Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
“”All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:23-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.10.23-24.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “”All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful.” Do you ever rationalize that something is “lawful”? Does it give you peace when you do it? When I think of “lawful”, it leads me down a legalistic path. Jesus loves us and wants to give us life. He doesn’t want us “to do” or “not to do” something because of a set of rules. He wants us to obey Him because He knows what best for us and we should want to obey him instead of obeying out of duty. Please pray that we and our friends seek God’s purpose for our lives today and obey. Please pray for Stacey Kessler. 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 8
“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.8.1-3.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” Are we called to impress people with our knowledge or to love them. Paul says in 1 Cor 13 how we can have much knowledge, skills, etc., but without love, it’s meaningless. Some knowledge is sincerely exchanged to help a person, but if it’s not done in love, it will come across differently. “People don’t care what you know till they know that you care” (Covey). When you want to pass on knowledge, are you doing it out of love or pride? Please pray that we and our friends speak the truth today, but only if it’s out of love. Please pray for Peyton Gully. 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
“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.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:32-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.7.32-35.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “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.” Paul describes how even a wife or husband can hinder pure devotion to God. We know God created marriage and marriage is a wonderful thing. God uses our spouses to speak to us and help us determine His purpose. However it easy to put my wife’s opinion above God’s direction and that seems to be what Paul is discussing here. We’ve heard a million times that the closer a husband and wife move towards God, the closer they move towards each other. Please pray that we and our friends honor our relationship with God with our marriage. Please pray for Peyton Gully

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 7:1-24
“Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:20-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.7.20-24.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.” Why would someone chose to be a bondservant of men? It’s seems strange, but it happens all the time. We put other people’s opinion of us as higher that what God thinks of us. If we put a person’s opinion above God’s, we may be tempted to make certain decisions to please a person instead of obeying God. Only God knows what is best for us. Please pray that we and our friends “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..” (Matt 6:33). Please pray for Darren and Bruce’s group.  

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 6
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.6.9-11.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” We are all human and we all separate ourselves from God in some way, BUT we have been washed. Jesus knows our deeds and wants to transform us into His likeness. Is there a area in your life where it’s tough to trust God? Are you trying to correct it on your own? Give it to God and let Him transform you. Please pray that we and our friends trust God in ALL the areas of our lives. Please pray for Bridget Hires. 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 5
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭5:9-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.5.9-12.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.” Jesus loves everyone, died for everyone and wants to have a relationship with everyone. We are to help lead people to that relationship. Paul warns that it is tough for us to be a leader if we are continually caught up in behavior that separates us from God. We are to be accountable to one another because we all know we are human and fail pretty easily. Please pray that we and our friends hold each other accountable so that we may be a part of God’s purpose today. Please pray for the people that are looking for employment right now. 

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 2
“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:6-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.2.6-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul’s says, “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away”. Is there wisdom of this age that contradicts wisdom of a century ago? How about 20 years ago? The Bible has the wisdom that spans ages. It doesn’t change with the ages no matter how much the rulers of the age push for it to change. The rulers of Jesus’ age didn’t recognize Jesus. Please pray that we and our friends spend time in God’s Word this year and really get to know what the Bible says. Please pray for Stacey Kessler, who is battling Brain cancer.  

Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 1
“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 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. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:17-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1co.1.17-21.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Do we need to know every answer to tell a friend about Christ? Do we need the skills of a professor to teach about Christ? Christ will use us as He needs us with the gifts He has given us. We just need to give Him ALL of us to use. “People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care” (Stephen Covey). Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudges this year. Please pray for Bridget Hires. 

Today’s reading is Romans 16
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭16:17-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/rom.16.17-20.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Since there are people out there that purposely deceive, we must be diligent to know the Word ourselves. We can fight deception, but we also build a wonderful relationship with God by spending time with Him and His Word every morning. Please pray that we and our friends commit to spending time with God every day this year. Please pray for Stacey Kessler. 

Today’s reading is Romans 15:21-33
“I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:30-33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/rom.15.30-33.esv
All,
This stands out because Paul says, “to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf”. Does Paul need their prayer? Doesn’t God have a purpose for Paul’s life? Doesn’t the Holy Spirit already guide him many times? Prayer is always needed and is powerful and allows us to be a part of God’s purpose. Praying to God transforms us and gives us peace around our concerns. If we know that God will work all things to His purpose, then we know he will work our concerns out to His best purpose. Please pray that we and our friends pray for our friends today. Please pray for Bridget Hires.