Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.......
- Proverbs 16:19 -
Thoughts on This Verse... What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us to view the world upside down to the rest of culture. Humility and association with the lowly and oppressed are valued by God. Abusive power and arrogance are not. God didn't just give us this proverb; he sent us his Son to demonstrate it. Now if we can only learn to live it. Ah! But Jesus does give us the opportunity to demonstrate it when he says,''Follow me!'' (cf. John 13)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Convictions of an Overcoming Christian
Philippians 1:20-22 : I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
Galatians 2:20 : I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Philippians 4:13 : I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 : Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
Ephesians 2:10 : For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Colossians 2:6-7 : So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Nobody can take away what convictions we make but God must live in those convictions.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Galatians 2:20 : I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Philippians 4:13 : I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 : Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
Ephesians 2:10 : For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Colossians 2:6-7 : So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
1. Honor God at all cause
2. Live for God's kingdom
3. Be effective in all we do
Nobody can take away what convictions we make but God must live in those convictions.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Lover and Protector
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever .........
Thoughts on This Verse... God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,''Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'' (Heb. 13:5-6)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Psalm 37:28 -
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, June 27, 2011
When it all falls apart
*Divorce rates are very high- 40%
* What about the other 60%? Are they struggling?
*Malachi 2:16: “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect," says the LORD Almighty.
So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
*Sounds like a legalistic God making life tough for us
*But we know there is a gracious loving God out there
*When we are married, a woman is regarded a possession of men. Thus, when men ask for a divorce, the only way they can support themselves is by prostitution
*Deuteronomy 24:1: If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house
(could not just throw a wife out, it has to be something indecent or with a certificate of divorce (a legal process)
2 interpreters of the law
*Shammai (conservative)
*Hillel (liberal) - Jesus was more on the liberal side as well
but when divorce is touched upon,
*S (divorce if one commits adultery)
*H (divorce if one is annoyed)
What was Jesus's opinion?
*Matthew 19:1--8: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
*God designed marriage as a commitment of life and ability to work through problems as well as for secureness
*Kids are secure as they know their parents are committed to each other
*Paul said about marriage and ending a marriage
*1 Corinthians 7:10: To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
*One becomes a Christian and another does not like the thought of Christianity
*1 Corinthians 7:15-16: But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
*It's alright if they leave because your not bound to that
*God never wants divorce but sometimes its better to let go when one side is suffering (child abuse, psychological/physical abuse)
What are the implications if we get married?
*Attraction is not a wrong thing. It's pursuing the attraction that is wrong
*Need to sort any problems before thinking about kids
*There is a misconception that having kids will bring marriage couples together
*If the person is you, fix the problem (hopefully it is not too late)
*Often, we do not know story on both sides so we as a community need to be careful in judging
*Don't want to rush in because ending a marriage is painful
*On the other hand, there is no ideal/right person to marry
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
* What about the other 60%? Are they struggling?
1. We might not have a good marriage prospect
2. We are brought up in different culture on how we handle conflict or even to decide who takes out the trash
*When financial problems and kid pressures come up, we might wish to break up*Malachi 2:16: “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect," says the LORD Almighty.
So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
*Sounds like a legalistic God making life tough for us
*But we know there is a gracious loving God out there
*When we are married, a woman is regarded a possession of men. Thus, when men ask for a divorce, the only way they can support themselves is by prostitution
*Deuteronomy 24:1: If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house
(could not just throw a wife out, it has to be something indecent or with a certificate of divorce (a legal process)
2 interpreters of the law
*Shammai (conservative)
*Hillel (liberal) - Jesus was more on the liberal side as well
but when divorce is touched upon,
*S (divorce if one commits adultery)
*H (divorce if one is annoyed)
What was Jesus's opinion?
*Matthew 19:1--8: When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
*God designed marriage as a commitment of life and ability to work through problems as well as for secureness
*Kids are secure as they know their parents are committed to each other
*Paul said about marriage and ending a marriage
*1 Corinthians 7:10: To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
*One becomes a Christian and another does not like the thought of Christianity
*1 Corinthians 7:15-16: But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
*It's alright if they leave because your not bound to that
*God never wants divorce but sometimes its better to let go when one side is suffering (child abuse, psychological/physical abuse)
What are the implications if we get married?
