I Corinthians 7

Paul answers question regarding sexual issuesverses 1-2

Now concerning the things whereof you wrote unto me

It is good for a man not to touch a woman

Nevertheless – to avoid fornication – let every man have his own wife

and let every woman have her own husband

Each partner in marriage has their responsibilityverses 3-4

Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence

and likewise also let the wife to her husband

The wife has not power of her own body – BUT the husband

and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body

BUT the wife

Depriving one another gives place to the devilverses 5-7

Defraud you not one the other – EXCEPT it be with consent for a time

that you may give yourselves to FASTING and PRAYER

and come together again

that Satan tempt you not for your INCONTINENCY

BUT I speak this by permission – and of commandment

for I would that all men were even as I myself

BUT every man has his proper gift of God – one after this manner

another after that

Singles are to watch out for lustverses 8-9

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows

It is good for them if they abide even as I

BUT if they cannot contain – let them marry

for it is better to marry than to burn

Married couples should stay togetherverses 10-11

And to the married I command – yet not I – BUT the Lord

Let not the wife depart from her husband – BUT and IF she depart

let her remain unmarried – OR be reconciled to her husband

and let not the husband put away his wife

Instructions for those unequally yoked in marriageverses 12-16

BUT to the rest speak I – NOT the Lord

If any brother has a wife that believes not

and she be pleased to dwell with him

let him not put her away

AND the woman which has a husband that believes not

and if he be pleased to dwell with her

let her not leave him

FOR the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife

and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband

else were your children unclean

BUT NOW are they holy

BUT IF the unbelieving depart – let him depart

a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such case

BUT God has called us to peace

FOR what know you – O wife

whether you shall save your husband?

OR how know you – O man

whether you shall save your wife?

Paul deals with circumcisionverses 17-19

But as God has distributed to every man

as the Lord has called every one

so let him walk

AND so ordain I in all churches

Is any man called being circumcised?

let him not become uncircumcised

Is any called in uncircumcision?

let him not be circumcised

Circumcision is nothing – and uncircumcision is nothing

BUT the keeping of the commandments of God

Paul deals with social status in individualsverses 20-24

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called

Are you called being a servant? care not for it

BUT if you may be made free – use it rather

FOR he that is called in the Lord – being a servant

is the Lord’s free man

likewise also he that is called

being free is Christ’s servant

You are bought with a price – be not you the servants of men

brethren – let every man – wherein he is called

therein abide with God

Question of unmarried individuals choicesverses 25-28

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord

YET I give my judgment as one that has obtained

mercy of the Lord to be faithful

I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress – I say

that it is good for a man so to be

Are you bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed

Are you loosed from a wife? seek not a wife

BUT and if you marry – you have not sinned

and if a virgin marry – she has not sinned

Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh – but I spare you

Paul deals with focus in the Christian lifeverses 29-31

BUT this I say – brethren – the time is short – it remains

that both they that have wives be as though they had none

and they that weep – as though they wept not

and they that rejoice – as though they rejoiced not

and they that buy

as though they possessed not

and they that use this world – as not abusing it

for the fashion of this world passes away

Paul defines differences between married and unmarriedverses 32-35

BUT I would have you without carefulness

he that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord

how he may please the Lord

but he that is married cares for the

things that are of the world

how he may please his wife

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin

the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord

that she may be holy both in body and in spirit

but she that is married cares for the things of the world

how she may please her husband

AND this I speak for your own profit

not that I may cast a snare upon you

BUT for that which is comely

and that you may attend upon the Lord

without distraction

Paul deals again with unmarried choicesverses 36-38

BUT if any man think that he behaves himself uncomely toward his virgin

if she pass the flower of her age – and need so require

let him do what he will – he sins not – let them marry

Nevertheless he that stands steadfast in his heart – having no necessity

but has power over his own will

and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin

does well

So then he that gives her in marriage does well

but he that gives her not in marriage does better

Marriage is for a lifetimeverses 39-40

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband lives

BUT if her husband be dead

she is at liberty to be married to whom she will

ONLY in the Lord

BUT she is happier if she so abide – after my judgment

and I think also that I have the Spirit of God

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence and likewise also the wife unto the husband. (2133 “benevolence” [eunoia] means good will, kindness, zeal, favor, conjugal duty, affection, or enthusiasm)

DEVOTION: Those of us who were brought up in fundamental circles back in the ‘60’s know that there were external rules that had to be obeyed to consider anyone a male believer. There were the rules of “don’t smoke,” “don’t drink,” “don’t dance,” and “don’t go out with women who do.”

