Building on the Cornerstone

This week’s twisted verse highlights what can happen when we take a single verse out of context. Misquoting scripture can change the message of scripture. This week we look at Philippians 3:13-14.

Placing this message back into context ( Philippians 3 )we are reminded that we are not to forget our past, but turn it over to Jesus so that He may use it to further the Kingdom.

“God will never give you more than you can handle.”

– 1 Opinions 4:6

Ever hear this verse? Ever use this verse? Thing is, it’s not a Bible verse.

Use of this non-verse can cause some big misconceptions about God. For starters, our trials and temptations are not given to us by God for us to handle. Next, our trials and temptations often exceed the boundaries of what one could humanly handle. If my trials are given by God because I can handle them, what kind of God is he? The answer lies in a full understanding of His word.

So where does this idea come from? It starts with a re-arranging of this verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13. In this letter, we are told that we will all face trials and temptations. And we reminded that no matter what the trials and temptations are before us, we can endure them through God.

He does not give us trials but through His love provides a way to endure them. This is a great message!

Reading one verse earlier (1 Corinthians 10:12), we’re reminded “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”. Let us study and examine the Bible, so that we may apply the true messages of God’s word.

This week begins a new series… Twisted – a look at the most misused verses in the Bible.

Context is Key! That is the message of this series, that while the Bible was written for us, it was not written to us. As we read the Bible, we should ask who is the author, what is the background of the passage and the context of the passage (the ABCs).

Two passages are explored this week:

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 4:13

Now, apply those ABCs and see the power in the verses  – Jeremiah 29 and Philippians 4

Kenneth Grizzell arrives in Thomasville to share a message dear to his heart – we need to pray. We are not perfect, not even close. We are flawed and broken. But God is perfect and unbroken. And all things are possible  through Him. We need to turn everything over to Him in prayer. Give our lives, give our futures over to Him, cry out in prayer, and be open to what God has in store.

Summertime has been a hot one, a time for relaxing by water and wearing flip flops. But with all the distractions of summer, the start of fall, and all that the world throws at us, we must stay the course and work to ensure we don’t flip flop on our faith.

To help us out, here’s some things we can do P.A.S.S.

Pray – stay connected to God

Accountable – stay connected with people and help one another be accountable

Scripture Reading – stay connected to the Word

Serve – stay connected in the world