Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 13, 2011

God’s Sovereignty: The Focus is on God and His Work

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
 
“4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
 
5  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
 
6  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
 
7  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
 
8  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,  10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
 
11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
 
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The focus is on God.  The focus is on the work of God. 
 
We see this pattern throughout Scripture.  The focus is on God.  The focus is on the work of God.  You can summarize it as God’s sovereignty.  Therefore, Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism emphasizes God’s sovereignty.
 
Besides this repeated emphasize, what other hope to do we have?  Man???
 
Scripture teaches the “total depravity” of man, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  Is there hope in man when Scripture teaches the following?
 
“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”  Romans 3:10-18.

Scripture contrasts God with man.

Psalm 118:8
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man.”
 
Psalm 146:3
“Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.”
 
Proverbs 29:25
“The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.”
 
5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8.
 
God’s sovereignty in accomplishing all of His purpose and His pleasure is the most comforting.  God’s sovereignty over our salvation, including our sanctification, is second most comforting.  God’s sovereignty over all of our troubles and trials and over all our pleasures and successes is third most comforting. 
 
8 “Remember this, and be assured;
Recall it to mind, you transgressors.
9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it. 
 
12 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded,
Who are far from righteousness.
13 “I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;
And My salvation will not delay.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
And My glory for Israel.”  Isaiah 48:8-13.
 
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 11, 2011

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 12:1-3.
 
“1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.  2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.  3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”;  and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”  1 Corinthians 12:1-3.
 
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The Holy Spirit can keep us out of trouble:  “… no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed …”  Verse 3.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is … self-control  …”  Galatians 5:22-23.
 
The Holy Spirit can help us do good:  “… no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”  Verse 3.  “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;”  John 14:16  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”  Romans 8:26
 
How wonderful to speak by the Holy Spirit!
 
How wonderful to also otherwise act by the Holy Spirit!
 
It is the best experience!
 
“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:5.  God provides us with the Spirit and works miracles among us through our hearing with faith.
 
Zechariah 4:6
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
 
So, we read these Scriptures and trust God that He will cause us to refrain from saying bad things and doing bad things through the Holy Spirit within us.  And, we read these Scriptures and trust God that He will cause us to say good things and do good things through the Holy Spirit within us. 
 
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 10, 2011

The Lord’s Supper: Our duty to examine ourselves and be careful

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 11:27-34.
 
“27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.  28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.  30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.  31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.  32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.  33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.  34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment.  The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.”  1 Corinthians 11:27-34.
 
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We need to examine ourselves and be careful that we do not partake of the Lord’s Supper if we are not a believer in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished signified by the bread and the cup.  And, even if we are a believer, we should not partake in an “unworthy manner”.  There are different ways that we could partake in an “unworthy manner”.  Verses 33 and 34 mention two specific examples.  If we partake in a selfish way, seeking preference in being served over others, that is an “unworthy manner”.  If we partake to primarily satisfy our hunger or thirst, rather than to partake to primarily worship, that is an “unworthy manner”.  But, there are certainly other ways that we could partake of the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner”.   

Today’s Scripture is full of warnings as to the punishments if we partake of the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner”.   Verse 27 states that if we do so we will “be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord”.  Verse 29 states that if we do so it will serve as “judgment to himself”.  Verse 30 states that if we do so we may become weak or sick or even die (which is meant by the word “sleep”).  Verse 32 states that if we do we will be disciplined by the Lord.

There are also other Scriptures which could possibly contain warnings as to the punishments if we partake of the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner”.  Hebrews 10:29-31 is one such possible Scripture.  Although Hebrews 10:29-31 is more general and would include other offenses, it could cover some extremely bad cases of partaking the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner”.   

“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:29-31.

There may be some particularly bad cases of partaking the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner” that could amount to figuratively trampling under foot the Son of God and regarding Christ’s blood as unclean and that constituted an insult to the Spirit of grace. 

But, I think Hebrews 10:29-31 covers more than just particularly bad cases of partaking the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner”.  Such a strong warning deserves careful meditation as to what additional actions could amount to figuratively trampling under foot the Son of God and regarding Christ’s blood as unclean and that constituted an insult to the Spirit of grace. 

