Devotional Thoughts

Psalm 119:129-132    "Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.  (130)  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  (131)  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.  (132)  Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name." I remember when the Lord was first making me aware of my call into the ministry. I wish I could tell you that from a small child, I have loved the Word of God, but that would not be truthful. I had to look for a Bible on the night that the Lord began speaking distinctly to my heart. I knew I had one (somewhere), but I could only find the "table top" model. You know, the huge white Bible that people used to have laying on the coffee table. I finally found my personal size Bible, but didn't know where to start reading. I just opened it and began reading. God is so good! We know that, don't we? It isn't...

1 Corinthians 12:7-11    “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” Although the Spirit is gives a diversity of gifts, and the Lord gives differences of administrations, and God gives diversities of operations, there is a oneness of purpose. The expression (manifestation) of the Spirit is for the profit (benefit), not only of the individual, but also of those with whom we come into contact. Whether we are blessed with the word of wisdom or the word of knowledge, it comes by the same Hol...

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...

Psalm 119:105    "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Proverbs 3:5-6    "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." John 14:6    "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." I hope to be able to connect all three passages to make sense. If I ask ten people what is the purpose of the Bible, I would probably receive several different answers. And most, if not all, of those answers would contain some truth. Paul gave the answer in his 2nd letter to Timothy, chapter 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Notice in all of our Scripture for today that there is one source t...

1 Corinthians 11:33-34    “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” In the verses prior to the closing of this chapter, Paul had rebuked the church at Corinth soundly for their poor behavior toward one another. He further instructed them that behaving poorly toward one another in connection with the Lord’s Supper brought judgment upon them. Nevertheless, this judgment was from the chastening hand of the Lord and therefore a matter of some encouragement because this was a sign of His love for them. Paul evidenced a great concern over their self-centered behavior. He rebuked them in verse twenty-one for each one seeking his own satisfaction. The outcome of this behavior was some were given to excess (even becoming drunk) while others were left hungry. Their lack of concern for one another and the proper recogn...

Psalm 119:103-104    "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  (104)  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." It is no coincidence that this Psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible. The entirety of the Psalm is given to the subject of the Word of God. I say it is no coincidence because of the importance of constant prayer, reading, studying, and meditating upon the Word of God. We have seen that we gain understanding and our hope gains strength as we give ourselves to the Word of God. It has been my experience on many occasions that I would read something and not get the immediate thought of the passage. It is at that time that I begin to ask the Lord to open my understanding. It isn't always an immediate thought that comes to me. It just might be at that time that the Lord is saying, "Let's just talk a while." Reading and enquiring about the words written in the Bible is a great aven...

1 Corinthians 11:30-32    “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” In order to understand the “cause” that Paul speaks of, we must look back to verse twenty-nine, which says “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Any attempt to partake of the communion of our Lord Jesus without truly understanding His sacrifice for us as the church, the body of Christ, condemns us. The consequence of our action is that we are spiritually weakened with infirmity to the extent that we become dead to the joy of His kingdom. The condition described in these verses in no way indicates that we can lose our eternal salvation. Scripture plainly teaches us that we cannot be plucked out of God’s hand (Joh 10:28-29). The fact that Paul wa...

Psalm 119:89-91    "Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  (90)  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.  (91)  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants." History books have to constantly be rewritten. That's a simple but true statement. The things that happened yesterday are now history. They are part of "his story" and can be written in a book in the past tense. The Bible never has to be rewritten. That's also a simple but true statement. The Word of God "is settled (established) in heaven." And we know "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (1 John 5:7) To say that any part of the Bible is not true would be the same as calling God a liar. I'm not that bold. Are you? I may not understand every part of it, but I do believe it is the true Word of God. Jesus said ...

1 Corinthians 11:27-29    “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Those who are enabled by God’s grace to recognize their sinful nature need to read this passage carefully and prayerfully. Even as a child, I understood that I was a sinner and therefore unworthy in myself of the Lord’s blessing. I heard the warning many times that to eat and drink unworthily was to condemn myself before the Lord. There was always a struggle within me because I had a deep desire to take of the bread and the cup, even though I saw my unworthiness. The key to understanding the unworthiness that brings condemnation in the taking of the bread and the cup comes in the last five words of verse tw...

Psalm 119:81-83    "My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.  (82)  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?  (83)  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes." The earth is about 71% water while the human body is 50 - 70% water and blood. Thirst is a very real danger. We see what happens when the earth is in a drought. A person who does not drink enough water is in dire danger when he becomes dehydrated. There are many things on the market that are fluids and promise to satisfy your thirst, but in reality, they only magnify the thirst. Even Coca-Cola (the real thing) leaves you wanting more instead of giving true satisfaction. Only water can really take away the thirst of the body. That is in the physical realm and yet the spiritual realm is just as true. Our spiritual beings need the water of the Word of God. We become dry and dehydrated spiritually when we fail to consume the W...

1 Corinthians 11:23-26     “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” Paul had just rebuked the Corinthians soundly for their attitude towards each other (see verses 17-22). Now he confirms to them that this is not just his thought or his personal assessment of the situation. What he had established among them during his previous time there, and the counsel he was imparting in this letter, were the direct result of what the Lord had given him. His reminder of Jesus’ b...

Psalm 119:76    "Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant." Kindness seems to be dwindling in some areas of life. That's a hard statement, but there are too many instances where the feelings of others are not taken into consideration when dealing with issues of life. I'm not talking about compromise; for that is not kindness. Our Heavenly Father shows His merciful kindness to us every single day, but He never compromises His truth. There are so many instances of God's kindness in His Holy Word. That is why the writer of this Psalm was asking for kindness "according to thy word." God showed kindness to Adam and Eve when He clothed them with animal skins; yet, He still cast them out of the Garden. God showed kindness to Moses when He allowed Moses to look over into the promised land; yet, He would not allow Moses to cross the Jordan River. No, kindness does not mean compromise, but every single day...

1 Corinthians 11:20-22    “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.” Historically, it is believed that the early church met together and had an actual meal before the taking of the bread and wine in what we today refer to as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s admonishment to the church at Corinth would seem to indicate this was the practice there. The brethren came together for a meal and the fellowship that goes with it prior to taking the wine and unleavened bread in token of the Lord’s blood and body. However, Paul rebuked them for the manner in which they had come to conduct themselves. His injunction was not so much against the act of me...

Psalm 119:65-68    "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.  (66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.  (67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  (68)  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes." I love how God's dealings with me are secured by those words in verse 65, "... according unto thy word." As I read those words, I am made certain that the Word of God is effectual. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the Word of God, "... ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." The Word of God works effectively in our lives. God spoke to us through the Prophet Isaiah, "... it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." In other words, God's Word works...

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...

Psalm 119:41-42    "Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.  (42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word." Noah built a boat in the middle of the desert. Moses heard the voice of the Lord from a burning bush. Gideon defeated hundreds of thousands of the Midianite army with only 300 men holding trumpets and lanterns. David faced a giant by the name of Goliath. Peter walked on water. Saul was overtaken by the presence of the Lord Jesus as he traveled to Damascus. Paul shook the serpent off his hand.  Do you ever read God's Word and wonder if those things could still happen? The answer is yes, God speaks to us and deals with us every day of our lives. Does He call us to build a ship, strike a rock, break a lantern in the darkness, defeat a giant, or any of those other wonderful works of which we read? I doubt any of us have experienced exactly those things, but what God doe...