My Daily Pause

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  • The Forgiving and the Forgiven

    The Forgiving and the Forgiven

    No sin is too big for the blood of Christ to cleanse.

    That’s what Paul was trying to tell the Corinthians. (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) They had one in their group that had committed a pretty ugly sin (see 1 Corinthians 5 for the background.) A sin that even the pagans looked down on.

    The church properly handled it according to Paul’s instruction (1 Corinthians 5:13) and he eventually repented – but then Paul had to tell them to “reaffirm their love.” (2 Corinthians 2:8) They weren’t going to forgive him as a church!

    Truth be told, his sin probably wasn’t any greater than some of the things the others had done.

    It’s good that Christ died for us so we can have forgiveness, so it’s very unbecoming to a church, or to Christians, to withhold forgiveness from a penitent Christian needing and asking for it.

    No sin is too big for the blood of Christ to cleanse!

    Daily bible reading for April 10

    God give Moses instructions for the priests and the offerings. Isaiah pronounces woe to the wicked.

    Psalm 100
    Leviticus 6:8-7:38
    Isaiah 5
    2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

  • Comforting Thoughts

    Comforting Thoughts

    Paul opens 1 Corinthians with some thoughts about the comfort of God. Paul’s attitude was that through our sufferings, we learn patience, we learn how to be thankful for the good times and how to be a comfort to others. (See also Romans 5:3-5)

    Comfort is a key topic in the Bible. Here are a few scriptures you can lean on when you need them:

    1. God comforts us (1 Corinthians 1:3-5)
    2. We should carry our load, but look for opportunities to help each other when it is needed. Galatians 6:1-2,5
    3. Jesus has peace to offer in a world of trouble (John 16:29-33)
    4. Work to bear fruit, abide in Christ and his joy will abide in you (John 15:1-11)
    5. How to get the ultimate peace: rejoice, prayer, thinking good things (Philippians 4:4-9)

    Daily Bible reading for April 9

    God gives Moses instructions for the guilt offering. Isaiah denounces a corrupt Israel. We share in the comfort of Christ as we also share in the sufferings.

    Psalm 99
    Leviticus 5:14-6:7
    Isaiah 3-4
    2 Corinthians 1:1-11

  • 6 Giving Attitudes

    6 Giving Attitudes

    In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Paul commands the weekly collection. We are to give in relation to our gains for the week or “as we have prospered.”

    We can keep this command with several attitudes. How we handle our money, especially in relation to giving,  is covered throughout the Bible and should be something we take seriously.

    Do you give with the attitude of:

    1. The Rich Young Ruler? (Mark 10:18-22)
    2. Judas? (John 12:3-6)
    3. Ananias and Sapphira? (Acts 5: 1-2)
    4. Barnabas? (Acts 4:36-37)
    5. The Poor Widow? (Mark 12:41-44)
    6. David? (2 Samuel 24:24)

    One of the best expressions of our trust in God is to put giving at the top of our budget and not at the bottom – Where we are giving from our leftovers!

    I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing – David

  • Is Worship in Your Thoughts?

    Is Worship in Your Thoughts?

    As you prepare to attend church today, what you think about can have an impact on the quality of your worship.

    In a complete worship service, you will worship five ways:
    Through song, prayer, the Lord’s Supper, giving and teaching/studying.

    Putting aside daily and worldly distractions for a while is sometimes difficult, but it is necessary so you can give God proper reverence.

    Paul gave us some guidelines that work not only for worship but daily as well.

    Whatsoever things are true,
    whatsoever things are honest,
    whatsoever things are just,
    whatsoever things are pure,
    whatsoever things are lovely,
    whatsoever things are of good report;
    if there be any virtue,
    and if there be any praise,
    think on these things. – Philippians 4:8

    Daily Bible Reading for April 7

    Psalm 97
    Leviticus 3
    Isaiah 1
    1 Corinthians 15

  • 5 Reasons to Memorize Scriptures

    5 Reasons to Memorize Scriptures

    I have recently begun participating in a Bible memorization group. It is already paying off to have someone to be accountable to in meeting my memorization goals. I highly recommend memorizing portions of the Bible as a part of your spiritual growth. Whether you work along with the group, follow this site’s plan, or work out your own plan.

    Here are five reasons it is a great idea to memorize the scriptures:

    1. They are inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Thess. 2:14; 1 Cor. 14:37)
    2. The Word has power to make us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15)
    3. Memorizing the Scriptures will help us always to be ready to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15)
    4. The Word is like food to us (1 Pet. 2:2; Jer. 15:16; Ez. 2:8-9; Heb. 5:11-14)
    5. The Bible can prepare us to help and teach one another (Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:14-17)

    Of course there are many more reasons, but this is enough to take the first big step.

    If you don’t start now, when?

    preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2

  • Built to Last

    Built to Last

    Those that possessed spiritual gifts were not only misusing them, they seemed to esteem the ones that were least important the most. (1 Corinthians 12-14) While there is a personal growth aspect that needs to be attended to, Paul’s point was that they needed to focus on building up the church first.

    Remember that the church is Christ’s body and our goal is to become one in that body. As we begin to turn out mind toward our next worship service, let’s plan to participate in a way that builds up the church, striving to become mature in our thinking and infants in evil (1 Corinthians 14:20)