We need to be careful that we have a true understanding as to what was accomplished by Christ through His death, the sacrifice of His body and blood, represented by bread and the cup.  If we attempt to “cheapen” that sacrifice by clinging to our own ideas and preferences as to what was accomplished by Christ thereby, in defiance of Scripture, I think it is similar to rushing into the Lord’s Supper selfishly to satisfy our own hunger and thirst.  As one example, I think this could be done when people steadfastly and defiantly teach universal atonement (“God loves everyone, and Christ died for everyone, but the blood is common and ineffective unless man makes it special and effective by his work of faith”).  As another example, but it is usually done more by people who believe in universal atonement, I think this could be done by not “guarding the table” by properly emphasizing today’s Scripture.  I highlight “I think” in this paragraph, because Hebrews 10:29-31 is so general and figurative, but again the severity of the punishment both in Hebrews 10:29-31 and in today’s Scripture deserves careful and thorough meditation. 

In conclusion, rather than dreading and avoiding Scriptures like Hebrews 10:29-31 and today’s Scripture, we should embrace such Scriptures with joy.

“57 The LORD is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.”  Psalm 119:57-64.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 9, 2011

The Lord’s Supper: Our Duty, Honor, and Pleasure to “Proclaim” our Lord’s Death

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
 
“23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you;  do this in remembrance of Me.”  25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood;  do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
 
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We remember our Lord when we partake of the Lord’s Supper which our Lord Jesus Christ said should be done:  “in remembrance of Me”.  Verses 24 and 25.
 
An important part of the Lord’s Supper is that we should be reverent and humble and repent and soberly consider the nature and extent of our sins and our need of a Savior. 
 
Here is some of what two of our Reformed Confessions teach about our Lord’s Supper:
 
 
 
We need to be careful about how we partake of the Lord’s Supper.  As Reformed believers, we have the general “regulative principle of worship” that we should only worship God as He expressly provides in Scripture.  When we consider that general “regulative principle of worship” and the following Scripture, how much more careful should we be in partaking of the Lord’s Supper!  “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 11:27.
 
We tend to limit “this unworthy manner” to partaking of the Lord’s Supper if we do not have faith in Jesus Christ or if we partake of it selfishly or primarily to satisfy our lust for food and drink.
 
But, today’s Scripture teaches us that there is more to partaking of the Lord’s Supper. 
 
We “proclaim” our Lord’s death when we partake of the Lord’s Supper.  That is, we publicly show and teach all those in attendance the meaning of our Lord’s death.  Our Lord died for us.  Our Lord’s body is our bread of life.  Our Lord’s blood takes away all our sins.  Verse 26.
 
“Proclaim” is defined in part as “to declare publicly, typically insistently, proudly or defiantly” – Click here: Proclaim – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary  
 
Today’s Scripture provides us with an opportunity to meditate on how we should “proclaim” our Lord’s death.  Above all, we need to follow Scripture and our Reformed Confessions as stated above.  But, I think consistent thereto, we should not neglect our duty, honor, and pleasure to truly “proclaim”, that is to declare publicly, insistently, and proudly that indeed we have a Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who does take away our sins and Who is our life. 
 
As a fan at a sporting event, we are ready, willing, and able to “proclaim” that our team is “No. 1” by declaring our team to be No. 1 by words and actions:  “publicly, typically insistently, proudly or defiantly“.  How much more so should we proclaim our Lord’s death and its meaning for us! 
 
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 8, 2011

Come together for the better!

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 11:17-22.
 
“17 But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.  18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you;  and in part I believe it.  19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.  20 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21 for in your eating each one takes his own supper first;  and one is hungry and another is drunk.  22 What!  Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?  Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing?  What shall I say to you?  ShallI praise you?  In this I will not praise you.”  1 Corinthians 11:17-22.
 
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Paul admonishes the Corinthians:  “because you come together not for the better but for the worse.”, “that divisions exist among you”, and “in your eating (the Lord’s Supper) each one takes his own supper first;  and one is hungry and another is drunk.”
 
