Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 13:8-10    “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” In a world where there is failure all around us, this should be a source of great joy and comfort to God’s people. Regardless of what else is falling apart, the love of Christ never fails. Even when we do not understand why things are happening as they do, we can rest assured in the steadfastness of God’s charity toward His children. We should never look at things that fail in any sense of the word and equate those things with the charity of God which we receive from Him and are able to share with others. Prophecies may fail, but that is not due to any failure in Christ. On the contrary, true prophecies fail (end) in the sense that they become fulfil...

Psalm 124:6-8     "Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.  (7)  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.  (8)  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." "Blessed be the LORD." That sentence stands on its own merit. No matter the situation in my life, the Lord is blessed and holy and righteous and pure. There is no spot or blemish in Him or any of His actions. If I can understand that great truth, then I am truly blessed to realize that out of that holiness, God chooses to deal mercifully with me. His mercy does not make Him more righteous. His blessings upon me does not make Him more holy. His goodness and gentleness toward me does not make Him more pure. He is all that and has chosen to reveal those qualities and blessings unto me; therefore, I am to be receptive and reflective of His holiness. How many times have you heard this said...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7    “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Poets and songwriters have made a good living for years writing about the idea of love. In man’s twisted reasoning, songs about adultery and fornication are often referred to as “love” songs. Poems about man’s view of love are often tragic and heartbreaking. Even religions often have a distorted view of love, attaching all sorts of requirements to the giving of love to others. We need to take a good long look at Paul’s description of true love that is found in Jesus Christ. To begin with, love that is rooted in Jesus is patient (suffereth long) and kind. These two attributes of charity go hand-in-hand, each enhancing...

Psalm 123:1-4    "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.  (2)  Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.  (3)  Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.  (4)  Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." We have yet another reminder as to where our help comes from: "Unto thee lift I up mine eyes." The writer went on to remind us that our God is not one made of hands; rather, He dwells in the heavens. He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. There is none greater than Him. There is no better place to look for help and, in fact, the very throne room of heaven is always open to us. Jesus spoke these words that are ongoing: "Come unto me." Tha...

1 Corinthians 13:1-3    “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” There are many charitable organizations in the world. Many people set aside a certain amount of their income to give to charitable works. Others give in their neighborhoods as they see needs around them. Some do it with fanfare and others do it quietly; some to gain God’s approval and others to have accolades of men. If we read the scriptures closely, we are going to realize that charity has nothing to do with giving. It is possible to give away all we have for the benefit of the poor and still not ...