Bible Commentary & Daily Devotional

 1 Corinthians 15 - Remain in Christ          Today is a day to work enthusiastically for God. Let's remember God's promises today.  He loves you completely.  And gave His life for you and for me.  Everything we do for God is useful for His good purposes.           We all need a good reminder.  We get that in this wonderful summary chapter of the Gospel.  We must be unified in the Good News of Jesus Christ.  We must all preach and believe that same message.           And we must keep believing.  The Bible teaches that you must hear the Good News and continue to believe to be saved (15:2 and John 8:31, 2 Cor. 13:5, 1 John 2:24, 2 John 9, Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 2:1, 1 Timothy 1:19, and Jude 1:12).  Be very leery if you hear prosperity preachers saying all you need is a ticket to ride, once you have that you can do or believe whatever you, please.  It is essential to hold fast to your trust in our Savior, to endure.           Just as the Scriptures said, Christ died for our sins

 1 Corinthians 14 - God Will Bring Revival           I’ve got some great Christian friends.  They are the real deal, genuine Christians.  I’m constantly learning and encouraged by them.  They bring God up in every conversation.  They remind me that we must share with all people God’s goodness and righteousness (Psalm 145:7).  They remind me that Jesus will return when He is good and ready.  In the meantime, we get this amazing life to live - one shot to exercise self-control (Proverbs 25:28) and follow our King.           As men of God, we ignore Scripture and the plain commands of the Spirit of Christ at our peril.  Let’s face it.  Men want praise from people.  I do.  Who doesn’t want to be a bit of a big deal?  We want to be popular.  And non-offensive.  And generally acceptable to the world.  It’s kind of the Canadian way.           Jesus' men seek to please Him alone.  We recognize that His Way is different, better, harder, yet sweeter.  It is a way that makes love our highest

 1 Corinthians 14 - Pursue Gifts that Strengthen           With Meghan and Kari (Summer 1993)           This chapter says nothing about women being unable to lead in the home and the business community (as we see in Proverbs 31).  But it does make universal statements about the proper functioning of the public orderly worship gatherings of Christians.  In this passage, Paul states that Jesus commands that we obey these standards (v. 37).  So, he’s got my attention.           Many churches quote the previous chapter’s eloquent Christian distinctive of active love.  They do so at pretty much every wedding.  Yet at how many weddings do we hear preaching and unashamed adherence to 1 Cor. 11 and 1 Cor. 14?  Well, few, but some.           Here are the principles from this chapter.  Let love be your highest goal (v. 1).  Seek special abilities that will strengthen the entire church (v. 14), especially speaking forth and interpreting God’s word (v. 5).           Paul confirms that he will cont

 1 Corinthians 14:1-3 - Help Someone Today           The Bible is clear: men and women of God must be others focused - not focused on themselves.  God gifts us to help others.  Desire today to strengthen, comfort, and encourage others.  That’s our mindset.           God will give us a revelation of special knowledge, prophecy, or teaching that will help other believers.  He’ll keep our mouths shut when needed and give us just the right words to say if we seek Him and seek to be helpful.           You see, God expects us to bear fruit, to be effective, and practical.  The bugler must sound a clear call to bring God’s soldiers to battle (14:8).  Bugle clearly, for we are engaged in a spiritual war.  The gifts and spiritual abilities we seek have spiritual consequences.           Every language has meaning.  Speaking in tongues means speaking a language that has meaning (14:10).  God makes several universal Church standards in this chapter, but I think it noteworthy to reflect on what thi

 1 Corinthians 13 - Our Highest Goal is Love           God knows us completely (Psalm 139).  And yet, He still loves us.  That is love!  Jesus prays for us to share with others how much God loves them (John 17:23).  Just as He loves us, He commands us to love one another (John 13:34).           When we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit through faith in the Messiah we become new men and women.  I am not yet a perfect man, but I have the Spirit of Christ in me, a foretaste of my eternal body.  We become God’s people.  We become part of the Church, God’s family.  A people characterized by their Source, the Almighty King.  God is love.  As His people, we too will love others with supernatural love.  We even love our enemies and those hostile to the Good News of Christ.  We love because God loves and commands us to do so.           This chapter provides context and perspective to the teaching of the special abilities God gives us.  It is key to being a Christian man, a dad, a husband, and a