As a practical application to us of today’s Scripture, we can seek to come together for the better.  We can remember and apply 1 Corinthians 10:24:  “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”  Let us encourage one another and edify one another. 
 
What does our brother or sister do well that we can encourage?  What word or action can we say or do that will build them up?  
 
“and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25.
 
The Holy Spirit will prompt us to encourage and edify:  “Say this word of encouragement to her!” and “Do this action for him!”  And, we will joyfully follow that prompting of the Spirit:  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 7, 2011

Always Reforming to Comply with God’s Word

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.
 
“1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
                                               
2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.  3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.  4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.  5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.  6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off;  but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.  7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God;  but the woman is the glory of man.  8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;  9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.  10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.   11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman;  and all things originate from God.  13 Judge for yourselves:  is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?  14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her?  For her hair is given to her for a covering.  16 But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.”  1 Corinthians 11:1-16.
 
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This is my 800th post for my Reformed Doctrine blog, and I don’t remember a more difficult one to write.  Certainly, the practice in most churches is that almost all (if not all) women do not wear any covering on their head (like hats or scarves) during the worship service.  Yet, today’s Scripture seems to clearly and repeatedly teach that women should wear covering on their head “while praying or prophesying” which would seem to identify the time of the worship service.

The “About me” tag at the top of my Reformed Doctrine blog states:  “In conclusion, I will expressly state the obvious.  Although I do my best to present true teachings, these are my teachings (by a layman) unless otherwise attributed.  Moreover, these teachings are not necessarily the teachings of the Protestant Reformed Churches, the Presbyterian Churches of America, the Christian Reformed Churches, or any other denomination.  The reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11:  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”    

Reformed believers are generally so eager to apply in the abstract the principle of “always reforming”.  Namely, we must continue to reform our doctrine and practices so that our doctrine and practices conform to God’s Word.  But then we come to Scriptures like I Corinthians 11:1-16.  And, we are resistant to reform.  Instead, we try to reform God’s Word so it conforms to our current practice.

In writing this devotion, I thought about searching for loopholes by which I could justify the current practice.  Maybe, even more, there is broad sound doctrine (that would not constitute a narrow loophole) why women are not required to wear covering on their head during worship service.  Maybe, taking it even one step further beyond just liberty, there is some sound doctrine that not only are women not required to wear covering on their head, they definitely should not wear any covering on their head during a worship service. 

But, at the very least, today’s Scripture presents this general point.  We must continue to reform our doctrine and practices so that our doctrine and our practices conform to God’s Word. 

Should we worry more about offending men than God?  Should we worry more about defending our current doctrine and practices than complying with God’s Word? 

Romans 3:4
“May it never be!  Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.”

And even if this is a gray area and an area of liberty, what is to prevent women from feeling individual conviction and from wearing covering on their head during the worship service?  It may help.

We use symbols in church:  wine and bread and water.  These symbols help us remember.  Why can’t a covering on a woman’s head be a symbol to remind us that there is a difference between the role of sexes in the worship service?

Many denominations struggle with the issues of whether women can be deacons, elders, and pastors.  Why can’t a covering on a woman’s head be a symbol to remind us that there is a difference between the role of sexes in the worship service?

And does not a covering on a woman’s head, although not expressly commanded in 1 Timothy 2:9-15, at least seem consistent with this following teaching which emphasizes modesty, submission, and proper clothing for women? 

“9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”  1 Timothy 2:9-15.

Why can’t a covering on a woman’s head be a symbol to remind us of this teaching of modesty, submission, and proper clothing for women?  

In summary, we should obey God not just when it is convenient, not just when we are accustomed to the practice, not just when it makes perfect sense to us, and not just when we want to obey God.  We should obey God not just because it may have secondary benefits. 

We should diligently obey the LORD our God, being careful to do all His commandments.

“1 “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:

 3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

 4 “Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.

 5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

 6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

 7 “The LORD shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you;  they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.  8 The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.  9 The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.  10 So all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will be afraid of you.  11 The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you.  12 The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.  13 The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, 14 and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”  Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 6, 2011

Profit

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. 
 
