“CONSISTENCY, THOU ART A RARE JEWEL.”
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 3-4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnesian peninsula from the Greek mainland, thus effectively making the former an island. The builders dug the canal through the Isthmus at sea level; no locks are employed. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) in length and only 21.3 metres (70 feet) wide at its base, making it impassable for most modern ships. It now has little economic importance. The canal was envisioned in classical times and an initial effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD, but the project was aborted. Construction finally got underway in 1881 and was completed in 1893.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ…for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
“Behaving like mere men?” Jesus said to Peter, “You are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23). A paraphrase of that is, “You think like men think and not as God thinks.” God’s Word is the expression of His thoughts. In order to think and behave as God would think and act, it is of ultimate importance to stay consistent in reading and meditating on God’s Word. God has called and equipped pastor/teacher servants and put them in the pulpits of our local churches. We need this ministry gift. God put these people in our home congregations. Some of us unwisely run after big name ministers, or even think we can grow in our Christian life without the local church. If we think that, we’re wrong, and we, our families and friends will suffer negative consequences.
As I think on today’s reading, it occurs to me that indeed, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Paul’s pen penetrates deeply into our innermost beings. The church of Corinth provides an understanding into what eventually became our many denominational divisions. Paul’s has cut away (ouch!) at our careless attitudes toward those things that are harmful to the temple (our bodies) in which we live… overeating, smoking, etc, etc, and laziness or failure to work. All things which harm us are dealt with. It may be repentance time right now!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Allow me this personal prayer today…
Lord God, I repent of my laziness. Recently, I’ve twice slept beyond my early morning prayer time. Please help me as I grow older, and have certain physical challenges, to remain faithful to the disciplines to which You’ve called me. I can’t do this on my own. I need Your supernatural strength 24/7. I believe with all my heart, mind and soul that You will impart Your grace to me at all times. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Several years ago, one of my fellow ministers introduced me to a book by Campbell McAlpine called, Alone with God. The author points out that our spiritual maturity is determined by the answer to this question, “How well do I know God?” He goes on to ask, “Do you believe your spiritual growth is commensurate with the time you’ve known God? Have you neglected the means of growth? What adjustments do you believe are necessary in your life to correct this?” I received a call from a person who is reading through the Bible with the 100words reading pattern. She said that she had read through the entire Bible once before, but could not remember reading of the horrible crimes recorded in the last chapters of Judges. My response was that in an attempt to read quickly, our eyes often glaze over and our minds go into neutral. Thus the extreme importance of a well-ordered reading schedule. The two-year program will make sure that we don’t miss anything and that our minds will stay sharp each reading time. As a young man, I remember my father quoting to me a phrase, attributed to Shakespeare, “Consistency, thou art a rare jewel.”
Yours for finding that rare jewel… “CONSISTENCY,”
David
A ship travels through the Corinth Canal.
Thank You, Lord God, for Your work and Your workers. Have Your way in this country. We so desperately need You. Help all Canada turn to You, Father. Bless all those who stand up for Truth, reality, virtue, and righteousness, for You. I ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen to your prayer Rob.
Paul was certainly a humble human.
Sharing this beautiful song:
https://youtu.be/6vfqYwfTqlE?si=RgXgn4Um-aufITnu
Amen Rob to your prayer and thank you Lynda for the music. I enjoyed the music. I lost a 25 year old grandson this week and it is v hard for me to understand why he passed. I know he is with the Lord (thank you Jesus). Blessings all.
Sorry for your loss Doreen
Blessings Gwen
Doreen, so very sorry for this devastating loss, of your Young grandson.. May God’s Peace and Love embrace you and your entire family now, and in the days ahead.🙏🏽
Oh my Doreen. So sorry to hear of the loss of your grandson.
Big hugs to you,Doreen re your loss.A Christian grief site I highly recommend run by a lady who lost an adult son to cancer (similar to David’s,I think) .Here’s a link,tell her I sent you.God bless
https://www.facebook.com/groups/529589353797506
It’s called SFC Moms owned by K c Hutter.(She would be a great guest to have on 100 Huntley St.)
I’m sharing this post from her site.Very good advice:
“Christian Tavares
dtonorseSp0M3tl43rrm uAalcg53tm0 a252110 10h1 28:abF1ya7e70mt10 ·
Ernest Hemingway once said,
“In our darkest moments, we don’t need advice.”
What we truly need is the power of human connection: a quiet presence, a gentle touch, or the smallest gesture that reminds us we’re not alone. These acts of love and solidarity become the anchors that hold us steady when life feels overwhelming.
Pain is a deeply personal burden, and difficulties are uniquely ours to face—but your silent presence tells me I don’t have to face them in isolation. It’s a quiet reminder that, no matter how lost I feel, I am still worthy of love and connection.
Sometimes, words aren’t necessary; your silent support speaks louder than anything else. Love, in its purest form, has the power to help us rediscover ourselves, even when we’ve forgotten who we are.
Let’s remember the importance of simply being there for one another. ♥️
~Mar English”
This is eerie.That shared quote just above invoked an incomplete memory of another poem,just the very last line (Found my soul and returned it.).I scrolled through one or 2 files looking at the last lines and just before I found it I became quite sure it was a poem she requested years ago and so it was.I believe her son was 32.He and his mom owned and ran a car rental in California.He was working at his desk on Thursday and on Monday was his funeral.
2nd attempt
What I Could Not Find (4 K c)
Is there ever time to say goodbye
When one is called to leave the stage
And are there words for the lie
That I’ll have strength to turn the page?
You were alive with your smiling eyes,
Then before I knew you were gone
And I can not e’er disguise,
The lingering pain I fret upon.
We were so close in our world of trust;
Your world was opening for you,
Until it became unjust
And then you were gone before I knew.
A blur of so many tear filled nights
That left me so lost I was blind,
‘Til He took me to new heights
To show on earth what I could not find.
Now I know why He loaned you to me,
For you taught my heart how to love
Until in eternity,
We will all be together above.
Time has passed,the page has turned slowly,
But it was not I who turned it,
For He,the One so holy,
Found my soul and returned it.
G W(Bill) Marshall/25 Aug,2014
Written for Kc Hutter,owner of SFCM
Dear Doreen,
I am so very sorry to hear of your grandson’s passing. It’s certainly very difficult to understand and accept that this would happen. I pray for you and your family as you go through this very painful experience. May you sense His comfort and peace.
So sorry regarding the passing of your 25 yr.old grand-son. Doreen.
I have a 25 yr.old grand-son that I love dearly, I can feel your pain and offer my condolences.
The Lord is so good to offer His grace and mercy at a time like this with questions we cannot understand, like the why? And how come?
Pray God strengthens you with Holy Spirit, your Helper, Councillor and Comforter.
Thank you folk for your comments. “J” knew the Lord (so very thankful for that). God is good. Blessings