2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4

Paul continues to defend his reasons for not coming to visit them.

I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

(v23, NIV)

It was for their benefit. By going to see them, he may cause them pain and he doesn't want to bring them pain. If he brings them pain, then it also pains him.

For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

(v4, NIV)

In here we can see it is also rooted in love. It may be easy to think he may be doing this for his own benefit. However, he deeply loves them and wants what is best for them. This can easily bring us back to 1 Corinthians 13. Clearly if we do not have love, we are nothing but a clanging cymbal or a resounding gong. Paul loves them and only wants what's best for them. Same thing goes for God. Paul is only acting on God's direction. God loves us and desires what is best for us.

Pray for James

Well nearly time to leave. As I head into a new adventure I hope I can do my best for God. I hope I can learn from this past year too.

discipline determination, hope, joy and a focus in loving God with everything that I am.
peace

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

(1 Corinthians 1:31, ESV)

We are to boast in the Lord. If we are to make any boast at all, it shall be in the Lord.

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and acknowledge and I hope you will fully acknowledge— just as you did partially acknowledge us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

(v12-14, ESV)

This section ends with boasting in one another. This may seem contrary but it is still a boast in the Lord. This boast is about the work of God in them but at the same time, "supremely so toward you" (v12, ESV).

Unfortunately, though Paul desires to come to them, his plans did not turn out that way as we read from chapter 2 verse 1. He once again must defend himself and his reasons. It may seem like he wanted to say "yes" and "no" for his plan to come see them. Clearly his desire was to come see them, but Paul is subject to God's will.

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.

(v19, ESV)

Paul is and has always been a servant of God. Though he said "yes" to his desire to come see them at the Corinthian church, his coming and going is subject to God's will. If God wants him to do something else, Paul will always say yes to God.

Let us always say "yes" to God, putting our trust and hope and faith in him.

2 Corinthians 1:12

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.

(v12, NIV)

This makes me think back to first Corinthians.

Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

(1 Corinthians 1:31, NIV)

Actually, I prefer the ESV translation of verse 12.

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

(v12, ESV)

The main reasons why I think back to first Corinthians is because of "boast" and "wisdom". The verse I brought up tells us to boast in the Lord. That section was talking about the foolishness of God being wiser than men.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

(1 Corinthians 1:25, NIV)

First Corinthians also talks about the wisdom of God compared to the wisdom of man. Clearly we know which one is better. However, in this verse refers to the grace of God as opposed to earthly wisdom. Though we learn in 1 Corinthians about choosing God's wisdom over man's wisdom, here the grace of God is by which they behave. Grace also brings a calming and comforting sense to mind.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

When we live in Grace, it is the saving power of the cross that comes to mind. This is why we live the way we live. This is God's grace. And only because of it we can behave in such a way towards others.

We should live relying on God's grace. By him and all he does we can live and move and have our being.

been a little off lately....

Well nearly school soon and all the frustration can ever be more potent as the day draws near to leave home. But lately I been not doing so well keeping up on my blog/devotions.

I think yesterday I been come to realized how a day without devotion can be like a day with out food. You feel empty, missing something in you gut feeling. Yesterday proved it because I had so many good moments but I feel that still something missing. I had really good conversation about life with one my good friend and during YF Grad we had a very deep time sharing too. With all the great moments nothing could escape the fact I wasn't real with God because too often when I give in to laziness you don't care about my surrounding that much and I don't allowing myself to realized that my actions. Keeping up with devotion is in a way training one self to keep the fire burning for God despite difficulties in life. If God come as are number one priority in life than start acting like it. God comes first everything else come secondary.

Reading Jeremiah today I realized how much he put God through out his story. Jeremiah kept on prophesying though he knew he can be killed for it, and the whole nation of Israel were against him. I guess most people in his case drop everything and run. But in the end Israel came to realized Jeremiah message. I think that shows Jeremiah faithfulness to God. I wish I had that much faith in God to the point of death.

Jon Lam is back + apologize

I am sorry if you guys are wondering or worrying about me during the week. But no matter what, I am really encouraged especially by Chris. You keep writing the devotion EVERYDAY silently and patiently even you see I was slicking. Anyways, I think this is a very good training in terms of discipline and time managment to me. There is MUCH to learn.

Although I was slicking last week, mostly because I was being lazy, but I did spend time with God, on and off, and, partly because I wanted to take a "break" on writing (since it does not become my habit yet) and do some life reflecting. During those reflecting time, I also thought about my next direction on this devotion blog.

After briefly looked through the 1,2 Peter from the past month, I really didn’t know what should I do next on my devotion. Therefore, I took some time to read different books and listen to different sermons from different churches, trying to find out where is my next direction on this DMC2U (Draw Me Close To You). I tend to be systematic.

A couple days ago, I started listen to the series of sermon called “Trail” from Mars Hill Church. I was first introduced by my sister while listening to one sermon from the “Trail” series with her during a car ride to a family cottage last week. And since then I already completed the first two sermons from the series. I find that it is really insightful compare to my shallow devotions to 1,2 Peter last month. I think there are more to learn, and therefore I decided to complete the whole series as part of my devotion on DMC2U in the coming days.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Here I begin Second Corinthians. This is another letter to those at the Corinthian church. It begins with customary greetings and moves into the idea of comfort.

God is the "father of mercies and God of all comfort" (v3, ESV). Clearly we have received mercy because we are still alive right now. If we had not received mercy, each and everyone one of us would have been struck down by lightning already.

who comforts us all in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

(v4, ESV)

There are many ways in which God comforts us. It's comforting to know that our God is bigger than us. I think I quoted this a while back, but I'll do it again anyway.