One of the things you never talked about was sex. Good fundamental Christians never talked about it and there was no preaching concerning it except “don’t do it until you are married.” Well when you meet someone back then and both of you have never been taught about that part of marriage except don’t do it. You were also taught that you were not supposed to use the “pill.”

So the only option available to those who were trying to live a pure life was to wait until marriage and then no use anything to prevent pregnancy except the rhythm method. Well, you know what they call a couple who practice this method? PARENTS!!!

Paul is instructing the believers in Corinth the proper way for a husband to treat his wife. Also he was instructing a wife how she should treat her husband. So each party in a marriage was to give their conjugal duty to the other. If this didn’t happen Satan would come along and tempt them to have a improper relationship with others.

Both parties were supposed to please the other party. That is not always easy but it was what the LORD expected of married couples. It was commanded to help couples stay together and not look for someone else. That honored the LORD if done properly.

Today too many teens and adults are not even thinking these thoughts as far as waiting until they are married. In fact, many who claim to be Christians are living together to see if it is going to work. We truly have come a long way from the time of Paul.

Christians today are to obey the same commands that the first century church Christians were to obey. God is still on the throne. The Holy Spirit gave Paul his instructions and we need to listen.

If being a virgin before you are married has not happened confess to the LORD and ask HIM for grace to start today not to have any other relationships until marriage.

There are good Christian books available today that do a good job in instructing those who are not married in how to wait and what to do after marriage that pleases the LORD. Children in America are receiving instructions in public schools that is not pleasing to the LORD. Christian parents need to be proactive in this area. You children will learn something from someone who doesn’t have the standards the LORD wants for your children to have if you do nothing.

CHALLENGE: Today’s children should receive more instructions than we received growing up but it should be also emphasized that waiting until marriage is the only way we can please God. Once they are married the Bible says the “bed is undefiled.” (Hebrews 13: 4)

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (650 “defraud” [apostereo] means destitute, kept back by fraud, rob, steal, cheat, or cause someone not to possess something)

DEVOTION: Life is not easy. Marriage is not easy. This is especially true of those who are trying to have a Christian marriage and raise a Christian family. The enemy is real. The temptations are real. All of us bring baggage with us into a marriage. All of the baggage is not good. The fight is real. There is only one way to get victory in a Christian marriage. That way is through the strength of the LORD. If we try in our own power we will FAIL. Marriage is W.O.R.K.

The first part of the word is WORSHIP. Each person in the couple needs to be worshiping the LORD properly. The Bible defines marriage as being between one man and one woman ONLY. Just going to church or reading the Bible will not do it. Paul knew this when he was instructing the Corinthian church. The enemy HATES Christian marriages and will do anything to cause them to break up. Paul gives Christians a power source that few use on a regular basis if ever.

There are at least four words that need to be studied by every married couple who want to be Biblical in their marriage. The four words are duty v.3, trouble v.28, please v.32-34 and the word “defraud.” This chapter is dealing with proper marriage relationships. Today the world is telling us that: “we have our rights”, “we can do it our way”, “we are not responsible to anyone.” We sometimes even tell our partner that it is “my way or the highway.” Some spouses force their view of marriage on the other. It is not a Biblical view but one that they have learned from their home life as they grew up. Some have medical problems that affect the marriage that need to be addressed but most are just dealing with sin issues that need to be turned over the LORD.

