dumb or uneducated. Once I figured it out however, it did not become a part of my general vocabulary because it seems unnatural. I am not French or British, so I call it a quilt or comforter. That feels right to me.

No matter what we may call it, we all have the same basic visual in our heads. We see a large, cozy and perhaps fluffy bed covering that brings warmth, comfort and a quiet peace when nestled under it or wrapped within it. Everyone loves comfort. Why then must we endure so much human suffering?

The Apostle Paul offers some reasons why we are allowed to suffer.

First in verses 3-7; God allows us to suffer so we can learn to treat others compassionately. When others are hurting we need to wrap them in the blanket of God’s care and comfort. Nobody can identify with hurting people like those who have suffered themselves.

Second in verses 8-9; Sometimes we suffer so we will learn not to be overconfident in ourselves. Nothing strips away arrogance and pride like hard times or physical difficulty. When such times come, even in the face of death, God wants us to turn to him and rely on his strength, not our own.

Third in verses 10-11; God allows us to suffer so we can see his power at work in practical ways. When we support others going through difficulties, and when we ourselves experience others rallying to support us-believers discover an aspect of God’s care unknown to those who do not live in a relationship with him.

There is power, comfort and peace lying beneath the comforter. It will bring us nothing however if we leave it on a shelf or have it neatly draped over a bed in the guest room so it looks pretty. That is like calling ourselves Christian but when dealing with others disregarding all we have learned in the scriptures. But, if we nestle into it, open up our heart to its warmth, and allow ourselves to feel “The God of All Comfort” he will meet us where we are and offer us the comfort and hope we all long for. 

Read/Listen to 2 Corinthians 1:1-11