"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?" -- 1 Corinthians 5:12

Wow.  How timely is this?  In our reading today, Paul himself says he is not one to judge those outside the church... that God will judge them... however, within the church he has no problem.  He instructs those in the church to not associate with the sexually immoral, the greedy, the idolater, the slanderer, the drunkard, or the swindler.  Hmmm... who's left then?  Paul was well aware that none are without sin, but he offers this in order that we might build one another up-- not tear each other down-- and certainly not tear down those outside the faith community.  For love to reign in the church, we must have a high level of trust with each other, knowing that we are not out to take advantage of, or hurt one another.  At the same time, we must recognize that we each fall and are therefore dependent on the grace of God and the grace of each other.  Be kind and gentle with one another.  It's really the way to go.

Readings:  Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." -- Proverbs 20:29

As I transition from "glory" to "splendor" (laugh), I am reminded that life will not slow down for me.  As my own son now exceeds me in height, I am reminded that there is another generation anxious to take the reigns.  As the country finds itself divided in an election year, I find a need to listen to my elders of "gray-haired splendor" to hear what they would recommend we do to bring together people with entrenched views and differences.  In a culture that celebrates youth, we sometimes forget that we need the seasoned voices of reason from those who were once youth, but who are youth no more.  Not only do we need to listen, we need them to speak.  God's work is never finished as long as we're alive, and the world needs all of us, no matter our age, to take on humble postures and open our minds, hearts, eyes, ears, and spirits to his desire and will.

Readings:  Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." -- 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

This week, with my church, I am focused on the Lord's Prayer.  And this verse echoes beautifully the prayer we say when we utter the words, "Thy Kingdom come..."  For we are, as Paul says, God's "fellow workers"... we pray for the coming of God's Kingdom, and we are the ones through which God works to bring that kingdom about.  Remember that you are the hands and feet of Christ.  You are employed in the service of your king to bring the kingdom about.  Who is your king?

Readings:  Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" -- Proverbs 20:24

It is with humility and awe that we should walk this earth as believers in God and followers of Jesus.  For as we understand our nature, we come to know that God leads us in his ways for his purposes.  In understanding our nature then, we are confounded sometimes by the turns sometimes we take in our lives when we understand it as the right thing to do.  That's discernment.  Sometimes it makes little sense to do the very thing Christ calls us to do, but that's the foolishness of the cross we were discussing.  You don't have to see 10 steps ahead... just the one in front of you.  Live faithfully and take each step with the confidence that God is guiding you into a future of his design.  It's only when we choose to take another path that we must fear losing our way.

Readings:  Ezra 3:1-4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." -- 1 Corinthians 1:18

When the world speaks to the foolishness of Christianity these days, it's less philosophical and more a commentary of its people.  We appear foolish not so much because of the sacrificial nature of the cross, but more because we have forgotten the power of the cross and its call for our lives.  We condemn the world when the cross tells us not to.  We alienate others, when the cross tells us to include them.  We speak with such conviction concerning faith, and yet we do not understand.  Or maybe we do, and the message just seems too foolish for even us, and so instead of conforming to it, we use it for our own purposes and agendas. 

Readings:  Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

"I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge — God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you." -- 1 Corinthians 1:4-6

I cannot imagine trying to do this faith thing alone.  I'm not sure it's even possible, as the primary way to experience God's love is through each other.  Paul certainly knew what it was like to be in the minority as a Jesus follower, and today, we face that possiblity as the culture becomes more and more secular.  We have been a spoiled people for a long time in terms of the acceptance of our faith in our cultures (with some exceptions of course).  The days will be challenging ahead.  Stay true to the Truth, and find others to stay true with.  We need each other on this journey.  Give thanks for the people of faith in your life today.  Hang on to them!

Readings:  2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

"Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth." -- Psalm 26:2-3

Do you live your life in such a way that you call on God to test you?  This verse terrifies me.  I say, "don't test me God," because I would fail.  I seek to walk continually, but I stumble, trip, and stop.  I seek to do the right things, but find my efforts often go against me.  And though I cannot stand before God a perfect man, I can stand before him a broken one in need of him.  To stand righteous before God is to stand honest before God.  Don't try to hide, don't deny, and don't pretend you're someone you're not.  God meets you where you are.  So why even ask God to test you?  Just show up and be in God's company.  That passes the test.

Readings:   2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:8-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19