Day 1: Positive Influence Part I

It’s easy to read through parts of the Bible and think, “I wish so-and-so would read this passage. If they would just apply this one passage in their life, then my life would be better, too.” More rarely do we read through parts of the Bible and think, “Sexual immorality? Yes, that’s important for some people. But my thoughts and actions aren’t that unhealthy for my life.” Or, “Love everybody? Wow, it’d be great for so-and-so to read this and apply it, because I don’t feel loved by them at all!” 

But this way of reading through the Scriptures isn’t best. Instead, it’s best to read it, understand it’s meaning to those in that culture, and then think through how to apply it in our own lives. We serve a very personal God and we need to read and grasp His Word personally in our own lives.

This way of reading the Bible is crucial for 1 Corinthians 8. Why? Because on the surface, 1 Corinthians 8 doesn’t seem very applicable to our lives. For example, have you eaten any food that was sacrificed on behalf of Poseidon or Neptune recently? In our culture, most certainly not. But stick with us this week, as 1 Corinthians 8 is full of wisdom. As you read today, consider this: How well do you read the Bible with the thought of, “What is this passage really about, and how can I apply it in my own life?”

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-13, PROVERBS 8:10-11

How well do you read the Bible with the thought of, “What is this passage really about, and how can I apply it in my own life?” 

Have you found a specific bible study or journaling method that works well for you? In what ways has it been most helpful?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Zechariah 1:1-6, 2, & 12

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today’s reading helps me to see that whether I read the Bible regularly, or very little, there is much I can learn from Your Word. I confess there are times when I read or hear something and think to myself, “I really wish so-and-so would apply this in their life!” but I really want my desires to change so that I focus more time and energy on growing myself. This week, lead and guide me to draw a circle around myself, and to keep my focus on everything inside that circle. May what I read, pray, and write about help me to grow. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 5: Reflection

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-40

What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the grace and love of God?         

What did you learn about yourself this week?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ezra 5 & 6

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Write out your own prayer to God today.

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     Day 4: Holiness for Life

If you were to read 1 Corinthians 7 straight through, many verses would likely jump off the page and give you something to think about. But one verse seems to summarize much of what Paul is trying to communicate in this section of his letter. Paul writes in       1 Corinthians 7:17, “… each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.”

The simplicity of this verse cannot be missed. Are you married? Live as a believer in your marriage. Are you divorced? Live as a believer in your divorce. Are you single? Live as a believer in your singleness. Are you widowed? Live as a believer. You can just picture a few hundred people gathered around listening to this letter being read out loud, many of whom were probably thinking to themselves, “Oh, Paul is just telling us to live as followers of Jesus. The more I know Jesus, the more I’ll live the life I’m called to live. So maybe if I get to know Jesus better, I’ll better know how to live in whatever circumstance I may experience.” 

As you read today, consider this: On a scale of 1-10, how well are you getting to know Jesus? In what ways may He be inviting you to get to know Him better? 

READING: 1 PETER 1:15-16, PHILIPPIANS 1:6

On a scale of 1-10, how well are you getting to know Jesus? 

In what ways may He be inviting you to get to know Him better?

Which one of these ways can you immediately begin to put into practice on a regular basis? If possible, ask somebody else to help you. 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ezra 3 & 4

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I am reminded that You haven’t only called me to be holy, but have already declared that I am holy. What a wonderful God You are! But I confess that I don’t always feel holy. Instead I sometimes feel less-than. No good. A failure. I recognize these thoughts don’t come from You, so I commit my day to remembering that You are good, that You love me, that You’ve given me a purpose, and that You’ve given me a future. Truly, there is nothing else more I need than You. May I rest in these truths today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 3: Holiness for the Unmarried

Admittedly, churches talk about marriage, parenting, relationships, and other topics quite frequently. Why? Because topics such as these often hit upon the majority of the people listening. For the most part, churches in the west have more people who are married and/or parents in attendance than they have people who are single. 

But Paul wants to be sure to write to those who are single, too. He basically says, “Don’t be frustrated that you’re single – embrace it! And if you are engaged to be married – embrace that, too! Don’t see your marriage as something that completely defines who you are, and don’t let your singleness completely define who you are. You are who God says you are. Remember, that’s who you are!” 

