Tag Archives: Paul

Pay it forward when you can (2 Corinthians 9), Apr 9, 2015

Today’s Podcast

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 9
Set – Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9
Go! – 1 Samuel 6-7; Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9
¹ There’s nothing further I could add about your efforts for God’s people in Judea. ² I know you are ready. I bragged on you throughout Macedonia, telling them how the people in Achaia have been prepared since last year; and your passion has been contagious. ³ Still I thought it would be best to send these brothers and sisters ahead to help you finish the final details so all my bragging wouldn’t be for nothing. ⁴ If some of the Macedonians decide to travel with me, all of us would be more than embarrassed if we arrived and you weren’t ready to give after the way we’ve been going on about you. ⁵ So to help you get your previously promised gift ready, it made sense to me to ask the brothers and sisters to go on ahead so you will have all the time you need to put it together as planned and so it doesn’t look thrown together or coerced.

⁶ But I will say this to encourage your generosity: the one who plants little harvests little, and the one who plants plenty harvests plenty. ⁷ Giving grows out of the heart—otherwise, you’ve reluctantly grumbled “yes” because you felt you had to or because you couldn’t say “no,” but this isn’t the way God wants it. For we know that “God loves a cheerful giver.” ⁸ God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. ⁹ Remember what is written about the One who trusts in the Lord:

He scattered abroad; He gave freely to the poor;
His righteousness endures throughout the ages.
¹⁰ The same One who has put seed into the hands of the sower and brought bread to fill our stomachs will provide and multiply the resources you invest and produce an abundant harvest from your righteous actions. ¹¹ You will be made rich in everything so that your generosity will spill over in every direction. Through us your generosity is at work inspiring praise and thanksgiving to God. ¹² For this mission will do more than bring food and water to fellow believers in need—it will overflow in a cascade of praises and thanksgivings for our God. ¹³ When this mission reaches Jerusalem and meets with the approval of God’s people there, they will give glory to God because your confession of the gospel of the Anointed One led to obedient action and your generous sharing with them and with all exhibited your sincere concern. ¹⁴ Because of the extraordinary grace of God at work in you, they will pray for you and long for you. ¹⁵ Praise God for this incredible, unbelievable, indescribable gift!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The people in Jerusalem didn’t know about Paul’s mission to bring funds and needed supplies back to them. Paul sent emissaries ahead of him on his journey to tell of the offering he would take back to those struggling against the powers of Rome and the leaders of Judaism trying to destroy the fledgling congregation in the city. They needed help and needed it badly.

Paul intended to enlist the help of those who had extra and could still gain funds and needed supplies to help the Christians in Jerusalem survive. Persecution from Rome had not yet spread across the entire empire, but was very heated in this constantly rebellious area called Israel. The people refused to bow to Caesar. They refused to recognize the gods of the Roman people. They failed to make necessary sacrifices to the pagan gods of the nations that defeated and occupied their tiny nation. The Jews were a stubborn people who believed only I could help them.

Now the rebellion spread further with the preaching about Jesus rising from the dead. The Jews had someone to blame the rebellion on and didn’t hesitate to name the band of Christians as the culprits leading the revolt against Rome. They knew it to be false, but it was a way to get rid of this band of believers… Or so they thought.

Paul persecuted these same men and women earlier. He was part of that pack of leaders standing around Stephen approving of his stoning. His transformation at My hand on the road to Damascus was genuine, though. He saw the errors of his past. He wanted to make restitution for the wrongs he committed and so used his influence to raise funds on his mission trips to help those persecuted in Jerusalem.

Do you have wrongs you can make right? Do you need to make restitution for things in your past? Can you reach out with your influence to come to the aid of others and pay forward for the grace I’ve extended to you? That’s what Paul did with his collections for the Christians in Jerusalem. Many have followed his example through the centuries. How about you?

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God notices your generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-15), Apr 8, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Set – 1 Samuel 3; 2 Corinthians 8
Go! – 1 Samuel 3-5; Psalms 77; 2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1-15
¹ Now, brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the amazing gift of God’s grace that’s happening throughout the churches in Macedonia. ² Even in the face of severe anguish and hard times, their elation and poverty have overflowed into a wealth of generosity. ³ I watched as they willingly gave what they could afford and then went beyond to give even more. ⁴ They came to us on their own, begging to take part in this work of grace to support the poor saints in Judea. ⁵ We were so overwhelmed—none of us expected their reaction—that they truly turned their lives over to the Lord and then gave themselves to support us in our work as we answer the call of God. ⁶ That’s why we asked Titus to finish what he started among you regarding this gracious work of charity. ⁷ Just as you are rich in everything—in faith and speech, in knowledge and all sincerity, and in the love we have shown among you[a]—now I ask you to invest richly in this gracious work too. ⁸ I am not going to command you, but I am going to offer you the chance to prove your love genuine in the same way others have done. ⁹ You know the grace that has come to us through our Lord Jesus the Anointed. He set aside His infinite riches and was born into the lowest circumstance so that you may gain great riches through His humble poverty. ^10-11 Listen, it’s been a year since we called your attention to this opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace, so here’s my advice: pull together your resources and finish what you started.

Remember how excited you were at first; it’s time to complete this task in the same spirit. ¹² Now if there is a willingness to help, give within your means. That’s perfectly acceptable. No one expects you to go without or borrow to give. ^13-14 The objective is not to go under so others will have some relief; the objective is to use this opportunity today to supply their needs out of your abundance. One day it may be the other way around, and they will need to supply your needs from what they have. That’s equality. ¹⁵ As it is written, “The one who gathered plenty didn’t have more than he needed; the one who gathered little didn’t have less.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Let’s talk about giving. Paul encourages the Corinthians to give an offering to the Christians in other parts of the world in need. He assumes the Corinthians will give their tithes to the place where they worship and that congregation will take care of each other within their means. The church in Jerusalem, the incubator of the church, found itself in deep trouble, however.

By this time, Rome’s leaders had begun applying intense pressure on all the religions that did not adhere to the beliefs of Rome. The rebellious Jews, Christians, and mystics that sprang up around their empire created immense pressure on the throne and Caesar’s procurators, governors, and military leaders did everything they could to stop the growing uprising around the empire.

Christians in Israel’s capital city found themselves blamed for everything going wrong in the country regardless of the source of the problem. I let those things happen to allow the dispersion of Christians throughout the world, but it was no less painful for those who suffered through the pain inflicted upon them by the citizenry and soldiers in Jerusalem.

Consequently, the Christians in Jerusalem needed help from their brothers and sisters elsewhere. They could get no jobs in Jerusalem. They lost all their funds, their homes and property. They gave up everything to follow Me. They did it gladly, but like all people, they wanted to survive and living in Jerusalem made survival difficult. But even escaping the city required resources they didn’t have. The offerings of their brothers and sisters in Christ were important to them.

So, Paul raised offerings for them wherever he went on his mission journeys. His approach is one you should remember. I don’t ask you to take out loans to fund My work. I don’t ask you to become a pauper. I ask you to give from your abundance. What does that mean? Give up some of the things that are just wants, not needs. Give up your toys, your extras, the things you can do without for the good of the kingdom, for the aid of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

One day you may need help, but when you give generously to others, it multiplies and returns to you as a harvest. You will find rewards in many ways when you give from your heart to the benefit of My children. Show them My love through your generosity.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Let your feelings show (2 Corinthians 6:1-13), Apr 6, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Set – Ruth 3-4; 2 Corinthians 6
Go! – Ruth 3-4; Psalms 64-65; 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:1-13
¹ As for those of us working as His emissaries, we beg you not to take the grace of God lightly. ² For God says through Isaiah,

When the time was right, I listened to you;
and that day you were delivered, I was your help.
Look, now the time is right! See, your day of deliverance is here! ³ We are careful in what we teach so that our words won’t be a stumbling block and so that no one will discredit our ministry. ⁴ But as God’s servants, we commend ourselves in every situation. So that with great endurance we persevere even in anguish and hardship. We have been cornered by the enemy ⁵ suffering beatings, imprisonments, uproars, toil, sleeplessness, and starvation. ⁶ And by the Holy Spirit with purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and sincerest love we have proved ourselves. ⁷ Now with the voice of truth and power of God—armed on the right and armed on the left with righteousness from God—we continue. ⁸ Whether respected or loathed, praised or criticized as frauds, yet true, ⁹ as unknown to this world, and yet well known to God, we serve Him. We are treated as dying and yet we live, as punished and yet we are not executed. ¹⁰ Though we are sorrowful, we continually rejoice. As the poorest of the poor, we bring richness to all, and though we have nothing, we possess all things.

¹¹ Corinthians, we have been completely open to you. We’ve exposed the truth, holding nothing back while our hearts open wide to take you in. ¹² We have revealed our affection toward you—though it’s obvious you have a hard time showing your affection toward us. ¹³ If I could offer some fatherly advice: open yourselves up as children; share your hearts with us as we have done for you.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul does something few will do today in their spiritual journey. He opens himself up to the people in the small congregation and bares his heart to them. In society today, too many hold back their heart and fail to allow themselves to reveal their spirit to those around them. They fear becoming vulnerable because someone might take advantage of the information they share.

Paul on the other hand, tells all. Needless to say, he doesn’t give intimate details of intimate relationships, but as to his spiritual journey, his life is an open book for others to examine. His sins are laid out for all to see so that they might also see the forgiveness he received from My hand. His past is apparent so others might know the dramatic change that came into his life because of My spirit living in him.

The façade many in the church put up today to give the impression that all is well too often causes those facing struggles in life to think something is wrong with their walk with Me. They feel defeated because they look at someone else with a mask on their face and assume they must not have the faith or courage they need. They allow themselves to fall and fail because they get their eyes on people with facades instead of seeing the real hurt that would be there if those around them let their real feelings show.

As Christians, you need to become vulnerable to assist those around you. You need to let others see the struggles you have and the way I am helping you through those trials. Especially when younger Christians see the way in which you handle struggles by leaning on Me, it will encourage them to know they are not unique in their struggles in life. They will know they are on still on the path of righteousness as they work through their burdens in life.

Paul says to open yourself up as children. Take some time and watch young children at play and with their parents. They are never afraid to let their feelings show. You see excitement on their faces. When they fall down, they are not afraid to cry. When they find something new, you see the joy explode in their smiles. Their feelings are evident in their expressions and their actions.

Watch the little children and learn to express yourself with the same freedom they enjoy. Become vulnerable as children to reach out to others and share My love, My freedom, My story to others. Your life will become a mirror of My love to those around you as you do.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Listen to the truth (2 Corinthians 4), Apr 4, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Corinthians 4
Set – Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4
Go! – Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4
¹ Since we are joined together in this ministry as a result of the mercy shown to all of us by God, we do not become discouraged. ² Instead, we have renounced all the things that hide in shame; we refuse to live deceptively or use trickery; we do not pollute God’s Word with any other agenda. Instead, we aim to tell the truth plainly, appealing to the conscience of every person under God’s watchful eye. ³ Now if our gospel remains veiled, it is only veiled from those who are lost and dying, ⁴ because the evil god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. As a result the light of the good news, the radiant glory of the Anointed—who is the very image of God—cannot shine down on them. ⁵ We do not preach about ourselves. The subject of all our sermons is Jesus, the Anointed One. He is Lord and Master of all. For Jesus’ sake we are here to serve you. ⁶ The God who spoke light into existence, saying, “Let light shine from the darkness,” is the very One who sets our hearts ablaze to shed light on the knowledge of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus, the Anointed One.

⁷ But this beautiful treasure is contained in us—cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us. ⁸ We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. ⁹ We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our bodies the reality of the brutal death and suffering of Jesus. As a result, His resurrection life rises and reveals its wondrous power in our bodies as well. ¹¹ For while we live, we are constantly handed over to death on account of Jesus so that His life may be revealed even in our mortal bodies of flesh. ¹² So death is constantly at work in us, but life is working in you.

¹³ We share the same spirit of faith as the one who wrote the psalm, “I believed; therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and that belief leads us to acknowledge ¹⁴ that the same God who resurrected the Lord Jesus will raise us with Jesus and will usher us all together into His presence. ¹⁵ All of this is happening for your good. As grace is spread to the multitudes, there is a growing sound of thanks being uttered by those relishing in the glory of God.

¹⁶ So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. ¹⁷ You see, the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. ¹⁸ So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting; it will eventually fade away. Instead, we focus on the things we cannot see, which live on and on.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I appreciate the words Paul penned in this section of his letter to the church at Corinth. It applied to them, but applies so much more to many of the pulpits today. I hear far too many sermons about today’s politics, crime rates, or even television programs. What I want to hear are sermons about the truth, My word.

Preaching about anything else allows twists and turns of opinion, deceit, and deception that My enemies use to blind people’s eyes to the truth and keep them from Me. My desire is that all would come to a saving knowledge of Me. But as long as the truth remains hidden from them, people will not hear the truth of My salvation. They will hear only the drivel the world spouts from the multitude of voices it shouts at you from everywhere.

What Paul tells his readers is what I want from every church. “Renounce all the things that hide in shame; refuse to live deceptively or use trickery; do not pollute My Word with any other agenda. Instead, aim to tell the truth plainly, appealing to the conscience of every person under My watchful eye.”

