1 Corinthians 3
10
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
11
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.
13
But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.
14
If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
15
But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
Q. What has been the biggest difficulty for you during the COVID-19?
The wise and insightful Apostle Paul shared a great revelation with us concerning hard times. We have all heard people at one time or another say something like: “Well this hard time is going to make me stronger.” This sounds good and attempts assigns a purpose to difficulties in life, however this is not what Paul said. He did not say that the fiery trials of life would make something out of us, but he said that the fire simply reveals what is already down inside us.
Q. What is something that you have noticed or discovered about yourself over the last 3-4 weeks?
Pressure has a way of squeezing something out of us. If you squeeze an orange, what do you get? Orange juice. The pressure only reveals what is already on the inside. There can be no doubt that there is pressure all around us. We are feeling squeezed from the COVID-19 IMPACT. This pressure is playing out in the mass quarantine, in extenuating job situations, in family members or friends who may be sick or suffering, in not being able to assemble as a congregation, in the overall bigger picture of the current and post- COVID-19 effect on our world, nation and community.
Q. We have all faced pressure, but what is different about the pressure you are feeling now?
The good news is that God’s people always respond well to pressure. When this crisis is over, we will still be here. If the effect of this crisis is forcing us to pray and cry out to God, then that’s a good thing. If this pressure is drawing us closer as a family, then how can that hurt us? If this common enemy is uniting our community and making us more understanding, sympathetic and compassionate toward our fellow-man, then we are better for it. This crisis is a good test to help us determine if we have built our lives with wood, hay and straw, or with gold, silver and jewels. The fire will burn up the former, but will only purify the latter.
Q. What is something good that you believe is being revealed right now that will be a blessing to you?
Prayer Focus:
1. Pray Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
2. Push back against COVID-19 in our nation, city, families, take authority over it in Jesus Name!
3. Pray that God will open doors to serve others during this difficult time, perhaps lighten someone’s load.
4. Pray divine protection and provision upon your family - perhaps praying select verses out of Psalm 91.