My God is so big,

So strong and so mighty,

There's nothing my God cannot do.

(My God is so big, Song)

God is so powerful and mighty and wise and all knowing. I take comfort in the fact that God looking out for me. Even when it doesn't look like it, I know in the end I'll just look back and laugh. This is because God's got it under control.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

(Romans 8:28-30, NIV)

Through God who comforts us, we can comfort others. It is because of his comfort towards us that we even have the ability to comfort others. That must mean that the methods or the ways in which we are comforted by God are the way to comfort others. When I am comforted through beautiful scripture from the Word of God, maybe I should show that to others to comfort them.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

(v5, NIV)

Though we do receive comfort through God and how awesome he is, this is not specifically what the passage is referring to. This comfort is the one we receive through Christ's sufferings. Jesus suffered and died for our sins. Because of him and his sacrifice we are saved and can come into a loving relationship with our Lord. We have been redeemed and have hope beyond the grave.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16, NIV)

How comforting is it to know that God loved us so much that he gave his only son for us? How comforting is it to know that Jesus paid the price for us?

It's interesting how sufferings leads to comfort. Not only Jesus, but Paul is referring to their own sufferings leading to comfort and salvation. In addition, Paul's comfort leads to their comfort.

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

(v9-10, NIV)

In this case, they were near to death. However, these trials make me think of James and Romans.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

(James 1:2-3, NIV)

Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

(Romans 5:3-4, NIV)

Through these experiences, they learn to rely on God. These trials and sufferings continue to build us up and mould us. Our hope remains in God.

as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

(v11, NIV)

Let us not forget to pray and pray for one another. In all things let us comfort one another. We know we receive comfort from God and through this we are able to comfort others.

1 Corinthians 16

This is the last chapter for 1 Corinthians.

For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend time with you, if the Lord permits.

(v8, ESV)

Paul desires to spend time with them. He desires to go out and spread the gospel to more people; however, that is not his only focus. In Romans, Paul speaks about mutually encouraged by them. It's a two way giving and taking of imparting from one another. It is to his benefit and their benefit.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

(Romans 1:11-12, ESV)

It's also interesting that Paul adds "if the Lord permits." (v8, ESV). Paul recognizes that he is a slave to the living God. Even though he has desires to do certain things, his life is merely subject to God. His coming and going can be changed by God. Paul does not know what God has in store for him, but he is willing and able to do what God wants him to do.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

(v13-14, ESV)

This verse is particularly amusing to me because it's funny to say to the females. However, in all seriousness, it is speaking about attributes that men are known to be better at. In NIV it says "be men of courage" (v13, NIV). It is even mentioned to do things in love. Maybe this added because this is not an attribute men are known to excel in. Also, we know from chapter 13 that anything done in love is meaningless.

Matthew 26:39

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

(Mark 11:22-24)

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

(Matthew 17:20)

We often use verses like these when praying. It's true that we have to pray in faith. Praying half-heartedly probably gives half-hearted results. Can you imagine a child asking their parent for something, but not really believing it can happen? Sure, it's possible for the parents to still give it to the child, but it's probably less likely. At the very least, the parents are probably less enthused about giving what the child asks for if they ask half-heartedly. I believe we should ask believing we will receive it. Clearly we should according to what Jesus said.

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

(James 5:13-16)

Praying in faith applies to healing as well. We also have this other verse about elders praying and anointing the sick. However, when praying for things, some people argue that praying "if it is in your will" is not really praying believing it will happen. It's like asking for something then taking a step back from full belief in your request. As a result, some argue that you go against the type of praying in faith mentioned in the first two verses.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

(Matthew 26:39)

In this passage, Jesus is asking for the cup to be taken from him. However, he adds the "back step". Is it in fact possible by God? I believe so. Is Jesus praying believing that his request is entirely possible by God? I believe so. You can take this "back step" and still believe in full faith that your request is possible by God. Fine, believing you have received it is different than believing it is possible. I still think praying and asking the way Jesus did is okay. Some may disagree, but that's okay. By doing this you are acknowledging that God is able and is bigger than your request.

life, as it is

I think I did n 't write in my blog yesterday because I find no time to do it. I was out most of the day and got up late. But as I reflected yesterday about life, most time this happen when I am on the bus, It was hard moment. I know where I want to go in life but the road I picked is a difficult one. And because of difficult road I picked I look upon my weakness and wonder how this will ever work. and some times I can say just as Jeremiah said

Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame? Jeremiah 20:18

Wondering in my life have I ever fought enough or have I indulged too much in my sinfulness. I desire to move away from my sinful behaviors, even starting with this blog to make this life worth living by disciplining and being shaped by God. Though the road is narrow and hard to see at times, will I not give up for the search? My hope is in the Lord for that is where perseverance and character comes from (Rom 5)

1 Corinthians 15:50-59

Now we move to inheriting the kingdom of God. Since resurrection applies, the past points about resurrection are applied to inheriting the kingdom of God.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(v54-57, NIV)

How sweet is that? Such sweet words have such a lovely truth. Death has no victory over us. There is no sting in death. However, there is a sting in the sin. We shouldn't worry though because through Jesus we have victory. We do not labour in vain.

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

(v58, ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:35-49

The point has already been made about resurrection. There does exist resurrection of the dead. However, Paul moves on to deal with another question that could be raised. People now question how it occurs. More specifically, they may even question about the body. An analogy is made between resurrection and the planting of a seed. When you plant a seed, it is only a mere seed. However, when it is grown is it totally different from that original seed.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

(v42-44, NIV)

So there is a difference between the bodies we die in and the body we are raised with. There is even a link between Adam and Jesus made here. Adam is associated with a living being, natural, and a man of dust, but Jesus is associated with a life-giving spirit, spiritual, and from heaven. Though we have these earthly bodies, we will be raised in a different body.

