Devotional Thoughts

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...

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...

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...