“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12)

            What is the testimony of your conscience?  Paul’s conscience testified that he was honest with everyone he came in contact with and was genuinely trying to conduct himself with humility and according to God’s will, not his own.  Can we say the same?

            Your conscience has a story to tell.  It will bark at you when you are doing that which you believe to be wrong, and it will proudly give you confidence when you are doing that which you believe to be right.  Everyone should listen to their conscience and try and align their behavior with what it says.  The testimony of the conscience is the voice that tells you whether or not you are living a sincere life – a genuine attempt at holiness.  Don’t ignore it.  God gave you that voice in your head for a reason!

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:12-24

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of the many.” (2 Corinthians 1:11)

            Christians should never feel helpless. I say that even though I have often felt uncontrollably helpless. Yet, Paul said that many people had helped him through their prayers.  No matter what – I can always pray.

            A soul who can entreat the Creator of heaven and earth is never helpless.  Imagine if you had the private phone number for the President with permission to call with any concern… would you ever feel helpless?

            Stop undervaluing prayer.  Join in helping.  Pray.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.” (Acts 19:32)

The Greek word for assembly in this passage? Ekklesia – the same word for ‘church’.

There are two churches:

The church of the world where everyone shouts what they want, confusion reigns, and the majority rules through strength, not reason.

The church of Christ where all listen to the King, confusion is dispelled through seeking truth, and the narrow path is sought through hearts of service and submission to Christ and one another.

Everyone chooses a church.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 19:32-20:2

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’” (Acts 19:21)

            This verse is a friendly reminder that God may very well give you what you want, but it likely won’t look like what you expected.  Paul had plans to go to Rome.  He really wanted to visit that city and reach those people.

            He eventually made the trip… as a prisoner.  God’s ways often look a lot different than our ways.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 19:21-31

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.” (Acts 19:20)

            It wasn’t Paul who was prevailing.  It wasn’t Christianity that was growing. It was the Word.  All Christianity begins with the seed being planted in the soil of souls.  When we grow and are transformed, it is because the Word is growing and prevailing over us.  It is prevailing over our weaknesses and selfishness.  It is growing and filling the cracks of our hearts and stretching our lives and eyes upward toward heaven.  We are just the soil.  Plant the right things.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 19:11-20

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For they have refreshed my spirit and yours.  Therefore, acknowledge such men.” (1 Corinthians 16:18)

            Good work deserves acknowledgment.  In every congregation, there are good people laboring in the trenches, and they are refreshing the saints, encouraging us to greater service, and standing by us in the valleys of our lives – they don’t do it for the acknowledgment, but God commands us to acknowledge their work.

            This week, take the time to say ‘thank you’ to a fellow laborer in the vineyard.  Acknowledge their work for the Lord, for others, and for you.  Good people should be recognized and honored for their service.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:12-24

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)

            If you don’t have adversaries, you probably aren’t being effective.  Satan doesn’t waste his time attacking the useless and the impotent.

            Anything worth doing is going to be hard.  Faith is hard and the doors you ought to walk through probably have adversaries on the other side.  Walk through them anyways.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-11

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

            I tire of death.  It fatigues me.  I don’t get tired so much thinking of my own death, but I grow weary of burying my friends and loved ones.  It wearies me and it angers me to see good people I love die.  It is as if the devil must remind us from time to time that he has deceived the whole world into accepting death.  All the way back to Adam and Eve, Satan brought death to this world.  Every funeral is a reminder that the evil one has a firm grasp on the affairs of this world and none of us will be able to leave this life alive.  Everyone has a casket appointed for them because of the adversary and the sting of sin.

            So, it is a good reminder what Paul says in the verse above.  Someday, death will be swallowed up in victory.  No more funerals.  No more eulogies.  No more caskets.  Someday, we will be done with all this perishing business.

            I long for that day.  Don’t you?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36)

            A farmer sacrifices a portion of his seed in order to have a crop next year.  Some of the corn, the wheat, the barley, or the rye must be returned to the soil, and that seed must die in order for next year’s crop to happen.  We must lose this year’s seed to ensure the future.

            Paul reminds us that your life here is a seed that must be sown.  Our bodies must enter the grave, be buried in the soil, and only then are they ready for an eternal resurrection.  We must lose our lives here to ensure our eternal future.

            Jesus put it this way, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

            Are you sowing your life for the future?  Or are you wasting the seed of your soul on the temporary crop of today?  Your life isn’t meant to be enjoyed yet; it is meant to be invested.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

            This may be a good time for us to remind ourselves of the value of faith.  Faith is a loyalty and commitment to another.  You can be a faithful to any number of things – faithful to God, your friends, your principles… you can even be faithful to your Crossfit workout plan.

            Faith is not necessarily a good thing.  It can be, but it isn’t necessarily.  You can put your faith in the wrong type of people.  You can faithfully continue in your bad habits.  You can be faithfully loyal to the lies you tell yourself.  Faith is just a commitment – commit to the wrong thing and you are sunk.

            If Jesus isn’t raised from the dead, our faith is worthless.  Our faith is in an event (the resurrection) and in a Person (Jesus, the Son of God).  Make no mistake.  Christianity is more than a philosophy.  Christian faith is based upon facts.  There is an empty tomb, and that changes everything.

            It isn’t enough to just be faithful.  Ask yourself – where is my faith placed?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision