Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 10:18-22    “Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” Earlier in his letter, Paul told us that things offered to idols and the idols themselves are nothing (1Co 8:4). Still, we are cautioned about letting our knowledge rule us in such a way as to offend a brother weaker in the faith of Christ. We should always be very concerned about being a stumbling block to our brothers, except in those things specifically ordained by our Lord and Savior. When we walk in...

1 Corinthians 10:14-17     “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” In the verses immediately preceding these, Paul has described how Israel transgressed and many fell due to following after idols and murmuring against God. He furthered cautioned those that were sure they were well established to consider the example of Israel lest they should fall in a similar fashion. Paul’s admonition in verse fourteen is given as the result of serious consideration to the examples God has left for us all. Seeing the example of natural Israel laid before us, Paul tells us to flee from idolatry. He uses his deep love (“my dearly beloved”) to call for their attention. When we call for ...

Psalm 118:24    "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." In Genesis chapter 1, we read that God said on the first day, "Let there be light." That was the day the Lord made. We read of many days in the Word of God when He showed Himself strong on behalf of His people. There was the day God sent rain upon the earth. There was a day when God parted the waters of the Red Sea. There was a day when He caused the sun to stand still for the people to fight their battle in the daylight. Another day, He caused the sun to go backwards. There was a day when His only begotten Son was born of a virgin. All those days are very important to us as we seek to bolster our faith through the Word of God. But there was a very special day that God made for us. "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will...

1 Corinthians 10:10-13    “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it .” How often do we stop to be thankful for the simple blessings of God in our lives? Instead of thanking God that He sends us the preaching of His word, we wish the vessel He sent would hurry and finish. After all, we are going to miss kick-off at the very best we can do. Rather than thank God for the hymns or praise and adoration that are sung, we murmur that they never sing the song we like; or maybe it’s that they sing the sa...