The Bible gives different advice regarding marriage from what the world will tell us. Some couples need counsel from a Christian but some people who call themselves “Christian” are not giving Biblical advice.

If a married couple is holding back from their marital duty in any area, it is sin and can cause Satan to get a foothold in their marriage. All of us who are married, need to heed this word. The Bible tells Christian couples to be consistent in their marriage. The Bible tells us that God hates divorce. God wants married couples to stay together for life. My wife and I are going on forty-three years of marriage this year. It has not be easy but it has been challenging for both of us. God has sent some major challenges but has ALWAYS given strength to get through them. Praise HIS name.

Some are married to unsaved spouses but God’s word says that the children and spouses are affected by the actions of the saved individual in the marriage. Christians need to act like Christians at all times with their unsaved spouse if they are going to be a proper witness to them. That is VERY difficult but the LORD can give strength.

The Bible also states that some people don’t have to be married but can give full time to service to the LORD. Those who don’t need to be married can give their time to the LORD’S service. Some have one gift and others have another gift.

Those that are married NEED to spend time in prayer and fasting if things are not going right in their relationship. They need to turn to prayer and fasting for major decisions in their marriage. Don’t trust in yourselves to settle problems – TURN to the LORD for HIS strength to deal with challenges that face you.

Pray for those in your family who are married. Pray for those in your church who are married.

CHALLENGE: Especially pray for the leaders of the church and their marriages. Don’t neglect praying and fasting in your marriage. The enemy is real.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 23 You are bought with a price; be not you the servants of men. (5092 “price” [time] means amount, cost, value, honor, or the amount of money or goods needed to purchase something)

DEVOTION: What was the high price God paid for you? It was HIS Son Jesus Christ that died on the cross for our sins. If the price had never been paid, we would still be in the state of separation from God. We would not be going to heaven.

It is because Jesus died for your sins and my sins that we are able to spend eternity in heaven with THEM. Also, we have the promise that HE will never leave us alone. We always have HIM by our side no matter what we face in life. That is a great promise to all those who believe.

God doesn’t want us to think that we need our toys or other possessions. We only need HIM. We can enjoy the gifts HE gives us but they should never replace our love for HIM.

If we love our toys more than we love God HE states that we are a slave to our toys. That doesn’t please HIM.

CHALLENGE: Our goal should always be to please the LORD in all that we do. Keep HIM first at all times.

: 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare on you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend on the Lord without distraction. (563 “without distraction” [aperispastos] means not distracting, perhaps without reservation, without solicitude or anxiety or care, without beginning to be concerned about something else, undivided, or unhindered)

DEVOTION: Other people can distract us from our service to the LORD. In this chapter the other person could be our spouse. Paul is stating that he has made a choice to not be married. He would like all followers of Jesus who can be as he is to make the same choice.

Why would he desire this? It is because the time we live on this earth is short and we could dedicate more time to serving the LORD if we are not married. Our whole life would be wrapped around our service to the LORD. We could be missionaries. We could have a job and come home from the job and give all our time to helping the church move forward for the LORD. We could also use our money for just the advancement of HIS kingdom.

Married life is one where the husband or the wife has to give a great deal of time to each other and to the children. That is not wrong but Paul thinks that he is doing what the LORD wants him to do with his life and encourages others who are single to do the same.

What would happen if every single male and female who is a believer would give all their spare time to advancing their local church? Could they have a great influence in the neighborhood? Could they have more time to be coaches to those who are young in the faith? How about all the money that could be in the offering plate each Sunday for the church to reach their world and the world around them for the LORD?

Paul doesn’t want them to think that they have to do this because some can’t but others can. He is giving them an opportunity to think more about the LORD then themselves.

CHALLENGE: In our daily life after we have made a commitment to the LORD

are we thinking more about what will please HIM more than what will please ourselves?

