2 Corinthians 2 -- Sunday, 8/31

Today, read 2 Corinthians 2 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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2:7 (NLT) Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.

The purpose of all church discipline and even personal opposition to a believer is to bring reconciliation. Opposition and discipline should never be an end but only a means to an end.

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2:10-11 (NLT) When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

When we refuse to forgive someone who had done wrong in church or has hurt us, then we have been outsmarted by Satan.

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2:12 (NLT) When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

Thank you Lord for the open door of opportunity you have blessed me with.

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2:14 (NKJ) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Thank you Lord that you are always willing to lead and guide when I am willing to follow and obey.

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2:17 (NLT) You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

I must always be mindful of the motives of my service and remember that my Lord is watching me.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 1:12-24 -- Saturday, 8/30

Today, read 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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1:13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us,

Lord, may my preaching and writing ministry always be manifest this way.

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1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Praise the Lord for your promises kept. May that always bring honor to your name.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 -- Friday, 8/29

OK. We are back on track this morning.

Before we look at this morning's devotion, let me give you a challenge. While I usually focus on only a chapter or two each morning in my Quiet Time, it is important to read larger chunks of the Bible as well. Yesterday I read 1 Samuel. I am going to try before this three day weekend is over to get from there through the end of 2 Chronicles. Ordinarily I don't read near this much in such short time, but I want to push myself this weekend. Up to the challenge? Try reading 1 Samuel on Saturday and 2 Samuel on Sunday. Read from an easy to read Bible like the NLT and you will really love doing this.

Let's get started...

I read less than a chapter today because these first verses gave me so much stuff to pray for. I try to be careful to slow down in Scripture when there is so much more to think and pray about.

So today, read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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1:4 (NLT) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Thank you Lord that in all difficulty I can turn to you and find comfort and peace.

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1:4 (NLT) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Lord, I pray that you will make me more sensitive to those around me that I should seek to comfort.

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1:9 (NLT) In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

When we face very hard times we must lean completely on God. At times like that we should look for ways that we are leaning upon ourselves and change those things so that we may lean entirely on Him.

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1:10 (NLT) And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

Thank you Lord for the times you have rescued me or protected me in difficulty!

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1:11 (NLT) And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Prayer for others really works! I need to spend more time praying for others.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 16 -- Thursday, 8/28

Today, read 1 Corinthians 16 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you.

This morning I am running very late and have to be in Columbus by 7:00.

Here are the verses that most stood out to me this morning...

16:2
16:9
16:13
16:14
16:16
16:18

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 15 -- Wednesday, 8/27

Today, read 1 Corinthians 15 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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15:6 (NLT) After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

There was no legitimate way to deny the resurrection because of the number of witnesses.

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15:11 (NLT) Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Every God called, obedient preacher will preach the same truth: that Jesus Christ is risen!

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15:17-18 (NKJ) And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

The resurrection of Christ is essential to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, nothing else has meaning or value.

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15:22 (NLT) Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

Praise God that we can all be made right through Christ.

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15:27-28 (NLT) For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

In the Trinity, although God the Father and God the Son are equal in value, God has authority over the Son. The Son does not have authority over the Father.

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15:50 (NLT) What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

Lord, remind me daily to live for those things that will last forever instead of those things which are temporary.

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15:54-55 (NLT) Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

How I look forward and wait anxiously for this great day.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 14 -- Tuesday, 8/26

Today, read 1 Corinthians 14 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you are doing this at work and don't have easy access to a Bible, or maybe you are at home but don't have a NLT Bible, you can read almost any version at www.BibleGateway.com.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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14:4 (NKJ) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Lord, help my motives to always be to honor you and encourage the church when I preach or minister.

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14:24 (NLT) But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.

Conviction comes when people hear the gospel clearly communicated.

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14:25 (NLT) As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

Thank you Lord that through Your Word You convict and convert.

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14:32 (NKJ) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

When we are filled with the Spirit we are still in control of our bodies. Never is a loss of control seen as a sign of being filled by the Spirit.

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14:33 (NLT) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

14:40 (NLT) But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

Worship should always be orderly. If there is ever disorder in worship, then it doesn't honor God.

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14:34-35 (NLT) Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

These verses show two responsibilities. First that of a woman to understand and submit to God ordained authority, but second the responsibility of husbands to love, lead, and teach God's Word at home. I need to be a husband/father who does this regularly at home.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 13 -- Monday, 8/25

Keep me in your prayers today... I have a 6:00 a.m. surgery and a 7:00 p.m. funeral and a non-stop day in between...

