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Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

1 Corinthians 10:31-33    “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” In order to properly understand these scriptures, we must first recognize that there are things that cannot be done to the glory of God. It is impossible to sin to the glory of God. We cannot by willful disobedience glorify God, nor will we ever glorify God by being a stumbling block to any of our brothers or sisters. Paul has carefully counseled us as to the things we are able to do; the many things that are lawful for us to engage in. We have also been cautioned that these things, while lawful, may not be expedient. With these principles in mind, we are told to eat, drink, and do whatever else we do in a manner that glorifies God. We may not always be able t...
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Daily Devotion: Psalm 119:25-26

Psalm 119:25-26   "My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.  (26)  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes." "I can do it myself." How many times have you heard that? How many times have you said that? Those words are spoken from a very early age. Toddlers want to do things themselves and quite honestly that is part of the learning process. I'm not sure that I have graduated from that school of learning yet. The Psalmist was in the process of graduating when he discovered just how dry a soul can get by trying to do everything on our own. "My soul cleaves to the dust." I'm as dry as dry can be. A puff of wind will scatter what is left inside me if I do not get help. "I have declared my ways." The part that is left unsaid in that statement would be something like this: "I have declared my ways..... and they just didn't work." Can any of us identify with that? I know ...

Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 10:27-30

1 Corinthians 10:27-30    “If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?” While there are many good reasons to have fellowship often with those who believe in the love of God and the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord as revealed by the Holy Ghost in our hearts, we are under no compulsion to limit our fellowship exclusively to brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus said that, like Him, we are not of the world; nonetheless, like Him, we have been sent into the world (Jo...

Daily Devotion: Psalm 119:18 & 24

Psalm 119:18    "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:24    "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors." B-I-B-L-E = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth Sometimes we hear it said that life does not come with an instruction manual. That isn't true. We have the perfect instruction manual. The problem is that we don't always apply that manual to our lives. There are wonderful things that are contained within the Word of God. He has not left out anything that is important and necessary for a productive and prosperous life. But, the natural mind does not - cannot - understand the spiritual applications of God's Word. That is why we find the writer of this Psalm asking the Lord to open his eyes. He wasn't talking about his natural eyes; rather, he was asking the Lord to reveal to him those things contained within the Bible. I believe that it is most necessary to spend time in prayer before see...

Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 10:23-26

1 Corinthians 10:23-26    “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” Paul was a man set free by virtue of being a prisoner to none except the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived a life of joy in the Lord in spite of the afflictions of the flesh. He understood that the legal service he had been raised under no longer held sway in his life. Neither the Jews nor the Gentiles could require anything of him or bind him. He could eat meat offered to idols because he knew these idols were nothing and therefore the offering was nothing. Along with Paul’s knowledge of his liberty, we see a careful and wise consideration of its use. Just because we can do a thing (lawful) does not mean that we should do it (expedient)...

Daily Devotion: Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119:11    "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Throughout the Word of God, we can see the Lord placing Himself in a position of support, encouragement, and protection for us. We read in Deuteronomy 33:27 these words of Moses, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them."  I'm so thankful that He has revealed Himself to us in this manner. Although I have to admit that I have tried my own way too many times, I understand that I need the Lord. I believe Jesus with all my heart when He said, "Without me, you can do nothing." I believe God has given to us His armour in which we are shielded from the fiery darts of Satan which are constantly being hurled at us. I trust the shield of faith which has been given to us and I believe that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 1...

Daily Devotion: The Book of Joel (Part 11) - Joel 3:1-8

Joel 3:1-8   “(1) "For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, (2) I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. (3) They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. (4) "Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head; (5) Because you have taken My silver and My gold, And have carried into your temples My prized possessions. (6) Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem You have sold to the Greeks, That you may remove them far from their borders. (7) "Behol...