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Married couples can stop marital relationship for a special time of prayer and fastingverse 5

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Married couples can stop marital relationship for a special time of prayer and fastingverse 5

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Commandmentverse 6

Commandments of Godverse 19

Commandment of the LORDverse 25

Bound by the Lawverse 39

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

Godverses 7, 15, 17, 19, 24, 40

Proper gift of Godverse 7

Commandments of Godverse 19

Abide with Godverse 24

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Lordverses 10, 12, 17, 22, 25, 32, 34, 35, 39

Christverse 22

Commandment of the Lordverse 25

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Spirit of Godverse 40

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Satanverse 5

Satan tempts separated couplesverse 5

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Every man have his own wifeverse 2

Every woman have her own husbandverse 2

Husband give due benevolenceverse 3

Wife give due benevolenceverse 3

Unmarriedverse 8

Widowsverse 8

Virginsverses 25, 34

Husband/wife relationshipsverses 26-28

Unmarried = cares for things of LORDverses 32, 34

Married = please his wifeverse 33

Unmarried woman = holy in body and spiritverse 34

Married woman = please her husbandverse 34

Unmarried = power over willverse 37

Widow = libertyverse 39

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Touch a woman (sexually)verse 1

Fornicationverse 2

Defraudverse 5

Incontinencyverse 5

Better to marry than to burnverse 9

Put away a wifeverses 11, 12

Unbelieving spouseverse 12

Believe notverse 13

Unbelievingverses 14, 15

Uncleanverse 14

Sinnedverses 28, 36

Trouble in the fleshverse 28

Abusingverse 31

Cast a snareverse 35

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Render to spouse due benevolenceverses 3, 4

Fastingverse 5

Prayerverse 5

Proper gift of Godverse 7

Reconciledverse 11

Sanctifiedverse 14

Holyverse 14

Peaceverse 15

Calledverses 15, 17, 18, 20-22, 24

Saveverse 16

Walkverse 17

Ordainverse 17

Bought with a priceverse 23

Brethrenverses 24, 29

Abideverse 24

Mercyverse 25

Faithfulverse 25

Time is shortverse 29

Please the LORDverse 32

Without distractionverse 35

Marry only in the LORDverse 39

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Church (New Testament people of God)

Churchesverse 17

Brethrenverses 24, 29

Last Things (Future Events)

Fashion of this world passes awayverse 31

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QUOTES regarding passage

7:33–34a. Paul declared that a married man without an eternal perspective has even more trouble than an unmarried man because he must worry about pleasing his wife as well as the Lord. To fulfill their moral responsibilities, married men must pay attention to all kinds of things that may distract them from their efforts to please the Lord. The affairs of this world crowd their lives and their interests are divided. If they lack an eternal perspective, they worry about pleasing God and about very real problems like putting food on the table even in times of famine.

7:34b. Similarly, an unmarried woman or virgin (engaged woman) who lacks an eternal perspective may worry that her efforts to please the Lord will fail, or will not be enough to satisfy his holiness. It is the duty of unmarried women to refrain from fornication, to be devoted to the Lord in … body as well as in spirit. This was probably hard to do in the sexually loose world of Corinth, particularly for those who had once been part of the promiscuous crowd. Keeping sexually pure was certainly as stressful as it was difficult, especially for those who thought their acceptability before God depended upon it. While a married woman had an outlet for her sexual needs, she also had the added worries of nurturing a relationship with her husband and of fulfilling her household responsibilities. (Pratt, R. L., Jr. (2000). I & II Corinthians (Vol. 7, pp. 122–123). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

7:32–35. Paul’s third reason was a development of the second. The single state has potentially fewer encumbrances and distractions than the married state, so it more easily facilitates a spirit of undivided devotion to the Lord. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned His followers against letting concern for the material aspects of this life distract them from devotion to God (Matt. 6:25–34). The poor widow (Mark 12:44) gave all her material sustenance to God as an act of singular devotion. A married man or woman with a needful concern for the well-being of his family would have been less likely to do that. The situation illustrates Paul’s point that the single life with its greater simplicity in obligations allows a potentially greater commitment of time, resources, and self to the Lord than would be possible for a married person dutifully carrying out the marital and familial obligations attached to that state. (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 520). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

Second, face the responsibilities honestly (vv. 32–35). The emphasis in this paragraph is on the word care, which means “to be anxious, to be pulled in different directions.” It is impossible for two people to live together without burdens of one kind or another, but there is no need to rush into marriage and create more problems. Marriage requires a measure of maturity, and age is no guarantee of maturity.

