Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 4:1-2     “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” We are often concerned about what people think of us. It is only natural that we want to make a good impression. Even when we declare that we do not care what others think of us, that is not usually what we mean. Most of the time, we are saying that we are decided on a course, and we will pursue it even if others do not agree. That is not really the same thing as not caring what others think. It mattered to Paul what men thought about him but not for his own sake. Neither did he want to just put on a good front. He was inviting an examination of himself when he said “Let a man so account of us.” The Greek word  logizomai  (translated here as “account”) means “to take an inventory” (see Strong’s). As ministers of Christ, we should welcome men to “take inventory” of our sp...

Psalm 90:10-12    "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  (11)  Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.  (12)  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." This is the third day that we have looked at these verses. They are packed full of wisdom and knowledge for us. We finished yesterday with the thought of our days being numbered and we should use each day in such a manner that we show forth the glory of God in our lives.  I wrote the first day about the "dash" between the dates on a tombstone. We have a date of birth and we have a date when life on this earth will cease. There was a time in my life when that thought scared me. I didn't want to talk about it or even think about it. But since I have passed the "threescore years," I ...

1 Corinthians 3:20-23     “And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ   is   God’s.” God uses the worldly wisdom of man to ensnare him in his own trap (Job 5:13, 1Co 3:19). In the same way, He knows the thoughts of those who consider themselves wise in this world’s wisdom. He knows those thoughts and He knows them to be empty (vain). There is no profit in worldly wisdom. Man’s wisdom did not create the world. Man’s wisdom did not establish laws of righteousness. Man’s wisdom did not see the need we would have for a Savior before the world was made. Man’s wisdom is bound by time; it did not exist before man and will not remain after he is gone. Only the wisdom of God can claim to be from everlasting to eve...

2 Timothy 4:2   “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”  “Preach the Word!” This is the plea of the Apostle Paul given to Timothy, a pastor and beloved by Paul as a fellow laborer in the word. Well, this admonition is stronger than a plea, isn’t it? It is more on the lines of a directive, a command. Preach the Word! This is a special passage to me for two reasons. The first reason is because this is the primary task for which God called me to do. This is the primary task for all who are called into the ministry as an Elder. In the book of Acts, the apostles called for men to be selected to take care of the physical needs of widows so the Apostles could give their attention to the ministry of the word of God - “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom...

1  Corinthians 3:18-19     “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” Deception seems to be a way of life. There are so-called leaders in the world that daily try to make people believe that evil is good and unrighteousness is just. There are religions that teach Christ in a way that portrays Him as being inadequate to finish the work He came to do. Retailers deceive us every day with advertisements that are overstated and sale prices that supposedly are saving us thousands of dollars. However, the worst deceptions are the ones we sell ourselves on. Self-deception was at work in the garden. Even though the Serpent beguiled Eve and she took the forbidden fruit to Adam, they deceived themselves. They convinced themselves that God did not really mean they were going...