I’m tired of shades of truth. I’m tired of things that almost sound like My word. I’m tired of your agenda instead of Mine in worship. I’m tired of the thousands around the world that wear My name playing church without knowing My truth or understanding what it cost Me or what it costs you to follow Me. Engage the word and hear the truth. If you sit under a preacher who bends the truth to suit the politics of the day or the trend of the times, find a new preacher. My word doesn’t change. I’m the same past, present, and future. So is My word.

Hear the truth. Know the truth. Live the truth. My truth.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

What will your new body be? (2 Corinthians 3:7-18), Apr 3, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Set – Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3
Go! – Judges 17-18; Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3:7-18
⁷ Now consider this: if the ministry of death, which was chiseled in stone, came with so much glory that the Israelites could not bear to look at Moses’ face even as that glory was fading, ⁸ imagine the kind of greater glory that will accompany the ministry of the Spirit. ⁹ If glory ushered in the ministry that offers condemnation, how much more glory will attend the ministry that promises to restore and set the world right? ¹⁰ In fact, what seemed to have great glory will appear entirely inglorious in the light of the greater glory of the new covenant. ¹¹ If something that fades away possesses glory, how much more intense is the glory of what remains?

¹² In light of this hope that we have, we act with great confidence and speak with great courage. ¹³ We do not act like Moses who covered his face with a veil so the children of Israel would not stare as the glory of God faded from his face. ¹⁴ Their minds became as hard as stones; for up to this day when they read the old covenant, the same veil continues to hide that glory; this veil is lifted only through the Anointed One. ¹⁵ Even today a veil covers their hearts when the words of Moses are read; ¹⁶ but in the moment when one turns toward the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ By “the Lord” what I mean is the Spirit, and in any heart where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is liberty. ¹⁸ Now all of us, with our faces unveiled, reflect the glory of the Lord as if we are mirrors; and so we are being transformed, metamorphosed, into His same image from one radiance of glory to another, just as the Spirit of the Lord accomplishes it.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Most of you probably haven’t seen a caterpillar turn into a butterfly since you saw a film in grade school. Few have watched the miracle of the metamorphosis in person today. And fewer still could contemplate that I could turn that caterpillar into something as beautiful as the winged creature that breaks out of that cocoon at just the right time to float on the breeze in all its beauty.

Paul tries to describe the change My children experience as they transform into what I want you to become. You will become as different as the caterpillar is from the butterfly. The world will not recognize the old you, but will see the beauty of My spirit in you instead. They will see the changed created by the metamorphosis you undertake if you let Me transform your heart and mind into the person I made you to be.

Then when I come again and take you to be with Me forever, you will transform physically into your spiritual bodies, more radiant and glorious that your human language can describe. There are no words in any human tongue that can begin to explain the heavenly bodies you will inherit when you come to live with Me. People have tried, but it’s impossible for you to do so.

But really, what does it matter. Just know that you will live with Me. I have more in store for you. You will enjoy your new life, your new home, your new body. You won’t care what it looks like. You’ll just enjoy being with Me and your fellow believers in heaven. You’ll enjoy having all your questions answered. You’ll enjoy the fellowship of those that though the centuries put their trust in Me.

And that will be enough.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Be generous in your praise and everything else (1 Corinthians 16:5-18), Mar 31, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 16:5-18
Set – Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16
Go! – Judges 9-10; Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:5-18
⁵ Get ready. I will come your way after traveling through Macedonia. For I’m just passing through Macedonia ⁶ and will probably stay with you through the winter so that you may provide for my next journey (wherever that may be). ⁷ I want to reconnect with you, not just pass through; if the Lord is willing, I hope to stay awhile. ⁸ But until Pentecost, I plan to stay in Ephesus ⁹ because, not only has God opened a significant door here for me to serve, but also there is a lot of opposition against me.

¹⁰ If Timothy comes, see that he is comfortable and untroubled; his work is the Lord’s, as is mine. ¹¹ No one should treat him badly. Send him on to meet me in peace because the brothers and sisters here and I are looking for him. ¹² You shouldn’t expect to see our brother Apollos, although I tried to persuade him to come to you with the rest of the brothers and sisters, because now is not the best time for him to come. When it’s his time, he will come.

¹³ Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong. ¹⁴ Let love prevail in your life, words, and actions.

¹⁵ Finally, brothers and sisters, I call on you to follow your leaders. People like those in the house of Stephanas—you know they were among the first believers in Achaia, and they have devoted their lives to serving God’s people— ¹⁶ I urge you to submit to the authority of such leaders, to every coworker, and to those who offer their backs and shoulders for the work. ¹⁷ I celebrate the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as they have supplied me with what you could not. ¹⁸ They have been a breath of fresh air for me as I know they are for you, so respect and honor those like them.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Paul does something at the end of this letter as he does in most of his letters that too many people forget to do today. Pay attention to his words. In the very last words he gives gratitude for his co-workers in the faith. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are pointed out as men to follow, respect, and honor. He gives glowing remarks to these men who labor with him in building My church in trying times.

