Author: David Short

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Personal Challenge

We live in an age where unity has become a nonentity. We have divisions in our homes, our churches, our relationships, and all across our society. At times it appears as if division is the desired state. True followers of Jesus will desire unity for our God is always desiring unity. The enemy thrives on sowing seeds of division. Unity is not always easy, especially when dealing with people. Unity requires work and a willingness to reconcile and cooperate with others. But this is part of our responsibility if we desire to be like Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Psalms 128 (127)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
Who walk in His ways.
You shall eat the fruits of your labor;
You are blessed, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a vine, prospering on the sides of your house;
Your children like newly planted olive trees
Around your table.
Behold, so shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the good things of Jerusalem
All the days of your life;
May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.

Encouraging Words

We can live lives that are blessed by God. It does mean, however, that we live our lives in a way that opens the doors for those blessings. We most fear our Lord in the way that the saints before us did. This is not in fear of punishment but in awe and respect for how great our God is. We need to walk in His ways and labor for Him. Being a blessed child of God does not come from a passive life in Christ, but an active Christ-centered, Christ-like life lived actively for Him. Here the blessings received far outshine the sacrifice of ourselves for Him. Glory be to God!

Romans 16:17-18

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Personal Challenge

Once again, we are in the middle of another national election cycle. This passage can serve us well as we assess the candidates to determine who we believe God would want us to vote for. We live in an age where so many claim to be Christians, and yet their behavior and their speech bears no resemblance to Christ. It is incumbent upon us to prayerfully search our hearts to determine if we are supporting the people that God would want us to. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner and guide me through this process.

Psalms 127:1 (126:1)

Unless the Lord builds the house,
Those who build it labor in vain;
Unless the Lord guard the city,
Those who guard it stay awake in vain.

Personal Challenge

Whether we are talking about building a house, guarding a city, or doing anything in our life, the primary question is about who is leading the effort. Is it God or is it us acting it on our own. We need to give it all over to Him. The wonderful thing is that God always knows what to do. Glory be to God!

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Encouraging words

It is always good to know that someone is praying for us. Here we have the Apostle Paul praying that we will be filled with joy and peace in believing by the God of hope. We must note that he is not praying for happiness, but joy and peace. He is also praying that we may abide in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. These are blessings that we can surely hold on to. Glory be to God!

Psalms 121:1-4 (120:1-4)

I lifted my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Let not your foot be moved;
Neither let Him who keeps you slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Encouraging Words

As a follower of Christ, we can know without a shadow of a doubt where our help in life comes from. It is our Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, that helps us through every aspect of life. He never slumbers and is always present in our lives. Glory be to God!

Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Encouraging Words

We have been blessed with thousands of years of written Scriptures and teachings to guide us through our lives. They give us patience and comfort as they provide us what we need along the way. Glory be to God!

Psalms 120:1-4 (119:1-4)

To the Lord in my affliction
I cried out, and He heard me.
O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
What should be given You, and what added to You,
Against a deceitful tongue?
The arrows of the Mighty One are sharpened
With hot coals from the desert.

Personal Challenge

The psalmist reminds us that God hears us when we cry out to Him. He also hears us when we speak out with unjust lips and deceitful tongues. We must remember that God knows all, sees all, and hears all, not just the good things that we want Him to know about. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Romans 15:1-3

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

Personal Challenge

It is imperative for us to remember that if we are choosing to be followers of Christ then His expectation is that we will die to ourselves and live for Him. This passage provides some examples on how this looks. We are to bear with the scruples of the weak and not please ourselves. This gives us the opportunity to encourage them in their weakness and help them to grow stronger. We are to please our neighbor and not look to our own desires for this is what Jesus did for us. Doing these kinds of things lead to the edification of those around us. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!