 1 Corinthians 12 - You Are Gifted          Every believer in Jesus Christ is gifted with special abilities and a role for service, directly by God.   I asked my wife this morning what my special spiritual abilities are and she had to think for a minute.  She said I am a “get the gist of it ‘er.”  Whatever that means!  She thinks I can listen to Shakespeare, watch a movie, or read Scripture, get to the heart of the meaning, and explain it to others.  I tend to agree with her.           I think Kari's gifting is thinking ahead of what is needed and knowing what people will need to help them.  She is a planner and an organizer.  A natural logistician.  She has the gift of helping and servant leadership.          This Bible passage tells believers the importance of the diversity of God's giftings.  We need to make an effort to hear and understand this.          God gave me the ability to  analyze, summarize, write, revise, and prioritize.  We are all wonderfully made.  Yet we can&

 1 Corinthians 12 - One Body           I love this chapter.  It’s exciting because it shows God’s character and it motivates us to get down to business.  The next chapter is the famous love chapter, but here in 12, we see love at work - God at work.  God, in unique ways, is working in all of us.  God is working in you today, right now.  The big picture is this, we are all part of the body of Christ.  Paul has this catchy saying that the whole has many parts, and the parts make up the whole (v. 12).  It’s a powerful picture, the truth of God’s people.  We are much more than Team Jesus.  Teams come and go.  Nay, we are one body, the Church of Jesus Christ.  His people.  His prized possession.           There are different kinds of spiritual gifts and kinds of service (v. 4).  They are both from God and for God.  It is God alone who decides which gift each person should have.  Your gifts aren’t mine, and mine aren’t yours, but mine are to help you, and yours to me.  Good stuff, great stuf

 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - The Healthy Church My mom - with my grandson, Jack. I’ve never been so spiritually connected as I am to our church here in Lynchburg.  It is not fancy.  The worship is humble, as is the preaching.  It is Bible preaching, verse by verse, God-honoring, Church.  We've only been attending a short time, but I already feel plugged in.  A good friend from our Bible study invited us to attend in November of last year. I started to serve on the greeting/ushering team in January.  Over the years I’ve led Bible study, Sunday school, youth ministry, been on the Deacon’s board, led mission trips, etc at our churches as we've moved from city to city (Calgary, Tampa, Victoria, back to Calgary, and now, Lynchburg).  Right now I’m not doing much at church - just ushering so far.  But I love it.  I’m so thankful for the heart of the messages and the hunger for Jesus.  May God move mightily here in Lynchburg - and everywhere . With our modern churches, we often think

 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 - Men and Women God's way is different than the world's.  To comment on this chapter, especially in this generation, can be awkward - maybe much more than that - it may get you canceled.  Maybe the stakes were even higher in Paul’s generation.  D eriving God’s standards from Scripture and seeking His blessing as we adhere to them is essential.  This is especially so in the  ever-raging culture wars over gender identity and gender expression, not to mention the church battles over women in preaching and senior pastor positions.           Like a giant magnet, the pull to be liked and accepted by culture is strong.  I’ve heard preachers reference modern reality shows and the latest TikTok fads as they attempt to make themselves relevant, modern, hip, and cool.  You don’t impress because you are like the world.  Our kids don’t need another dose of the world.  Skinny pants are already overly prescribed.  You impress when you imitate Christ.  That is, Christi

 1 Corinthians 10 - Of a Warning, Take by Me Meghan and Tyler           In t he famous Irish Song, Peter Street,  the duped and shamed sailor says, “Of a warning take by me.”  Sometimes we have to listen to the warning of our friends.  In this chapter the warning comes from God; so I’m listening. God never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We are told to remember that Jesus Christ led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt.  Israel in the wilderness is a warning to us, the present-day people of God, the Church.  Paul says the Israelites were all baptized followers of Moses - I never thought of that baptism before (10:3).  The Israelites all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual water - their source and provider was Christ.  And we, God’s children, are like the Israelites.  We are all baptized followers of Christ and eat and drink from the Spirit of Christ.  They were waiting to enter the promised land.  We wait for Christ's return (2 Pet

 1 Corinthians 9:17-27 - Don’t be Discouraged - Run to Win!           Paul’s motivation was Jesus and the opportunity Jesus gave him to preach to others about Christ.  We see in the next chapter that Paul is giving each of us a grave warning and a command to imitate Christ, not the world.  Paul ran with purpose in every step because he knew the One who awards the prize.  And he knew that the prize is an eternal one, not some earthly trophy or accomplishment that will fade away.  We too have an offer from God to hear Him today and to run to win.           Notice in this chapter that Paul is discouraged.  He’s saddened by those in the church as they claimed he was not qualified and was not a “real” apostle.  He was discouraged by pride, arrogance, corruption, and me-first selfishness.  It’s a sad reality of being a Christian man or woman.  Christians will disappoint us, undermine us, and make us feel inadequate.  Never mind what the world will do.  It’s ok.  Get up and get running.  One

 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 - The Sacred Trust       We are free men and women.  We have no earthly master.  The Holy Spirit lives in us.  We are compelled to obey the law of Christ.      This means we focus not on our rights but on our responsibility.  Yes, we have rights and we have freedom.  But we are not selfish me-first people.  We simply can’t be if Christ lives in us.  We see in this chapter that spreading the Good News is a blessing.  The finish line is heaven; the prize is eternal.           We will not abuse people or take advantage of them.  We overlook wrongs and endure all sorts of offenses, from petty grievances to serious injury.           But why?  Why does the Christian man not take all he can get?  Why stop at so much gain when more is readily available?  Because God gives us one life, one opportunity to bring many to Christ.  One shot.  This is the sacred trust.  Yes, but it is so much more than a burdensome responsibility.  It is the good life.  The rich, rewarding life

 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 - Others First In this and the next few Chapters God reminds us about the proper mindset for the Christian.  It’s a reminder, a caution, and a command.  We are to be others first people.  Not me first.  This is the example of Jesus, Peter, and Paul, and it is the model of leadership that we must instill in our families and our organizations.  Let us serve others well today. Sadly, many of our churches (and governments and institutions) are filled from top to bottom with me first people.  We see leaders and elected officials who are happy to give as long as their needs are covered first.  They put themselves and their rights, freedoms, interests, proclivities, doctrinal distinctives, family interests, bank accounts, and hobbies first.  It’s a me-first world.  That is not the example of the Founders of the USA and it is not the example of the good Christian.  The problem with the me-first attitude is that it destroys people. It sends them to hell.  And it weaken

  1 Corinthians 8:1-3 - Love Strengthens the Church We encounter all sorts of Christians.  Especially now that I’m working for a Christian university I meet a lot of well-educated Christians.  You get a sense, pretty quickly, as to what drives a person.  Sometimes it is personal ambition and resentment for past injustices - the perpetually insecure.  Other times people want you to know how much they know.  Some are downright insufferable.  What’s impressive and always a gust of fresh air is the Christian man or woman who is clearly driven by love.  They may have 40 years of experience, multiple degrees, and incredible academic, physical, musical, vocal, and intellectual giftings, but you hear their heart for God and their love for others.  Their stories are rarely about themselves.  They lift others up and speak well of their spouses, know their strengths but feel no need to broadcast them.  They are the salt of the earth.  They are the sinew, tendons, and muscles of the Body of Chri

 1 Corinthians 7:29-40 - Be Effective for God With Kari in Calgary You’ve heard various sayings like, “Let your yes be yes,” “Keep it simple,” “Stick to your knitting,” and “Don’t be doubleminded.”  We see those principles wrapped up in this section of Scripture that advises the Christian that our ministry here on earth, our time, is very short.  We must be effective.  We must live well for God in whatever situation God has placed us.  It’s a reminder that it is quite possible for us to be misguided, distracted, and ineffective.  We can be absorbed by our situation (weeping, rejoicing, possessions) on one hand or we can be absorbed in escaping from our situation (grass is greener syndrome).  Neither is healthy or good for the Christian. God wants us to have our eyes on Christ (Jesus’ return and His instructions for us today) and in doing so find favor with God (Proverbs 3:4).  Yes there is a time to mourn.  And a time to celebrate.  And a time to enjoy God’s good gifts.  But if you