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 13 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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13:1 (NKJ) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

Lord, please don't let me become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. You have called me to speak and to teach and I should always be committed to that, but above all I should love and show love to others.

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13:1-3 (NLT) If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Loving people is more important than speaking well. Loving people is more important than having much knowledge. Loving people is more important than having great faith. Loving people is more important than sacrifice.

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13:7 (NLT) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Thank you Lord that you have loved me with this kind of love.

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13:7 (NKJ) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I need to love people regardless of their actions. I need to have a god-like love even for those who disappoint me and those who may hurt me.

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13:8 (NLT) Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

Love is always helpful, always appropriate, always right.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 12 -- Sunday, 8/24

Today, read 1 Corinthians 12 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself. My remarks are a little more brief today, but you will still be able to see a little of how the Lord guided me through the chapter.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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12:11 (NLT) It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

It is the Holy Spirit who determines the spiritual gift each of us have.

Lord, thank you for the ways you have gifted me and called me to serve.

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12:14-15 (NLT) Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.

12:20 (NLT) Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.

12:22 (NLT) In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

Every part of the church, every member, has a key, God assigned role to play. All of these, without exception, are very important.

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12:31 (NKJ) But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Lord, help me to always have the attitude to excel. Never let me just settle. Keep complacency far from me.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 11 -- Saturday, 8/23

Today, read 1 Corinthians 11 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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11:10 (NLT) For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority.

God has set up certain levels of authority and submission in all of our lives. It should be evident that we are in submission to the authorities He has placed over us.

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11:17-18 (NLT) But in the following instructions, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together. 18 First, I hear that there are divisions among you when you meet as a church, and to some extent I believe it.

It is imperative that we guard against divisions in the church.

Lord, may I always have the humility to be able to sit down with those I disagree with and try to work things out instead of just talking to others and making things worse.

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11:23-26 (NLT) For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Thank you Lord for the sacrifice of your body and the shedding of your blood. Thank you that you let me participate in this very special remembrance called the Lord's Supper.

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11:28 (NKJ) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Lord, help me to always very seriously examine myself prior to taking the Lord's Supper. I know I should also lead my family to do this in my home before we go to the Lord's Supper service.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 10 -- Friday, 8/22

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 10 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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10:6-11 (NKJ) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Lord, please help me to learn right and wrong and the urgency of obedience and submission through these Bible examples so that I don't have to learn them through personal hardship and discipline from you.

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10:6-8 (NLT) These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, 7 or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” 8 And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.

10:9-11 (NLT) Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. 10 And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. 11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

Notice these four categories of sin that God takes very seriously... Idolatry, Sexual Immorality, Testing Christ, Complaining.

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10:12 (NKJ) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

I must remember that I can fall into terrible sin as easily as anyone. I must be diligent to keep up my guard.

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10:13 (NLT) The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Thank you Lord that you are so faithful to always be ready and able to keep me from temptation. Please help me to lean on you more for your help in this area of my life.

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10:21 (NKJ) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Choose you this day whom you will serve.

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10:24 (NKJ) Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

Our focus must not be on blessing ourselves, but on blessing others.

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10:28-30 (NLT) (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

My conduct should be limited not only by my own conscience, but also by the conscience of others.

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10:32-33 (NLT) Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

Lord, I so earnestly pray that this will always be the attitude of the people in my church.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 9 -- Thursday, 8/21

Sorry for the lateness of today's devotion... I slept late.

Today, read 1 Corinthians 9 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

If you don't know what the colors or the format mean, read the three introductions to this blog. They are linked on the left hand side of this page.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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9:12 (NLT) If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.

It was important to Paul that none of his 'rights' hindered the gospel. More important than getting our own way is that the gospel be heard.

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9:16 (NLT) Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

Lord, may I and everyone in my church have this same attitude.

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9:17 (NLT) If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.

Thank you Lord that you have called me to serve you and to teach and preach the gospel.

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9:22 (NLT) When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

Evangelism was not done by Paul when it was convenient. Paul inconvenienced himself all of the time in every way to win the lost.

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9:25-27 (NLT) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I need to approach my walk with God as seriously as an athlete preparing for the Olympics.

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9:27 (NLT) I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I must remember that ministry is not just about helping others walk with Jesus. I must first make sure I am walking with Jesus in a deep abiding way.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 8 -- Wednesday, 8/20

Today, read 1 Corinthians 8 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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8:1 (NKJ) Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

Lord, may my faith be characterized more by how it loves than by what it knows.

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8:6 (NLT) But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

Praise God that He is the one, sovereign, all-powerful God. Praise Jesus through whom God made everything and through whom we have eternal life.

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8:8 (NLT) It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.

There is no longer lists of approved and non-approved foods for believers.