In an age in which everyone seems to look out for number one, grabbing all the attention and glory for themselves, it’s important see how My servants do things. They point not to themselves, but to others. They give credit for their success first to Me and then to those around them. They brag on the success and talents of others and put them in the limelight instead of themselves.

Generosity goes a long way in this world and the next. It goes against everything the world teaches, but it is a principle in My book that works every time. A seed that’s planted in the ground and forgotten brings a harvest. Love given away brings love in return. Kindness extended to others reaps kindness multiplied. When good things are hoarded for oneself, you’ll find they decay and disappear in the closets of your life. When they are given for others to share and benefit from them, they return multiplied, just like the seeds planted for harvests.

The world will try to convince you otherwise, but My plan always works. The world’s plan doesn’t. Remember, I created the world and all the rules and principles that make it work. You can try to manipulate those rules all you want, but ultimately, they are still My rules and they will work the way I intend them to work. Just as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, My principles are just as steadfast and true. You can’t get past them.

So try doing what Paul does. Give away the credit to others. Share the glory with those around you. Let generosity rule your life and hold on tightly to only the relationships in your life. Let everything else just rest loosely on your outstretched palms and let Me use whatever you have for the good of others. You’ll be surprised at what happens in your life. You’ll be awed by the increase in your joy, your contentment, your comfort, your peace of mind. You will be overwhelmed by the real meaning that comes to your life when you let go of it and live for Me.

Let generosity be the new watchword for your life this week and see what happens.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Seeds, trees, bodies, and more (1 Corinthians 15:35-58), Mar 30, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Set – Psalms 42; 1 Corinthians 15
Go! – Judges 8; Psalms 42; 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:35-58
³⁵ Now I know what some of you are thinking: “Just how are the dead going to be raised? What kind of bodies will they have when they come back to life?” ³⁶ Don’t be a fool! The seed you plant doesn’t produce life unless it dies. Right? ³⁷ The seed doesn’t have the same look, the same body, if you will, of what it will have once it starts to grow. It starts out a single, naked seed—whether wheat or some other grain, it doesn’t matter— ³⁸ and God gives to that seed a body just as He has desired. For each of the different kinds of seeds God prepares a unique body. ³⁹ Or look at it this way: not all flesh is the same. Right? There is skin flesh on humans, furry flesh on animals, feathery flesh on birds, and scaly flesh on fish. ⁴⁰ Likewise there are bodies made for the heavens and bodies made for the earth. The heavenly bodies have a different kind of glory or luminescence compared to bodies below. ⁴¹ Even among the heavenly bodies, there is a different level of brilliance: the sun shines differently than the moon, the moon differently than the stars, and the stars themselves differ in their brightness.

⁴² It’s like this with the resurrection of those who have died. The body planted in the earth decays. But the body raised from the earth cannot decay. ⁴³ The body is planted in disgrace and weakness. But the body is raised in splendor and power. ⁴⁴ The body planted in the earth was animated by the physical, material realm. But the body raised from the earth will be animated by the spiritual. Since there is a physical, material body, there will also be a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ That’s why it was written, “The first man Adam became a living soul”; the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ Everything has an order. The body is not animated first by the spiritual but the physical; then the spiritual becomes its life-giving source. ⁴⁷ The first man, Adam, came from the earth and was made from dust; the second man, Jesus, has come from heaven. ⁴⁸ The earth man shares his earth nature with all those made of earth; likewise the heavenly man shares His heavenly nature with all those made of heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we have carried the image of the earth man in our bodies, we will also carry the image of the heavenly man in our new bodies at the resurrection.

⁵⁰ Now listen to this: brothers and sisters, this present body is not able to inherit the kingdom of God any more than decay can inherit that which lasts forever. ⁵¹ Stay close because I am going to tell you a mystery—something you may have trouble understanding: we will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be transformed. ⁵² It will all happen so fast, in a blink, a mere flutter of the eye. The last trumpet will call, and the dead will be raised from their graves with a body that does not, cannot decay. All of us will be changed! ⁵³ We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life. ⁵⁴ And, when we are all redressed with bodies that do not, cannot decay, when we put immortality over our mortal frames, then it will be as Scripture says:

Life everlasting has victoriously swallowed death.
⁵⁵ Hey, Death! What happened to your big win?
Hey, Death! What happened to your sting?
⁵⁶ Sin came into this world, and death’s sting followed. Then sin took aim at the law and gained power over those who follow the law. ⁵⁷ Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, who brought us victory over the grave.

