Happy Monday! Today, we are continuing in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verses 23-30. Enjoy your day.

“²³ You say, “I am allowed to do anything”^[d]—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. ²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

²⁵ So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^{[Psalm 24:1]}

²⁷ If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.  ²⁸ (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.  ²⁹ It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?  ³⁰ If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?” – 1 Corinthians 10:23-30 NLT

According to Peter in the book of Acts chapter 10:14-15, Jewish laws instructed on what type of food one could not eat – impure or unclean. However, we know now that Jesus cleaned all food from ceremonial defilement. So while it maybe good, to eat what is available there were some who continued to abide by the Jewish law instead of in the freedom that they received in Christ Jesus. So Paul is simply sharing, as he did in Chapter 6, while you may be free, consider the new believer and their struggle to leave behind the law and fully walk in the freedom that Christ gives. Consider the weaker Christian’s understanding, and as the Lord allows, teach them true knowledge of God’s word in love, but don’t cause them to stumble.

Sisters and brothers, while these verses may not impact you, there will be times when you will be challenged by other believers by the things you do and do not do. What I ask of you is to pray for your sisters and brothers in the faith. We are all learning, growing and developing in our Christian faith. As the Lord equips, reveals more of His truth and gives us opportunities to live free from bondage to religious laws then we should live in that freedom and encourage others to do the same.

Let the truth set you free.

Father God, thank you for this Monday. Lord, we don’t know what you have in store for us but we trust you and your plan for us. Lord, lead us in the way that you desire for us to grow. Lord, equip us with your word and love so that we may display characteristics of you. Lord, remove the barriers and obstacles that keep us from drawing us closer to you. Lord, we want to live for you. Lord, be our peace, replenish us with your truth and help us to walk freely in you. Lord, we pray for those who have been abused by religious laws, leaders and the church. Lord, we pray for those who are still struggling with trusting you, leaders and members in the church. Lord, we ask for you to heal their brokenness today. Lord, we ask that you touch them and fill them with your Holy presence. Lord, capture their hearts and soften it so that they can fill your love and extend it to others. Lord, we pray for leaders in the church to seek you in their responses and actions toward others. Lord, help the leaders to care for the flock and disciple them so that they will continue to grow and be transformed. Lord, we aren’t perfect so we truly need you each day. Lord, be with us all and help us not to lean on our understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge you as LORD. Lord, we surrender our day, our will and our plans to you. In Jesus name, amen.

Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!

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