Monday
March 2, 2009

1 Corinthians 1:1-19 (NIV)
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Divisions in the Church
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
18For 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. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c]

Reflection

Prayer…
Heavenly Father, Help me understand your words and its purpose in my life. I pray that you will be in my thoughts in this time with you and throughout the days to come.
Reflections...
Still, today we are a generation constantly being reminded of and being labeled by the denomination we are involved it and as a result building walls and divisions.
Take time you write in a journal or on a sheet of paper your thoughts about the scripture you just read. What was significant? Could you relate this topic to your life? If so, how? How do you think God is calling you to life your life.
Take it to the world...
In the next weeks take some time to go to a church or campus ministry you do not normally go to and one that is not of the denomination you associate with. Afterwords, take time to notice similarities. What do you have in Common? What is at the root of ALL types and forms of worship?
Prayer…
Heavenly father, I thank you for time I have to worship and reflect upon your words. I pray that you will use me and my life to your glory. Lord, give me the strength and knowledge to do your will. Help me and others to understand that you are at the root of my happiness. Help me not to make divisions and judge others. You are the only judge, lord.
Amen



Written by a PC Senior

Today Please Pray For:
PC Seniors