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

(v49, ESV)

Trust in the LORD Jer 17:1-18

A lot of things hit me in this passage that gave me hope to keep on going especially the career I am going into, Ministries. Though I have a direction where I want to to, youth pastor, I no idea where God is going to use me in.
Yesterday was a frustrating day. I hangout with my dad hoping to just spend time together, but instead it went bad. As we were discussing about what need for the school year in Briercrest, He starting interrogating me about why I am doing this. As I try to share my faith and what God is doing in my life and that the fact I am doing this for Him, my dad turn a deaf ear hearing all that. Instead he insisted I do what I wanted to do as a lay person and focus the priority in money because the world revolves around money and it is important that you are well financed so you will be set for life.
It's hard to show respected to my dad because sometimes when I listen to my dad, I can see what the world would have look like if God did not exist. Every time I listened to my dad, I get discourage and it seems like the plan that God wants me to go into is not smart. I will not give up on this. I rather die for God rather then to die for a secure life.
Today in my reading in gave some confidence to keep on going:

This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD. ........

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him........

The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve."..........

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17: 5, 7, 9-10, 14

1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

(v29, ESV)

When we are baptized, we are baptized in the name of Jesus. If Jesus is dead, why are we baptizing into the name of someone dead? However, we have hope and faith knowing that Jesus is alive. We are baptized into the name of Jesus, who conquered death. Again the point is made that all we do for Jesus is meaningless if the dead are not raised. We might as well sit back and enjoy the pleasures in life without a care for the consequences beyond this life. However, Jesus is alive and we should live for Him.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

(v33, ESV)

Clearly we shouldn't be influenced by others. Bad company includes those who believe there is no such thing as the resurrection of the dead. Their beliefs will influence us and we should cast out this belief or cast them out if they disagree. Hopefully they would see the light and realize their mistake. The idea I get from this is similar to that found in Chapter 5. The sexually immoral man among them is to be taken out from their midst in a sense.

you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

(1 Cor 5:5, ESV)

Regardless, the point is made that we should believe in the resurrection of the dead. Clearly as Christians, our faith is nothing if there is no resurrection of the dead. Jesus has not been raised from the dead if there is no resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Some people did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Clearly that is an incorrect belief since Jesus was raised from the dead.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

(v14, ESV)

We know that our faith and our preaching are not in vain because we know Christ has been raised. If you do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, it completely contradicts the Christian faith.

Christ has been raised and therefore has defeated death. Paul continues on in the glorious result in acceptance of the resurrection of Christ.

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

(v24-28, NIV)

He will put all his enemies under his feet. ESV uses the word "subjection". There are some people who are enemies of God. Some people who want nothing to do with God. I guess no matter how hard they refuse or resist God, God is bigger than them and he will put them under his feet.

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

(My God is so Big, Song)

Spoiler alert, God wins in the end. We have hope and faith in Jesus. Jesus conquered death!

When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

(v28, ESV)

Too easily pleased - Jer15

⁵ "Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem?
Who will mourn for you?
Who will stop to ask how you are?

⁶ You have rejected me," declares the LORD.
"You keep on backsliding.
So I will lay hands on you and destroy you;
I can no longer show compassion.

⁷ I will winnow them with a winnowing fork
at the city gates of the land.
I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people,
for they have not changed their ways. Jer 15:5-7 NIV

I woke up around 9 this morning and ask myself "I am too easily please". It so easy just to keep on sleeping and in this today in this day and age we can get easily comfortable rather then doing the right thing. Same with Israel, if they gotten so comfortable with their sin it easy for them to reject the LORD, keep on backsliding and not change their ways. I wonder what areas in my life I have gotten comfortable in and it does not please the LORD.

1 Corinthians 15:3-11

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

(v3, NIV)

Christ dying for our sins is of first importance. Paul places it as the most important thing that he ensured that he delivered it to them. Jesus died, was buried and then was raised on the third day. Then Jesus appeared to the disciples and a bunch of different people including Paul. Appearing to Paul was different and at a different time. We learn in Acts 9 that Jesus appeared to Paul (Saul at the time) as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. This takes place sometime after Jesus appeared to the other disciples.

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

(v8, ESV)

Paul was a persecutor of Christians. Somehow, his life was changed and now he is a servant of God. I don't think any of you could match up to Paul's sins. Yet, God was able to save a man like Paul. Clearly, Paul's conversion was nothing short of God's work. There was no indication at all that Paul was moving in that direction. Paul clearly acknowledges this and you can see from what he says that nothing he does is by his efforts.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

(v9-11, NIV)

Paul's efforts and who he is, is by the grace of God. Regardless, in the end they preached and those at the Corinthian church believed.

it shows. Jer 13

I will pull up your skirts over your face
that your shame may be seen - your adulteries and lustful neighing,
your shameless prostitution!
I have seen your detestable acts
on the hills and in the fields.
Woe to you, O Jerusalem!
How long will you be unclean? Jer 13:26-27

As I recalled some of my moments where I have fallen into sin I can't help but say, it shows. nothing is kept in secret because the LORD is everywhere. And scary thing is we will be accounted for all our actions, even the things we do in secret. better watch out

Its a privilege. Jer 13

still reading Jeremiah. Today was short Devotion for me. I didn't get much out of it for I was teaching that morning for YF discipleship week. But there was something along the word that got my attention:

A Linen Belt

¹ This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and buy a linen belt and put it around your waist, but do not let it touch water." ² So I bought a belt, as the LORD directed, and put it around my waist.

³ Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time: ⁴ "Take the belt you bought and are wearing around your waist, and go now to Perath ^[a] and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks." ⁵ So I went and hid it at Perath, as the LORD told me.

⁶ Many days later the LORD said to me, "Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there." ⁷ So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.

⁸ Then the word of the LORD came to me: ⁹ "This is what the LORD says: 'In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. ¹⁰ These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! ¹¹ For as a belt is bound around a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,' declares the LORD, 'to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.'

Kinda funny God will tell such a thing to Jeremiah. "Buy a belt and do this.... " But as I study this idea of a belt it became understanding that this type of belt "Linen" was made for priest, holy people. To have this belt destroy was showing how the abusiveness of being the chosen people of God.
it made me think me teaching today that it was privilege rather then something that prideful to take in. when I began to see everything I have been given is a privilege I began to see God sovereignty in all things.

Pray for YF at Church for there continual growth in life. I see many crazy things today people praying for one another! Also there a unity worship night that happening, alot of ppl invited this Saturday pray for that. I been given the privilege of prayer leader

Matthew 25:14-30

Now that school's over it's easy to sit back, relax and do nothing. That's what I've been doing, and it's not that great. I should be doing something productive. In addition, I have an exam to write tomorrow and I've been slacking in studying for that. This brought me to think of the parable of the talents.

I'm sure you all know this story, but I'll run through it quickly. A man going on a journey entrusts five talents to one servant, two talents to another servant and one talent to another servant. The servant with five talents turned five talents into ten talents and the servant with two talents turned the two talents into four talents. Each of these two servants did this when he "put his money to work" (v16, NIV). However, the servant with one talent hid the talent in the ground. When the man came back from his journey, he was pleased with the first two servants upon hearing what they did with the talents entrusted to them. However, he was unhappy with the third servant, saying "you wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest" (v26-27, ESV).

Okay, that wasn't that short. You should just go and read it for yourself. Anyway, our lives have been entrusted to us by God. We should use it wisely. I know I usually don't make good use of my time, but I should. The first two servants knew what to do, and I think the third servant knew what to do. The third servant was afraid, but we shouldn't be afraid. Let us stop being lazy. Let us produce and make good use of what has been given to us. Then we can present it to God at the end. Hopefully we'll hear the same the first two servants heard from their master.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

(v21, NIV)

Notices -- Jon Lam will be away

Hi Chris and James,

Sorry, I know I haven't been updating. My life in summer is so unstable!! I don't stay at home so often, and tomorrow I will go to camping again and until Sunday evening. Hopefully things will get better and stable once I am back and catch up with the blog.

Cheers,
Jon

1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Paul is now reminding those at the Corinthian church about the gospel. They have received the gospel and now stand in it (v1).

and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.

(v2, ESV)

So, they are being saved by the gospel if they hold fast to Paul's preaching. However, this doesn't happen if they believed in vain. This brings upon a scary thought that one can believe in vain. The words of Jesus come from Matthew.

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

(Matthew 7:22-23, NIV)

It is quite the scary thought. Though we aren't saved by works, we should receive, stand firm and hold fast to the word preached. "unless we believed in vain" (v2, ESV). Let us not believe in vain.

God owes us nothing we owe him everything (Jer12)

<sup>Reading the next Jeremiah is hard book not everything you can read relates to tour life that easy. but does show a who God is really like.
Jeremiah is complaining to the LORD saying "why does the wicked prosper?" and in that time Israel is corrupted to the heart and keep in mind the people want to kill Jeremiah too. But what I find is interesting was God's response to all this. Yes God said by all means they deserve to die due there many great sins but....

15</sup> But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. ¹⁶ And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'-even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people.

God is has compassion and still gives a chance of repentance. I see that where Christ fills in that picture. I see that God took more of a risk to bring us back to him by allowing us to change. Sometimes I feel God owes me because I try so hard to his will, don't I deserved to get blessed? But then when I read this passage I realized He does not owe anything to me it the opposite, I owe him big time.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

In ESV, this section is titled "Orderly Worship". There are certain ways they are to conduct themselves while they are together. One main point is that they are to take turns in speaking in tongues and in speaking prophecy or revelation to one another. Paul says in both cases that two or three at the most should speak and in turn. This seems to make sense in being orderly and organized. If everyone did it at the same time, then it wouldn't be orderly but confusing. However, if they did take turns but allowed many people to speak, then it would go on forever and people might forget some of the encouragements or revelations. This all "so that all may learn and all be encouraged," (v31, ESV). "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (v33, ESV)

Apparently, women are supposed to remain silent in the church. We did read in chapter 11 about how women should pray with their heads covered. This is all with respect to men and in line with the relationship between man and woman as well as man and God. Here in chapter 14, similar subjection for women is enforced.

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

(v34, ESV)

I just did a search for this verse so I wouldn't have to type it up. I could've easily gone to biblegateway, but I tried to see if the first search would've come up with the verse quicker. Unfortunately, the whole search was filled with articles discussing this very passage. Now, I'm sure there are many studies on all of scripture, but this one in particular is a hot topic because of what it says about women. Now, I'm not going to take a stance on this issue, but read it for yourselves and see where you stand on the issues. How do you interpret it? hm...

Orderly worship should not be confusing "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (v33, ESV). Referring back to the beginning of the chapter, it should be beneficial to others. We are to desire to prophecy, but not to forbid speaking in tongues (v39).