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8:10 (NLT) For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol?

Violating your conscience is a sin even if your conscience is not well informed.

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8:12 (NLT) And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ.

If my influence causes someone to be likely to violate their conscience then I have sinned.

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8:13 (NLT) So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

The Christian life is not about me exercising my freedoms. The Christian life is about me sacrificing my freedoms to encourage others in their walk with the Lord.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 7 -- Tuesday, 8/19

If you are just getting started following this today, you first need to read the three introduction posts to this blog. The links are on the left hand side of this web-page.

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 7 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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7:3 (NKJ) Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

In marriage each spouse should be committed to meeting the needs of the other spouse first.

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7:7 (NLT) But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. But God gives to some the gift of marriage, and to others the gift of singleness.

Thank you Lord for giving me the gift of marriage and through that gift, giving me so much happiness!

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7:10 (NKJ) Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

It should be one of the highest goal of a Christian to honor his or her wedding vows and to stay married.

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7:14 (NKJ) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

7:16 (NLT) Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?

Lord, I pray for those I know who are Christians married to non-Christians. I pray you will keep them strong and use them to lead their spouses to Christ.

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7:17 (NLT) Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

I should learn to be content and learn to always serve God wherever He has put me.

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7:35 (NLT) I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

I should remember that my service for the Lord is number one in my life.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 6 -- Monday, 8/18

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Here is a guide to the meaning of the colors I use...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 6 on your own at least one time. (It is a pretty short chapter.) As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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6:1-5 (NKJ) Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?

Christians should have the wisdom and fairness and humility to solve any interpersonal conflict between believers.

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6:5 (NLT) I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?

Lord, please fill our church with wise people who are growing in their faith. Help me to always grow in wisdom and humility.

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6:7 (NKJ) Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

The reputation and harmony of the church is more important than my rights!

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6:11 (NKJ) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Thank you Lord, that you forgive us and restore us from any sin!

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6:13 (NLT) You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.

We must not be as casual about sexual sin as we often are about the foods we eat.

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6:15-17 (NLT) Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

We cannot even begin to comprehend the seriousness of sexual sin!

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6:18 (NKJ) Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Lord, I want this to be a guiding truth and instruction in my life.

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6:20 (NKJ) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Praise Jesus for His mighty sacrifice and praise God for His sacrifice in sending His Son!

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 5 -- Sunday, 8/17

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 5 on your own at least one time. (It is a pretty short chapter.) As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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5:1 (NLT) I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.

Lord, help me to abstain always from sexual immorality.

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5:1 (NKJ) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!

As Christians and as the church, we shouldn't even be struggling with the same kinds of sin as the world. There should be a stark difference.

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5:2 (NLT) You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.

This is description of how we should feel when we discover people involved in sin. We should feel sorrow because we know the person has hurt himself and disappointed the Lord. We should feel shame because the body of Christ has been discredited in some sense.

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5:5 (NKJ) deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Thank you Lord that even when we have shameful sin, your heart and desire is to redeem us and restore us.

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5:7 (NLT) Get rid of the old “yeast” by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.

Churches should have a high standard when accepting believers into their fellowship.

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5:9-11 (NKJ) I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 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. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

Note that there are two distinct standards that determine our behavior toward those who are Christians and those who are not.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 4 -- Saturday, 8/16

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

By the way, sometimes there are blue comments (remember blue indicates a prayer that I feel prompted to pray as a result of something I read in Scripture) that are very personal and omit them from this public blog. There is one in today's posting. When I come to those, I will list the Scripture and then just record 'personal note'. Perhaps me including the verse will prompt you to look more closely to see if there is a 'personal note' that you need to make in your journal.

Let's get started...

Today, read 1 Corinthians 4 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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4:1 (NLT) So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.

Personal Note.

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4:3-4 (NLT) As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

No servant should feel good or bad about his service based on what others say or even his or her own evaluation. We should look for approval only from God.

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4:5 (NLT) So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

All of our true motives for serving God will be revealed.

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4:6 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.

Lord, help the leaders of our church to always be unified and as leaders, help us to lead as one.

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4:7 (NLT) For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

Lord, thank you for all you have given... opportunities to serve, resources, skills, gifts, desires. I can't boast about any of these things because they all come from you!

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4:10a (NLT) Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools...

Lord, remind me that sometimes serving you means humbling myself and letting others think poorly of me.

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4:12b-13 (NLT) ... We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.

I need to learn to be patient and humble when mistreated or spoken of in an evil manner. I need to remember that it is not all about me.

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4:16 (NKJ) Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

Lord, help me to be a person who can say, "Imitate my integrity, my passion for the Lord, my patience, my humility, and my sacrifice.

