My Daily Pause

Category: In 100 Words

  • Seed Sowers

    Seed Sowers

    Paul was addressing a little problem of “preacher-itis” in 1 Corinthians 1 and again in 1 Corinthians 3. It still happens to some extent today – people following a preacher to the extent that they would leave a congregation to follow him to his next duty. Worse, some congregations have split over a preacher leaving.

    Paul puts that idea in its place in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 with a seed sower metaphor and again with a foundation metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. Ministers, which includes all Christians, are sowers and waterers. God gives the increase and reaps the harvest. We will answer in like kind for our labor (1 Corinthians 3:8)

  • 5 Typical Excuses Someone Will Use Today

    5 Typical Excuses Someone Will Use Today

    There are a few excuses for missing church that keep getting recycled.

    Today I have an answer for them.

    1. Because no one invited you . . . People go to a lot of places uninvited, and even pay to get in. (Consider this your invitation!)
    2. Because of hypocrites . . . We associate with them in the world every day
    3. Because of company . . . Bring them along; they will admire you.
    4. Because you have little children . . . Jesus says, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me” (Matthew 19:14).
    5. Because you have plenty of time in the future . . . . . . Are you sure? (James 4:13-17).

    See you in church today!

  • The Lord’s Church

    The Lord’s Church

    Paul told the church to avoid those that cause divisions. (Romans 16:17)

    Logically speaking, those that would do things to divide the church have only their own interest in mind. The Lord was interested in unity. (John 17:21) Paul made it very clear in several places in the New Testament. If your church doesn’t look like the church the Apostles worshipped in, it’s probably the result of a division somewhere along the line.

    “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

  • What Doesn’t Kill Us…

    What Doesn’t Kill Us…

    It is a shame how easy that Satan can get into the middle of the Lord’s work. Nehemiah faced rumors, backbiting and inside jobs but still managed to get the wall repaired around Jerusalem. The people knew he had the help of his God.

    How can we be like Nehemiah?

    1. We do whatever it takes to get the Lord’s work done.
    2. We keep going even when the work gets difficult.

    We’ll be stronger in the end.

  • You Owe Me Your Love

    You Owe Me Your Love

    When Jesus gave the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40) he was essentially giving us the cue to do no wrong to others and especially God.

    The way Paul put it was that we aren’t to owe anyone anything except our love. (Romans 13:8) In he summed it up into a very nice equation:

    Any Commandment (Romans 11:9) = “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” = The fulfilling of the law (Romans 9:10).

    When you think about it, there just isn’t any sin you can commit that doesn’t hurt someone other than yourself (or at least put them at risk).

  • Sin Recognition

    Sin Recognition

    Sin entered the world through the first two people.

    Sin was present the very moment Israel started wandering in the desert. They couldn’t even follow directions in how to gather the manna. (Exodus 16)

    God gave Moses the law so we could recognize sin and understand what is expected of us. All this in preparation for Christ’s sacrifice to release us form the law. (Romans 7)