“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT). Paul’s love chapter (1 Cor. 13) is one of the most wonderful descriptions of “agape” love found in any literature in human history. Yet, love’s lofty attributes are beyond mortal humanity absent the Spirit which inspired
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body” (1 Corinthians 12:18-20 NLT). It is the Lord that gives out spiritual gifts to those who have
“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:23 NLT). The apostle Paul’s teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper was faithfully passed on from the Lord to the church at Corinth. Paul reminded them that his authority as an apostle came from the Lord, as did his message. Having
‘I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?”’ (Nehemiah 13:11 NLT). After Nehemiah completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, he was recalled by King Artaxerxes. When he obtained leave from the king and returned to Jerusalem, he found that those he had left in charge had
“When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ? And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 NLT). The
“Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23 NLT). The apostle Paul described his approach to sharing the gospel as becoming “a slave to everyone, in order to win more people”
“Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their
“Be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT). Our freedom in Christ does not relieve us of our responsibility to lovingly consider others, especially new believers. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he was concerned about those who felt free to eat meat
‘The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you”‘ (Psalm 32:8 NLT). David reminds us in this psalm that the Lord offers to lead, guide, and direct us. He says don’t be like a mule that needs a bit and bridle to
“Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin” (Proverbs 21:4 NLT). This proverbs speaks to the reality that sin is more than an action, but is preceded by an attitude and heart condition. Jesus addressed this reality in the Sermon on the Mount when he connected the prohibitions of the Decalogue with