Thought Sharing -- Everything may be fail but He will never fail

Sometimes, there is a moment of life that you forget to invite God to involve into your life, just because you don’t feel like it, or life is too “busy“for God, or you think you can solve all the problems without God. This is exactly the moment I am going through right now. I don’t feel like to open my bible, or even I open my bible, I feel like I am not really digesting His word or communicating with Him.

I really want to stop this cycle, because I can really feel the different of my life once I stop involving Him. It isn’t mean I don’t believe in Him or I stop doing “good” things, but I no longer put Him as center of all things, and then I started to feel discouraged and upset to the facts that I don’t see things change; and I started to get disappointed to people, especially those from church, because I have put a high expectation on people, yet I no longer have patient and love to those I don’t like. I started to judge church people instead of loving them. I started to get discouraged to fellowship, instead of have faith to God that He is good, and He is in control. Why is that? It is all because of the selfishness and my pirate. I judge because I thought I know, but actually I don’t, because I don’t even practice what I know. I want to quit because I don’t want to loss, but forgetting the real meaning of winning is trusting in God always, and be rejoice in Him always, even in time of darkness.

God, I know I should always keep you in my mind. I should always remember what you have done for me on the cross, and I am selected to be saved by your blood. It is not what I think I should do so that you will be glorified, but is you are glorified by doing your work through me. And I can only do so by having a relationship with you constantly. God, thank you for being my God, and knowing my heart, and be patient to me. Everything can be fail but you will never fail.

Justice belongs to our God - Jeremiah 11

I started already a Devotion in Jeremiah. usually when I start a Devotion on a book sometimes I never finished it and then move on to another book. this time I'll try to finished this book.

History lesson up front first. Israel has been a bad boys and girls and God is not happy. So he send his Prophets Jeremiah to prophesied judgment on them and ask them to change their ways. But nooooo Israel didn't want to listen. therefore God plot against Israel and Jeremiah finds himself being plot against the Israel.

Then the Lord told me about the plots my enemies were making against me. ¹⁹ I was like a lamb being led to the slaughter. I had no idea that they were planning to kill me! “Let’s destroy this man and all his words,” they said. “Let’s cut him down, so his name will be forgotten forever.”

²⁰ O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
you make righteous judgments,
and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.
Let me see your vengeance against them,
for I have committed my cause to you.

I find my self wondering If I will ever leave justice to the Lord when things seems so against me. Will I turn the other cheek. In this day and age in North America, being persecuted for you faith is unlikely. What kind of persecution we face? I think we are living in persecution, not physical but mentally speaking. like the lamb to slaughter, I feel I face of either being force in to be in today culture by what we should wear or what we should have but I am follower of Christ and I am in a flux of being change by the culture. My comforts, My way, My life when everything I am belongs to God. and it sometimes easy to say wide is the road is easy forget the narrow road. Where will I stand on this? God I want this all for you

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

This whole chapter is summed up in the last verses.

Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

(v39-40, NIV)

So, we are to desire to prophesy, but speaking in tongues is acceptable as well. Paul desires everyone to prophesize and he explains why throughout the chapter.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

(v4, NIV)

So, prophecy is superior in who it benefits. Tongues only benefit the speaker, but prophecy builds up the church. The next point Paul brings is meaning and understanding. What we say and do have no real meaning or purpose if nobody else understands it. This communication issue is why there is need for an interpreter. Paul mentions in verse 28 that you shouldn't speak in tongues when you come together if there is no interpreter. I wonder how that works. I mean, do people outright stop and ask everyone to see if an interpreter is among them before they begin speaking in tongues? Maybe they only speak in tongues in a place where other people have spoken in tongues before. Since others have done it before in the same place and same group of people, they know that someone interpreted the last time someone spoke in tongues. Maybe that's how it works. Another weird thing is what if someone interprets their own speaking in tongues? hm...

Anyway, the next point is about the mind. There is a distinction between the spirit and the mind. Apparently, speaking in tongues is linked to the spirit and if you are speaking in tongues, you are not speaking with your mind. Paul is very clear about what he thinks about this.

But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

(v19, NIV)

The next point refers to outsiders. If someone from outside the church came in to see everyone speaking in tongues, they would think we are crazy. But if we were all prophesying, "he is convicted by all" (v24, ESV).

The other thing that ties this chapter in not mentioned in the last two verses is building up others. The first points mentioned already all have to do with building up others. They all are pointing back to who it builds up. Even the last one is about benefiting outsiders. Paul is not saying that speaking in tongues is forbidden, but prophesying is better. There are also certain guidelines and rules. Regardless, we should pursue love as is mentioned in the last chapter. It is loving to seek to benefit others as opposed to yourself.

The Bible came to us at the cost of blood

Today this morning mark the first day of discipleship for YF. I came with the expectation of being reminded of my studies back in Briercrest since the the was about "Reading and Living God's Word". I took spiritual reformation class I should know the majority of spiritual life including reading and living God's word, I mean come on I going to live a life for God and serve in ministry. but then I find myself being taught instead of being reminded. I feel like I discovered want I already discovered.

Josh who was leading just taught about how the bible is very important and yea the obvious ans were is read and pray everyday, but when Josh taught why we should read our bible and pray it was something else. By reading our bible and constant communication with God through prayer, we know who Jesus/God is and received salvation. Also the bible is for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 tim 3:14-17). I think through being reminded the most basic thing to christian help me to see life I living right now in a whole new light.

What really made me learn the most was hearing the history of how the bible was made. I would encourage anyone to learn the history behind the bible because it one crazy one. though I knew some of the history but made me went cray was the fact the bible really came to us through people sacrifice, people who bleed and die in order to make translated it. recalled martin, Luther Tyndale, john Wycliffe. people went through many hardship to get the bible in our hands which is now so accessible to us. I should make us rethink about how powerful and precious God word really is.