Once again, Paul emphasized living for the Lord. He did not suggest that it was impossible for a man or a woman to be married and serve God acceptably, because we know too many people who have done it. But the married servant of God must consider his or her mate, as well as the children God may give them; and this could lead to distraction. It is a fact of history that both John Wesley and George Whitefield might have been better off had they remained single—Wesley’s wife finally left him, and Whitefield traveled so much that his wife was often alone for long periods of time.

It is possible to please both the Lord and your mate, if you are yielded to Christ and obeying the Word. Many of us have discovered that a happy home and satisfying marriage are a wonderful encouragement in the difficulties of Christian service. A well-known Scottish preacher was experiencing a great deal of public criticism because of a stand he took on a certain issue, and almost every day there was a negative report in the newspapers. A friend met him one day and asked, “How are you able to carry on in the face of this opposition?” The man replied quietly, “I am happy at home.”

Unmarried believers who feel a call to serve God should examine their own hearts to see if marriage will help or hinder their ministry. They must also be careful to wed mates who feel a like call to serve God. Each person has his own gift and calling from God and must be obedient to His Word. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 592–593). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)

7:34 The first part of this verse is preferably rendered in some manuscripts, “and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried and the virgin ….” This is important because it distinguishes clearly between the “unmarried” and “virgins,” who, therefore, can’t be the same. “Virgins” are single people never married, while “unmarried” must be single by divorce. Widows is the term for those made single by death (see note on v. 8).

7:35 Marriage does not prevent great devotion to the Lord, but it brings more potential matters to interfere with it. Singleness has fewer hindrances, though not guaranteed greater spiritual virtue. undistracted devotion. See notes on vv. 26, 29, 33. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Co 7:34–35). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Ver. 34. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin, &c.] The word μεμερισται, translated there is difference, stands in some copies at the end of the last verse, and in the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, by which it is rendered, and is divided; referring to the married man, whose thoughts are distracted with the cares of the world, and his mind divided between the Lord and his wife, between the things that please the one, and those that please the other; so that he cannot attend upon the Lord without distraction, as the unmarried person may; see ver. 35. But the more generally received reading is what we follow; in which words the apostle shews, that there is just the same difference between a married and an unmarried woman, as there is between a married and an unmarried man. There’s no difference in their nature, nor sex, but in their state and condition, and in the cares which involve the one and the other. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord; not every one that is unmarried, but one that has the grace of God, being in a single state; as such an one is more at leisure, and can more conveniently attend on the service of the Lord, so she ought, and generally speaking does: and her end in so doing is, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; not in body only, but in spirit also; for outward chastity, without internal holiness, will be of little avail: but as a close adherence to the Lord, and to his worship and service, may be a means of preserving from external pollutions of the body, so likewise of carrying on the internal work of grace upon the soul; not that it is to be thought that unmarried persons are the only ones that are holy in body and spirit; there are some that are so in neither; and there are many married persons that are chaste in their bodies, and possess their vessels in sanctification and honour, and are blessed with inward spiritual purity. But she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband; not by beautifying and adorning herself with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; though this is all that some care for; but with good works, taking care of her household and family affairs, bringing up her children in an orderly manner, honouring and obeying her husband, doing every thing to oblige him, and to engage his love and affection to her, as becomes her; nor is this said of her by way of dispraise, only that such is her state and situation in life, that she has not the opportunities and advantages the unmarried person has of serving the Lord; on which account the single life is represented as most advisable to abide in. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 654). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

We note also Paul’s several distinctions (1 Cor. 7:32b–34). First, he has a message for the men (7:32b–33). Men who are single seek to please the Master: “He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord” (7:32b); men who have spouses seek to please their mate: “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife” (7:33). Paul has a corresponding word for the women (7:34). Women who are single seek to please the Master: “There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit” (7:34a); women who have spouses seek to please their man: “but she that is married careth for the things of this world, how she may please her husband” (7:34b).