⁵⁸ My dear brothers and sisters, stay firmly planted—be unshakable—do many good works in the name of God, and know that all your labor is not for nothing when it is for God.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Since the resurrection on that first Easter morning, My followers wondered what their spiritual bodies would be like. Many speculate on the substance, shape, and size of something you cannot comprehend. I returned after the resurrection in a form all of My disciples could understand, in a way. Even then, My form was incomprehensible. I appeared behind closed doors, yet didn’t fit their criteria for their legends of ghosts and spirits. I appeared as flesh and blood with scars in My hands, feet, and side. I ate and those around Me could see Me, talk to Me, hear Me. Yet I came at went at will at distances the people of those times could not understand.

Paul glimpsed a piece of heaven and the spiritual bodies there when I met him on the road to Damascus. What he saw, he could not describe. Ezekiel caught a glimpse of My glory and words failed him when he tried to describe the scene. John tried his best to describe the throne room of heaven, but couldn’t begin to share the splendor of his vision with the limitation of the words in his vocabulary.

Paul’s description to settle the questions of early believers provides some thought and insight into just how difficult it is for you to comprehend something to incredible to begin to understand. The best Paul could do is share the change that happens between seeds and the plants they produce. It’s a good analogy, though.

From a tiny acorn, I produce the mighty oak tree. To look at that small seed, the size of the end of your finger, I grow something you could never imagine it housing. I talked about a mustard seed, barely visible, that produces a plant in which birds build their nests. Who would dream it could happen.

Now imagine your bit of creation dust as the physical casing of that spiritual body Paul talks about. The body that seed produces at the final resurrection of the dead is as incomprehensible as those scenes that Paul and John saw of heaven. If I tried to describe those new bodies to you, you could not comprehend them. Just know that there awaits those who trust in Me new bodies, spiritual bodies, unlike anything you know.

You will know each other. You will know Me. You will live forever. You will experience no pain or suffering. You will know no night or darkness. You will labor in love as I created you. You will worship Me throughout eternity as I intended at creation. All things will become new. Indescribable. Incomprehensible. Paul says earlier in his letter, “Now you see as through a darkened, distorted piece of glass, but then you will see and know clearly even as I have known you throughout your life.

Don’t worry about what the next life will be like or what kind of body you will have. It doesn’t really matter. Just know that you’ll like it…But only if you love Me more.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Love is a choice, not an emotion (1 Corinthians 13), Mar 28, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 13
Set – Psalms 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13
Go! – Judges 4-5; Psalms 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13
¹ What if I speak in the most elegant languages of people or in the exotic languages of the heavenly messengers, but I live without love? Well then, anything I say is like the clanging of brass or a crashing cymbal. ² What if I have the gift of prophecy, am blessed with knowledge and insight to all the mysteries, or what if my faith is strong enough to scoop a mountain from its bedrock, yet I live without love? If so, I am nothing. ³ I could give all that I have to feed the poor, I could surrender my body to be burned as a martyr, but if I do not live in love, I gain nothing by my selfless acts.

⁴ Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; ⁵ it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs ⁶ or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! ⁷ Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. ⁸ Love will never become obsolete. Now as for the prophetic gifts, they will not last; unknown languages will become silent, and the gift of knowledge will no longer be needed. ⁹ Gifts of knowledge and prophecy are partial at best, at least for now, ¹⁰ but when the perfection and fullness of God’s kingdom arrive, all the parts will end. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke, thought, and reasoned in childlike ways as we all do. But when I became a man, I left my childish ways behind. ¹² For now, we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things, as when we stare into polished metal. I realize that everything I know is only part of the big picture. But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face-to-face. In that day, I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God. ¹³ But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Listen carefully. This is what it’s all about. I created humankind to have loving relationships with Me and with each other. The church is all about love. My coming in human flesh and dying on the cross is all about My love for you. The entirety of the Bible echoes My love for My highest creation and My plan to redeem fallen humankind.

Today’s problem is that love has been hijacked by the entertainment world and made it something I never meant it to become. The cheap lust that the world substitutes for real love continues to pull people, young and old, into its clutches. But My intentions for men and women were much higher than the temporary pleasures Satan uses to tempt lost souls.

Read Paul’s description of real love in several different translations and let its meaning soak into your heart. Understand what I want from you as you relate to one another. I want you to love Me and love one another with the conscious, deliberate love Paul describes. It’s not an emotion, it’s an action. It’s a decision you make when you love one another. Here’s that description again to show you it’s not an emotion.

