Good Morning! What are your plans today? Will it be a busy day? Will it be one filled with driving, appointments/meetings, work, school or relaxation? While we may plan our day, we can’t always control what happens within the day, but we can certainly control how we respond during the day. Today, we will finish our reading in 1 Corinthians chapter ten. Enjoy today’s reading.
“31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NLT
Over the past few weeks we’ve read Paul’s response to the Corinthian church. He instructed the Corinthian church not to be dismayed about what type of meat (pure, unclean) they ate, because the Lord will cover it. Yesterday, in verse 30 we read the question, “If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?”
Paul wrote about this because it was causing division in the church. He wanted the church to understand the bondage that some new believers still struggled with. If eating certain types of meat made a new believer stumble, then they should not give offense (or offend), they were to refrain from eating unclean meat (meat sacrificed to idols) in their presence until they became more knowledgeable of the freedom that they have in Christ Jesus.
Paul finalized this chapter perfectly with the words “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.“
While we may attempt to please everyone, our main focus should be to bring glory to God. God is not a manipulator, user, back stabber, once-in-awhile friend or deceiver. God is the real thing. He will love you when you can’t love yourself. He will give you peace when your mind or things around you won’t be still. He doesn’t give us what we deserve (a lifetime of condemnation), but instead he pours out grace, mercy, joy, love, compassion and forgiveness on us.
Sisters and brothers, as we grow in the Lord, we should allow the Lord access to change our hearts and our lives. Allow him to see you – all of you (e.g., the broken, resentful, untrusting, angry, anxious, lost, confused, etc.). If you do, give him those things and ask him to change those things about you. When you do, strap on your seat belt because you will be on the wildest ride of your life. The ride will go up and down, have some twist and turns, sometimes roll backwards, have some steep hills to climb, tunnels and definitely loops but the Lord will be with you, He will have you strapped in, safe and secure until the journey is over. There maybe times when you will want to get off the ride, but don’t…trust Him.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Father God, thank you for 1 Corinthians chapter ten. From the reminders in the beginning all the way through to giving all glory to you has shown us your faithfulness through the ages. Lord, you have been so good to us. When we look over our lives and look at some of the things that have robbed us of our peace, purity, happiness and at times have broken us, we can now look to you and allow you to use it for your glory. Lord, forgive us for playing the blame game, for manipulating people/friends/family, and for turning away from you. Lord forgive us of our sins (known and unknown). Lord, we choose today as the day we want our lives to change. Lord, no matter what went on yesterday, the month or year(s) before, we want to mark today as the day we are turning everything back over to you. Lord, we desire for you to fulfill your purpose in our lives. We surrender ourselves to you. Lord, we want everything that we do to bring you glory. Lord, you are our only hope. So Lord, tear down these walls that divide us. Transform us and use us in a mighty way to serve you, your kingdom, the least, lost and last. In Jesus name, amen.
Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!
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