“CONSISTENCY, THOU ART A RARE JEWEL.”
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former an island. The builders dug the canal through the Isthmus at sea level; no locks are employed. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) in length and only 21.3 metres (70 feet) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It now has little economic importance. The canal was envisioned in classical times and an initial effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD, but the project was aborted. Construction finally got underway in 1881 and was completed in 1893.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ…for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
“Behaving like mere men?” Jesus said to Peter, “You are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). A paraphrase of that is, “You think like men think and not as God thinks.” God’s Word is the expression of His thoughts. In order to think and behave as God would think and act, it is of ultimate importance to stay consistent in reading and meditating on God’s Word. God has called and equipped pastor/teacher servants and put them in the pulpits of our local churches. We need this ministry gift. God put these people in our home congregations. Some of us unwisely run after big name ministers, or even think we can grow in our Christian life without the local church. If we think that, we’re wrong, and we, our families and friends will suffer negative consequences.
As I think on today’s reading, it occurs to me that indeed, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Paul’s pen penetrates deeply into our innermost beings. The church of Corinth provides an understanding into what eventually became our many denominational divisions. Paul’s has cut away (ouch!) at our careless attitudes toward those things that are harmful to the temple (our bodies) in which we live… overeating, smoking, etc, etc, and laziness or failure to work. All things which harm us are dealt with. It may be repentance time right now!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Allow me this personal prayer today…
Lord God, I repent of my laziness. Recently, I’ve twice slept beyond my early morning prayer time. Please help me as I grow older, and have certain physical challenges, to remain faithful to the disciplines to which You’ve called me. I can’t do this on my own. I need Your supernatural strength 24/7. I believe with all my heart, mind and soul that You will impart Your grace to me at all times. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Several years ago, one of my fellow ministers introduced me to a book by Campbell McAlpine called, Alone with God. The author points out that our spiritual maturity is determined by the answer to this question, “How well do I know God?” He goes on to ask, “Do you believe your spiritual growth is commensurate with the time you’ve known God? Have you neglected the means of growth? What adjustments do you believe are necessary in your life to correct this?” I received a call from a person who is reading through the Bible with the 100words reading pattern. She said that she had read through the entire Bible once before, but could not remember reading of the horrible crimes recorded in the last chapters of Judges. My response was that in an attempt to read quickly, our eyes often glaze over and our minds go into neutral. Thus the extreme importance of a well-ordered reading schedule. The two-year program will make sure that we don’t miss anything and that our minds will stay sharp each reading time.
Yours for finding that rare jewel, according to Shakespeare, “CONSISTENCY,”
David
A ship travels through the Corinth Canal.
I have not been receiving your blog into my mailbox each morning for the past month. Please add my name as I seem to have been taken off. Thank you and may God continue to use this blog for his glory!
I receive mine faithfully but I prefer to Google it anyway as the print comes in a larger size that way. I’ve been with the blog from the beginning. I have just recently discovered that I can “speak” to my phone & it goes right to that day’s posting!! Love it!
It amazes me (and I’m so thankful) that I can read a section in the Bible that I have read before but yet it seems like it’s the first time my eyes have seen it. Its the living Word of God – so amazing! This is my third time through but some days I feel like it’s my first . So grateful for your personal prayer Pastor David as I seem to be sleeping past my intended reading and quiet time lately. Oh I may still get one before the children awake but it’s been rushed because I slept or wasn’t purposeful in getting started – letting things of the day get in my way before they should. Thanking God for the blessing you and your ministry have been and continue to be through my life. God bless you!
Yes this 100 words has been what i needed.Thank you pastor David. Praying for you and little Lucy!
Pastor David, you are the most disciplined person I know. Just wondering how far we are to forsake truth for the sake of unity and avoidance of strife? Great photos Reynold. Jennifer please check yesterday’s blog. Checked out Return Ministries. Thanks saints for all your postings.
https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=WcYQITAQW_w
Lord God, please bless all the those planting and watering your precious Gospel. Help us also to be good workers in the fields You have put us in. And please send out more workers for Your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, amen
Softly & Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – Charlie Daniels
Beautiful, Rob–thank you for sharing!!!
My husband is much the same. His brother’s wife passed away last Friday, and the service is on Friday. They live on Vancover island.
I go into hospital in the morning for surgery at 12:30 p.m. I expect to be home in a week.
Thank you all for your prayers. My family and I appreciate them. Mary
Holding you in prayer, sister Mary!
Agreeing in prayer for you, Mary!
Also agreeing in prayer Mary, for you and your husband.
Always appreciate your honesty and vulnerability in your presentation of each daily blog, Pastor David. Your personal prayer, and comments and thoughts, which call for a deeper walk in the word. May the Lord refresh you this day, I pray!!
Your prayer certainly applies to me.
I Praise God for His word that tells me “He is my strength and my refuge, a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1. Thank you Jesus!!!
Thank you David for your faithfulness bringing this blog into our
homes . Praying for you that God will keep your strength up..
And thank you Rob for that beautiful song “Jesus is tenderly calling”
Rosemarie.
Praying for you Mary.
Lord we come to You and ask that You will provide everything that is needed to help Mary and her husband. Provide all the help that is needed; provide all the trained medical staff that is needed and we thank you Lord for providing a skilled medical team, we thank You Lord for healing Mary and her husband completely so that they can continue to enjoy each other and support and love each other in their marriage!
We thank you for providing all the help in the hospital and at home for both Mary and her husband! Grant them both peace, so that their bodies can heal! We love You Lord! We thank you for caring for every need of your people! Regardless of who they are, where they live!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes will have eternal life……….amen amen amen
Praying for you & husband, Mary, and also for David M. May you all be strengthened and comforted by our Heavenly Father.
Amazing photos Rev. Reynold!!!