Paul is not depreciating marriage, only stating an obvious fact. Single men and women can devote more thought and time to the Lord’s work than can married people. It is only right and proper that married people should be concerned with house and home. Being a Christian should make a person a better husband, a better wife, a better father, a better mother. Paul could send Timothy or Titus here, there, and everywhere to discharge important apostolic missions. He could not do that with Aquila. Aquila was a married man. True, he and his wife could consecrate their home to the Lord’s work. It could become a base of operations for evangelism, a meeting place for the church, a quiet spot where those untaught in the faith could be shown more perfectly the truth of God (Acts 18:1–5; 24–26). Just the same, their commitment had certain built-in limits set by the fact that they were married and not single.

Contrasts have been considered, now consecration is commanded. “And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction” (1 Cor. 7:35). Paul was not trying to put hindrances in their way, he was setting before them the ideal, the way they could best serve the Lord without encumbrance and without worldly distractions.

The word for snare here is brochos, a word that refers to a noose or a halter. In a sense, marriage fastens a halter around the neck of a man or a woman. Both parties surrender some of their freedom of action once the marriage vows are spoken. Obligations and duties are shouldered which cannot be lightly set aside. A horse that wears a halter may enjoy the comfort of the barn but he can no longer go where he wants or do what he wants. It has surrendered a measure of its freedom, and the bit and bridle he bears is the proof of it. Paul’s advice concerning marriage was pragmatic. He did not want believers, especially those contemplating, for instance, pioneer missionary work or those facing an imminent outbreak of persecution, to encumber themselves with marital restrictions. The halter, however padded, tailored, and comfortable, was still a halter. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring 1 Corinthians: An Expository Commentary (1 Co 7:1–14:40). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

Illustration: One foggy night, the captain of a large ship saw what appeared to be another ship’s lights approaching in the distance. This other ship was on a course that would mean a head-on collision. Quickly, the captain signaled to the approaching ship: “Please change your course 10 degrees west.”

The reply came blinking back through the thick fog: “You change your course 10 degrees east.”

Indignantly, the captain pulled rank and shot a message back to the other ship: “I am a sea captain with 35 years of experience. Change your course 10 degrees west!”

Without hesitation, the signal flashed back: “I am a seaman, fourth class. You change your course 10 degrees east!”

Enraged, the captain realized they were approaching each other quickly and would crash within minutes. So he blazed his final warning: “I am a 50,000-ton freighter. Change your course 10 degrees west!”

A simple message winked back: “I am a lighthouse. You change your course!”

Like the sea captain, we may need to change course when confronted with the truth. (Dennis and Barbara Rainey)

To guard our speech we have to guard our hearts, for “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12: 14)l If we would say the right things, we must first think them, When our tongues let us down, it is because we have not first watched over our hearts and thoughts. (p.40)

Busyness with the concerns of God’s people must not be an exuse for neglecting our neighbor – this was the priest’s and the Levite’s mistake in the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. (p. 41)

Although it may be a hard path to follow, we should accept whatever salary God’s people choose to give, leaving it to others to act on our behalf. (p. 41)

I find it necessary more and more every day, that ministers should be tempted in all things, that they may be able experimentally to succor those that are tempted.” (p. 46)

Our secret life is the clue to our public usefulness. (p 46, On Being A PASTOR by Derek J. Prime & Alistair Begg)

Likewise, lazy believers need to be remined that if they are serious about remaining in Christ’s love and experiencing abundant life they must get serious about obeying the Father’s commandments (vv. 10-11) Fellowship with Christ does not exist apart from fealty to Christ. (p. 127, The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)

Exodus 7

The plagues against Pharaoh and Egypt begin.
INSIGHT

In this chapter, as the Lord speaks to Moses, we read the remarkable words, “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1). To the world, God’s children often stand in the place of God. We are the only Bible they will read-all of Jesus they will see.