“23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful, but not all things edify.  24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.  25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake;  26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.  27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.  28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake;  29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s;  for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?  30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? 
 
31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;  33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”  1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
 
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Profit is not cents, but souls.  Profit is not gain for ourselves, but gain for others.  Profit is not time off, but “time in” profitable ventures.  Profit is not freedom to do what we want for ourselves, but profit is freedom from hell and slavery to sin for others.   

And so, we read in today’s Scripture:  “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful, but not all things edify.   Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”  Verses 23-24.  “just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”  Verse 33. 

We can nod our heads quickly in agreement, because this is not a strange teaching.  Throughout Scripture, we are commanded to love one another. 

But, we are naturally selfish.  Who can love others as one should love others?!  Who sincerely and fully seeks that profit of others?! 

But, there is hope!  

The Spirit of God produces the fruit of love within us so that we can sincerely and fully seek that profit of others.  Praise God!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.  He who does not love abides in death.”  1 John 3:14.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God;  and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”  1 John 4:7.

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;  because as He is, so also are we in this world.”  1 John 4:16-17.

“We love, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:19.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 4, 2011

Idols

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 10:14-22.
 
“14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  15 I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say.  16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ?  Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?  17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body;  for we all partake of the one bread.  18 Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?  19 What do I mean then?  That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?  20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God;  and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.  21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons;  you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?  We are not stronger than He, are we?”   Corinthians 10:14-22. 
 
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We may not be in danger of worshipping a golden calf or eating things sacrificed to any such physical idol.  But, as we know, idolatry covers much more.  There are things in our lives which pull our love and respect away from God to them.  It may be money.  It may be fame.  It may be self.  It may be other individuals or things.
 
As I read this morning’s Scripture, my mind wandered to something else.  By my mind drifting and dwelling on that subject, for a while, I played with that idol.  Father, please forgive me.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.
 
“… YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND;  AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  Luke 10:27
 
I am quite proud of myself if I love the Lord with some of my heart, some of my soul, some of my strength, and some of my mind.  I feel that there is enough heart, soul, strength, and mind to go around to other people and things.  But, that sharing is idolatry. 
 
God is a jealous God and will not tolerate such divided attention.  In a stunning Scripture, we are shaken to the core to read about what God planned for Israel because of her idolatry.  It is difficult to read, but we need to read it and consider it a warning to us who do likewise. 
 
“15 “But Jeshurun (Israel) grew fat and kicked—
You are grown fat, thick, and sleek—
Then he forsook God who made him,
And scorned the Rock of his salvation.
16 “They made Him jealous with strange gods;
With abominations they provoked Him to anger.
17 “They sacrificed to demons who were not God,
To gods whom they have not known,
New gods who came lately,
Whom your fathers did not dread.
18 “You neglected the Rock who begot you,
And forgot the God who gave you birth.
 

 19 “The LORD saw this, and spurned them
Because of the provocation of His sons and daughters.
20 “Then He said, ‘I will hide My face from them,
I will see what their end shall be;
For they are a perverse generation,
Sons in whom is no faithfulness.
21 ‘They have made Me jealous with what is not God;
They have provoked Me to anger with their idols.
So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people;
I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation,
22 For a fire is kindled in My anger,
And burns to the lowest part of Sheol,
And consumes the earth with its yield,
And sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.

23 ‘I will heap misfortunes on them;
I will use My arrows on them.
24 ‘They will be wasted by famine, and consumed by plague
And bitter destruction;
And the teeth of beasts I will send upon them,
With the venom of crawling things of the dust.”  Deuteronomy 32:15-24.

But, there is hope! 

Psalm 63:8
“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

“17 The pride of man will be humbled
And the loftiness of men will be abased;
And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
18 But the idols will completely vanish.”  Isaiah 2:17-18.

Ezekiel 36:25
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;  I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” 
 
Ezekiel 37:23
“They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions;  but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them.  And they will be My people, and I will be their God.”
 

