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Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 14:13-17

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1 Corinthians 14:13-17    “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.” As Paul continues his discussion of unknown tongues, he continues to emphasize the necessity of edifying others. Our human nature is such that we commonly consider various undertakings with the underlying thought “What’s in it for me?” Without a doubt, Paul indicates that there is a blessing to the individual in speaking in tongues. Still, he continues to point out that it is...
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Daily Devotion: Psalm 130:1-4 and 7

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Psalm 130:1-4    "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.  (2)  Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.  (3)  If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  (4)  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Psalm 130:7    "Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption." "Who shall stand?" Isn't it a wonderful time when a toddler first stands to his feet? Even though he is wobbly and the stand may only last for a few seconds; yet, there is great joy and celebration when it happens. That degree of growth is incredible. The question asked in verse 3 is not concerning the first time we physically stand; rather, this is a spiritual question that is given to the child of God concerning our position before the Lord. The answer to the Psalmist's question is, "no one". If God should mark, or regard,...
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Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 14:9-12

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1 Corinthians 14:9-12    “So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” Over the years, it has been a common practice for armies to use trumpets or bugles to signal their soldiers. There was one sound for “charge,” a different sound for “retreat,” and so on. In verse eight, Paul mentioned the necessity of the trumpet being precise (certain) in the sound made. Otherwise, the soldiers would be in confusion over what they were supposed to be doing. He used this illustration to continue his teaching concerning speaking i...
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Daily Devotion: Psalm 128:1-2

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Psalm 128:1-2    "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.  (2)  For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." The wise man Solomon wrote, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25) It's important to note that there are always at least two ways in which we can travel through life. There is my way which seems right, but is wrong. And then there is God's way which is always right. There is a big difference between that which "seems" right and that which is actually correct. A lot of things can seem right in the moment of time only to take a turn for the worse. But we are promised blessings when our way is God's way. My first thought this morning is what is my motive for wanting to go in God's way? Do I think life will always be easy if I am in the will of God? Think about it for a moment. The di...
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Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 14:4-8

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1 Corinthians 14:4-8    “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” Paul makes it very clear here that speaking in an unknown tongue has benefit for the speaker; he is edified (built up) by it. He that is able to prophesy, or speak plainly by divine inspiration, edifies the church body. There is cer...
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Daily Devotion: Psalm 127:1

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Psalm 127:1    "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Sometimes we hear someone described as being a "self-made man." May I say just now that there is no such thing! "Except the LORD builds the house..." Our Lord is telling us that unless He builds, we can do nothing of our own. Jesus spoke it in this manner, "Without me, you can do nothing." I try to often remind myself of this great truth. You see, our prideful self can easily try to slide up into a position where we think we actually are doing something good on our own ability. James reminds us that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) The ability to accomplish good things in life comes from one, and only one, source: our Heavenly Father. Without the Lord provi...
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