It is vital that we represent the Lord accurately. Of course, no mortal man can do so in any complete sense, but in a representative sense we must. It does not mean we must be perfect, but it does mean we are to give those around us a glimpse of who Jesus really is.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Commit yourself to Christlikeness and believe that the Lord will multiply your life as others see Him in you. (Quiet Walk)

Technology today seems to demand our constant attention. The modern “miracle” of the internet gives us the amazing capacity to access humanity’s collective learning in the palm of our hand. But for many, such constant access can come at a cost.

Writer Linda Stone has coined the phrase “continual partial attention” to describe the modern impulse to always need to know what’s happening “out there,” to make sure we’re not missing anything. If that sounds like it could produce chronic anxiety, you’re right!

Although the apostle Paul struggled with different reasons for anxiety, he knew our souls are wired to find peace in God. Which is why, in a letter to new believers who’d endured persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14), Paul concluded by urging the believers to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” (5:16-18).

Praying “continually” might seem pretty daunting. But then, how often do we check our phones? What if we instead let that urge be a prompt to talk to God?

More important, what if we learned to exchange a need to always be in “the know” for continual, prayerful rest in God’s presence? Through relying on Christ’s Spirit, we can learn to give our heavenly Father our continual full attention as we make our way through each day. (By Adam R. Holz, Our Daily Bread)

THE RIGHT WAY AND THE WRONG WAY TO PRAY

Then they took away the stone…. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father….”
John 11:41
Sometimes our whole idea of prayer is false. All too often we think of prayer only as guidance and requests. Now if you were to put that into practice in human relationships you would regard it as insulting. No, the thing the saint wants to know above everything else is that all is well between his soul and the Father. There is nothing the saint delights in more than to know God as his Father. He likes to maintain the contact and communion, to assure his heart before God and in the presence of God. The saint is in this difficult world; there are temptations from the outside, and the whole world is against him, and the saint is tired—sometimes he almost despairs. So he goes to God immediately, not to ask this or that but just to make certain that all is well there, that the contact is unbroken and perfect, that he can assure his heart and know that all is well.
That is what our Lord is doing in John 17, and that is the thing that stands out most frequently in that prayer. Our Lord is assuring His own human heart in the presence of His Father. He did this also when He was raising Lazarus from the dead; indeed He puts it in words for us: “Then they took away the stone….And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, ‘Father’”—He is praying—“‘I thank thee that thou hast heard me’”—always He is assured in His heart—“‘And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people….’” (John 11:41-42). He just turns to God. He knows all is well, but He is assuring His heart in the presence of God. Let me put it like this: The saints always prayed to God, and our Lord supremely did so, because they believed in God’s power, because they believed in God’s ability to help, and, above all, because they believed in God’s willingness and readiness to help.
A Thought to Ponder: Our Lord is assuring His own human heart in the presence of His Father. (From Saved in Eternity, p. 32, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

The Bright and Morning Star
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)
The epilogue of Revelation contains many words of comfort to the believer. Our Lord promises, among other things, that “behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me” (v. 12), and “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (v. 14). Likewise, there are many names for God given, such as “the Lord God of the holy prophets” (v. 6), “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (v. 13), and “the root and the offspring of David” (text). This rehearsal of names and deeds provides comfort, but why is Christ called the “bright and morning star”?
The analogy is to the planet Venus, so often seen shining brightly in the early morning. The sight provides a pledge of the coming day during which the light is brighter and the sight clearer.
Likewise, however beautiful and awe-inspiring our perception is now by the light of our Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, we are promised a more complete view. Although He has “shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6), and although Christ appeared as “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3), soon we shall see Him “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and even “be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Our view now constitutes only the beginning of a clearer sight — a guarantee of the glorious day that has no night, when we shall see the King in all His beauty. There will even be no need of the sun, “for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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