“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”  2 Corinthians 1:21-22. 

2 Corinthians 6:16
“Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;  AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9
“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,”

1 Peter 5:10
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

“Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;  and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;  so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”  1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 3, 2011

Temptations

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.
 
“12  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
 
13  No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;  and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  1 Corinthians 10:12-13.
 
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Many of us have been a believer as long as we can remember.  We grew up in a Christian family, attended a Christian school, and were in church almost every Sunday, some twice on Sundays.  And now, we not only read the Bible and hear good preaching every week if not every day;  we preach and teach.  We are in a cocoon surrounded by good Christian family and friends.   
 
We may think:  “I am not tempted, and even if I become tempted, I can easily resist!”  But, we must realize that just because we may not be tempted much now, it does not mean that we will not later be tempted.  Like Jesus, we may face temptation when we are particularly tired, weak, and hungry. 
 
And, many of us first think as temptations as just either sexual temptations or alcohol/drugs temptations.  We may think:  “I don’t drink or do drugs at all!  I don’t cheat on my wife!”  But, we must remember that there are many other types of temptations.   
 
And so, today’s Scripture begins with this warning:  “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  Verse 12.  “… Do not be conceited, but fear;”  Romans 11:20.   
 
“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation;  the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Mark 14:38
 
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;  each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”  Galatians 6:1
 
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8
 
Our Reformed Doctrine belief in “Total Depravity” can help us.  When we truly believe that our “background” is “Total Depravity”, such a belief will lead us away from conceit and into fear.  Such a belief will cause us to keep watching and praying so that we do not come into temptation.  Such a belief recognizes  that the flesh is weak. 
 
Today’s Scripture does not leave us in fear.  Today’s Scripture provides hope.  “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;  and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  Verse 13.
 
Let us first meditate on the commonness of temptation.  We may panic, thinking:  “I am the only one that faces this very unusual temptation.  There is no hope!”  Today’s Scripture refutes that thought, and we can take comfort from the knowledge that we are not alone facing an unusual temptation.  Trusted brothers and sisters in the Lord (who have faced similar temptations) can help us.  They can testify and assure us:  “I likewise was tempted, but God indeed helped me endure the temptation!  God indeed provided the way of escape!  God will do the same for you!“
 
Let us meditate on the resistable nature of temptations.  We may panic, thinking:  “I can not resist this temptation.  It is Satan versus me!  The temptation is too strong!  There is no hope!”  Today’s Scripture refutes that thought.  God “will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  Verse 13.
 
And, there is also other help!    
 
Let us meditate on the fruit of the Spirit which includes “self-control”.  And, there is more than the fruit of self-control.  Each fruit fights against temptation!  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:22-24.  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16. 
 
Generally, God’s grace is sufficient.  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9
 
Specifically, God “will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  Endure the temptation, knowing that help is “on the way”.  Look for that specific way of escape!  When it comes to mind, don’t turn your attention and lightly dismiss it, but rather, immediately jump into that way of escape! 
 
In conclusion, when you are on that way of escape, you will be encouraged and refreshed finding that the devil flees from you.  “Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7  And when the devil leaves you, you will find that like the experience of Jesus, you will receive additional care. “Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”  Matthew 4:11.  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 2, 2011

Examples: “Look what happens to the wicked and be warned!!!”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 10:6-11.
 
“6  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
 
7  Do not be idolaters, as some of them were;  as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
 
8  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
 
9  Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
 
10  Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
 
11  Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”  1 Corinthians 10:6-11.
 
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Let us first talk in the vivid language of the Wild, Wild West.  It is one thing to “lay down the law” and give people knowledge of what they should do and what they should not do.  But, it is another thing, and a helpful addition to promote justice, to “hang ’em high” so everyone can see and better remember through such a shocking display what happens to those who violate the law. 
 
In terms of today’s Scripture, the people had the Law including all the commandments.  But, it is another thing, and a helpful addition to promote justice, to punish the violators so publicly and so spectacularly.  It is memorable.  “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”  1 Corinthians 10:11. 
 
“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;  and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.”  2 Peter 2:4-10.

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