1 Corinthians 13 - 12.20.23

Scripture

I Corinthians 13:13 -- And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Observation

Every single thing we do should be motivated by love.

“For as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “we love because he first loved us.” It is the effectual love of God that first changes our hearts in order to make us capable of love, and it is His example of love that reminds us again and again of our need to love other people.” Liogoneer.org/devotionals

Application

In I Corinthians 13, Paul reminds us that we can serve, and study, and memorize, and prophecy, and worship, and give, and share – and if we’re not doing it out of love for God and others, it serves no purpose.

When asked what are the greatest of the commandments, Jesus said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

As we follow Jesus, we should be becoming more and more like him. “God’s love for us, our love for Him, and our love for others are inseparable. If we have been loved by God, we will love God and we will love others.”

Prayer

Thank you for this reminder today that I am called to love you and love others like you love them. Thank you for loving me. Please continue to work on my heart and fill it with your love to pour out on others.  

Fun fact – when I was a teenager, Open Bible Churches had a youth program called Quiz Team. The year my church participated, we studied I Corinthians for six months and competed against other local teams and at the regional conference. I was excited when I saw that I Corinthians 13 was the chapter for today’s SOAP journal.

- Debbie Dunn 

1 Corinthians 12 - 12.19.23

Scripture:  1 Corinthians 12:4 – 6 (NIV) – There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Observation:  Chapter 12 was written to help the Corinthian church. Many were quarreling about the gifts from God. Some thought their gift was better than others. I can understand, in the flesh, how they went down that path. Our flesh is prideful and can creep into our Christian lives. Instead of chastising the church, Paul eloquently explains the gifts, where the gifts come from and how they are to be used. He helps us to understand that if God is the giver of gifts, there should be no quarreling about the gifts. Each gift is special. Verse 4 – 6 explains it all:  God is in the midst of every spiritual gift, He is the one who gives each gift, is behind every kind of service, and works within us.

Application: We all have unique gifts and each one is given to us by the Spirit. Each gift serves a purpose but no one gift is better than another. There are many gifts but one mission in using the gifts: to serve Him and the body of Christ. What a great God we serve! God not only saved us and gave the gift of eternal life, but He also bestowed special gifts and abilities to use for His service. I am in awe of God’s love for us with all these gifts! God is so good!! In the end, each gift is meant to bring unity and diversity into the body of Christ – the church. The key is to find your gift and then use it!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for all of your gifts. First the gift of salvation but also the gifts of the Spirit. Help me to recognize each gift of the Sprit and how you want it used in my life. Give me your boldness to use them, and your humbleness to serve. Help me to remember that each gift is special and yet no one gift is better than another. Ultimately you’re the great giver of gifts and each one is specially designed for each person. Help me to use your gifts in unity with others for your church. Let there only be unity and no division in your church. Direct my life, my words, my actions, and all your gifts to glorify you. In Jesus mighty name!

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 34 - 12.18.23

Scripture

Psalm 34:1

I will bless the Lord at ALL times. His praise will always be on my lips. 

Observation-What does it say?

David was a fugitive on the run from Saul and he fled to Achish King of Gath, in hopes of finding refuge. However, because of something Achish’s servants said that King David took to heart, he pretended to be insane, was kicked out and on the run again. The place he escaped to was the cave of Adullam. It was in this cave where commentators say that King David wrote this Psalm, while in hiding and on the run from Saul. (References: David Guzuk commentary from Enduringword.com AND 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1)

Even in hiding and the least ideal of circumstances, King David still praised the Lord! 

Imagine with me for a moment being in King David’s shoes and having no place to call home here on earth because you are on the run for your life! Even the place you were hoping to find refuge turned out to be unsafe for you. However, because King David had his full hope and trust in the Lord, he was still able to praise Him in the midst of the least ideal of circumstances. 

Application-How can I apply this to my life?

I will bless the Lord at ALL times. His praise will always be on my lips. (Verse 1)

We are not called to only praise the Lord when things are going well in life. We must praise Him even through the hardships, just like King David did. Even through grief, pain, and uncertainty in life, we must know and trust that His character is ALWAYS good and never stop worshipping Him! The Apostle Paul was the same way. Even when imprisoned, He still found joy through it all (see the book of Philippians). Let’s be like these men! 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for King David, the Apostle Paul and the other examples of awesome people of the faith in Your Word, who praised You in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. It encourages me to keep my focus and worship on You no matter what. I bless and honor You Lord for Who You are. May Your praise always be on my lips. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi