praying effectively: Practice Communion (1 Cor.11:23-34)

(1 Corinthians 11:23-34)  For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we frequently take communion together as a family in order to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross (11:24-26)

- that we do not take communion lightly, or take Jesus' work on the cross for granted (11:34)

- that church members take communion together as a family, and not try to exclude anyone  (11:33)

- that before taking communion, all children of God should examine themselves and reconcile where they need to, otherwise God the Father will allow consequences of our sinful actions to get our attention (11:27-32)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross.  May we never take Your death and resurrection for granted.  May we as a church family, remember and celebrate Your sacrificial love together with sincere hearts.  May it be a time of reflection in order to remain reconciled with You and each other.  Guide us as a family to grow closer together in Your will and in Your unity.  Amen.

praying effectively: Use Your Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor.12:1-31)

(1 Corinthians 12:1-31)  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And I show you a still more excellent way.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we realize all believers are part of Christ's body, and therefore we are all members of one body (12:27)

- that each believer is given at least one spiritual gift for the common good of the Church body, which are given as the Holy Spirit wills (12:7-11, 18)

- that we realize God has appointed us to various ministries (12:28)

- that we realize each believer has been given at least one spiritual gift (12:1)

- that we earnestly desire the greater gifts in which to serve each other better (12:31)

- that we realize there are a variety of gifts, and we should not think that any of them are less important or more important than the others, as God designed the body of believers with the many parts to work together (12:4-6, 18-26)

- that we work together in unity (12:24-26)

- that we sincerely care for each member of the believing body, in good or bad times (12:24-26)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a huge, loving family!  Help us to care for each other, as You care for us.  And thank You for equipping us with spiritual gifts in order to do just that.  Help us to realize what our spiritual gifts are, and help us to use them effectively.  Guide us in Your wisdom to see needs which we can meet, so that we can all work together in unity and in Your love.  Amen.

praying effectively:Love One Another (1 Cor.13:1-13)

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13)  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we abide in faith (13:13)

- that we abide in hope (13:13)

- that we abide in love (13:13), which is...

- that we are patient  (13:4)

- that we are kind (13:4)

- that we are not jealous (13:4)

- that we do not brag (13:4)

- that we are not arrogant (13:4)

- that we do not act unbecomingly (13:5)

- that we are not selfish or self-serving (13:5)

- that we do not provoke, manipulate or force love (13:5)

- that we do not hold grudges or seek revenge (13:5)

- that we do not find happiness in other people's downfalls, or find happiness in sinful behavior (13:6)

- that we appreciate and find joy in truth (13:6)

- that we believe and see the best of people and not listen to gossip or make assumptions, which does not mean that we should put ourselves into stupid or dangerous situations (13:7)

- that we are hopeful in each relationship, to be able to work things out when there are problems (13:7)

- that we bear all things, not being overly sensitive regarding our own feelings, so that we are able to stomach a lot, and not be so offended right away;  by being quick to apologize for our end of things whether the other person forgives us or not (13:7)

- that we endure all things, by being quick to forgive the other person whether they apologize or not, and by remaining available in case they change their mind and behavior (13:7)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrificial love, and that You give us a template of what that love should look like.  I can definitely see a few things in that list which I still need to work on.  This is sin, and I confess these.  Help me figure out coping strategies so I can avoid falling into those bad patterns.  Help me to love others with pure motives.  This is obviously Your will, and I know that You will answer this prayer.  Help me to be patient with myself, as I know that I am a work in progress!!!

Thank You for Your faithful and holy guidance.  I have seen how You have worked in my life and in my relationships with various people!  There have been a few "miracles" for sure!!!  And when we do things Your way - I have seen how it works!!!  And regarding those relationships that are still "touchy", work on the hearts of the other people, while keeping me patient and continuously working on myself - in Your strength and in Your love.  Amen.

praying effectively: Seek Good for Others (1 Cor.10:23-33)

(1 Corinthians 10:23-33)  All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we should not put extra strain on ourselves as to living above reproach when it comes to other people's views on things, because as soon as we open the door to speculations, we could be introducing a necessary and awkward moral decision to be made (10:25-30)

- that whatever we do should not offend anyone, Christian or not (10:32)

- that we should seek the good for others, and not be selfish or self-serving (10:24, 33)

- that whatever we do should be done to God's glory (10:31)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom.  Guide us to make wise decisions regarding what we do and say when we are around people - so that everything we do will be to Your glory.  Help us be sensitive to other people's feelings and perspectives.  May we be respectful and loving, while all the while remaining steadfast in Your will, in order to be a living testimony to those around us.  Amen.

praying effectively: Stay Pure in Our Relationships (1 Cor.7:1-40)

(1 Corinthians 7:1-40)  Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. 3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command. 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that if we are indebted to someone when we become a believer, remain in their service until our debt is paid;  but if we become a believer, do not become indebted to anyone (7:21-24)

- that no matter who we are, or in what condition we find ourselves, we should focus on keeping God's commandments, and not making personal preferences mandatory (7:19)

- that the church supports both singles and married couples to serve as they are, there should not be any pressure to be either single or married (7:17, 20, 36-38)

- that it is not a bad thing to be single or widowed, and this should be considered a good thing by the entire church community (7:8, 25-26)

- that we do not have sex outside of marriage (7:1-2)

- that it is not a bad thing to be married when one believer has found another believer, wanting to be united together and committed to each other until death (7:9-10)

- that in a marriage, there is one husband and one wife (7:2)

- that spouses do not deprive each other of sex, except when both are in agreement, and only for a short time in order to avoid temptation (7:3-5)

- that spouses should be in prayer (7:5)

- that couples should not divorce (7:11, 27)

- that if a spouse leaves the marriage, they should try to reconcile, and if unable, they should remain separated but not divorced, they should not remarry (7:11, 27)

- that if someone becomes a believer and their (still) unbelieving spouse wants to stay in the marriage, they should remain married (7:12-16)

- that if an unbelieving spouse decides to leave the marriage, the believing spouse should not fight it but allow them to leave peacefully, and the believer is then free to marry again (7:15)

- that when a spouse dies, the other is free to remarry, but a believer should only marry another believer (7:39)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love, and that YOU are our "soul-mate" - literally!  You are the only one who is able to satisfy and fulfill us completely.  And whether we are married or single, help us focus on being obedient to Your will.  Guide Your Church to not put pressure on people to get married or stay single, but inspire us to equip and encourage each other to serve You, and find our purpose and identity in You.

Help believers realize that marriage is not the answer to feeling fulfilled in their lives.  Help singles to be content in all things so that they will not rush into a bad decision.  Protect them and keep them pure.  And when they do meet a potential spouse, help them know without a doubt that they have found someone who is godly and will work together with them as a team - in Your will - until death.

Help couples to be content in all things so that they will remain committed to each other, making You their solid foundation.  Protect our marriages and keep them strong and loving, by putting You first in our lives.  Amen.