Devotional Thoughts

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...

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...

1 Corinthians 14:1-3    “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” As disciples of Christ, we should pursue charity with great zeal. Having the love of Christ one to another is, by His own declaration, the singular way for all of mankind to know we are His disciples (Joh 13:34-35). It is in this, more than doctrine or practice, that others see Jesus in us. However, that does not mean that doctrine and practice or not important. As we follow after charity, we should be zealously affected toward spiritual gifts as outlined by Paul (1Co 12:28). As we consider Paul’s expression here, it appears that desiring spiritual gifts is directly connected to following after charity. If we truly have love...

Psalm 126:5-6    "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  (6)  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Have you ever felt like throwing up your hands and saying, "I quit!" Have you ever thought that your work was not doing any good at all? "What's the use in this? Nothing is going to happen! Why should I even continue?"  If you have ever felt like any of those things, then you know that it can be very detrimental to your emotions. But we have a promise from God in our verses today that if we are faithful in our work for Him, there are blessings to be experienced. I'm not a farmer by any stretch of the imagination, but I remember times when I would sow grass seed on a barren part of the yard. I would water and watch! Water and watch! If it didn't come up when I thought it was supposed to germinate, then I would sow more seed and water and watch. Somet...

1 Corinthians 13:11-13    “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” In previous verses, Paul has spoken about things that we have here “in part.” God, in His wisdom, has shown to us a measure of who He is. In the flesh, we are not able to fully grasp His judgment, mercy, grace, and love. He gives us faith sufficient to have great hope in Him for our salvation. As natural children, we had to learn to speak. Those of us who have been blessed to spend time around little ones can call to mind things they have said that still brings a smile to our face. There is a joy in hearing little ones learn to speak and a sweet innocence in the way they express things. Their co...