\ahhhh being sick sucks. stuff nose and weird throat :(

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

The last section was about spiritual gifts. Taking a quick peek ahead, we see that the next chapter talks about prophecy and tongues. However, Paul mentions that prophecy will pass away and tongues will cease (v8). There are many things in this world that are partial and will pass away. In looking at things in that light, I guess it helps you put things into perspective. "Love never ends." (v8, ESV).

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

(v11, ESV)

We need to grow up. If we do things without love, we are childish. Those at the Corinthian church were arguing over which spiritual gifts were better as Paul addresses in the last chapter. "Love does not envy or boast;" (v4, ESV). So, they shouldn't be envious of other people's gifts or boastful about their own.

Now in becoming a man and working towards this maturity, there is always a striving for perfection. This is the process of sanctification. So, we're not perfect yet and we are still in our partial stage. However, with reference to this perfect and the passing away of the partial, we too will know fully.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

(v12, ESV)

Faith, hope and love are what matters. Referring again back to the spiritual gifts, they don't really matter. What matters are faith, hope and love. Let us live with faith, hope and love.

So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(v13, ESV)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I remember going to my cousin's wedding about two years ago. He's not Christian, and I also assume that his wife is not Christian either. However, they read a bible verse during the ceremony.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

(v4-8, NIV)

Now, in my ignorance I thought maybe they were Christian. At the very least, either bride or groom was a Christian by name. But, no, it's just a nice heart-warming thing to say at a wedding. I guess simply pulling chapter 13 out on its own can stand for something acceptable among non-Christians. It leaves you all fuzzy and tingly inside. That's sad, really...

I remember a brother in CCF commenting on this passage. He was saying how it is titled "The Way of Love" in ESV. Though paragraph titles are not in the original Hebrew and Greek, he was still able to extract some truth from it. In his dealings recently he had come to question the popular question, "what is love?". In looking to this passage and studying it, he noticed the title of the passage. These things about love in this chapter are not what love is, but the way of love. Though he would learn a lot about love in this chapter, it would not fully satisfy his question. What is love? We can learn a lot about it in this passage, but there's more to it I guess.

Michael Scott: What is the most inspiring thing I ever said to you?

Dwight Schrute: Don't be an idiot. Changed my life.

Whenever I'm about to do something, I think, "Would an idiot do that?" And if they would, I do not do that thing.

(Business School, The Office)

Similar to the WWJD as some of you may be more familiar with, Dwight in "The Office" uses a similar test. Maybe another thing you could ask yourself is, "is it loving?" as another test. Seeing from verses 1-3, things are useless without love. In reading verses 4-8 we can learn of some of the characteristics of love. Hopefully this will help us gain a better understanding of love so we can tell if something we are doing is loving or not.

1 Corinthians 13 again...

I'm going to revisit verses 1-3.

I guess I was a bit upset today at hockey. I hate it when people get upset in hockey because then they play dirty trying to get revenge. Usually that develops into a fight and that's fun for nobody. I normally am pretty good about letting it go. I don't get upset or make a big deal about it. I simply assume they weren't doing it on purpose. I usually just play harder to release my frustration because if I were better then I'd be able to own and pwn regardless of how dirty other people are playing.

Anyway, I got a bit upset and in my anger after the game I was consumed with thoughts of revenge and things of that nature.

Anyway, I realized that I was without love while I was dwelling in my anger. No matter what I said, it was a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (v1).

In addition, in reading through the next section I noticed another applicable verse.

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

(v6, ESV)

Clearly, I was picturing in my head situations where I could get revenge on this guy. This kind of revenge is wrongdoing and is definitely without love.

This whole anger thing also makes me think of James.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.

(James 1:19-20, ESV)

There's also the other one about being angry but not sinning. Anyway, hopefully I can remain cool. Though I don't often act on my anger, it still broods inside me. Let us learn to love and love our enemies.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Anything without love is nothing.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

(v1, NIV)

A resounding gong or clanging cymbal is simply loud or annoying. Without love, you become like that. When we speak, our desire is for someone to hear what we say. Hopefully they'll understand it and possibly get something out of it. They may receive whatever message we were trying to tell them. However, a gong or cymbal isn't really what we want our talk to be used for.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

(v2, NIV)

Last year my family was praying desperately for my aunt who was hospitalized because of a sudden brain issue. At this very moment, there are those who are praying for Mandy's mother. Mandy's mother has cancer. In praying for the sick, there is usually an aspect about praying in faith. First of all, we use verses like Luke 17:6 to show that faith can do big things. Then we use verses like Matthew 21:22 and Mark 11:24 to show that we should ask for healing in faith. There are also Jesus's healings in which people are healed because of their faith. However, we are nothing without love. So, it's good to ask for things in faith and great to have great faith, but we also need to have love.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

(v3, NIV)

Nothing is gained without love. Those who sacrifice will sacrifice in vain without love. Though this verse only refers to surrendering my body to the flames, it makes me think of sacrifice. Jesus was sacrificed for us. If there was not love, then nothing was gained. But we know and are sure that God so loved the world (John 3:16). With that in mind, do you need love in order to sacrifice for another? I guess you "could" sacrifice for someone without love, but it would gain nothing as it says in verse 3. If love isn't driving your motive or if your motive is void of love then what you do is worthless.

Let us not do things in vain. Let us have love. Let us love one another (1 John 4:7-8)

2 Peter 3 -- He will be Back

“you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, …they will say “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”…but do not forget this one thing…with the Lord, a day is like thousand years.”

