Happy Friday! Have you ever tried to explain something to someone and you had a strong urge to clarify what was being said? If yes, did you finally say, “what I am trying to say is…” Well today we will pick up in 1 Corinthians 10, with Paul saying nearly the same thing. Join me as we read verses 19-22.

“¹⁹ What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? ²⁰ No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. ²² What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?” – 1 Corinthians 10:19-22 NLT

Yesterday, we read verses where Paul pointed out the significance of the Lord’s supper and the significance of believers being united in Christ Jesus through the remembrance of the Lord’s supper also referred to as communion.

Then he clarifies that food sacrificed to idols, is an act of sacrificing food to demons. If members of the body are sacrificing food to demons, then they are not living for Christ. Paul is clear when he states in verse 21, “You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too.“ In short, the Corinthians had to choose which master they were going to serve.

Sisters and brothers, sometimes we sacrifice things to the world instead of looking to the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins to be forgiven and who set us free. We sacrifice peace of mind, our identity, and our freedom. We often look for things that will fulfill us instead of looking to the one who is faithful. We often look for happiness in our struggles by buying things or doing things for temporal pleasures, instead of finding joy in Christ Jesus. We often seek the world’s opinion of us and give others our opinions, but we forget what God says about us or how he guides us with a careful eye. This weekend I want you to ponder a few things:

• What are you sacrificing?
• What do you do instead of praying (e.g., complain, drink/smoke, withdraw, etc.)?
• Are you ready to walk in the freedom that you have in Christ or do you want to live bound to this world?

Whatever your answers are, I ask that you get some quiet time this weekend and pray to God (the one who hears and answers prayers) and ask for him to reveal and remove the idols that you have in your life.

Father God, in the name of Jesus we thank you for your son Jesus who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Lord, thank you for loving us enough to give your life for us. Lord, forgive us for the sins we have committed (known and unknown). Lord, we want to do and be better examples of Christ in the world. Lord, wherever we struggle in these areas, Lord we ask that you step in, deliver us from those things and heal us (make us whole). Lord, we need you in our lives. Lord, we need you to take our hand and lead us daily. Lord, we want to live for you. So Lord, when temptations, test and trials appear to pin us down, Lord remind us that we are free, remind us that there is victory in you and help us to endure. Lord, we thank you for all that you have done for us. Continue to work in us and through us. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com

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