Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 11:17-19    “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” In the second verse of this chapter, Paul told the brethren there were some efforts of theirs that he approved of (praised). However, he did not approve of them in everything. He was just as diligent to point out those things that were not worthy of approval as he was to give credit for those that were. Paul was not being meek or beating around the bush. He did not simply say “I tell you,” but rather “I declare unto you.” The use of the word “declare” moved this from a simple giving of his opinion to laying a charge against them. He told them that many of them were not gathering to worship with the proper atti...

Psalm 119:57    "Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words." Let's be reminded of the verse that completes today's passage. We are told in Deuteronomy 32:9, "... the LORD'S portion is his people ... " I'm trying to piece all of this together in my mind this morning. When I compare the Lord's portion (His people) to my portion (the Lord, Himself), I begin to realize that I have been given the greater portion. There is nothing that I can add to my Heavenly Father that will increase His value. But my worth is vastly increased by the portion (inheritance) that has been given to me. As I think upon these things, I'm reminded of the Prodigal Son. He said, "Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me." I know the father gave him the monetary value of his inheritance, but what truly was given to that son - and also to the older son? What was his true inheritance? It came to me as I was typing this morn...

1 Corinthians 11:13-16    “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” Paul has thoroughly laid out his argument for men having their heads uncovered when they pray. He has just as thoroughly laid out his argument that women should have their heads covered when they pray. Historically, this was the custom among the Jews and Greeks of Paul’s day. In light of other issues in Corinth, it is likely that Paul was counseling the brethren there to not flaunt their independent thinking in this and other issues that he addressed for them. As we read through these passages, it is good to remember Paul’s observation that while all things might be lawful, all things are not expedien...

Psalm 119:49-50    "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.  (50)  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." Psalm 119:54-55    "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.  (55)  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law." Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that we are saved (delivered) by hope. Hope is the result of faith. Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." Hope is a very important element in our lives. Without it, things are dark and dismal. We would be most miserable if we did not believe that better things are on the way. Understanding that the faithfulness of God is the basis of our faith and hope, where do we go in order to learn more about these things? Paul reminds us in Romans 10 that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. I may seem to be rambling at this po...

1 Corinthians 11:12-13    “For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” As we are considering this subject, of necessity, a few verses at a time we might find it easy to lose sight of Paul’s original focus when this chapter starts. Paul’s obvious intent is to commend us to following Christ and honoring Him as our Head. No man or woman has any authority over our relationship with our Lord and Savior. We need no mediator between us and Jesus and He is the only mediator between God and man (1Ti 2:5). It is often easy to become disgruntled with our lot in life. We either do not have the respect we feel we deserve or else more is required of us than anyone else around us. Others either demand too much of us, or else no one truly values our ideas and abilities. We often desire more responsibility, and then when we get it we want less responsibility. Women often fe...