Some churches today do recognize the importance of speaking about singleness. For example, in his book The Meaning of Marriage, Timothy Keller writes, “…if singles learn to rest in and rejoice in their marriage to Christ, that means they will be able to handle single life without a devastating sense of being unfulfilled and unformed.” Whether married, divorced, widowed, or single, it’s our relationship with Christ that brings fulfillment to our lives. As you read today, consider this: What can you share with a friend who is single that would be encouraging for them to hear? 

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-40

What can you share with a friend who is single that would be encouraging for them to hear?

Is it difficult for you to think that you are married with Christ? In what ways does using this kind of verbiage impact or change how you view your relationship with God?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ezra 1 & 2

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, in the same way that ancient cultures taught their children that marriage was essential, we too often communicate the same. But today I’m reminded that while there is tremendous good in marriage, there is also tremendous good in singleness. Marriage doesn’t define who we are. Being a parent doesn’t define who we are. Our job doesn’t define who we are. Only You define who we are. May I remember this truth today and every day; I am who You say I am. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 2: Holiness for Your Family

As Paul continues writing about the wonders of marriage, he addresses another concern for the people of Corinth – how ought we respond to situations in which one spouse is a believer, and the other is not? The Corinthians worshiped all kinds of Greek/Roman gods, so this type of scenario likely unfolded more and more as the Christian church began to spread. 

Paul responds well, and says that the believing spouse brings sanctity to the whole marriage, and even the children of this marriage are to be seen as holy. It may not be easy to comprehend, but Paul says if just one person in a marriage is a Christian, and everybody else in the family is OK with that, then it’s good for that one individual to continue practicing their faith as it has a positive impact on the whole of the family unit.

This is yet another way Paul encouraged the people of Corinth to live holy and pure lives. Many people of Corinth would divorce their spouse with little or no notice. This had lasting consequences for the individuals, the families, and even the society as a whole. So Paul encouraged the Christians to put this kind of practice to a stop, and to remember just how much of an impact one individual within a family could make. As you read today, consider this: In what ways can one person positively impact their whole family?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:10-16, MATTHEW 19:1-6

In what ways can one person positively impact their whole family?

Who do you know that is both a Christian and married, but is married to somebody who is not a believer? What can you share with them to encourage them this week? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Daniel 9, 10, & 12

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, our culture today is full of step families and blended families, as well as those who are mixed in their faith beliefs. Today, I’m gratefully reminded that if only one person in a marriage is trusting and following You, this will have tremendous benefits for their spouse and their children. So today, I pray for all I know (and even those I don’t know) who are wrestling with this in their marriage. Provide them with strength, courage, and peace. May they know that their marriage to You is the relationship that matters most, and may their trust in You ever increase. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 1: Holiness for Your Marriage

If you read through all of the Apostle Paul’s letters in the New Testament, you’ll come across lists of unhealthy, even unholy decisions or behaviors people were making. Sexual immorality was something he brought up quite frequently. 

As such, there were some other teachers at the time who preached sexual abstinence, even for those married. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul refutes this teaching. He writes, “…each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”

This was Paul’s way of saying, “Yes, there’s sexual immorality, and it’s in your best interest to remove that from your lives. But sex itself isn’t immoral. In fact, it’s a good thing! And couples who are married have tremendous freedom to enjoy it.”

What Paul doesn’t address here, however, is how an individual or couple can best respond if one of them has experienced sexual abuse or other trauma earlier in life. That’s a completely different topic. Instead, he’s simply acknowledging that sex itself is not immoral, but is holy and pure and good within marriage. As you read today, consider this: Do you struggle to think of sex as holy, bringing glory to a marriage and to God? 

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-9, PROVERBS 5:19

Do you struggle to think of sex as holy, bringing glory to a marriage and to God? 

Fill in the blank: Sex is ________. What are the first 3 words that come to your mind? Are these based more on your own life experiences, or what the Scriptures teach? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Daniel 5 & 6

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I thank You for those in my life who provide me a safe place to talk about subjects such as sex and marriage. I confess that my thoughts about what sex is are not always based on Your Word. Help me to see this area of life in the way You created it to be. Healthy. Pure. And holy. I also pray that my thoughts and actions about sex will lead to more knowledge of who You are, and that this knowledge of You will be evident to all I interact with on a regular basis. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 5: Reflection

READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-3

What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the grace and love of God?         

What did you learn about yourself this week?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Daniel 3 & 4

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Write out your own prayer to God today.

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     Day 4: It’s All About the Kingdom

While it may be difficult for us to think about what it would be like to live in the Roman Empire, it’s easy for us to forget (or at least to not regularly think about) just how much we’re loved by God. 

