THE ESSENTIAL MESSAGE
Suggested 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 then 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, business men, 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:
I’ve just read responses to yesterday’s blog. I believe it was Doreen who asked how I decide which books of the Bible come next. 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 with fresh bread daily just for you, Doreen, and of course for Scott who is usually first to send me a note. I’d like to respond to everyone, but with other commitments and two index fingers with which I type, I’m stymied in my desire to do more. Please be assured of my love and prayers for all who read this blog.
Yours for God’s gift of sanctified stubbornness in not giving up, (Oh yes, Doreen, we’ll be back in 1 Samuel after we finish 2 Corinthians, God willing!)
David
These are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. The Temple construction began in the 6th century BC.
It’s a challenge for all of us to reach our circle of influence and our world for Christ. But you know what? We don’t have to do it in our own power. Jesus said that He would send a comforter in the way of the Holy Spirit in His absence and that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all ways. With trust in this promise, we can move forward in confidence and in the faith that the Holy Spirit is in us (if we believe) and will teach us and guide us into the ways that He would have us know. I have assurance that God keeps His many promises, if we are faithful and obey we will have a rich and rewarding life in the power of the Holy Spirit. I heard it stated once that we will can filled with the Spirit but we can also limit this filling by our will. You see we are always at odds with our fleshly carnal desires, Satan and the influences of this world. We need to ask ourselves daily, who will we serve? It always comes back to keeping a keen moment by moment focus on our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit will use us to fulfill God’s will in bringing His gospel to a lost world.
* I heard it stated once that we can limit effectiveness of the Holy Spirit to work in our life by our lack of obedience. By this I mean if a person is disobedient to God, then they will not reap the benefits of the Holy Spirit in their life.
Amen, Scott! John 16:13 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
AMEN Scot!!!!
Thank you for this daily bread David, and all who contribute to make this happen. Reynolds photographs speak volumes. It has been a spiritual journey which I have felt blessed to experience with all who participate.
Please know that I pray for you daily and ask the Lord for your healing,
I love the remarks today ,Yours for God’s gift of sanctified stubborness in not giving up.I too prayed for my husbands healing but God chose to take him to his eternal home,which I may not understand that decision
but I do know that God does know what is best.Stay strong in the Lord.
Your sister in the Lord.
Shelia (from Kingston Ont )
Thankyou !!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You Lord for this courageous man that You have brought into our lives!!!!!
1 Corinthians 2: 9 Family take note! An amazing promise.
I believe that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit to but as you reminded me
Scott that I have to be careful not to let Satan be the deceiver and be disobedient
Thank you for your words and pictures David and Renold they bring back the history
I never seen.
Have a good day Day with your family
Lianne Hogg
Hi David
Thank you again and God bless you in all you do for HIM
AMAZING GRACE
Zeljko Florida
This morning I read 1 Cor 1-2, then listened to the audio; it gave it extra depth. So excited about the spiritual message Paul brings.
I agree, 100%, Scott! The Holy Spirit resides within us, to guide us; and I believe also, to comfort, and protect us. It is up to us to let go of our will and let the Holy Spirit direct us; though that is much easier said than done, and takes time. That is the gift of God, to let the Holy Spirit work through us and transform us. The more we remain in the Word and listen to inspiring Christian leaders: David Mainse, everyone on 100 Huntley Street, Ravi Zacharias, Charles Price, David Jeremiah, and Charles Stanley, to name a few, the stronger we become.
Wishing everyone a blessed day!
David and Norma Jean. Thankyou Thankyou and Thankyou for all you have given to the Lord’s ministry. Without 100 Huntley the program I would not be where I am today in the Lord. That ministry has been a God sent from the very beginning. Your strength and trust in God during this difficult time is a powerful testimony to all. I continue to thank God that He is carrying you and watching over you and your family. “Job well done good and faithful servant” are the words resonating in my head. I pray for a miraculous healing and the peace that passes human understanding to guard your heart and mind. We love you David. God bless!
Excellent responses today fellow bloggers – I agree and say a hearty AMEN to all!!
God Bless each one!!!
Thank you Reynold for the beautiful pictures – it really does bring the scriptures alive!!
Thanks, Beverlee, your suggestions and comments are always
encouraging and a perfect follow up on David’s words!
The others are too, but I know you and it makes your comments
more special to me!
Hi David: I have only been reading your Blog for a few weeks and it is just what
I was looking for and I love it. My sunday school teacher at Victory Church in
Lakeland Florida gave me the contact.Ihave met some of you there.We are now
rasiding in Michigan because of health conditions and are not able to return to
Florida so we are blessed to have this reading. My wife was born in Guelph CA.
so naturally this would please her. God Bless and we will pray for you
Doyle
Great encouragement from all our bloggers. Praising God for The Holy Spirit who dwells within and praying anew each day for continued filling of The Spirit to guide and direct my thoughts and actions.
Letting go of some things is sometimes difficult but knowing we have the Indwelling Spirit encourages me to release these things that hinder and TRUST in the Lord’s guidance through the Spirit to protect me from myself sometimes.
thank you david and fellow bloggers for such encouraging words. iam a babe in the word but iam learning.
I’m still with you also David. 🙂
David, I have been reading through the Bible with you since 1979 when I first committed my life to The Lord (thru 100 Huntley Street Program). The one I liked the best was the two year one. I have looked for other studies to take me through the Bible, but yours is the best. I went through Day unto Day so many times I lost count. I’m so glad you started this blog.
I met you once when you came to Vancouver at Fraserview Assembly, when Bernice Gerard was there. That was many years ago, My son was with me at the time, He was about 5 or 6. His 31 yrs. old now. He committed his life to Jesus when he was 9, but unfortunately he is not walking with Him now.
I almost think of you as part of my family, because I have been watching you and listening to you for so long. I pray for you often, but if brings tears to my eyes when I think of losing you. You are a very special person!
Please pray for my husband Bob and son Jeff. They desperately need the Lord.
Please eat health and do as the doctor tells you.
Yours in Christ,
Michelle
How I praise God for you David and the 100 Huntley Street team. I have been a member since 100 Huntley street was first broadcast to Duncan on Vancouver Island. I cannot tell you how many times in the middle of some crisis the program ministered to me and met my need.God is so good. Thank you for your daily blogs. I attend the Chemainus Pentecostal Church where God is high and lifted up.Thank you again and I pray God will continue to bless you abundantly.
I really look forward to your 100 words (more or less) and am really blessed by them.
Just one small suggestion: sometimes there are comments written over the photographs, which are very informative, but depending on the backdrop sometimes they are impossible to read. If those comments could be moved below the photographs, then they would always be readable. Thank you in advance.
Yours in Christ.
Brother Gord.