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4:21 (NLT) Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

A pastor/leader sometimes must fulfil one of these two important roles.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 2-3 -- Friday, 8/15

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Let's get started...

Yesterday I did just one chapter of 1 Corinthians. Today I have done two. Some will ask the question... "How much should I read each day?"

It doesn't hurt to have a designated amount of reading you are committed to, but I usually just read until I'm full. Some sections of Scripture will have much more to say to me at certain times of my life than others. So I'll slow down in those sections. Some sections will be lighter and I can speed up.

Yesterday, I felt there was a great deal that God had to say to me about 1 Corinthians 1. Today, not so much in 1 Corinthians 2, so I went on the 1 Corinthians 3. It is really just a feel that you develop over time.

Today, read 1 Corinthians 2-3 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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2:2 (NKJ) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The main point of preaching is to exalt Christ and herald His crucifixion.

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2:4 (NLT) And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, may this always describe my preaching ministry. Show me where I stray from this standard.

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2:4-5 (NKJ) And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Conviction comes not through the persuasive words of the preacher but through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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2:10 (NKJ) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

2:12 (NKJ) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

It is the Spirit of God who teaches us the mysteries of the faith.

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2:14 (NKJ) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

A solid walk with God is essential to really understanding Scripture. It is not only an academic pursuit, but a spiritual pursuit.

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3:3 (NKJ) for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

What is the sign of a carnal person? Envy, strife, divisions.

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3:8 (NKJ) Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Everyone has a different role in the Kingdom.

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3:13 (NLT) But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

I must be very careful that the service I do is with the right motive, has the right foundation, and is done in a biblical manner.

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3:16 (NKJ) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Thank you Lord that you have given me the Holy Spirit to be my constant companion, to teach me the mysteries of God and to convict me of sin.

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3:23 (NLT) and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Thank you Lord that I am a part of the family of God.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

1 Corinthians 1 -- Thursday, 8/14

Have you first read all three parts of the introduction to this blog?

Let's get started...

Read 1 Corinthians 1 on your own at least one time. As you read, make notes in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible. Record all of the insights God gives you. Don't read my remarks until you have first done this yourself.

Here are the insights I wrote down along with the verses they go with...

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1:3 (NKJ) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that grace comes from God and God alone, but we need to be reminded that the source of real peace in life is also God and God alone.

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1:3 (NLT) May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

We need grace to die. We need peace to live. Grace makes it possible for us to die without fear and anxiety. Peace makes it possible to live without fear and anxiety.

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1:7 (NLT) Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has given my church every spiritual gift we need. I must learn to help people discover their gifts and then get them to use them. When we have a deficit of servants in some area of the church, it is caused not by a lack of people, but by a lack of use of already present spiritual gifts.

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1:8 (NLT) He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Thank you Lord for keeping me strong and faithful. Thank you for the eternal security I enjoy.

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1:9 (NLT) God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thank you Lord that you are a God who keeps your promises.

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1:10 (NKJ) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

I need to look for ways that I can build unity among those in our church. It is a priority.

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1:11 (NKJ) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Lord, please don't let me ever be a person who is known for bringing division in your Kingdom or your church.

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1:17 (NLT) For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.

My role as pastor is not to impress people with clever speech, but to exalt Christ and tell the story of the cross.

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1:21 (NKJ) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

While preaching God's Word may not be in vogue and may not seem relevant or hip to some, it pleases God to work through the preached Word.

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1:23 (NLT) So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

Preaching on Christ and His crucifixion has never been popular.

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1:30 (NLT) God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

Thank you Lord for salvation. Thank you that you have made me right with God... that you have made me pure, holy, and free from the power and penalty of sin.

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Don't forget to spend time in prayer... CHAT...

Pastor Noel

Introduction -- Part III

The format of these will probably change a little day-by-day until I figure out how to do this in the most helpful way.

I use a parallel Bible that has the NKJ and the NLT (2nd edition) together. Some of my comments refer to specific wording found in the NLT that may not as clearly seen in the NKJ or NIV. So if something doesn't seem at first to match, you may have to just dig a little deeper.

I have decided to begin to mark things with four different color pens...

• Black -- General insights the Lord shows me as I read.
• Blue -- Specific things I need to do.
• Red -- Things I need to be thankful for.
• Green -- Prayers I need to pray.

I will list each day the notes that I write in the margin of my Bible (you can do this with a notebook if you don't have a very wide margin Bible), and I will indicate with colors the category my remarks fall into.