Recently, I (Pastor Justin) read through a series of books in which the three main characters, all siblings, were attending school in a country that was not their own. As such, they had a really hard time making friends and fitting in. But every day when their mother dropped them off, her final words to them were, “Remember who you are.”

The author is a Christian musician and writer, and these words are an excellent reflection of what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:11. Having noted who will not inherit the Kingdom of God, Paul writes, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” It’s another of way of saying, “Remember who you are. In the eyes of God, you are clean. You are holy. You are innocent. Don’t ever forget who you are.” 

As you read today, consider this: Do you struggle to remember who you are in the eyes of God? If so, what steps can you take to regularly remind yourself who you are? 

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-11, 1 John 3:1-2

Do you struggle to remember who you are in the eyes of God? If so, what steps can you take to regularly remind yourself who you are?

Is there somebody else you struggle to see through the eyes of God? Take the opportunity today to thank God for them. 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Daniel 1 & 2

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, there are times when I wake up and look in the mirror and completely forget who You say I am. For reasons I may not always understand, I remember who others say I am, often in the most negative ways possible. But today I am reminded that I am not who others say or think that I am. Instead, I am who You say I am. I am clean. I am holy. I am innocent. May these truths continue to be with me in all of my thoughts and actions today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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     Day 3: It’s All About the Kingdom

It’s difficult for us to think about what life would have been like for those living within the Roman Empire. At this point in history, God’s chosen people had been given the land of Israel, only to later be conquered by the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires. Now they’ve been absorbed into the Roman Empire, and God’s people believed that He would be providing them with a new Kingdom. They believed this new Kingdom would be one ruled by God, so they would no longer be subject to other nations. 

In his wisdom, Paul brings up the Kingdom of God. Earlier in the letter, he noted that, “the kingdom is not a matter of talk, but of power (4:20).” He wanted to remind the Corinthians that the kingdom of God wasn’t just something to think or talk about, but it was something real, and was very much something to be excited about. 

All in all, there’s a lot to think about in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, but much of it comes down to (1) setting a good example, (2) keeping our eyes on the future kingdom, and finally (3) the importance of remembering who we are. As you read today, consider this: Do you take intentional opportunities to think about the kingdom of God? Why do you think that is?  

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-11, 4:20

Do you take intentional opportunities to think about the Kingdom of God? Why do you think that is? 

In what ways could thinking more about God as your King help you to be a good example in your thoughts and actions?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Ezekiel 1:1-3, 36:16-38, & 37

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that I don’t regularly think about the Kingdom of God I will inherit in the future. I think about some of my past experiences, my day to day to do list, and dozens of other things throughout the day. But Your Kingdom isn’t something that regularly comes to mind. Today, may Your Kingdom be present on my mind. May I remember You as my King, as a warrior who fights for me, a judge who sees me innocently, and a friend who sees me lovingly and will never leave my side. May I remember these truths not only today, but every day. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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     Day 2: Being a Good Example

Many philosophers throughout the Roman Empire argued that property didn’t matter much, therefore, people were encouraged to forego lawsuits over property. But Paul recognized that this way of thinking wasn’t popular with the majority of people, and knew that the Old Testament had much to say to the Jewish population about this as well. 

As noted in yesterday’s reading, one of Paul’s greatest concerns was that the Christians in Corinth would set a good example. Legal matters could be settled internally, including disputes about property. Paul also noted that some disputes didn’t even need to be settled internally. In fact, it’s quite possible Paul had Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:29-30 in mind as his wrote to the Corinthians.

Again, all of this falls back on the importance of setting a good example, which was a common theme throughout Paul’s letters. For example, Paul wrote in Ephesians, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us.” As you read today, consider this: In what ways are Christians today setting a good example locally? Nationally? 

READING: LUKE 6:29-30, EPHESIANS 4:31-5:2

In what ways are Christians today setting a good example locally? Nationally? 

In what areas are Christians today not setting a good example? 

How can Christians respond to concerns such as these in a positive way? 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Jeremiah 52, 2 Kings 24 & 25

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, it’s far too easy for me to think about how I and/or other Christians are not setting a good example for others. As this week continues, I pray that You would use me in ways far greater than I have ever imagined, and that the work You will continue to do within me will mold and shape me into the person You have made me to be. Indeed, may I get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, being compassionate to others and forgiving them as You have forgiven me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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