Since the death of Jesus, we have been reminded about the return of Jesus for more than 2 thousand years now. But generation by generation, people start doubting about the truth. It is like Moses lead the people to the promise land for 40 years, and people started to doubt about God’s promise.

But the fact is that He will keep His promise, even Moses haven't seen the promise land wintin his life, but God have lead the people to the promise land at the end. Generation by generation, we see that the history is unwrapping more and more the truth and the predictions from the bible about the last day. Remember, “with the Lord, a day is like thousand years”, it is a reminder to me that I have to be prepare everyday and very moment.

'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’

It would be good to pray the prayer every morning I walk up, and every night I go to bed, I should ask myself, have I trust in God for providing? Have I delivered the glory of God to anyone in the day? Have I fall into tempatation?

1 Corinthians 8

Love is better than knowledge because "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (v1, NIV). Though knowledge is important, it puffs us up and is something we can easily pride ourselves in. Love for God results in being known by Him (v3).

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one.

(v4, NIV)

We as believers of the one true God know that there are no other gods. So, these idols are really nothing. However, eating sacrificed food is different from simply eating the food. Paul makes a point about this in chapter 10.

Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

(1 Cor 10:19-20, NIV)

However, there is an exception to eating food sacrificed to idols. This exception is that you shouldn't eat meat sacrificed to idols if it causes your brother to stumble. Referring back to knowledge, some people don't know that idols and the meat sacrificed to them are nothing. As a result, your knowledge and right may become a stumbling block to those who are weak. It doesn't really benefit you in any way in God's eyes by eating the meat sacrificed to idols. Therefore, the choice is easy; don't eat meat sacrificed to idols if it causes your brother to stumble.

There actually is another exception found in chapter 10 regarding another person's conscience. So you choose not to eat meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of another person's conscience.

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

(1 Cor 10:24, NIV)

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

(v1, NIV)

So, we shouldn't cause a brother to stumble. By this we are showing we love them and choosing love over knowledge. Looking at chapter 10, we should not eat meat sacrificed to idols for the sake of another person's conscience. By doing this we are seeking the good of others.

Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

(v13, NIV)

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Now connecting the last section about remaining in your current state, Paul urges those at the Corinthian church to remain in their current marital state. The married should remain married and the unmarried should remain unmarried (v27). Though, he quickly adds that it's not a sin if you go from unmarried to being married (v28). One warning he adds though is this: "Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that." (v28, ESV).

This next section is a bit weird. Paul repeats phrases that are formed "those who x should live as if they had (pronoun|adverb|other)(!x)." where x is have wives, mourn, are happy, buy something, or use the things of the world. I think the ending of this section helps to explain it, "For the present form of this world is passing away." (v31, ESV). We should live knowing that the things of this world are passing away. We should also know that there are things that do not pass away that we should value.

Paul's bias is towards being unmarried as we already know. He points out that the unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord (v32). However, the married man is anxious about how to please his wife (v33). So, one reason to remain unmarried as Paul points out is to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord (v35).

The next section is regarding a man's actions towards his betrothed or virgin. There are several interpretations of this passage and I'll name the top two. The first is that it is a father acting towards his unmarried daughter. The second is a man acting towards his fiancée. Regardless, this section again promotes Paul's urging people not to get married, but reminding them that it's okay if they get married.

I remember in the 722 Love and Marriage series, a point is made about verse 39 that it's assumed that a woman is to remarry "in the Lord". This means that if they remarry, they'll marry a believer.

All in all, Paul desires everyone to be unmarried like he is. However, it is okay and not a sin if people do get married. In fact, there are some circumstances where Paul would rather that they get married instead of staying unmarried.

Message Sharing -- The Gospel

Today I havn't spend much time on devotion, but we had a great fellowship time with believers after the VBS, and I am glad that I share my experience with God with them. O Lord, I know I am a sinner, but it doesn't keep me away from you, because I know you love me. And I want to response your love by sharing your love to other, because it is amazing.

It reminds me the sermon from John Pipper, the Gospel in 6 mintius. Even a lot of so called "Christian", including myself, misunderatnd the meaning of Gospel. What is the Gospel? Is that "the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else?” Is the Gospel part of our life everyday?

That's is something remindful for me today before I go to bed.

2 Peter 2 – False Teacher, False Mind

These days I have been overwhelmed with a lot of responsibilities at church’s projects as well as personal and family projects. There was a moment that I was thinking to give in on this devotion for awhile. But I am glad that God bring me back to Him again. It was ridiculous how I have thought about that. No wonder I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t even involve God into my life, I wasn't even rejoicd in Him. O Lord, come rescue me PLEASE!

Sometimes it is so easy to do the “right” thing at church, and the things that seem so spiritual, and we thought that we have done it so that we are spiritual, but actually we are NOT. We have to always examine our heart. The best strategy that Satan likes to use is to twist the goods into traps. The only way to avoid this is to keep having the right relationship with God. Devotion is a MUST.

Sometimes, "good" responsibilities can be the false teacher of our own mind. Watch out.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

(v23-24, NIV)

Nearing the end of exams brings me to this verse. To me this is the verse I think about when thinking about the studying I do for school. It's easy to slack off and not study. In addition, you question why you're supposed to be doing all this work. What's it all for?

What should I do?

I should work hard.

For whom should I work hard?

Not for men, but for the Lord.

Why should I work for the Lord?

I will receive an inheritance from the Lord.

Awesome. Let's work hard. Let's run with endurance (Heb 12:1).

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Paul is making a point in this section to remain in the state in which God called you.

