1 I am a free man. I am an apostle. I have seen Jesus our Lord. You people are an example of my work in the Lord. 2 Others may not accept me as an apostle, but surely you do. You are proof that I am an apostle in the Lord.
3 Some people want to judge me. So this is the answer I give them: 4 We have the right to eat and drink, don’t we? 5 We have the right to bring a believing wife with us when we travel, don’t we? The other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Peter all do this. 6 And are Barnabas and I the only ones who must work to earn our living? 7 No soldier ever serves in the army and pays his own salary. No one ever plants a vineyard without eating some of the grapes himself. No one takes care of a flock of sheep without drinking some of the milk himself.
8 These aren’t just my own thoughts. God’s law says the same thing. 9 Yes, it is written in the Law of Moses: “When a work animal is being used to separate grain, don’t keep it from eating the grain.” [a] When God said this, was he thinking only about work animals? No. 10 He was really talking about us. Yes, that was written for us. The one who plows and the one who separates the grain should both expect to get some of the grain for their work. 11 We planted spiritual seed among you, so we should be able to harvest from you some things for this life. Surely that is not asking too much. 12 Others have this right to get things from you. So surely we have this right too. But we don’t use this right. No, we endure everything ourselves so that we will not stop anyone from obeying the Good News of Christ. 13 Surely you know that those who work at the Temple get their food from the Temple. And those who serve at the altar get part of what is offered at the altar. 14 It is the same with those who have the work of telling the Good News. The Lord has commanded that those who tell the Good News should get their living from this work.
15 But I have not used any of these rights, and I am not trying to get anything from you. That is not my purpose for writing this. I would rather die than to have someone take away what for me is a great source of pride. 16 It’s not my work of telling the Good News that gives me any reason to boast. That is my duty—something I must do. If I don’t tell people the Good News, I am in real trouble. 17 If I did it because it was my own choice, I would deserve to be paid. But I have no choice. I must tell the Good News. So I am only doing the duty that was given to me. 18 So what do I get for doing it? My reward is that when I tell people the Good News I can offer it to them for free and not use the rights that come with doing this work.
That's right, If I don't tell people the Good News,I am real trouble. I did it because it was my own choice, I would deserve to be paid. I have no choice. I must tell the Good news. God give me the greatest spiritual gift that not same with others so that we can work with others to serve the only God. What is my spiritual gift???
Recently when I ask this question, I found I got many chance to serve others. I'm sensitive to the lost. I'm sensitive to the sad people. I'm willing to pray for them. I'm a good prayer. That's what God give me. I wish I could use what I have from God to serve others. Thanks God.
19 I am free. I belong to no other person, but I make myself a slave to everyone. I do this to help save as many people as I can. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew so that I could help save Jews. I myself am not ruled by the law, but to those who are ruled by the law I became like someone who is ruled by the law. I did this to help save those who are ruled by the law. 21 To those who are without the law I became like someone who is without the law. I did this to help save those who are without the law. (But really, I am not without God’s law—I am ruled by the law of Christ.) 22 To those who are weak, I became weak so that I could help save them. I have become all things to all people. I did this so that I could save people in any way possible. 23 I do all this to make the Good News known. I do it so that I can share in the blessings of the Good News.
Amen, I wish I could be like Paul have a discipline life. Freedom and discipline, both included in a Christianity life. Our purpose in life that is bring glory to God and lead someone to Christ. We have to train ourselves and make ourselves discipline to fulfill the purpose of living. Freedom and Discipline both are important, can't be miss out either one.
24 You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win! 25 All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. 26 So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. 27 It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.
As a christian, we need be train, that's include praying, reading the words of God, and worship. That's the training that could make us strong so that we could have a healthy spiritual life. Sometimes we must sacrifice something that good to us. Everyone have their own mission give by God. Differ mission must trained by different training. But all over we just have a purpose, that to please our mighty God.
Today, Thanks God. I really happy to see that my sis back to prayer life again. Just like what bible said, We know that all things work together for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. God u love my sis and my bro in law~ Foon. I know what you given to them as a training to be better person and love one another by Love of God. God, please lead them. As the pray, u answer their prayer. I had learn must from them too. Thanks God. You are great ^^
1 Now I will discuss the things you wrote me about. You asked if it is better for a man not to have any sexual relations at all. 2 But sexual sin is a danger, so each man should enjoy his own wife, and each woman should enjoy her own husband. 3 The husband should give his wife what she deserves as his wife. And the wife should give her husband what he deserves as her husband. 4 The wife does not have power over her own body. Her husband has the power over her body. And the husband does not have power over his own body. His wife has the power over his body. 5 Don’t refuse to give your bodies to each other. But you might both agree to stay away from sex for a while so that you can give your time to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not be able to tempt you in your weakness. 6 I say this only to give you permission to be separated for a time. It is not a rule. 7 I wish everyone could be like me. But God has given each person a different ability. He makes some able to live one way, others to live a different way.
8 Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for you to stay single like me. 9 But if you cannot control your body, then you should marry. It is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.
10 Now, I have a command for those who are married. Actually, it is not from me; it is what the Lord commanded. A wife should not leave her husband. 11 But if a wife does leave, she should remain single or get back together with her husband. And a husband should not divorce his wife.
12 The advice I have for the others is from me. The Lord did not give us any teaching about this. If you have a wife who is not a believer, you should not divorce her if she will continue to live with you. 13 And if you have a husband who is not a believer, you should not divorce him if he will continue to live with you. 14 The husband who is not a believer is set apart for God through his believing wife. And the wife who is not a believer is set apart for God through her believing husband. If this were not true, your children would be unfit for God’s use. But now they are set apart for him.
15 But if the husband or wife who is not a believer decides to leave, let them leave. When this happens, the brother or sister in Christ is free. God chose you to have a life of peace. 16 Wives, maybe you will save your husband; and husbands, maybe you will save your wife. You don’t know now what will happen later.
Live as God Called You
17 But each one of you should continue to live the way the Lord God has given you to live—the way you were when God chose you. I tell people in all the churches to follow this rule. 18 If a man was already circumcised when he was chosen, he should not change his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was chosen, he should not be circumcised. 19 It is not important if anyone is circumcised or not. What is important is obeying God’s commands. 20 Each one of you should stay the way you were when God chose you. 21 If you were a slave when God chose you, don’t let that bother you. But if you can be free, then do it. 22 If you were a slave when the Lord chose you, you are now free in the Lord. You belong to the Lord. In the same way, if you were free when you were chosen, you are now Christ’s slave. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be slaves to anyone else. 24 Brothers and sisters, in your new life with God, each one of you should continue the way you were when God chose you.
God choose us to serve him and he paid a high price for me and so don't be slave to others. We are now Christ's slave. I must choose to continue the way I was when God chose me. Thanks God.
Questions About Getting Married
25 Now I write about people who are not married. [a] I have no command from the Lord about this, but I give my opinion. And I can be trusted, because the Lord has given me mercy. 26 This is a time of trouble. So I think it is good for you to stay the way you are. 27 If you have a wife, don’t try to get free from her. If you are not married, don’t try to find a wife. 28 But if you decide to marry, that is not a sin. And it is not a sin for a girl who has never married to get married. But those who marry will have trouble in this life, and I want you to be free from this trouble.
Be who I am in God. Whether I'm married or single. God still love me. He had a plan for each of us. I got a good plan from God. I'm still single, I'm free that I could spend much time to serve my Lord with all I have.
29 Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: We don’t have much time left. So starting now, those who have wives should be the same as those who don’t. 30 It should not be important whether you are sad or whether you are happy. If you buy something, it should not matter to you that you own it. 31 You should use the things of the world without letting them become important to you. This is how you should live, because this world, the way it is now, will soon be gone.
That what Jesus told us, very soon that the world is gone. how should i live? I should not use the thing of the world by letting them become important to me. He want us to follow what he has plan.. not we has plan.
32 I want you to be free from worry. A man who is not married is busy with the Lord’s work. He is trying to please the Lord. 33 But a man who is married is busy with things of the world. He is trying to please his wife. 34 He must think about two things—pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord’s work. She wants to give herself fully—body and spirit—to the Lord. But a married woman is busy with things of the world. She is trying to please her husband. 35 I am saying this to help you. I am not trying to limit you, but I want you to live in the right way. And I want you to give yourselves fully to the Lord without giving your time to other things.
God please help me do busy in God's work and build your house and you will build my house. I wanna have passion on you. I want to give myself fully to you. My body , my soul and my spirit as well to You, LORD. I want to live in the right way and I want to give myself fully to God without giving my time to other things.
36 A man might think that he is not doing the right thing with his fiancée. She might be almost past the best age to marry. [b] So he might feel that he should marry her. He should do what he wants. It is no sin for them to get married. 37 But another man might be more sure in his mind. There may be no need for marriage, so he is free to do what he wants. If he has decided in his own heart not to marry his fiancée, he is doing the right thing. 38 So the man who marries his fiancée does right, and the man who does not marry does better.
39 A woman should stay with her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, the woman is free to marry any man she wants, but he should belong to the Lord. 40 The woman is happier if she does not marry again. This is my opinion, and I believe that I have God’s Spirit.
1 Corinthians 8
About Food Offered to Idols
1 Now I will write about meat that is sacrificed [a] to idols. It is certainly true that “we all have knowledge,” as you say. But this knowledge only fills people with pride. It is love that helps the church grow stronger. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know anything as they should. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So this is what I say about eating meat: We know that an idol is really nothing in the world, and we know that there is only one God. 5 It’s really not important if there are things called gods in heaven or on earth—and there are many of these “gods” and “lords” out there. 6 For us there is only one God, and he is our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things were made through him, and we also have life through him.
7 But not all people know this. Some have had the habit of worshiping idols. So now when they eat meat, they still feel as if it belongs to an idol. They are not sure that it is right to eat this meat. So when they eat it, they feel guilty. 8 But food will not bring us closer to God. Refusing to eat does not make us less pleasing to God, and eating does not make us closer to him.
9 But be careful with your freedom. Your freedom to eat anything may make those who have doubts about what they can eat fall into sin. 10 You understand that it’s all right to eat anything, so you can eat even in an idol’s temple. But someone who has doubts might see you eating there, and this might encourage them to eat meat sacrificed to idols too. But they really think it is wrong. 11 So this weak brother or sister—someone Christ died for—is lost because of your better understanding. 12 When you sin against your brothers and sisters in Christ in this way and you hurt them by causing them to do things they feel are wrong, you are also sinning against Christ. 13 So if the food I eat makes another believer fall into sin, I will never eat meat again. I will stop eating meat, so that I will not make my brother or sister sin.
Jesus ask us do not sin and do not make another believer fall in to sin. If we did something that will cause others get in sin, we must stop doing that. We must encourage each other and help each other to build faith in God. God please help me to do all thing that please you and help me to stop doing the thing that you hate. In Jesus name.Amen.
Today early morning, I sms to my sis, Wendy to confirm again the movie ticket on sun. I in doubt, as I really wish I could spend time for my brother and sister in Vzoner as sis~CACA is the last day with us. But in another hand, I do wish I could have my bible class without rushing. I pray to God, which I choose is the best to please him. After I read the bible and pray, I still can't make the decision. I call up my friend to ask her whether she want to join us to watch movie after service. She told me, she wish to join the bible class as she had quite sometime skipping the class as she busy for her family. When I get her feedback I know that what's my decision. I call up my sis,Wendy and tell her to enjoy her movie. I couldn't make it as I scare is too rush for the movie. I feel relief that when I make that decision.
After all thing settle, as usual I on my facebook and read some recent pos. I saw a post status by Jaeson ma. It status as :
" If you want to gain it all, you have to lose it all. The power in life is not control, the power in life is the art of surrender. The moment you let go is the moment God steps in. Learn to entrust your fears to God and He will do for you what you could never do for yourself.
“[Take Up the Cross and Follow Him] Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NKJV"
When I read this, I sudden have a thinking to post to my colleague~ Kelly and Lydia. Both of them I need to bring them back in faith of God. After I get my lunch back, I saw a post at my wall in fb. "
Received the most unexpected call from the unexpected person on unexpected issue during unexpected time. And then, an unexpected FB message from Joyce Kang." after that she share to me what God has done in her. Praise Lord. God you are faithful. I Love you.
1 When one of you has something against someone else in your group, why do you go to the judges in the law courts? The way they think and live is wrong. So why do you let them decide who is right? Why don’t you let God’s holy people decide who is right? 2 Don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world? So if you will judge the world, then surely you can judge small arguments like this. 3 You know that in the future we will judge angels. So surely we can judge life’s ordinary problems. 4 So if you have such matters to be judged, why do you take them to those who are not part of the church? They mean nothing to you. 5 I say this to shame you. Surely there is someone in your group wise enough to judge a complaint between two believers. 6 But now one believer goes to court against another, and you let people who are not believers judge their case!
7 The lawsuits that you have against each other show that you are already defeated. It would be better for you to let someone wrong you. It would be better to let someone cheat you. 8 But you are the ones doing wrong and cheating. And you do this to your own brothers and sisters in Christ!
9-10 Surely you know that people who do wrong will not get to enjoy God’s kingdom. Don’t be fooled. These are the people who will not get to enjoy his kingdom: those who sin sexually, those who worship idols, those who commit adultery, men who let other men use them for sex or who have sex with other men, those who steal, those who are greedy, those who drink too much, those who abuse others with insults, and those who cheat. 11 In the past some of you were like that. But you were washed clean, you were made holy, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Use Your Bodies for God’s Glory
12 “I am allowed to do anything,” you say. My answer to this is that not all things are good. Even if it is true that “I am allowed to do anything,” I will not let anything control me like a slave. 13 Someone else says, “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” Yes, and God will destroy them both. But the body is not for sexual sin. The body is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 And God will raise our bodies from death with the same power he used to raise the Lord Jesus. 15 Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take what is part of Christ and join it to a prostitute! 16 The Scriptures say, “The two people will become one.” [a] So you should know that anyone who is joined with a prostitute becomes one with her in body. 17 But anyone who is joined with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 So run away from sexual sin. It involves the body in a way that no other sin does. So if you commit sexual sin, you are sinning against your own body. 19 You should know that your body is a temple [b] for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.
God, you allowed us to do anything, but not all thing done is good. We can't let anything to control us like slave. Our body is from our God. So we must run away from sin. Our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that I'm received from God and lives in me. We don't own it. God paid such a high price to earn you back to him and so honor that God with my Body... we must not commit ourselves to do thing against God's will...
Today really thanks God that I got a chance to share some words of God with my colleague. God I know what you want me to do. That's help those weak in faith to get stronger by your words. I did it. ^^ Thanks God. I must always share until the end of the worlds. P.U.S.H = Pray >Until>Smth>Happen.. It does happen... I need to pray more. Gain more spirit for Jesus. Praise Lord.
Today after have our youth service dance practice, me and my family go Penang have a half day trip. After taking our favourite laksa, parents drop me and sis at Gurney Plaza have few hours shopping time. Around 4something afternoon, parents fetch us from Gurney Plaza and went to the place near Jetty. Our next destination is Sunway Carnival. Along the way we saw many people stand at the road side. All of us wondering is that any disaster happen so that all people from the building went out and stand there waiting. I said: is that a BOOM, so that many of them came from the building. But when we go along, we saw the same thing happen to another building. It makes me feel that is not just a "BOOM", something must be happen. Sis received a call from our church member Yu Jue, she told us that we are having earthquake half an hour ago. wow...my parent just realize that what they feel just now is right. My dad thought is "car's problem" so he may go repair it soon. It's become a joke when we know that's is EARTHQUAKE.
When we reach Sunway carnival, we have half an hours shopping time and have a tea time at "chat time" with family. After that we continue with shopping again. My dad went to toilet and 3 of us continue to look around at the few shops there. Suddenly we saw few of the peoples run in a hurry. We don't know what happen with them just know to take cares our bags and make sure our property is with us. Just a second over, we saw many of them start to walk off in hurry and few shops is closing soon. Sis said that mostly is the earthquake again. 1st thing we think is to get back to my dad, because we know that he is the one who will get panic very soon if he know something happen like earthquake. When I saw him, I saw his panic face again. The people around mostly get panic and walk off the building.
From the bottom of my heart, I thanks God that I had peace in my heart. I don't feel the panic as they are. As I know what I believe ~Jesus. He is alive. We gonna be save and safe if that's his plan, if not we just back to heaven as what he promised. When I walk by the enterance of the Sunway Carnival, I saw many of them standing...waiting there...Sudden I had a flash mindset that they are those I need to share gospel. They need God, they need to know the peace comes from, they need Jesus. I really got a passion to get them to Jesus. I sms to my church sis~Angeline. I msg her that "how good if we can have a short preaching time in that place and in that time for those waiting people. I can see, all of them need that kind of peace. They need it...If the earthquake is serious enough take all lives, where they going??? Heaven or hell, If they don't have the chance to know Jesus, that will be our fault as a believer. God please forgive what we done and your grace is sufficient for us. Let's me have enough time to share as much as I can to those haven't know You. Please lead me and strengthen my faith in You. I need you too, Lord. Praise You Lord in mighty name. That's my prayer...and that's is what I must do every second.
When I reach home from prayer meeting, I on my facebook, all is talking about the earthquake. I saw my friend as well is my ex colleague, Kelly had post me a verse. Matthew 8:23-27 .
Jesus’ Followers See His Power
~~~ 23 Jesus got into a boat, and his followers went with him. 24 After the boat left the shore, a very bad storm began on the lake. The waves covered the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The followers went to him and woke him. They said, “Lord, save us! We will drown!”
26 Jesus answered, “Why are you afraid? You don’t have enough faith.” Then he stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. The wind stopped, and the lake became very calm.
27 The men were amazed. They said, “What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the water obey him!”~~~
Thanks God. I realize that wow...God is great all the time. Even yesterday he had talk to me about this. He give me his words as an encouragement for my friend actually. When I pray for her, I sudden think about this story. Before I share with her yesterday, I read again the verse and share to her. Today, she told me this " we were discussing about this yesterday, and are we not getting much better understanding of the post-earthquake incidence now? " It impressive me. God had give me this message before the incidence happen. It makes my faith stronger in him in the incidence. God...you are great God. I shall strengthen my faith in God with the word of God. Thanks God. your words is my strength and my light as well. Your words is my daily bread, and I shall digest it and come out in action. Thanks God. You had tell me the important secret that I never heard this thing before. ~Jeremiah 33:3~ Amen ^^
