Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 9:5-7    “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and   as   the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” In the first verses of this chapter, Paul has established his seal as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He has further established that he is the apostle that was sent to the church at Corinth and therefore had both the right and responsibility to answer their questions with boldness in the Spirit. He continues by instructing the brethren concerning their ability and freedom (power) as apostles and ministers (his inclusion of Barnabas points to this). It is not my intention to belittle the faith of those that hold that a minister (whether referred to as priest, bishop, or some othe...

1 Corinthians 9:1-4    “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink?” Paul has addressed many issues that the church at Corinth was facing in that day. He has given advice with the authority of the Holy Spirit, and held the brethren accountable for their actions. Knowing our Adam nature, I can imagine that there were some at Corinth who had the attitude towards Paul of “Just who does he think he is!” Paul is here answering that attitude so common to our nature when we have been rebuked. Although posed as questions, Paul is not really asking as though there were some doubt about the matter. He is directing our attention to who he is and the proof of his claim. He begins with the calling that gives him t...

Psalm 112:1-4    "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.  (2)  His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.  (3)  Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.  (4)  Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." Back in Psalm 111:9, the Psalmist declares "...  holy and reverend is his name." Today, we read "Blessed is the man that feareth (holds in reverence) the LORD."  The first one speaks of a definite statement. The second one tells us that there is a blessing in holding the name of the Lord in reverence in our hearts and minds. The third commandment demands that we do not take the name of the Lord in vain. That is, we are not to speak it in such a manner that is less than the holiness that is declared in the very name of the Lor...

1 Corinthians 8:8-13    “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” Paul stresses again that whether or not meat (food) has been offered to an idol is not the real issue. Eating meat offered to idols just because we can does not prove our faithfulness to God. Flaunting our knowledge that we have l...

Psalm 111:1-2    "Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.  (2)  The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." "I will praise the Lord with my whole heart."  How many times in a day do we use those two words, "I will ..." I will do this or I will do that. I will go here or I will be there. I will get this done.  I will, I will, I will. The Psalmist said, "I will praise the Lord." He made the determination to do that, whether it be on a specific occasion or a continual matter.  The Psalms are filled with the instructions that tell us to praise the Lord, but do we give it an answer from our heart? "Praise ye the LORD."  Yes, Lord, I will praise you with my whole heart. I won't simply go through the motions of saying or singing praise to you; rather, I will give my entire being to the action of praising you. I will pra...