My suggestion is that you begin by praying and asking God to give you clear insight into what you are about to read, then begin reading and marking. Once you complete the same section of Scripture that I have done and have recorded your own thoughts, then read the remarks that I have recorded to see if those help you have a greater understanding. (Don't read my remarks first. If you do, it will short circuit the process of discovery that God wants to take you through.) Once you have done this for a few weeks, you will excel at hearing the Lord speak through His Word (which, sadly, is something most Christians never learn)!

Pastor Noel

Introduction -- Part II

If you haven't read 'Introduction -- Part I' then you should stop and read that first.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your daily devotions or quiet times...

• Read the Bible -- This may seem obvious, but many people lean to much on devotional books. Those may be helpful, but it is important that we read God's Word and not just what someone says about God's Word. I suggest you use a Bible that is easy for you to read, especially if you are just getting started in your quiet times.
  

• Use a Notebook & Pen -- You should write down the things you learn during your devotional time. When you go to an important meeting with your boss you write down what he or she says, why not treat your meeting with the Lord each morning with the same seriousness.

• Mark in your Bible -- If your Bible has large enough margins, jot notes about what you discover. These will be very useful to you through the years. Develop a system that uses colored pens or pencils. I write things I learn and new insights I discover in black ink. I use blue ink to write things I learn that I should begin to do... action lessons. When I find things I should be thankful for or things that I should praise God for, I mark them with red ink. If your Bible doesn't have wide enough margins for this, you can put little numbers next to the passages you want to jot a note about and then write the corresponding number in your notebook and record your thoughts there.

• Find a good place -- It is best to have a certain time and place where you have your daily devotions. This should be a place free of distractions.
  

• Focus on Faithfulness -- Your faithfulness is much more important than the length of time you spend each day. While you don't want to rush through this, and spending more time will certainly be better, the most important thing is that this is a DAILY habit.

• Keep a Prayer Journal -- Whether it is in your Bible Study notebook or in a separate journal, you should write down the things you want to pray for. A simple list is better than nothing, but the more specific you record this, the more helpful it will be to you.

• Have a CHAT with the Lord -- The best way I know to outline your prayers is to use the acronym C-H-A-T. C stands for Confession. H stands for Honor. A stands for Asking. T stands for Thanksgiving. I use this daily to guide my morning prayers.

Well, we will get started tomorrow.

Pastor Noel

Introduction -- Part I

Last Sunday morning I was preaching on the Parable of the Soils from Mark 4. One of the points I was emphasizing was the importance of getting God's Word into your life. Many people expose themselves to God's Word by casually attending a church service from time to time or by flipping through their Bibles when they feel like it. Others will occasionally read Christian books or magazines. But none of these activities really qualifies as getting the Word of God into your life as the Parable of Soils pictures for us.

Sunday I compared our 'exposure' to God's Word to a hot, tired, athlete who is about to die of thirst being splashed with water from a hose. Initially the splash might seem refreshing, but it will not be satisfying. No! The hot, tired, thirsty athlete does not need to be splashed with water, he needs to drink the water. The only way he can be satisfied and renewed is to take the water in his body!

In the message I shared several ways a person can take God's Word into his or her life. One of the most important ways is through a daily time of Bible Study and Prayer. Often we call this a 'Quiet Time.' It consists of sitting down each morning with a Bible, a notebook, and a pen, and then spending time the Lord. I believe this practice is invaluable and essential in the Christian life.

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. --- Psalms 143:8 NKJ

Every time I speak about having these 'quiet times', many people have questions about how to get started, how to be consistent, how to make it more effective, and so on...

If you have questions like that, I want to be helpful in a couple of ways. First, we are starting a series of Saturday morning discipleship seminars beginning in September. One of these seminars is specifically designed to answer these 'quiet time' questions. But more on that later.

The second help I want to give is to share my 'quiet time' routine with you each morning. For some, this might be a good example that you can learn from and then adapt it to your own 'quiet time' routine. Others may want to follow along with me and use this as a primitive devotional guide for a time.

I'm not sure how long I will do this (your level of interest will determine that), but at least for the next couple of months, after my morning quiet times, I will post a blog with the Scripture that I have studied, the insights that God has shown me in that Scripture passage, along with some added comments that might guide you in your own quiet time experience. Most mornings I can have this post done early. Fridays and Saturdays may be the exception, but I should still get them posted before nine o'clock.

I will start this quiet time blog posting this Thursday (8/14). My QT (Quiet Time) will begin in 1 Corinthians that morning.

I hope you will check it out. If you decide to use this in anyway with your quiet time routine, let me know and keep me posted with how it is going.

If this seems helpful to you at all, pass the word!

Pastor Noel