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     Wednesday, January 24 , 2024   INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 9  (NLT) First Corinthians, chapter 8  ended with Paul's declaration that he would give up his right to eat any meat rather than cause a brother in Christ to stumble. He shows in this chapter that he is already giving up his right as an apostle to be financially supported by those he serves. He doesn't want anything to get in the way of anyone believing the gospel. He limits his freedoms further by becoming all things to all people to win some for Christ. He disciplines himself like an athlete in training, to get a prize and to avoid being disqualified.  ( https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/9/1-Corinthians-chapter-9.html )   Paul's Rights as an Apostle, Verses  1-18 ,  Mrs. Elnora 1 Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?   2  Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am

  Wednesday, January  17 , 2024   INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER  8  (NLT) First Corinthians 8  begins Paul's response to another issue raised by the Corinthians. Earlier passages dealt with sexuality; this section discusses idolatry and food. Paul agrees that idols don't truly exist and only God is real. The problem is that some of the less-developed Christians aren't convinced of that. For those believers, they violate their consciences by eating idol food. Even if it's misguided, violating one's conscience is a sin. Romans 14:23 says, “But if you have doubts about  whether or not  you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right,  your  are sinning. If those with stronger consciences lead these weaker brothers and sisters into sin, they will be guilty of sin themselves. ( https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/8/1-Corinthians-chapter-8.html )   Concerni

  Wednesday, January 10, 2024   INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 7 (NLT)   First Corinthians 7  follows Paul's teaching in the previous chapter, which focused mostly on avoiding sexual immorality. This letter is in response to questions they had asked him in their letters to him. Here he commands married husbands and wives not to deprive each other of sex, or get divorced, in a misguided attempt to be more spiritual. Unmarried people who can live contentedly without sex, however, should consider remaining single to serve Christ undivided. Getting married is good, but the time is short. The form of this world is passing away. Unmarried people should think about the opportunities to avoid the trouble that comes with staying single and to serve Christ.  (https:// www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/7/1-Corinthians-chapter-7.html) Concerning Married Life, 1-16,  Mrs. Elnora 1 Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. [ a ]   2 

   Wednesday, January 3, 2024   INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 6 (NLT) Paul confronts two major issues happening in the church at Corinth. First, he is outraged that one of them has brought a lawsuit against a brother in Christ over a minor dispute. It is absurd to think that Christians—those who will judge the world and angels—cannot even judge a small matter between themselves. Second, Paul warns his readers to run from sexual immorality. Sex creates a powerful bond intended only for marriage. Since our bodies belong to and are part of Christ, we have no right to bring Him into a one-body union with someone to whom we're not married.    (https:// www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/6/1-Corinthians-chapter-6.html) Lawsuits Among Believers, Part 1, Verses  1-7,  TBD 1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers [ a ] !   2  Don’t you realize that someday we belie