Devotional Thoughts from God's Word

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12 Theme: Our greatest desire and purpose in worship should be to edify and exhort others in the Church. Key verses: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (v. 1) “He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.” (v. 5b) “Now brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? (v. 6) “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” (v. 12) What God said to me: Son, my Word is extremely clear and consistent throughout. I care for people. I left my church on this earth to reach people. I want people to know the Truth. I sent my Son to die for people. And when you are more interested in building up yourself, in seeking some spiritual high or estactic experience, than you are in clearly communicating my Gospel and my message to others, then you have missed the whole point of why you are there. Paul wasn’t putting down tongues. In fact he said he would like them all at Corinth to speak in tongues. But tongues was the last thing on Paul’s priority list because it served no purpose to edify the Body. And it is the Body that I am most concerned with. Dwayne, be sure as you lead and participate in church services and activities that you seek to encourage and edify my people. Your own needs and desires are secondary. I’ll take care of you as you obediently follow me and allow me to speak through you words of knowledge and revelation, comfort and love. What I said to God: Thank You, my Father, for meeting with me this morning. I know You are obligated because of my lackluster performance before You. Rather, You choose to meet with me because of Your mercy and grace. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for speaking to me and explaining God’s Word to me today. I want to follow and obey. I want to seek those spiritual gifts and unique God-given abilities that best help the Church of Jesus Christ. I praise You for saving me and for forgiving me and for blessing me beyond my imagination. Fill me today, and use me to bless others in return. I love You and need You today.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:27 – 13:13 Theme: Nothing else matters if we don’t love. Key verses: “…eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.” (12:31) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong…If I have the gift of prophecy…and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (13:1-2) “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (v. 8) “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face…” (v. 12a) “And now there three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (v. 13) What God said to me: Good morning, sunshine. Glad to see you could make it to meet with me today. You have been really busy lately — all those emails and self-imposed deadlines. Guess you think those are more important than making time for me first and foremost. Well, you are wrong. I am the vine — your vine. I am your source for creativity, productivity, and all your abilities. You can do nothing without me. Remember, take time to be holy and everyday be still and know that I am God. Now, regarding this passage, I certainly helped Paul outdo himself on this one. Talk about giving creativity, I poured out onto Paul’s mind and hand to write some of the most poignant, beautiful and wise words in all of Scripture. Paul had incredible knowledge. He was a preacher of preachers. His fame and noteriety had far exceeded anyone else’s during his day. Yet, Paul knew that none of that would matter in the end. All that would matter is what would remain the test of time and God’s test of fire. Love is that which will always last. If fact, without love, nothing else we possess or claim to accomplish will mean anything. Dwayne, do you love, I mean really love, those you minister to? Is your primary motivation for the promotional alerts you send out to help and encourage and love others? Why do you do this ministry of yours? Is it to build your name and prominence, or is it first of all to build my Kingdom and to serve others before yourself? And what about how you see and treat your wife at home? Do you love her sincerely, unselfishly, and deeply? Or do you give in order to get? Is your love somehow conditional, based on what she gives you in return? Even as my Son was hanging on the cross, he was thinking of others before himself. What remained even at death was selfless, godly love for other people. That was the example my Son, Jesus, set for you. Follow Him. What I said to God: Thank You, my holy Father, for speaking to me through your Holy Spirit this morning. Oh how I love Your Word. It is my meditation day and night! — Or at least it should be and had better be. Teach me to love. Teach me to care deeply and selflessly. Examine me, search me, O God, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Theme: We should treat those in the Body who don’t seem so special as the truly special ones. Key verses: “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” (v. 12) “But in fact God has arranged the part of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?” (v. 18-19) “…those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensible, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts needno special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.” (v. 22-25) What God said to me: Dwayne, it’s simple: I love and want every member of my family and church. And I will make sure every faithful member gets his or her share of honor from me. You should do the same. Son, you have always been out front receiving lots of accolades and special treatment. There’s nothing particularly wrong with that. I am glad you have been appreciated and respected for your labor. However, you should recipricate as often as possible and deliberately seek to honor those who sit in the congregation, who clean the church restrooms, who keep the nursery, and who do the less “honorable” tasks within my house. You are no more “special” in my eyes than they. And you are no more needed in my church than they. Be sure you always maintain that perspective and humble yourself constantly. I am raising you up to influence thousands, even millions, in the future. But never forget the “little people” along the way — for in my sight they are the giants. What I said to God: Precious and majestic Father, I love You and thank You for speaking so clearly to me this morning. Thank You for this peaceful moment sitting here on my back porch. Thank You for creating the birds that are singing and the water that is gurgling in my pool. You have made all things good. And today you have reminded me (beyond any shadow of doubt!) that You have made all believers good and worthy of proper honor. Who can I encourage today and this week that doesn’t receive much encouragement and attention within our church and the Body? I die to myself and my ambitions and desires. I yeild myself completely to You today. Please protect my family and lead them to love You more today.

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Theme: Spiritual gifts are given in order to profit the entire body. Key verses: “The manisfestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” (v. 7) “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (v. 11) What God said to me: Dwayne, I have given you the gift of knowledge and insight into my Word — especially in the area of worship and praise. Your responsibility is to write and speak and teach what I have shown you to as many of my people as possible. Your goal of impacting 100,000 through your worship study is not at all far-fetched. You must keep your eyes on that goal. Your motive is not to pad your own pockets or build your name, but rather to impact and build my Kingdom by making disciples. That is a worthy goal that I will honor if you will ask, seek and knock constantly. Your gift is no more special than anyone elses, mind you. But nonetheless, your mission is to use it to profit the entire church. I will give you the finances, creativity and resources to do what I have called and gifted you to do. Just stay the course, keep your motives pure, and trust me above your circumstances and setbacks. What I said to God: Lord, thank You so much for speaking to me this morning. What a grand reminder and encouraging word today! I am so thankful I made time to sit at Your feet in Your Word. As I hide away this week to video tape and develop more resources, help me stay focused and determined to think outside the box to how we can get the message you have given me out to the masses of believers and churches, where it can make the greatest impact for You. Protect my family while I’m gone please. I love and adore You and lay my life before You today. Please open doors for me to share Your Good News today with someone I meet.