“However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man,
nor is man independent of woman.  For as
the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the
woman; and all things originate from God” (1 Corinthians 11:11-12).

We come to
the place of understanding the reasoning of Paul.  There are distinctions and we ought not
ignore them, yet recognize that all good things come from God who established
His order.  Live in harmony with the
things of God and do not follow the world which continues its rebellion against
the Lord and His established order.  We
are created in relationship and for relationship.

Lord, I am often tugged by this world which is constantly
hammering against Your established order. 
Help me, I pray, to see through the fog of this age to know that what
You have established is right and good. 
Let me be sensitive in those places where there has been abuse, but also
firm in those places where Your created order is being questioned that in life
I may live into Your order always.

Lead me,
Lord Jesus, for You know how humanity thwarts the Father’s will by manmade laws
and customs.  Help me to be both gracious
and firm in living into the life for which You have created me and called me.  Guide me by Your example to confront evil,
love my neighbor and live in harmony with all that You have commanded.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“For indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the
man’s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her
head, because of the angels” (1 Corinthians 11:9-10).

All were created for the Lord’s
sake. We love to think more highly of ourselves that we ought. I am not arguing
sexism here, but humility; and so is Paul. He is speaking first century and I
am speaking twenty-first century. Things have not changed and the pride that
needs to be slain was as real then as it is now: different on the outside, but the
same on the inside. Listen to the Lord.

Lord, You know where the rebellious heart is deceiving my spirit. Help me first to see where I need to repent, then lead me in repentance that I would not argue as the world argues, but would submit to those circumstances You know will lead me to become like Christ. Help me now and always to be willing to listen, learn, and then obey all that You command knowing this is the true way to live.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us not to continue the rebellion, but to live humble lives that learn to obey all that You command. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always live into a life that obeys all that the Father wills for my life. Help me by overcoming my pride and do not let me stumble even in the small things that will get in the way that I may truly abide in You. Amen

“For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image
and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate
from woman, but woman from man” (1 Corinthians 11:7-8).

What is the order of things? One
of the difficulties we have is when our culture combats what the Lord has done.
We want it to be another way. The point is to not argue gender, but order. The
question is, how do we live out God’s order even when it contradicts the
world’s order? Live in equality, but with God’s order in mind. Live into the
life which the Lord gives according to His created order.

Lord, I confess that I am conflicted because I know what this world
says. Guide me, Lord, that I may live into the life to which You have called
me. Guide me according to Your purposes to see more clearly how You have
ordered things. Lead me to be content with whom You have made me to be that I
may live boldly with who I am and who You have and are making me to be.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to be submissive to the will of the Father. This world wants to argue every point. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live according to the Father’s will. Help me when I am confronted with the world’s way of looking at things that I would be one who submits to the Father’s will as the final authority. In all things, grant me grace so that I am not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of my mind. Amen.

“But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or
prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose
head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her
hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or
her head shaved, let her cover her head” (1 Corinthians 11:5-6).

Perhaps for the first time in
two thousand years, these verses make more sense. Men, be men and women, be
women. Just that. Be whom the Lord created you to be. We live in a world that
is constantly arguing over our own identity. Be whom the Lord has made you to
be and become what the Lord is making you to be. Live into your identity as a
child of God and trust what he has created.

Lord, the world is constantly mixing things up and telling me things
that make no sense. Help me to keep simple things simple and live into the life
to which You have called me. Guide me according to Your goodness that I may now
and always walk with You in the way You have established. Let me not be
confused by this world’s sinful insanity which does nothing but destroy what
You have made.

Lord Jesus, You have come into
this world to lead those who will follow into a life that sees the light of
truth. Help me follow You that I would see through the obfuscation of this age
and know that You are preparing me for eternity. Guide me O Lord in the way of
truth that I may now and always follow You. You have the words of eternal life.
Where else can we go in this mixed up world? Amen.

“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and
the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who
has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head” (1
Corinthians 11:3-4).

We have just gone through
several verses that speak of the freedom in Christ and the need to put on
Christ who, although God, put on humanity for our sake. If we are imitators of
Christ, then we do what we do for the sake of others. Here, Paul speaks of what
is good order for the time and place in which we find ourselves. This is not a
law, but a principle. How are you Christ to others?

Lord, help me to not make legalistic laws out of every little thing I
read, but see the principle and by Your insight, apply it to my circumstances. Guide
me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go knowing that I do not always know
how to do these things. You have created the order of things, so help me apply
Your order that I may live fully in You and according to Your Word.

Holy Spirit, guide me with
discernment that I may live in good order. Teach me what I need to know that I
may understand more fully the truth of creation. Let me not make laws where
there need not be any laws, but also help me to live into the good order of
Your creation. Grant me wisdom that I may see clearly the line between these
things and live in a way that is pleasing to the Father. Amen.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you
because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just
as I delivered them to you” (1 Corinthians 11:1-2).