1. For the married
*Most marriages will think about divorce at some stage because marriages do go through tough times
*It's normal. There are many threats to marriage*Attraction is not a wrong thing. It's pursuing the attraction that is wrong
*Sometimes we do it alone or tell others about marriage problems whereas God wants to reach our and be involve as well
*We need to let it out to friends all our problems*Need to sort any problems before thinking about kids
*There is a misconception that having kids will bring marriage couples together
2. For the separated or divorce
*If the other person is having a problem (like addiction to porn), try to help out*If the person is you, fix the problem (hopefully it is not too late)
*Often, we do not know story on both sides so we as a community need to be careful in judging
3. For the unmarried
*Lifetime is a long time to be married*Don't want to rush in because ending a marriage is painful
*On the other hand, there is no ideal/right person to marry
*God gives us love to address commitment to each other
*People in India have arrange marriages compared to us where we married with love*Love can work things out
*Nobody can fulfill ALL our needs
*The question is: Am i prepared to live with this person for the rest of my life? (with God's help)**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
A bubble of protection
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.......
Thoughts on This Verse... At the end of the day of summer's scorching heat, where did you find your shadow of protection and refreshment? When we place our lives in the care of God Most High, we find that his shadow of protection and refreshment covers us. Even in times of difficulty, we know that he has protected us from the worst of Satan's withering attack and that his presence offers us strength that we may not often see but always can trust.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Believe in our capabilities
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.......
- Ephesians 3:20-21 -
Thoughts on This Verse... What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Ephesians 3:20-21 -
Thoughts on This Verse... What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Accountability
I am sending him [Tychicus] to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.......
- Ephesians 6:22 -
Thoughts on This Verse... As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was about himself. Rather than keeping Tychicus close at hand for his own personal benefit, Paul sent him back to bless the people in Asia Minor. Even in his time of difficulty and danger, Paul was concerned more to bless than he was to be blessed. Isn't that a great example to us today? We so often get upset about our minor inconveniences and ruin our attitude toward everyone around us. Paul's example should convict us and lead us to be a blessing to others regardless of our circumstances.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Ephesians 6:22 -
Thoughts on This Verse... As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was about himself. Rather than keeping Tychicus close at hand for his own personal benefit, Paul sent him back to bless the people in Asia Minor. Even in his time of difficulty and danger, Paul was concerned more to bless than he was to be blessed. Isn't that a great example to us today? We so often get upset about our minor inconveniences and ruin our attitude toward everyone around us. Paul's example should convict us and lead us to be a blessing to others regardless of our circumstances.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, June 24, 2011
Creation awaits
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.......
- Romans 8:19 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Eagerly waits! Don't you just love that idea! Sounds like an oxymoron. It's not. Think of a groom waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Imagine parents of a child that is due to be born. Remember what it was like as a child waiting for Christmas morning. Eagerly waits! That's what creation, so caught up with decay, disaster, and death, is doing! And what is creation waiting for so eagerly? Our transformation and revelation as God's triumphant and glorious children. Sounds pretty wonderful for a time and world like ours.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Romans 8:19 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Eagerly waits! Don't you just love that idea! Sounds like an oxymoron. It's not. Think of a groom waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Imagine parents of a child that is due to be born. Remember what it was like as a child waiting for Christmas morning. Eagerly waits! That's what creation, so caught up with decay, disaster, and death, is doing! And what is creation waiting for so eagerly? Our transformation and revelation as God's triumphant and glorious children. Sounds pretty wonderful for a time and world like ours.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Anxious thoughts overwhelmed us
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.......
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 -
Thoughts on This Verse... You've probably had a similar experience to this one. Someone asks you how you're doing. At first, they seem interested, but as you begin to share the burdens of your heart, you begin to realize that they aren't really listening and aren't really interested; they're just being polite. Most people have so many burdens they simply don't know what to do with more. Our Father in heaven, however, says''Cast all your anxieties on me. You can share all of them with me, because I genuinely care for you.''
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 -
Thoughts on This Verse... You've probably had a similar experience to this one. Someone asks you how you're doing. At first, they seem interested, but as you begin to share the burdens of your heart, you begin to realize that they aren't really listening and aren't really interested; they're just being polite. Most people have so many burdens they simply don't know what to do with more. Our Father in heaven, however, says''Cast all your anxieties on me. You can share all of them with me, because I genuinely care for you.''
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, June 13, 2011
Good news people!
But the angel said to them,''Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.''......
- Luke 2:10 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Don't be afraid! What can cast away all fear in the presence of God's glorious messengers? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to bring an end to sin and Satan's curse and to bring salvation to all people! Fear must not master our hearts when we know that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Luke 2:10 -
Thoughts on This Verse... Don't be afraid! What can cast away all fear in the presence of God's glorious messengers? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to bring an end to sin and Satan's curse and to bring salvation to all people! Fear must not master our hearts when we know that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Wisdom and Power
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.......
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, June 10, 2011
Judge not, my friend
''Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.''......