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

(v17, NIV)

Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

(v24, NIV)

There are a number of different states in which Paul is addressing. One set of states is circumcision and uncircumcision. Some Jews may have been still so attached to the Law that they believed circumcision was necessary for salvation. This may have also caused some cultural barriers between the Jewish converts and the Gentile converts, causing some of the Gentile converts to want to get circumcised. The opposite may have been true. Some of the Jewish converts may desire to become uncircumcised because circumcision was not necessary for salvation. Clearly it's not insanely important whether you are circumcised or not. Paul tells them to remain in whatever state they were called in.

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.

(v19, NIV)

It's not the state of circumcision, but keeping God's commands that counts. There are also other parts in other letters from Paul that he addresses circumcision like the end of Romans chapter 2.

Another set of states Paul addresses is being a slave or free. In this case Paul makes an exception.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.

(v21, NIV)

If you can, you should gain your freedom. I guess with regards to the state of being a slave, it's okay to attain freedom if you can.

For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.

(v22, NIV)

It's interesting how Paul puts it in this verse. A slave is free in the Lord, but a freedman is a slave in Christ (v22). I guess this goes to show that this state doesn't really matter.

What's interesting is how it says "called" in verse 17, 20 and 24. There's even the word "assigned" in verse 17. These verses are all referring to your place or situation. In these places or situations, we are called to them by God. Our first and foremost goal shouldn't be a state of circumcision or uncircumcision. Our state is with God. These states we are in whether it be slave or free, whether it is circumcised or uncircumcised are our called situation. I guess it's hard to relate to those, but there are states which you can relate to. I mean, we're all either slave or free and either circumcised or uncircumcised, but it was a bigger issue back then. However, we have other states like your job or being a student. Chapter 7 is about marriage for the most part, so I guess married and unmarried is another set of states you can relate to.

Anyway, you should be content with your current state. But this doesn't keep you from desiring to become free if you are a slave. If God calls you to another state then that's fine. Seek God and his will for you. I like how ESV puts the last verse:

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, let him remain with God.

(v24, ESV)

1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Some people at the Corinthian church seemed to hold different views with different standpoints and reasoning's regarding marriage. In this chapter, Paul addresses these issues.

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."

(v1, ESV)

Paul has already addressed sexual immorality in the last chapter, so this first point is regarding marriage. It is good for someone to remain single and celibate. However, people should get married because of the temptation to sexual immorality (v2). Then Paul goes on to explain how wife and husband should give to each other their conjugal rights. Also, their bodies are not their own but belong to their spouse. However, there is an exception to this. There arise cases where both husband and wife can agree to refrain from that for a time being in order to devote themselves to prayer (v5). In doing this, it is only a short time because Satan will tempt them if they do not come back together in conjugal rights and that sort of stuff (v5).

We can see what Paul's state is. He is unmarried and this is his wish for everyone. However, he recognizes that both are good and only certain people can remain unmarried. So, his suggestion to the unmarried is to remain unmarried unless you "burn with passion" (v9, NIV). Clearly if you desire a wife and I guess you can't hold it in so much that you are burning with passion, then I guess you'd better get a spouse so you can satisfy your passion. Clearly if we desire sinful things we shouldn't just go ahead and satisfy our sinful desires. However, with regards to burning with passion, this is the appropriate way to deal with it. Clearly we shouldn't indulge in sexual immorality as Paul mentions in chapter 6.

In many of these cases Paul is addressing, he seems to address a lot of different people's situations. Some of these situations people are in were a result of sinful choices. So, just because Paul gives advices to a situation doesn't mean they are a situation you should allow yourself to be in. It seems more like if you happen to find yourself in that situation, this is Paul's advice.

So, married people should not divorce or leave one another. However, if they are divorced or separated, they shouldn't go about marrying someone else. They are only allowed to remain unmarried or get back together with their spouse.

The next big question he is addressing is a believer married to a non-believer. All of these previous cases are for a believer with another believer. Some people are married when they accept Jesus as their Lord and savoir. Unless both husband and wife accept at the same time, this results in a marriage of one believer and one non-believer. Only until the other spouse becomes a believer (if they ever do accept Jesus) is it a marriage between two believers. So this is what was happening back then and it does also happen nowadays. So, if this happens, the believing spouse should remain married if the unbelieving spouse wants to remain married.

For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

(v14, ESV)

Some may think they should divorce because they aren't a believer. However, they are already married, two have become one flesh. This is a commitment made that shouldn't be broken just because one is a non-believer. Sure, there are problems and issues that will arise, but if you've already made that commitment then you shouldn't leave. It's reassuring to hear that the unbelieving spouse and children are made holy because of the believing spouse. All this only applies to marriage and not dating. Dating is not recognized in the bible, it's something new for the 20th and the 21st century. In marriage, the two will become one flesh (gen 2:24). This is not the same for dating. If you are a believer, you shouldn't date a non-believer.

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

17"Therefore come out from them

and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing,

and I will receive you."

18"I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

(2 Cor 6:14-18, NIV)

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

(v15-16, NIV)

So, don't get married to a non-believer. If dating leads to marriage, then you shouldn't date a non-believer. However, if you are married to a non-believer or if you convert while you are married, you should remain married. But, if the unbelieving spouse leaves, you can let him or her leave. Verse 16 seems to address people who use marriage or dating as evangelism. Some probably arguing that remaining married can bring the unbelieving spouse to Christ. However, this verse addresses that.

If you can, remain unmarried. However, being married is normal as well and it helps if you cannot control your desires. It is a proper way to deal with those passions. Also, do not divorce or leave your spouse. Also, if you happen to be married to a non-believer, remain with them. But if they leave, you can let them leave.