What we will be we do not know says Saint John, but this we know, we will be like Christ. How then do we pursue this? Is it not to imitate Christ-like behavior? This is what Paul is telling us. Imitate Christ-like behavior and soon you will become one who behaves that way. Put on Christ and soon others will see Christ in you. This is how we live into that to which we have been called.

Lord, I want to figure everything out before I move forward. You have
given me faith that I may move forward. Remove from me the hesitation that I
may move without thinking all of these things through, for how can I know what
it is to become like Christ unless I move in the direction of imitating what
You show me to be Christ-like behavior. Move me, Lord, that I may move as You
direct.

Lord Jesus, You have come as a
model of the godly life. You are not there just to be viewed, but to be
emulated. Help me Lord to abide in You and You in me that I may become as You are.
Today and each day You give me in this age, guide me to see that in You is the
hope which I seek. Lead me through all of the illusions of this age to live
into that which is everlasting through You. Amen.

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God.  Give no offense either to
Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all
things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may
be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Although the truth of eternity
has been revealed to you by grace, this gains you nothing of itself. The Lord
who knows has called you. Do not think you’re either superior or inferior, but
only as one called by the Lord. Do not seek for your sake, for all you need is
already provided, but for the sake of others, for the Father desires that none
should perish and You have your part in sharing the truth with others.

Lord, help me to see that I am in the midst of the drama of this age. I can neither hide from what is around me, nor excuse myself from it that I might not be bothered. In Your providence, lead me to live according to Your will that I may profit by the goodness of grace which You have freely given. Help me to please others for Your sake alone that I may fulfill Your will on earth, as it shall be done in heaven.

Come, Holy Spirit, and lead me in
the way I need to go this day. Help me to spend less time trying to figure
things out and more time doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Guide me
according to Your will to be pliable in Your hands and resilient in action. Lead
me as You know I need to be led that I would willingly do all I am able for the
sake of Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

“I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my
freedom judged by another’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am
I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?” (1 Corinthians 10:29-30).

There is freedom in Christ that
this world constantly tries to convince us is not there. We do what we do for
the sake of Christ who did all that was needed for our sake. Do not fall back
into trying to please others, yet always remain sensitive to the other’s need. For
their sake do these things knowing that Christ for your sake did all that was
needed that you might be with Him forever.

Lord, teach me these things that I will not once again make a law where
there is freedom. Let only the law of Your love be that which guides me in all
things. Help me to grow in wisdom that I may more fully understand these things
knowing that You have already accomplished salvation for all those who believe.
Guide me to live by the wisdom You give that I may live into the life to which
You call me.

Lord Jesus, without Your grace
nothing good is possible. In Your grace, You have freed me to become whom You
are creating me to be. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of wisdom that I may walk
boldly, yet sensitively, caring for others as You lead me to care. Through all
things help me to understand the difference and do things in freedom and not
under compulsion for Your sake. Amen.

“If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything
that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. But if
anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the
sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake” (1 Corinthians
10:27-28).

What we are called to do is for
the sake of others. Just as Christ gave Himself for all, so we are to give up
things for the sake of the other. This takes the focus off of us and places it
on the other. Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” Therefore, go and do likewise,
learning to love your neighbor as yourself. Learn to live freely, but always
with the Law and the Gospel in your heart.

Lord, I often worry about what others will think. I feel like a fish in an aquarium. Teach me to live my life with You as my focus. Guide me to see that those around me are looking, but that this is not the priority. That they see You in me, this is what matters for their sake and not mine. Help me to learn how to live this new life You have given me that I may do what is pleasing in Your sight.

Come Holy Spirit and continue to grow in me the image of Christ. Help me through all of those difficult situations where I am not sure what to do to see that my salvation is already accomplished and that through all things You are forming me into what I shall be. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always walk according to where You lead. Amen

“Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions
for conscience’ sake; for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains” (1
Corinthians 10:23-24).

There is a freedom in the Lord. It
is not freedom to do as you please, but freedom from the constant worry of
whether or not this or that will separate you from the Lord. You are saved by
grace. Period. Live then in a manner pleasing to the Lord by focusing on loving
God and your neighbor. Be guided by the Holy Spirit and He will set the
appropriate boundaries.

Lord, help me learn this new freedom You give me that I would live into
the life to which you have called me. All around me are those who keep placing
boundaries that are not Your boundaries. Guide me in the way of truth that I
would live according to Your boundaries and not man-made boundaries. Lead me in
the truth of the Gospel that I would live according to Your will.

Jesus, You said that if You made
us free we would be free indeed. Lead me in this freedom not to be free for all
things, but free to do the right things for the sake of the Gospel. Guide me in
the Father’s will to be discerning, seeing the difference which is being spoken
of here. Guide me to be bold in faith and strong in conviction that I may now
and always abide in the truth You have revealed. Amen.