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love isn’t envious, doesn’t boast, brag, or strut about. There’s no arrogance in love; it’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed. Love isn’t easily upset. Love doesn’t tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. Love will never become obsolete.”

I gave Paul these words because love is an action, a practice, a purpose, a choice you make every day with those around you. You can love your spouse, children, and family. You can love your brothers and sisters in Christ. You can also love your enemies. How? Because love is a choice, an action, a purpose, a practice you exercise each day. With My help, there is no one you cannot love. And remember what I told you in My word. If you cannot love your brother whom you can see, you cannot love Me whom you cannot see.

It might not be a bad idea to put this part of Paul’s letter in a place you can read it every day for a week to remind yourself what I want from you in your relationship with Me and each other. Give it try and see where you might be falling short.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God has a task for you (1 Corinthians 12:12-31), Mar 27, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Set – Judges 2; 1 Corinthians 12
Go! – Judges 1-3; 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
¹² Just as a body is one whole made up of many different parts, and all the different parts comprise the one body, so it is with the Anointed One. ¹³ We were all ceremonially washed through baptism together into one body by one Spirit. No matter our heritage—Jew or Greek, insider or outsider—no matter our status—oppressed or free—we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Here’s what I mean: the body is not made of one large part but of many different parts. ¹⁵ Would it seem right for the foot to cry, “I am not a hand, so I couldn’t be part of this body”? Even if it did, it wouldn’t be any less joined to the body. ¹⁶ And what about an ear? If an ear started to whine, “I am not an eye; I shouldn’t be attached to this body,” in all its pouting, it is still part of the body. ¹⁷ Imagine the entire body as an eye. How would a giant eye be able to hear? And if the entire body were an ear, how would an ear be able to smell? ¹⁸ This is where God comes in. God has meticulously put this body together; He placed each part in the exact place to perform the exact function He wanted. ¹⁹ If all members were a single part, where would the body be? ²⁰ So now, many members function within the one body. ²¹ The eye cannot wail at the hand, “I have no need for you,” nor could the head bellow at the feet, “I won’t go one more step with you.” ²² It’s actually the opposite. The members who seem to have the weaker functions are necessary to keep the body moving; ²³ the body parts that seem less important we treat as some of the most valuable; and those unfit, untamed, unpresentable members we treat with an even greater modesty. ²⁴ That’s something the more presentable members don’t need. But God designed the body in such a way that greater significance is given to the seemingly insignificant part. ²⁵ That way there should be no division in the body; instead, all the parts mutually depend on and care for one another. ²⁶ If one part is suffering, then all the members suffer alongside it. If one member is honored, then all the members celebrate alongside it. ²⁷ You are the body of the Anointed, the Liberating King; each and every one of you is a vital member. ²⁸ God has appointed gifts in the assembly: first emissaries, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and then those who speak with various unknown languages. ²⁹ Are all members gifted as emissaries? Are all gifted with prophetic utterance? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Or are all gifted in healing arts? Do all speak or interpret unknown languages? Of course not. ³¹ Pursue the greater gifts, and let me tell you of a more excellent way—love.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I really want everyone involved in the work of My church. There are a handful of leaders in a congregation that I’ve given the skills to manage the business of the church. But I don’t expect them to do everything because I didn’t give them the skills to do everything. I gave pastors the gift of preaching My word, sharing the good news of what I can and will do for you. But I didn’t give them all the skills necessary to fulfill all the responsibilities I planned for My church.

Today, too many parishioners think they only need to warm a seat in the sanctuary and they fulfilled their responsibility to Me. That thought is so far from the truth. I gave each individual in the congregation just the right skills and talents I need to help My church complete all I want it to complete. When everyone gets involved with the skills I gave them, the very gates of hell can not hold it back from the success I have for it.

The problem most churches have is you’ve told yourselves for too long that the work is someone else’s responsibility. Since when did that work ethic become part of My plan? You may not be gifted in teaching, but if you’re not, that’s probably not the job I had in mind for you anyway. Standing in front of a crowd might make you want to faint. If so, I probably didn’t give you the gift of preaching.

Perhaps, though, you have a tremendous knack for carpentry. I gave it to you for a reason. Would it hurt you to give some of that talent to support My church or the people I direct you to help? Maybe you are at the top of your league in some sport. Could you spare some time for some of the kids in your neighborhood to teach them some of your skills…for Me? I gave you those talents for a reason. I want you to use them to carry out My plan for you.

