This week our devotions are based on 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.
‘However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.’ (1 Corinthians 2:9)
CHRISTIANS LOVE GOD
If we have truly been born again of the Spirit, we ‘love Him’. We are saved by faith in Christ, but if we don’t love Him, we are not Christians. Love means that we want to please God. Love means that we want to know Him. Love means that we want to spend time with Him. Love does not take unfaithfulness lightly!
UNSEARCHABLE THINGS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD
Paul promises that if we love Him, God has unsearchable things prepared for us. We are told that the Holy Spirit reveals this great future to us. The great hope that the Spirit wants to assure you of is that you have eternal glory with God ahead of you. You need to have this vision that the Spirit wants to give to you. Without it, you will live for this world and its short-term glory!
THE SPRIT REVEALS WONDERFUL THINGS IN HIS WORD
This text teaches that God speaks and reveals. Principally the Spirit speaks and reveals as we read His word. We, like Paul here, should be able to say, ‘as it is written…’.
If we want to be people of hope, vision, faith, joy, compassion… we need to read God’s word prayerfully.
In response, let’s read scripture with great faith that God wants to speak about great things to us. Let’s ask the Spirit to reveal things that we need to hear. Ask Him to feed our minds and souls.
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.
‘However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.’ (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Let's be praying and actively preparing to invite friends to our carol service on 5th December. Please make sure this is in your diary.
Don't forget to come along and invite your friends to our Christmas Pudding making event on 20th November. Go to the website to book tickets.
We have our next gift days on the 14th, 21st November. Let's be praying for How the Father wants us to get involved.
Comentarios