Saturday Morning Scripture (Wk48/2021 – 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Appeal to Unity

1 Paul, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother [1]Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified (set apart, made holy) in Christ Jesus, who are selected and called as saints (God’s people), together with all those who in every place call on and honor the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,

5 so that in everything you were [exceedingly] enriched in Him, in all speech [empowered by the spiritual gifts] and in all knowledge [with insight into the faith].

6 In this way our testimony about Christ was confirmed and established in you,

7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift [which comes from the Holy Spirit], as you eagerly wait [with confident trust] for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ [when He returns].

8 And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].

11 For I have been informed about you, my brothers and sisters, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are quarrels and factions among you.

12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.”

13 Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!]

14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,

15 so that no one would say that you were baptized into my name.

16 Now I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know if I baptized anyone else.

17 For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be [2]made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].

1 Corinthians 1:1-17 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:1 This man may have served as secretary to Paul to record his dictation, and may be the synagogue leader mentioned in Acts 18:17.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:17 Paul may be referring to the danger that convincing people to become Christians by the use of clever rhetoric would result in false conversions (cf 2:5).

Friday Morning Scripture (Wk48/2021) – Psalm 19

Prayer for Victory over Enemies.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

20 [1]May the Lord answer you (David) in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high [and defend you in battle]!

2 May He send you help from the sanctuary (His dwelling place) and support and strengthen you from Zion!

3 May He remember all your meal offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah.

4 May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.

5 We will sing joyously over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember and trust in the name of the Lord our God.

8 They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright.

9 O Lord, save [the [2]king]; may the [3]King answer us in the day we call.

Psalm 20:1-14 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 20:1 Verses 1-5, 9 is the prayer of intercession voiced by the congregation before David goes into battle.
  2. Psalm 20:9 I.e. David.
  3. Psalm 20:9 I.e. Lord.

Lion Bites – Global Prophetic Alliance – 10.12.21 – A Life On The altar

For a long time, you have come and given me your offering to place on the altar. You have come and poured out your costly perfume at my feet many times. I have loved these acts of adoration at my feet.

In this season, I am calling you higher. Come higher; no longer do I want you just to bring me an offering or pour out your oil at my feet, I want YOU to be the sacrifice; I want YOU to be the oil.

Am I worth everything you have? Are you willing to give your life as a sacrifice of praise or as the oil of love and intimacy poured out? I no longer want small sacrifices that are fleeting, but I want a life of praise, sacrifice, and adoration to me.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV)

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 (NIV)

#lionbites