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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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I Corinthians 5

Paul addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian church: the acceptance of blatant sexual immorality. A man is involved in a sinful relationship with his stepmother, and the church’s prideful attitude toward this sin is deeply concerning. Paul reminds the Corinthians that such behavior is unacceptable and must be confronted. He instructs them to remove the unrepentant individual from their fellowship, not out of malice, but to encourage repentance and protect the church’s purity. Paul compares sin to leaven, warning that it spreads and corrupts the entire body. He urges the church to live as unleavened bread, pure and holy in Christ. Furthermore, Paul clarifies that he is not addressing unbelievers but instructs the church to hold fellow Christians accountable, emphasizing the importance of upholding God’s standards within the church.

Arrogance among God’s people can take many forms. In today’s reading, it manifests as unaddressed immorality, as if God would not hold the group accountable. Paul emphasizes that the church must confront sin for the good of the sinners and the purity of the congregation. This should be our attitude toward ungodliness among us. We must humbly accept that we will answer to God for inaction. However, our motives must always be to save and protect, whether it be the sinner or the members of our church family. This may require extreme actions, such as breaking off associations with someone or removing them from the local church fellowship. All must be done with the hope of restoration and peace.

Holy God, we hear Your call to morality and holiness in Jesus’ name. Help us confront violations of Your will within ourselves and among Your people with humility, love, and courage. Teach us to address sin with the desire for restoration and fellowship, being mindful to protect the integrity of Your little ones among us. Grant us wisdom to discern how to approach those in sin, balancing mercy and resolve as we stand for Your will. Strengthen our commitment to live as unleavened bread, set apart for You, and determined to abandon arrogance and purge sin from our midst.

Thought Questions:

- What might lead a local church to overlook sin among them? How can you help your local fellowship overcome this and address souls?

- How important is it for local churches to keep sin from among their midst? Why is it dangerous to allow ungodliness to be common among us?

- Why are Christians told “not to associate” with brethren caught in sin? Why is this important, and what does it look like in your life?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.com

I Corinthians 4

The apostles of Christ should not be viewed as exalted leaders, but rather as servants and stewards of God’s mysteries. They are subject to God’s examination, just like everyone else. Paul reminds the Corinthians that faithfulness to God is what truly matters, not the judgments or opinions of others. Genuine evaluation belongs to the Lord, who will illuminate hidden things and unveil the intentions of the heart. Paul cautions against pride and boasting in human leaders, urging humility by reminding them that everything they possess is a gift from God. Apostles are examples of suffering and perseverance, often regarded as “fools for Christ” while demonstrating God’s power. Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow his example, living humbly and faithfully under God’s authority, for they are ultimately accountable to Him alone.

Judgment and approval belong to the Lord in every situation. This absolute truth carries two important implications. First, we do not have the right to determine our own righteousness. God examines each of us, and His conclusions supersede our own. Second, and hopefully obviously, we do not pass judgment upon other believers. They will answer to God, and His praise is all that matters in the end. Unfortunately, some Corinthians have become prideful and even judge the apostles as less than themselves, despite Paul and others having done so much for God and for them. There is no room for such arrogance in the kingdom. We should emulate the faithfulness of the apostles and the humble, active servants among us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us through Your Word that we are stewards of Your mysteries. Help us remain faithful to You in all things, seeking Your approval above the opinions of others. Teach us humility, reminding us that everything we have is a gift from You. Strengthen us to endure challenges and reflect Christ’s love, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. May we follow the example of faithful servants like Paul, living for Your glory and not our own. Reveal to us the intentions of our hearts and guide us to walk in humble obedience to You.

Thought Questions:

- If God’s judgment about you is more important than how you see yourself, how do you determine what God desires from You as His servant?

- Why is it so tempting to demean others and elevate yourself? What do you usually miss about yourself and the other person when you do this?

- What would happen if we spent less time in pride or jealousy toward others and more time emulating the godliness we see in them?

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What is the difference between saving belief and insufficient belief? The answer is found all across the Gospel of John, and particularly in the story of the Pharisees approaching Jesus with a woman caught in adultery. Which one are you?

The outline for that study:

The Pharisees' Belief was in Vain

- Believe in God and Scripture

- Desired a Messiah of their Making

- Resisted Jesus when He Opposed Them

- Paraded a YOJ life, missing the Heart of Truth

True Believers Know they Need Jesus

- I have sinned and need help

- I will compare myself to no one

- My walk without Jesus leads to shame

- Until I know I'm blind, I will never see Light

Jesus Blesses and then Challenges Believers

- He freed her from condemnation

- He challenged her to honor this gift

- Her belief in His power to forgive was vital

- Her changed life would demonstrate True Belief

Oh, and here are the lyrics to IN NEED:

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need

I am Your child, I am in need

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