Tuesday, February 28, 2023

ALL THINGS

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 14

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The ruins of Ancient Corinth (centre) are surround by a modern community that is just a few kilometres south-west of Modern Corinth. This view is from the Acropolis Hill (Acrocorinth).

The ruins of Ancient Corinth (centre) are surround by a modern community. This view is from the Acropolis Hill (Acrocorinth).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:15

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

 

“All things” covered in this chapter are to be DONE (not neglected) “decently and in order.” A former Archbishop of Canterbury said that we trip over the word “decently,” and he also said, “When the Spirit moves, things can become rather messy.” The Archbishop was a speaker at a conference on evangelism here in Canada. He was not discouraging us from exercising the gifts but pointing out that our spirits are in our control (14:32) and that “God is not the Author of confusion but of peace (14:33). Note that the words “edification, edifies, edified” appear over and over. The public exercise of the Spirit’s gifts is for others, and for the whole Church. Also note that, in the final result, speaking in tongues and interpretation in the church service should produce the same building up (edification) as prophecy. However, it is important for a person also to build up the Spirit’s life within. Note that praying in tongues in personal prayer, while not knowing the meaning of what one is saying, edifies one’s self. Obviously this is what Paul referred to when he wrote, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” (14:18). In the book of Acts, there are five occasions when believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. In four of those we know they spoke in tongues as an initial indication that they had experienced the Spirit in this way. In the first happening (Acts 2), people understood the tongues. In the others, it does not say they were understood. It would seem that they were “giving thanks well” (14:17) and were being personally edified by a private prayer language on those occasions.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, John the Baptist said that You would baptize me with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11b). I’m fully open to You every day. Please immerse me in Your Spirit again today. I’m praying right now “with the Spirit” and “with the understanding.” Hallelujah!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I need to be edified so that I may bless others, and I cannot do this unless I am blessed myself. I know that the Holy Spirit came to live in me when I went forward at a Youth for Christ rally in December, 1952, and He has constantly lived in me ever since. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, as are all believers in Jesus. Then in June of 1953, I was first fully filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, immersed in Him, and I spoke in tongues. It was while I was in prayer, and there was no interpretation of what I said. It was several years later that in my personal devotions I found myself praying in tongues. I immediately read again 1 Corinthians 14. I knew I was edified and that I was in good company with Paul (14:18).

I must not avoid verses 34 & 35 in our reading. My father, a preacher, missionary in Egypt, college professor, and my hero in ministry, told of a time in Timma, Egypt, when he was preaching. There was a wall between the womens’ section and the mens’ section of the church. This was a tradition based on the Temple in Jerusalem and on the synagogues. At one point in his sermon, a stressed-out mother (all of the children were on the womens’ side) yelled a question over the wall to her husband. He didn’t tell us what she asked, but I can use my imagination. My father quoted 1 Corinthians 14:35 and asked her to allow him to continue his sermon without interruption. She graciously complied. Some have taken this verse to forbid women in a preaching and teaching ministry. If that’s what Paul meant, then how does one explain the many women who did preach, teach, and prophesy with the blessing of the early Church? I like my Dad’s explanation of this Scripture!

Yours for encouraging “all things,” which Paul taught are for edification,

David

Here are the ruins of an ancient church that is on top of the Acropolis Hill (Acrocorinth).

Here are the ruins of an ancient church that is on top of the Acropolis Hill (Acrocorinth).

9 thoughts on “Tuesday, February 28, 2023

  1. Father, take the leaders and authorities in Canada in Your hands and give them the wisdom and grace to make decisions in which You will be glorified. Forgive us as a nation for our sin and bring us to repentance for our wilfulness, rebellion and pride – for all our sin. Thank You for being the One who forgives, heals, and sets us on a firm foundation for life, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  2. Amen, standing in prayer with prayers above.
    I pray daily for Godly leadership in our countries. I pray God will chose a leader for us as he chose David. Satan appears to have a hold on so many of our politicians at this time. We must in Jesus name take authority over and bind all of Satan’s operations and render him helpless.

  3. Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti. I read in yesterday’s Hamilton Spectator of the abuse of the people because of gangs. It is so serious – harming women and children especially. Even the police are unable (or unwilling) to rescue folk. People are afraid to shop or send children to school. It is heartbreaking. Lord, be their Protector, Provider, and Shield. May they understand that You are their Creator and their Saviour. Please rescue them. in Jesus Name. Amen.

  4. Hi Ron, my friend and I are not understanding what your dad said about your grandpa in the Personal words section here. It sounds like your grandpa reprimanded the woman for interrupting his sermon, and your dad agreed, yet we know your dad didn’t agree with women being suppressed in church. Would you please help us to understand what your dad point here was ( in referring to verses 34 and 35 here) and what you think you grandpa was actually saying to her. It seems to us that it was all very harsh and not like your dad to agree with your grandpa in this situation.
    Thankyou so much. We are so blessed by this daily blog. Thankyou for continuing to run it.

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