Category Archives: 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

Dear God, I’ve never completely understood this passage as it relates to being tempted beyond what we can bear. There have obviously been times when I am tempted beyond what I can bear because I gave in to it. 

I guess one question I have going through my mind right now is what would my life be like without the temptations? I think it would quickly lose any sense of need for you–your power and mercy. I’m not even close to being completely Christlike so I need the temptations to keep me tethered to you. (Or is it that I am susceptible to temptation because I am not close to being Christlike?) Either way, the temptations and my responses to each one are part of me working out my dear with fear and trembling. 

Father, in as far as my temptations are a function of addictions in me, please heal and strengthen me. In as far as they are a result of me feeling sorry for myself and having the right for self indulgence, forgive me for my self pity. And in as far as they are a result of my lethargy, laziness, and sloppiness, guide me in each moment to be the man you need me to be. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 
Dear God, I had an interesting day yesterday. I watched two loved ones start the process of getting a divorce. And while I don’t disagree with the decision for them to get a divorce (at this point, I can’t imagine them staying together), I can see where N adherence to the simple philosophy of “I am not my own. I was bought with a price” would have made a huge difference back at the beginning. 

And now their children are going to have to adjust, but, again, I think this adjustment will eventually be better for them than the old situation. But I’m worried about them. How will each of them choose to respond? What soil will these seeds of anger and fear find to root into. Can you plant seeds that will find good soil and spring forth your Spirit and glory?

Father, in the midst of this carnage, please plant seeds of your glory that will find good soil. Choke out the hate, anger, fear, and self-pity. Those seeds are being planted as well. Let them dry out, whither and fade. Let your seeds–the seeds of your mercy and forgiveness–choke them out in each life. And help me and others to be seed planters in their lives. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen