Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 16:15-18    “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.” Paul calls the attention of the brethren to some saints among them that were an example of Christian living. Stephanas and his household were among the first at Corinth (Corinth and Athens were cities in the province of Achaia) to be blessed to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were baptized by Paul but were not caught up in the division among the brethren, some of whom claimed to be of Paul, others of Apollos, etc. (1Co 1:10-13). Stephanas and his house had addict...

Psalm 146:1-3    "Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  (2)  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.  (3)  Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."  In that relatively short poem, she describes the manner in which love is shown. It seems in these last Psalms, that the writer is doing that on a greater level in showing how and why his love for the Lord grows each day. We saw several things listed in yesterday's 145th Psalm and today's Psalm continues that vein of thought. The Psalmist tells us today that his intention is to love and give praise unto the Lord until the last breath leaves his body. Because of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we know that after the last breath in this earthen vessel leaves, we shall praise the Lord in ...

1 Corinthians 16:12-14    “As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” It seems apparent by the division that Paul had named among the brethren at Corinth that Apollos had been with them. Not only had he been with them, but he was very well thought of by some. This was clearly seen when Paul rebuked them because some said they were of Paul, others of Apollos, still others of Peter, and finally some of Christ (1Co 1:12). Knowing that Apollos was well respected among them, Paul had entreated him to go and visit the church at Corinth. It was not Apollos’ mind to go to them at the time of Paul’s choosing, which may be part of the reason why Paul spoke to them about receiving Timothy if he came. It would appear that Apollos wa...

Psalm 145:1-2     "I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.  (2)  Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever." Notice the "I will's" of these two verses: "I will extol thee. I will bless thy name. I will praise thy name." David seems to have been overcome in the moment by the attributes of God and His mercy toward us. David's commitment was to lift up the name of the Lord in every way and at all times. Isn't that a good commitment for us to make also? As I read through this Psalm, David lists some of the things that came into his heart as he made these commitments. I will list them by verses and ask that we all meditate upon them and make the same commitment as David. Verse 3:  "Great is the LORD." Verse 8:  "The LORD is gracious." Verse 9:  "The LORD is good to all." Verse 13: "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom." Verse 14: ...

1 Corinthians 16:8-11    “But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.” As Paul relays his plans to the Corinthians to come and spend time with them, he further details his labor in the Lord. Here he shares that it is his intention to remain at Ephesus until the observance of Pentecost. He further outlines that this is not just some wish or whim on his part. There has been a mighty entrance (great door) opened for Paul at Ephesus. With the opening of this door, he has been granted a powerful witness to the Ephesians. Note that Paul did not say he had opened a great door, but rather that a great door had been opened unto him. As messengers of the gospe...