The Devotional

Papa “J” Says

Why is ti so hard to understand the words of someone speaking the truth, and so easy to believe the one who speaks lies? Proverbs 29:4

What to know how it is that you have such a talent to do things that others cannot do? I remember a time when I was in my early teens. I was living in Florida and I drew this picture of the beach and ocean. Across the street from our home was a motel and the owner was a friend of ours. When he and his wife saw the picture, they wanted to hang it in the lobby. They also wanted me to paint a scene on the motel sign near the road way. I spent days on the sign trying to duplicate the painting hanging in the lobby. The sign of course had two sides, yet I could not duplicate the scene on one side. When I fell off the ladder, the man hired a professional sign painter who was able to duplicate my original painting. I did not have the talent of an artist, I only had a moment in time when it all seemed to work out. In order for us to be good with our talents we need to have the skills that come from God. And in order to use and teach others with our talents, we need the Holy Spirit's guidance. Exodus 35:30-35.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 11:17-22 Someone has said, “Well, the issues of the Corinthian church are different than churches today.” I would say that this is an ignorant statement. If you look at the church in Corinth you find, Jews Greeks and Romans. We today, have; Germans, Greeks, Asians, Italians, Portuguese and the French. All of these cultures are very present and influential in our gatherings.

We make the necessary adjustments to get along within the church, but it is outside of the church where we come together in groups. This would not be our small group settings that are open to a localized part of the congregation, but these would be those cultural group meetings where we approve or disprove the organized structure of the church as a whole. All churches are infected to some degree with this and it would be naive to ignore.

The apostle addresses this and the other issues because he is about to give instructions regarding the institution of the Communion Service. The LORD's Supper as it is sometimes referred to is on of the most sacred events in the New Testament Church. When it is completed in the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus Christ, it is one of the most holiest of events that a saint of God this side of heaven can experience. So each of us should strive to avoid things that would prevent this wonderful spiritual experience from being all that God desires for it to be.