-Matthew 7:3-5-
Thoughts on This Verse... Finding fault in someone else is so easy for most of us. Finding fault in ourselves is much trickier. Jesus reminds us that we must deal with the shortcomings and sins in our own lives before we start telling others how to live. Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? But we all know it isn't.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Matthew 7:3-5-
Thoughts on This Verse... Finding fault in someone else is so easy for most of us. Finding fault in ourselves is much trickier. Jesus reminds us that we must deal with the shortcomings and sins in our own lives before we start telling others how to live. Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? But we all know it isn't.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Have faith!
They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.......
- Psalm 22:5 -
Thoughts on This Verse... This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with his people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, his track record in history reminds us that he will answer, deliver, and bless his people in his time. In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Psalm 22:5 -
Thoughts on This Verse... This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with his people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, his track record in history reminds us that he will answer, deliver, and bless his people in his time. In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
But the Joy comes in the morning!
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.......
- Psalm 30:5 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1).
Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Psalm 30:5 -
Thoughts on This Verse... God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1).
Even when he deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait!
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, June 6, 2011
Till death do us part, not?
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.......
- Romans 14:8 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We are the Lord's. He bought us out of bondage to sin and death. We have voluntarily placed our lives in his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised to never leave us. He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love. So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the Lord will lead us. Let us face difficulty, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone. Even in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear what the evil can do. We are the Lord's.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
- Romans 14:8 -
Thoughts on This Verse... We are the Lord's. He bought us out of bondage to sin and death. We have voluntarily placed our lives in his hands. No matter what we do or where we go, his grace goes with us. He has promised to never leave us. He has assured us that nothing can separate us from his love. So let's live with a sense of excited anticipation, looking to see where the Lord will lead us. Let us face difficulty, and even death, with the assurance that we will not face tough times alone. Even in the shadow of death, we don't have to fear what the evil can do. We are the Lord's.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Is this really worth it?
Sunday 29th May 2011
John Sweetman
*1 Corinthians 7: Concerning Married Life
God's Radical Views on Singleness and Marriage
*1 Corinthians 7:6 - I say this as a concession, not as a command.
same people need sex thus the need to get married
*1 Corinthians 7:12 - To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
not divorcing non-believers
*1 Corinthians 7:25 - Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
*1 Corinthians 7:40 - In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
talking about widows
*He is actually talking about a particular situation
*When the church was struggling, they knew Jesus is coming back thus Paul commands them
*Paul is single and loves his single life thus he's aware of what he says about singleness and marriage
What God thinks about singlenesss and marriage?
*Last time, everyone had to be married
*It was a community belief
*Suppose to commit to a person and stay loyal
*The book of Deuteronomy tells us
*Is that true today?
Yes and No
*There is no forcing but theres an expectation to be in a relationship (Looking for someone you can share your life with and to have a sexual partner)
*Generally, this is also true with the church
*Many would think that were left out if were single
*It is not the way it's suppose to be
*This may seem like God's perspective but its not true
1. Its good to be single
1 Corinthians 7:8 - Paul says "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do".
1 Corinthians 7:26 - Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
1 Corinthians 7:38 - So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
1 Corinthians 7:40 - In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
*We do not encourage them to remain single
*Maybe under persecution during those days hence they encourage singleness to avoid responsibility but there is more than that
*To say that singleness is not good is ridiculous- especially when were following someone who's single, Jesus
God's radical view on singleness
*We may think that singleness are able to concentrate more on God's work bu their missing out. Is this true?
*Relate the story of the widow marrying six brothers and resurrects (Matthew 22:30)
*In heave, we will have unlimited number of families to love and know each other
*We are only married for a short amount of time
*Single people have the ultimate lover - JESUS
*Single people have the ultimate purpose - TO FOLLOW JESUS
*Single people have the ultimate family
*Mark 3:30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
*The challenge for the church is to deepen our love and make singles as our family because were important in God's life
*If your single, you have tremendous opportunities
*Nevertheless, its fine looking for a relationship
God's radical view on marriage
*Some people say marriage is important, others say otherwise
*Staying in love and being in love is very important
*If we don't believe in God, we might question what is worth living for but to have a relationship with someone?
*Intimate relationship is where we find peace, renewal, love and secureness
*Life is hard but loving relationships is what we need
*Deep down we hang on to that
*If it is frustrating, we need to move on and find a relationship that fulfills that
*Paul says that it is hard to be married
*1 Corinthians 7:28 - But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
*1 Corinthians 7:4 - The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
*1 Corinthians 7:33 - But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
*Sex is about giving ourselves to each other
*When your married, your concern is if your giving and satisfying your partner enough
*When you don't have a Christian partner, you can't get what you want like other Christian partners do
*But Paul said when were already committed to that person and its about giving, not receiving
*Thats why Paul said marriage is hard
*It is designed by God not to make it easy but to grow
*Marriage is a continuance dance. It will change but we have to get through it
*1 Corinthians 7:17 - Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
*Don't see the struggle as a bad thing is normal, healthy and able to grow like Jesus
*If your not married, you don't have to go through the problems but you won't grow from that and you won't have someone accountable with
*1 Corinthians 7:24 - Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
*We need to find contempt in a way were comfortable
*If we're not contented with God, then we will never come close to God
*Thus, we can wish for differences..
