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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 17, 2023 16:02:57 GMT
Day 290 (Acts 21-22) No post from me today.
These two chapters go together hand in glove. The story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem and the riot that ensued. Many twists and turns to this story.
10/17/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 19, 2023 13:34:18 GMT
Day 291 (Acts 23-24)
In chapter 23 we read of Paul being brought before the Sanhedrin. Paul pitted one group (the Sadducees) against another (the Pharisees) taking the focus off of him. Verses 6-8 {6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)} Verse 10 {10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.} Then members of the Sanhedrin plotted to kill Paul. But they were found out and the commander had Paul moved. Chapter 24 deals with Paul’s trial before Felix. I laugh at how the lawyer addressed Felix. Verses 2-4 {2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.} Sounds like someone was kissing up a little.
But at the end of two years Paul is still in prison. Because Felix wanted to remain on the good side of the Jews.
10/18/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 19, 2023 14:07:22 GMT
Day 292 (Acts 25-26)
In chapter 25 Paul continues to answer the charges against him. This time before the new governor Festus. Verse 4 {4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. } Verse 7 {7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.} Paul defended himself by saying: Verse 8 { “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”} So Paul, as a Roman citizen, requests to go before Caesar. And Festus grants his request. Then king Agrippa came to town and Festus told the king about Paul’s case. King Agrippa decided to hear Paul's case. Verse 22 {22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”}
Verses 24-25 {24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.} Chapter 26:1 {1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”} Verses 2-3 -Paul’s defense begins
{2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.} And then… Verses 28-32 {28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” 30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”} Hmmmm… So is Paul off to Rome and Caesar??? Keep reading to find out.
10/19/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 21, 2023 13:25:32 GMT
Day 293 (Acts 27-28)
In chapter 27 we see Paul on board a ship bound for Rome, being tossed by a storm. Verses 15-20 {15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.} Verses 23-26 {23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”}
Notice what the angel said; the men who sail with you will be spared. He did not say it would be easy or that they would not face trials. BUT….
Verses 42-44 {42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.}
God, true to His word, spared all on board.
Chapter 28 brings us to the end of the book of Acts… but a beginning for us.
Paul arrives in Rome Verses 11-14 {11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.}
Paul preaches in Rome. Paul was under a guard and still preached the message. Verses 23-24 {23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.} Paul said to them and to us. Verse 28, 31 {28“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!}
10/20/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 21, 2023 13:56:48 GMT
Day 294 (Romans 1-2) The video for this reading is great and reveals much.
Chapter 1:1-4 Tells who Paul is and what He has come to say. {Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.}
Here is Paul, who is a servant of Christ, who came to speak the gospel to a sin filled world. Verse 7 {7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.}
Verses 11-13 {11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.}
As brothers and sisters we strengthen each other as we come together to hear the word of Godand give Him praise.
Verses 16-17 {16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”}
Most of us have heard this verse or at least the first part. But we need to pay special attention to the second part. “The righteous will live by faith.”
God’s wrath stand against humanity Verses 18-20 {18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.}
We can see that man is wicked and sinful while God is perfect and righteous.
I will let you all read and feed on chapter 2.
10/21/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 24, 2023 16:18:44 GMT
Day 296 (Romans 5-6)
Chapter 5:6-8 {6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.}
God knows that we can do nothing to save ourselves. So out of His great love He became our sacrifice for sin.
Verses 15-17 {15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!}
Chapter 6:1-4 {1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.}
Even though where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Does not mean we should go on sinning. We no longer have to live in sin; Christ has given us the power to overcome. We are dead to sin and alive in Christ.
10/24/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 26, 2023 13:35:50 GMT
Day 297 (Romans 7-8)
Chapter 7:7 { 7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”}
The law shows us the sins we are doing. Then we can and should confess them and turn away from them and back to Christ. Verse 13 {13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.}
Verses 14, 18-20 {14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.} Verses 24-25 {24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!}
Chapter 8 starts with words of grace and continues throughout the whole chapter.
Chapter 8:1-4
{1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.} As we live in the Spirit we do not have to be controlled by our sins. When temptations come our way we can turn to Christ to resist.
Verse 6 { 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.}
Verses 31-35, 37 {31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.}
10/25/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 26, 2023 13:56:32 GMT
Day 298 (Romans 9-10)
Chapter 9 starts with a reminder that it is by God’s choice.
Chapter 9:6-9 {6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”}
We Christians, by way of Christ, are the children of the promise, Abraham’s offspring.
Verse 14-15 {14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”}
Chapter 10:8-13 {8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”}
10/26/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 27, 2023 13:17:23 GMT
Day 299 (Romans 11-12)
Chapter 11:5-6 {5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.}
Chosen by grace, a blessings undeserved. Chosen by God to be sons of God; but by anything we have done but solely by His grace.
Verses 17-22 {17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. }
This blessing of being grafted in, should never be taken for granted.
Chapter 12 starts off with a verse that many of us have heard. This chapter has much to learn from; each line a treasure to the heart.
Chapter 12:1-2 {1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.}
We are being called to live godly lives that are pleasing to God. We are not to blend in with this world, but our words and actions should set us apart. Stand out from this world. We do this by changing how and what way we think. Bring our thoughts in line with the word of God.
Verse 21 {21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.}
10/27/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 30, 2023 14:46:18 GMT
Day 300 (Romans 13-14)
Chapter 13:1-2 {1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently , whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. }
These verses may give some people a reason to stop and question their actions. The verse does not say we have to agree with all of what the government is doing; but we should realize and respect that God put them in authority. And God has a purpose for everything He does. Not all who rule are just and wise. Some are foolish and greedy seeking their own gain, be it money or power. But God is still in control.
Verses 8,11 {8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.}
Chapter 14:1-4 {1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.}
To me these verses speak of accepting others, those who are seeking but are somewhat lacking in understanding. If their faith is weaker than ours we should together, in love seek the answers to their questions. Always pointing the way to Christ.
Verses 13-14 {13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.}
10/28/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 30, 2023 15:13:14 GMT
Day 301 (Romans 15-16)
Chapter 15:1-2 {1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.}
To me this is an example of serving God by serving others. We who serve God should reach out to those who are weak and struggling. Not to bring glory to ourselves, but to build up the weaker.
Verses 30-32 {30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.}
Just as Paul urges us to pray to God for those serving in distant lands, we should pray for all the church. The church, the full body of Christ, is under attack by this world today. We need to lift up the church and all the faithful servants in prayer to God.
Chapter 16 opens with several greetings from Paul. But we need to read the warnings in verse 17-20 {17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you}
10/29/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 30, 2023 15:38:17 GMT
Day 302 (1 Corinthians 1-2)
Chapter 1:10-14 {10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household, have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,} No one is more saved because he listened to one man of God over another. That is if they’re truly bringing the word of God and not a false teacher. It is Christ that saves, It was Christ that was crucified for us. And we are baptized into His death and resurrection.
Verses 29-31 {29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”}
Chapter 2:10b-14 {The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.}
Praise God for the gift of His Holy Spirit, that we see and believe, hear and understand.
10/30/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Oct 31, 2023 18:45:53 GMT
Day 303 (1 Corinthians 3-4)
Chapter 3:5-9 {5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building}
Brothers and sisters, we Christians are to plant the seeds of the gospel. And we are to water with baptism and communion. But it is only God who makes it grow.
Verse 11 {11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.}
Chapter 4:1-2 {1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. }
We are true servants of Christ; our words and actions prove if our heart is faithful or not.
Verses 14-17 {14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.}
The ones God has put into our lives to bring to us His gospel, have become as fathers to us. They provide God’s word for our nourishment and protect us with prayer and guidance. Just as a father provides and protects his family. He also points the way to salvation in Christ Jesus. 10/31/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Nov 1, 2023 17:48:35 GMT
Day 304 (1 Corinthians 5-6)
In Chapter 5 Paul is writing about the sin within the church, and how we are not to allow it to fester and grow.
Verses 1-5 {1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.}
Verses 12-13 {12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”}
Chapter 6:1-3 {1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!}
Instead of taking a brother or sister to court were the case will be heard by the ears of the world, take it before your fellow believers.
11/01/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Nov 2, 2023 14:12:02 GMT
Day 305 (1 Corinthians 7-8)
No post today…. Maybe someone else will post.
11/02/23
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