3 posts tagged “church”

THE GREATEST IS LOVE

May 29, 2009
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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Corinthians

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Read 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV

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After a discussion in chapter 12 about the various spiritual gifts, and a call for unity in exercising those gifts in the church, Paul says, “…But eagerly desire the greater gifts. (those that edify and build up the body) And now I will show you the most excellent way...” (12:31)

No matter what the gift or talent God has bestowed upon you, it is worth nothing if not exercised in love ─ and this, writes Paul, is what love looks like: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (13:4-7)

* * *

Lord, this is a tall order for anyone, but absolutely necessary in our relationships with other believers. Obviously, those early churches had to struggle with their issues just as we do today. Love certainly requires forgiveness and humility. Help me to keep no record of wrongs.

* * *

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

THE MAN WHO RAISED HAVOC

Nov 17, 2008
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FROM DAMASCUS TO JERUSALEM

Read: Acts 9:23–31

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?" Acts 9:21 NIV

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After Saul's conversion, and recovery from blindness, he began to preach openly, that "Jesus is the Son of God." Believers were afraid of him, and Jews wanted to kill him; so his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. (9:25) From there he traveled back to Jerusalem to join the believers there, but they didn't think he was sincere. With the help of Barnabas, he told his story to the apostles, and was accepted into the church. For a time he spoke boldly to the Jews about his newfound faith, but persecution began again, and Saul left for Tarsus.

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Lord, I can just imagine how those early Christians must have felt. Saul was the one who stood by while Stephen was martyred. He was the one who dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Not only did they need to believe him, they also had to forgive him. Thank You for forgiving me, and help me to learn to forgive others who have "caused havoc in the church."

* * *

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit; it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. Acts 9:31 NIV

Introduction to Acts

Sep 18, 2008
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Today I joined Community Bible Study where we are studying the book of Acts. I just got through reading the introduction to the study and this is what stood out to me:

Luke wrote the gospel of Luke followed by the Acts of the Apostles. He writes to a man named Theophilus, "In my former book, Theophilus I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up to heaven..." Acts 1:1

"It is doubtful Luke ever thought of himself as writing for Christans hundreds of years in the future. but God used Luke's original purpose in writing to Theophilus to carry out His greater purpose - that of blessing and instructing believers of all generations. We are part of that long line of believers who will either pass our faith on to others, or add nothing to the record of church history. How we live has eternal consequences, not only for ourselves, but for the whole body of believers."
p. 5 Volume 1 Acts of the Apostles, Community Bible Study

Pretty challenging I think. :)