praying effectively: Be Steadfast (1 Cor.15:51-58, 16:13-16)

(1 Corinthians 15:51-58)  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 16:13-16)  Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), 16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

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 be steadfast and immovable in our faith because we know eternity in heaven awaits us  (15:58, 16:13)

- that we are strong (16:13)

- that we should be on the alert (16:13)

- that we act mature (16:13)

- that everything we do should be done in love (16:14)

- that we respect, be obedient to and work alongside devoted believers (16:16)

- that we should be wanting to serve God every chance we get because we know eternity in heaven awaits us (15:58)

- that we should know our service to God is not in vain (15:58)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the eternal hope we have in You.  May this inspire us to stand strong in Your strength.  May this inspire us to grow in Your wisdom.  And may this inspire us to serve others and serve with others in Your love.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Disciplined (1 Cor.9:15-27)

(1 Corinthians 9:16-17)  For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

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 exercise self-control and chose to be disciplined in how we live and serve God (9:24-25)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your practical words of wisdom, along with helpful visual examples.  Please inspire and motivate us to live a life of service to You, not because we have to, but because we should want to.  Although there are times when we don't feel like doing something, please put Your fire in us in order to get us moving again.  

Fill our hearts with Your love until it is overflowing, so much so that we cannot help but tell others about You.  Help us realize that as soon as we start doing as we should, we will experience Your joy, peace and a sense of contentment and fulfillment.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Orderly (1 Cor.14:1-40)

(1 Corinthians 14:1-40)  Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

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 pursue love (14:1)

- that we try to be as innocent as babies, but be mature in our thinking (14:20)

- that we desire to edify the church in all that we do and say (14:12, 26)

- that we earnestly desire spiritual gifts (14:1)

- that we especially desire to have the gift of prophecy, which is to wisely apply biblical teachings in order to (edify) equip, (exhort) encourage, and (console) comfort believers and the church (14:1-4, 39)

- that when unbelievers hear believers prophecy, their hearts will be convicted (14:24-25)

- that while in church, allow 2 or 3 people to prophecy, one at a time, while others listen and judge if what is being said is biblical, edifying and encouraging  (14:29-33)

- that we should only recognize someone as being spiritual or a prophet, if everything they do and say supports God's words and God's will (14:37-38)

- that we do not forbid anyone to speak in tongues (14:39)

- that if anyone is going to speak in tongues, they should also pray that they are able to interpret (14:13)

- that if anyone speaks in tongues, there should be interpretation so that it edifies the church (14:5, 9)

- that while in church, allow only 2 or 3 people to speak in tongues, one at a time, and these should be interpreted, otherwise they should remain quiet, and speak in tongues in their minds only (14:27-28)

- that men and women have an easier time listening to a male preacher;  not to say that a female preacher cannot teach women (14:34-36)

- that if anyone has questions, they should wait until after the church service to ask about it (14:34-36)

- that church services should be orderly and peaceful (14:33, 40)

- that everything we do and say should be done properly and in an orderly manner (14:40)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You are a God of order and peace.  Please guide Your children towards representing this.  Protect Your church!  Help all spiritual leaders stay true and steadfast to Your word.

Thank You for giving us spiritual gifts.  Guide us to desire using them effectively, with pure motives.  In everything we do and say, help us to edify, encourage and console.  And in everything we do and say, may this convict the hearts of unbelievers so that they will see their need for You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Sober-Minded (1 Cor.15:33-50)

(1 Corinthians 15:33-50)  Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

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 stop sinning (15:34)

- that we avoid bad company which will corrupt us (15:33)

- that we are not deceived (15:33)

- that we are sober-minded (15:34)

- that we have knowledge of God (15:34)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross.  Without Your death and resurrection, we would not have any hope.  And Your wisdom is mind-blowing.  Thank You for this illustration of the seed being planted - in good soil - dying - then growing eternal... a brilliant parallel of all those who put their faith in You!

And to be PLANTED in You - in good soil - on solid ground... The more knowledge of You that we have, the more sober-minded we should be.  Protect us from evil, and help us not to be deceived, but to remain steadfast and unwavering in Your will.  Cause us to continually produce fruit to Your glory.  Amen.

praying effectively: Stay Humble (1 Cor.4:1-21)

(1 Corinthians 4:1-21)  Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

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 respect our spiritual leaders, considering them to be servants of Christ (4:1)

- that spiritual leaders are found to be trustworthy (4:2)

- that although it is good to keep each other accountable, it is the Lord who knows all things and is able to judge fairly, and it is the Lord who is the only one able to judge our motives (4:3-5)

- that we do not judge each other's motives (4:3-5)

- that we do not add expectations of do's and don't's in order to appear more spiritual than others (4:6-7)

- that we do not compare ourselves with other believers (4:6-7)

- that we do not become arrogant (4:6-7)

- that we remain humble, and imitate the ways of Christ (4:16-18)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being fair and just.  Help us to be respectful towards other believers, especially towards our spiritual leaders.  May we never compare ourselves to each other, or judge other people's motives.  Help us realize that we cannot be the accountability police.  It is difficult enough to fairly judge our own motives for the things we do.  Guide us in staying humble, and gracious.  Continually guide us and shape us to be more like You.  Amen.