THE ESSENTIAL MESSAGE
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Here is the view of Athens from the Acropolis down towards the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:1, 4
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God…And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
Athens, where Paul preached his famous sermon on Mars Hill, was very different from Corinth. In Athens, he did use “excellence of speech” as he debated the philosophers (Acts 17:16-34). In today’s reading Paul has moved about 40 miles south to the largest city of Greece, Corinth. Athens was the intellectual centre. Corinth was the commercial centre. Because of its location on a very narrow strip of land between the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, almost all shipping to the eastern regions of the Roman Empire passed through Corinth in order to avoid the dangerous trip around the southern peninsula. A canal was dug in 1893 for the ships, but back in the first century A.D. it took at least a week to haul the ships on rails or great wagons up and over to the opposite Sea. Meanwhile thousands of sailors, government officials, military personnel, businessmen, etc. would have a week of leisure. Paul, who financed his mission here by making tents, would’ve had no trouble selling everything he made to accommodate the travelers. It has been estimated that there were at least 5,000 prostitutes in Corinth.
I wrote the above in order to set the stage for Paul’s ministry, which will unfold for us as we continue over the next few days to read and consider these two letters from Paul to Corinth. The intellectual discourse of Athens would not get a hearing there. Demonstration of the Spirit and of power was absolutely essential in order to get anyone’s attention for the preaching of the Gospel. I’m way over 100 words….sorry.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, just as Paul had to understand the cities in which he communicated Your message, help me to understand the people and places where I live and witness for You. Please show me when and how to make Your case for believing in You. In Your Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Back in the 60’s and 70’s I read the Bible from cover to cover once a year, three chapters a day and five on Sunday. I encouraged others to do the same. Our ministry published study guides which were ordered by readers in advance. I discovered that by the time we reached Joshua, almost 80% of those who started with me had dropped out. In the 80’s and 90’s I moved our readings to two years through the Bible, moving from the Hebrew Scripture to the Greek, with alternate books for variety and balance between the Old and New Testaments. Approximately 80% of those who started with me in the new reading program ordered the materials and completed the entire Bible. These publications are out of print now, so I’ve moved into the brave new world of cyberspace just for you!!!
Yours for God’s gift of sanctified stubbornness in not giving up,
David
These are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. The Temple construction began in the 6th century BC.
Thank you for preservering, grearer is the SPRIT in all of us than that of the world. Show each of us how to breakthrough this community and nations with alk you have. Signs snd words bring transformation to the known God. In Jesus name amen.
So much to glean from today’s reading. It’s not by the wisdom of man but by the power of Holy Spirit at work in us……”we have the mind of Christ.”
Father, help us to always be in tune with Your Spirit and act accordingly.
I would appreciate your prayers as I’m dealing with certain matters that are making me very anxious. Please pray that God will fill me with His peace and wisdom.
Thank you.
Luisa, I am praying that our Lord Jesus Christ
would comfort, strengthen and aid you to overcome
your anxiety and give you peace of mind and wisdom in His Almighty Name, Amen.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus: I pray for Luisa that you would remind her, that you will never leave her nor for sake her. I am also asking you to give her peace in regarding her concerns .
She is your child and I know you will see her through this situation.
I pray this in your precious name Amen.
Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we pray for strength, comfort and wisdom for Luisa. Ease her anxiety Lord and give her the peace she needs. In Your precious Name, we pray. Amen.
And He will be our peace… Micah 5:5 NIV
A difficult time back then to preach the Gospel – as it is today. With so many diverse lifestyles and demands. God is faithful and loving. We have the privilege to approach Him and have a great relationship with Him. Praying for Luisa and for all who are struggling with needs and decisions. We ask for clear direction from our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Amen Doreen.
Thank you for your prayers, may God bless you
and keep you in His Care, Amen.
Praying for you Luisa., may the Lord wrap His arms around you and give you total peace . in Jesus name ,Amen.
Amen to all the prayers above.
Standing on John 14:27, (which I meditate on often for myself) for Luisa, Mark, J and others struggling at this time. Thank & praise God often for the solution to your worries.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Amen to the prayers above
✝️🙏