Psalm: 31 Meditation: 1 CorHow often have people inserted their own understanding of what God wants or accepts within His church? Is the discussion of the spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church 2000 years ago even pertinent today? Regardless of any denomination’s stand on the availability of gifts today, here Paul continues to focus instead …
Tag: Gifts
Saturday, March 25
Psalm: 95 Meditation: 1 CorThis passage leads into one of the most quoted and misused passages in scripture. While Paul seems to be correcting views about the hierarchy of God’s gifts and their purpose, Paul instead is showing the need for love in the exercise of gifts and how they work together for the building …
Tuesday, March 7
Psalm: 56 Meditation: 1 CorWhy do Christians that are taught to be like Christ, the meekest man in history, need to inflate themselves and importance? What is it in human nature that hasn’t allowed us to change in 2000 years? Here Paul is trying to convince the gifted and wealthy church of Corinth to recall …
Saturday, November 26
Psalm: 137:1-9 Meditation: 1 PetDoes anyone hear echoes of the book of James in this passage? Peter admonishes us to love each other and use the gifts God has given us to help each other for God’s glory. The theme here is joy in suffering for the name of Christ and committing our souls to …
Wednesday, October 26
Psalm:119:49-72 Meditation: MattAt first glance this passage seems unfair. To hear those that have will receive more and those with little will lose even that. Here, Jesus is talking about God’s Kingdom and who will receive God’s gifts. Those that have a relationship with Jesus will have spiritual truths revealed without that relationship the parables …
Wednesday, October 12
Psalm: 119:1-24 Meditation: 1 CorWhen Paul is talking about people that talk in tongues without an interpreter, he is echoing Jesus’s charge to not babble in vain as the pagans do. He is also getting back to the point of why are you doing this? Who are we trying to impress? Are we driving people …
Monday, September 19
Psalm: 80 Meditation: 2 KingsCan you name the examples of faith in this story? How many acts of desperation or taking chances are here as well? Naman, on the advice of a servant girl, is sent by his king with over 4 million dollars in gifts to persuade the King, God and his prophet to …
Wednesday, June 29
Psalm: 119:145-176 Meditation: ActsThe arguments for ‘profession’ versus ‘possession’ in terms of what or who is a Christian continue to this day. The insult of trying to buy God’s gifts is abhorrent to the Lord. So are the doctrines that seemingly consist of “saying the magic words and all will be well.” This tricks people …
Wednesday, May 18
Psalm: 148 Meditation Romans: This passage can be used as a cudgel with which to beat people down. Among the myriad gifts with which God has endowed us is common sense. In Paul’s day, the Roman authorities would brook no voiced nor active resistance (such as demonstrations) and would retaliate against such infractions severely. That …
Thursday, January 20
Psalm: 70 Meditation Mark: Jesus begins with a series of rhetorical questions. I tell people there are two kinds of questions I don’t answer: rhetorical and stupid. Jesus goes on to say, in essence, don’t be stingy with money, gifts, kindness, etc. The line about the seed growing is very similar to “one sows, another …
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