You see, it takes all kinds of talents to carry out the plans I have for your particular congregation. I have a job for every single individual there. I just need you to get on board and recognize the skills you possess came from Me for My purposes. I have plans for you, individually and collectively. When all of you work together to build My church and My kingdom, amazing things can happen. But when you try to let a few carry the load, they don’t have all the skills they need, no matter how hard they try.

It’s time for you to pitch in and do your part. Did you ever think about tithing your time to Me? Remember, I want your living sacrifice much more than I want your money or material goods. Everything in the world is Mine, so I don’t need your money. I gave you particular talents because I want you. I want your time. I want your commitment to the plans I have for you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Exit signs and work ethics (1 Corinthians 10:12-33), Mar 25, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Corinthians 10:12-33
Set – Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10
Go! – Joshua 21-22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:12-33
¹² So let even the most confident believers remember their examples and be very careful not to fall as some of them did.

¹³ Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward. ¹⁴ So then, my beloved friends, run from idolatry in any form. ¹⁵ As wise as I know you are, understand clearly what I am saying and determine the right course of action. ¹⁶ When we give thanks and share the cup of blessing, are we not sharing in the blood of the Anointed One? When we give thanks and break bread, are we not sharing in His body? ¹⁷ Because there is one bread, we, though many, are also one body since we all share one bread. ¹⁸ Look no further than Israel and the temple practices, and you’ll see what I mean. Isn’t it true that those who eat sacrificial foods are communing at the altar, sharing its benefits? ¹⁹ So what does all this mean? I’m not suggesting that idol food itself has any special qualities or that an idol itself possesses any special powers, ²⁰ but I am saying that the outsiders’ sacrifices are actually offered to demons, not to God. So if you feast upon this food, you are feasting with demons—I don’t want you involved with demons! ²¹ You can’t hold the holy cup of the Lord in one hand and the cup of demons in the other. You can’t share in the Lord’s table while picking off the altar of demons. ²² Are we trying to provoke the Lord Jesus? Do we think it’s a good idea to stir up His jealousy? Do we have ridiculous delusions about matching or even surpassing His power?

²³ There’s a slogan often quoted on matters like this: “All things are permitted.” Yes, but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” they say. Yes, but not all things build up and strengthen others in the body. ²⁴ We should stop looking out for our own interests and instead focus on the people living and breathing around us. ²⁵ Feel free to eat any meat sold in the market without your conscience raising questions about scruples ²⁶ because “the earth and all that’s upon it belong to the Lord.”

²⁷ So if some unbelievers invite you to dinner and you want to go, feel free to eat whatever they offer you without raising questions about conscience. ^28-29 But if someone says, “This is meat from the temple altar, a sacrifice to god so-and-so,” then do not eat it. Not so much because of your own conscience [because the earth and everything on it belongs to the Lord], but out of consideration for the conscience of the other fellow who told you about it. So you ask, “Why should I give up my freedom to accommodate the scruples of another?” ³⁰ or, “If I am eating with gratitude to God, why am I insulted for eating food that I have properly given thanks for?” These are good questions.

³¹ Whatever you do—whether you eat or drink or not—do it all to the glory of God! ³² Do not offend Jews or Greeks or any part of the church of God for that matter. ³³ Consider my example: I strive to please all people in all my actions and words—but don’t think I am in this for myself—their rescued souls are the only profit.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I want you to focus on two things you heard from Paul’s letter today; first, about temptation and second, about your actions and words.

So many today think they cannot live the life I’ve asked you to live. They forget I’ve sent My Spirit to live inside you to give you assistance. I can help you and guide you. I can give you the strength you need to withstand temptation, but most often I give you a way of escape. What most people do, though, is fail to look for the way of escape. Instead, they try to withstand the blast from Satan in their own strength and fail.

I always give you an escape, but too many fail to look for the exit sign. The best way to keep from yielding to the temptations of life is to find the exits and run as fast as you can. Remember, I always make a way of escape for you. Take it!

The second thing so many forget today is to do everything for My glory. When your aim focuses on My outcomes instead of your own, giving glory to Me instead gaining glory for yourself you will prosper more than you can imagine. You may not gain prosperity as the world measures it, but you might. I might entrust you with the riches of the world as I did Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, and others. But I will certainly give you other riches like the internal peace that only comes by knowing your spirit is secure in Me.

In his letter, Paul talks about eating and drinking, not offending others by your actions. But if you’ll operate with the thought in mind to give Me glory by your actions, you’ll never have a problem with trying to figure out what you should do. Just ask Me the question. “What would Jesus do in the this situation?” You’ll get your answer and you’ll give Me glory in your actions and in your words.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.