praying effectively: Be Fair Towards Leaders (1 Cor.9:1-14)

(1 Corinthians 9:1-14)  Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

8 I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

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 missionaries and spiritual leaders should be treated fairly, paid fairly, allowed to have their wives with them, allowed to rest and have holidays, and be allowed to eat and drink;  they should not have to deny themselves beyond what other believers around them experience (9:4-7, 9-10, 14)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your most gracious love.  Thank You for all that You have given to us.  Help us to be good stewards of the money and resources that we receive.  Prompt us to be obedient in tithing and giving gifts.  

May Your children extend Your gracious love to our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially to those who serve in Your kingdom in a big way.  When we commit to sponsoring a missionary, help us hold to our commitments, without thinking that we can stop tithing to our church.  As we are faithful, help us trust that You will continue to see to our own needs, as well as to the needs of our missionaries and pastors.  Help us realize that we are part of this answer to prayer!!!

Help our missionaries and spiritual leaders not to worry about their income, but trust in You to meet all their needs.  Help them to be good stewards of the money and resources that they receive.  May they not become discouraged, but give them opportunities to share the gospel message which will not only spread Your hope, but also give them hope and encouragement to continue on.  Guide us to always remember our pastors and missionaries in our prayers.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be in Agreement (1 Cor.1:10-2:5)

(1 Corinthians 1:10-31)  Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever 

I will set aside.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

(1 Corinthians 2:1-5)   And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power 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 believers should not have divisions or give credence to particular spiritual leaders, but we should all be of the same mind, all seeking after and following Christ Jesus (1:10)

- that we preach Christ crucified, and that we do not alter the gospel message from the truth to accommodate what people would prefer to hear (1:22-25)

- that we consider our calling, and do not boast in our own wisdom and strength, but in God and the gospel message, because God is wiser and stronger than everyone and everything combined, and it is Christ who saves (1:26-31)

- that we should not worry about trying to impress others with what we say or how we say it, but rather, be a witness by how we live in Christ, demonstrating how His power has changed us and continues to work in and through us (2:1-5)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom and strength.  Help us to look to You, and rely on You alone.  Guide Your children into unity, having the same mind, so that the world will see a difference in us which cannot be explained except through Your word.

Give us opportunities to share the gospel message with others.  Fill us with courage and Your wisdom so we do not have to worry about what to say or how to say it.  May people see the gospel message in how we live in Your love and remain obedient in Your will.  Help us to continue allowing You to work mightily in our lives, to Your glory.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Imitators of Christ (1 Cor.11:1-15)

(1 Corinthians 11:1-22)  Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  

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 in Christ, men and women are equal (11:11-12)

- that we should understand:  just as God is the head of Christ Jesus and the Trinity is one, a husband and wife are one, and the husband should be responsible as the spiritual leader of the family (11:3)

- that a husband should not hide from his responsibility of being the spiritual leader of his family (11:4-10)

- a wife should not portray herself as the spiritual leader and/or a prostitute, as back then prostitutes shaved their heads and  acted as "spiritual leaders" of pagan temples (11:4-10)

- that we are all imitators of Christ Jesus (11:1)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being a God of order.  Help us to understand that men and women are equal.  Help us also understand that as spiritual leaders of their families, the men have to step up and humbly be responsible to lead their families.  Guide husbands to realize that as spiritual leaders, they are to lead by example, striving to be Christ-like.  Help wives realize that they are to honor and support their husbands - to work as a team - and also strive to be Christ-like.  Help us all be imitators of You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Boast (1 Cor.3:1-23)

(1 Corinthians 3:1-12)  And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to 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 we are not to be deceived and boast in people and man's wisdom, but we are change our thinking and seek after God's wisdom (3:18-23)

- that each person is responsible to be careful how we build upon the foundation of Christ Jesus, the foundation which cannot be changed.  Believers have eternal security!  Our deeds will be tested by fire.  The bad things will be burned away, and we will be rewarded for the things we have done with pure motives. (3:10-15)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wisdom and guidance.  Guide and protect our spiritual leaders, to remain steadfast and humble, while always pointing our attention to You and Your will.  Give them wisdom to know how to effectively equip and challenge us.

Help us not to get caught up in being faithful to a particular spiritual leader, because we are all fallible, and spiritual leaders come and go.  Help us stay faithful to You, because it is You who remains!  You are faithful!  May we personally take responsibility for our own actions, and rely on You to help us live and act in Your will, to glorify You.  Amen.

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; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 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.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 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.