Scripture: 1st Corinthians 2:12-14 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 2:1-2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Thought for the Day: For Paul, the cross is a terribly complicated and confusing concept. It was, most definitely, the greatest stumbling block for him even
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:28-31 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Thought for the Day: I used to describe myself a neo-Barthian. Karl Barth (1886 – 1968) was a
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. Thought for the Day: In any good story, there is a moment early on when a conflict arises and a response seeking resolution follows. A story without some tension, friction, troubling question, emotional rift or unexpected bad news, is not going to be a
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:5-7 …for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thought for the Day: One of the great concerns I have for the church in 2017 is
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes… Thought for the Day: Paul speaks of his calling as an apostle – Apostolos in the Greek. It literally means: One Sent Out With A Message. It is interesting how Paul claims his position as an Apostle and the authority that comes with it. Apostle was
Scripture: Matthew 2:11-12 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Thought for the Day: I love the image of the
Scripture: Matthew 2:9-10 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Thought for the Day: Too often we miss our stopping place along the road. We set off in
Scripture: Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” Thought for the Day: I know there is always need for confidentiality