Focus
Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.
Read
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (NRSV)
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
For 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.
Reflect
Pastor Calvin, born sometime in the early 1920s, was a man of many talents. He constructed his own simple cabin, grew the best tomatoes in the county, milk a goat, and work on his tractor. When it came to common sense, elbow grease work, Pastor Calvin was your man. And Pastor Calvin could preach. His small community church was attended by people from all walks of life, rich and poor. Even people from the neighboring community would travel to hear Pastor Calvin preach the Gospel. He could do all of this with just an 8th-grade education.
Preaching the Gospel was Pastor Calvin’s greatest joy, even surpassing his tomatoes. Just as Paul was called to preach the Gospel, so was Pastor Calvin. With just an 8th grade education, he relied on the gift God had given him to prepare and speak. The words of Christ came alive to his people. He didn’t have the skills, resources or eloquence to be a scholarly individual, but he had the power of God and that was all he needed.
Pray
Almighty God you have called us into fellowship with you. Help me to be an instrument of reconciliation. I may not have the skill, I may not be theologically wise, but I am willing to be used. Use me. Amen
Go with God!
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