Tuesday, October 15, 2019

praying effectively: Avoid Self-Indulgence (1 Cor.10:1-13)



(1 Corinthians 10:1-13)  For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.


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 are not idolaters (10:7)
- that we do not crave evil things (10:6) 
- that we do not act immorally (10:8)
- that we do not grumble (10:10)
- that we do not try the Lord (10:9)
- that we take heed of God's warnings and trust in God's guidance so that we do not stumble and fall when faced with temptations (10:12-13)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness, patience and guidance so that we can look to You for protection - from evil - and from ourselves!  Help us not try You by taking Your grace for granted.  Help us starve out our sinful nature, and give us a hunger for Your spiritual food, and a desire to quench our thirst with Your spiritual water.  

The more we desire after You and Your will, the less we will crave the things of the world, and the more we will find contentment in Your joy and purpose.  Fill us up, oh Lord!!!  In Your love and strength, move Your Church to do great and mighty things to Your glory!!!  Amen.

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