Devotional Thoughts

Psalm 119:125-128    "I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.  (126)  It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.  (127)  Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.  (128)  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way." "I am thy servant."  What a wonderful statement to be able to make! But I ask myself, "Can I truly say that of myself?" Am I truly the servant of God? Am I? Are you?  Do I serve Him constantly, or do I only serve when it's convenient for me? Yes, these are hard questions that deserve an answer. How seriously do I take the Word of God? Again, it is no coincidence that the longest chapter in the Bible is dedicated completely to the Word of God and its importance in our lives.   "I am thy servant. I love thy commandments above gold. I esteem all thy precepts ... to be right." The w...

1 Corinthians 12:4-6    “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” Paul begins this chapter by speaking to the church about spiritual gifts. These gifts were applied to both Jews and Gentiles. Spiritual gifts testify first and foremost that Jesus is Lord (see verse 3). It is easy for us to look at someone else and think “I wish I had that gift!” We can also readily see that there are many gifts in the church. Some are pastors or deacons or song leaders. These are gifts that are highly visible in their administration. However, there are many other gifts that we sometimes overlook. We all know a special someone who has a knack for being an encourager. They brighten up our day simply by their presence. While we might fail to think of it in this fashion, this is a spiritual gift. Some gifts that are viewed as com...

Psalm 119:116-117    "Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.  (117)  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually." Both of these verses speak concerning the need for God's hand to be upon us to prevent us from falling. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his first letter to them, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) It seems to me that the first step in understanding the blessings of God's hands holding us is in understanding that we are prone to fall. That is one of the side effects of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden. We hear it often said that God create man "able to stand, but liable to fall."  Once we understand our weakness, then we are open to the grand truth of God's ability to uphold us. The Psalmist is saying, "Lord, you promised in your Word to hold me in a manner where I can...

1 Corinthians 12:1-3    “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” Paul has spent a great deal of time speaking to the Corinthian church (and to us) about their behavior. They have been soundly rebuked concerning the division among them. He has counseled them in their attitude towards one another as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives, and as the body of Christ collectively. He now calls attention to gifts of a divine or religious nature (see Strong’s). Again, he emphasizes his feeling of family towards them by addressing them as brethren. Paul had no desire to appear to just be venting at them. His whole purpose in this letter was to assure them of his continuing love for them, an...