*But be contempt in all things :)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
John Sweetman
*1 Corinthians 7: Concerning Married Life
God's Radical Views on Singleness and Marriage
*1 Corinthians 7:6 - I say this as a concession, not as a command.
same people need sex thus the need to get married
*1 Corinthians 7:12 - To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
not divorcing non-believers
*1 Corinthians 7:25 - Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
*1 Corinthians 7:40 - In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
talking about widows
*He is actually talking about a particular situation
*When the church was struggling, they knew Jesus is coming back thus Paul commands them
*Paul is single and loves his single life thus he's aware of what he says about singleness and marriage
What God thinks about singlenesss and marriage?
*Last time, everyone had to be married
*It was a community belief
*Suppose to commit to a person and stay loyal
*The book of Deuteronomy tells us
*Is that true today?
Yes and No
*There is no forcing but theres an expectation to be in a relationship (Looking for someone you can share your life with and to have a sexual partner)
*Generally, this is also true with the church
*Many would think that were left out if were single
*It is not the way it's suppose to be
*This may seem like God's perspective but its not true
1. Its good to be single
1 Corinthians 7:8 - Paul says "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do".
1 Corinthians 7:26 - Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
1 Corinthians 7:38 - So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
1 Corinthians 7:40 - In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
*We do not encourage them to remain single
*Maybe under persecution during those days hence they encourage singleness to avoid responsibility but there is more than that
*To say that singleness is not good is ridiculous- especially when were following someone who's single, Jesus
God's radical view on singleness
*We may think that singleness are able to concentrate more on God's work bu their missing out. Is this true?
*Relate the story of the widow marrying six brothers and resurrects (Matthew 22:30)
*In heave, we will have unlimited number of families to love and know each other
*We are only married for a short amount of time
*Single people have the ultimate lover - JESUS
*Single people have the ultimate purpose - TO FOLLOW JESUS
*Single people have the ultimate family
*Mark 3:30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
*The challenge for the church is to deepen our love and make singles as our family because were important in God's life
*If your single, you have tremendous opportunities
*Nevertheless, its fine looking for a relationship
God's radical view on marriage
*Some people say marriage is important, others say otherwise
*Staying in love and being in love is very important
*If we don't believe in God, we might question what is worth living for but to have a relationship with someone?
*Intimate relationship is where we find peace, renewal, love and secureness
*Life is hard but loving relationships is what we need
*Deep down we hang on to that
*If it is frustrating, we need to move on and find a relationship that fulfills that
*Paul says that it is hard to be married
*1 Corinthians 7:28 - But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
*1 Corinthians 7:4 - The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
*1 Corinthians 7:33 - But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
*Sex is about giving ourselves to each other
*When your married, your concern is if your giving and satisfying your partner enough
*When you don't have a Christian partner, you can't get what you want like other Christian partners do
*But Paul said when were already committed to that person and its about giving, not receiving
*Thats why Paul said marriage is hard
*It is designed by God not to make it easy but to grow
*Marriage is a continuance dance. It will change but we have to get through it
*1 Corinthians 7:17 - Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
*Don't see the struggle as a bad thing is normal, healthy and able to grow like Jesus
*If your not married, you don't have to go through the problems but you won't grow from that and you won't have someone accountable with
*1 Corinthians 7:24 - Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
*We need to find contempt in a way were comfortable
*If we're not contented with God, then we will never come close to God
*Thus, we can wish for differences..
*But be contempt in all things :)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sons and Daughters
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.......
-Galatians 3:26-27-
Thoughts on This Verse... We are children of God, with all the rights of full heirs! Our faith, expressed in our baptism, declares to the world that we are God's children. We have chosen to be clothed in Christ and his righteousness and not depend on earning our own salvation. He is our salvation and hope. He is our life and strength. He is our older brother and Savior. He is our Lord.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Galatians 3:26-27-
Thoughts on This Verse... We are children of God, with all the rights of full heirs! Our faith, expressed in our baptism, declares to the world that we are God's children. We have chosen to be clothed in Christ and his righteousness and not depend on earning our own salvation. He is our salvation and hope. He is our life and strength. He is our older brother and Savior. He is our Lord.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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