The Word for Today with Ray: 2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

No Flesh Should Glory 1 Corinthians 1:29

Paul the apostle shared how “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” and how “God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”. “Base things of the world, and things which are despised” were also chosen by God so He could “bring to nothing things that are”. In chapter one and verse twenty-nine of First Corinthians, Paul continued his letter by sharing how “no flesh should glory” before God where we read:

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The verse begins, “That no flesh” Paul began with the words, “That no” which means “not and neither one” “flesh” which refers to “mere human with the earthly nature apart from divine influence”. God determined that nobody would stand before or compare with Him.

The verse continues, “...should glory in his presence.”. Paul added the words, “should glory” or “should vaunt, boast, joy or rejoice” “in his presence” which means “in God's face or sight”. God allowed no one to take credit and “vaunt” him or herself in His “sight”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how God meant to demonstrate His superior position, power and wisdom to the world. Man's lack in these areas would not allow them to “vaunt” themselves or “brag” in God's “presence”, and rather than attempt to be superior to God, we do best when simply submit our lives to Jesus Christ His Son. “Glorying” or taking credit and praise for what God has done is not allowed by God, and only through Jesus Christ and God's eternal plan of salvation shall anyone be saved. All other ways are vain and empty and will never have “glory” in His sight.

Next time Paul tells the church members in Corinth, “of him are you in Christ Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Base and Despised Things 1 Corinthians 1:28

Paul the apostle shared how “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-eight of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how God has also chosen “base things of the world, and things which are despised” where we read:

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen,

yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:

The verse begins, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, ...” Paul began with the words, “And base things” which means “the ignoble, coward, mean, base and low born” “of the world” which refers to “the circle of the world, the inhabitants of the earth with all the endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures”, “and things which are despised” or “things made of no account, contemptible, least esteemed and set at naught”, “has God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “chosen” or “picked out and selected”. In addition to the “foolish” and “weak things of the world”, God “chose” “ignoble” and “contemptible” things for His purposes.

The verse continues, “...yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:”. Paul added the words, “yes and” or “also, even and indeed”, “things which are not” or “things which are low regarded, weak, base or foolish”, “to bring to nothing” which means “to render idle, unemployed, inactive and inoperative” “things that are” or “things that are present, have come and that be”. God also elected to use “lowly regarded” things to “render idle and inactive” things which are already in place.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how God does not choose according the way people of the world choose. Because His “wisdom” is greater, God is able to use things that are “rendered base and weak” to fulfill his purposes. The crucifixion of Jesus seemed “base” and “weak” to the world for salvation, but God used this to be the means by which people could have a kinship with Him. Eternal salvation was not available until Jesus died for our sins, and when He did, we now have a way to have a relationship with Almighty God. Let us praise the the Lord for His ability to use what seems “contemptible” to fulfill His plan.

Next time Paul shares the reason God chose these “base” and “despised things” -“that no flesh should glory in his presence”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The World's Foolish Things Confound the Wise 1 Corinthians 1:27

As Paul the apostle had the Corinthian church members considering their “calling” from God, he told them “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-seven of First Corinthians, Paul shared how “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” where we read:

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

The verse begins, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has chosen” which means “picked out, elected and chose” “the foolish things” or “the impious, base, dull, stupid, heedless, and absurd things” “of the world” or “of the whole circle of earthly goods with its endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures” “to confound” which means “to dishonor, disgrace, put to shame, be ashamed and blush with shame” “the wise” or “the skilled, expert, cultivated and learned”. God elected to use “base and absurd” things to put the “wise” in this world to “shame”.

The verse continues, “...and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”. Paul added the words, “and God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has chosen” which means “picked out, elected and chose” “the weak things” or “the impotent, sick, without strength and feeble things” “of the world” which refers to “of the whole circle of earthly goods with its endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures” “to confound” which means “to dishonor, disgrace, put to shame, be ashamed and blush with shame” “the things which are mighty” which refers to “things which are strong, violent, forcibly uttered, firm and sure”. God decided to use “impotent and feeble” things to “put to shame” people who are “powerful” in the world.

When we consider these words from Paul, we marvel at the “wisdom and power” of God. Because He is “stronger, wiser and of greater status” than any person who has ever lived, He is able to use things which seem “impotent, feeble, base and absurd” to “shame” them. God did not use man's conventional way of thinking to bring salvation to people. He used the “cross” of Christ as His instrument. God employed ordinary and “base” people to bring His Son Jesus into the world, and when the time came to make an offering for man's sin, God used the lowest form of sacrifice known to man - “the cross”. God desires “eternal salvation” to be offered to every person regardless of their “power, wisdom or status”, and since He has made His Son Jesus so readily available, should not everyone who reads these words yield their lives to Him?

Next time Paul shares what God has purposed for the“base things of the world, and things that are despised”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Mother's Touch

My thinking brought my mind to rest

on mother's constant care

her hands, her touch, her eyes aglow

toward me persistent stare

The tears of happiness she shed

the weeping with my pain

her eyes aglow relentless love

poured forth from every vein

Her own self much denied she'd aid

my sickness not her own

for my brow needed cooled cloth

lest fevered fate bemoan

The meals she cooked with sacrifice

her regimented pour

the messes cleaned abode afresh

the night time daily chores

The presents tightly wrapped she'd give

each one concerned thereof

her deep felt thoughts presented me

expressions of her love

Her voice to sound alarm aloud

stern warning from street's play

the call for church and spiritual things

my proper dressed displayed

The long nights wait my entrance home

her gaited patient feet

that I'd be safe and resting there

lest she'd n'er be complete

Caressing hands to comfort tears

whose listening ears n'er bane

for my words were of most import

not one of them did fain

Though absent be thy touch now faint

thy memories be clear

of mother's constant care for me

shall last for all my years

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Not Many Wise, Mighty or Noble are Called 1 Corinthians 1:26

According to Paul the apostle, “Christ” is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God” “because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-six of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by sharing how “not many wise, mighty or noble are called” by God where we read:

For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,

not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

The verse begins, “For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “you see” which refers to the Corinthian church members “discerning, perceiving, gazing upon and discovering” “your calling” which means “the church members' divine invitation to embrace salvation of God”, “brethren” or “fellow believers who are united to others by the bond of affection”, “how that not many” which means “because and since there were not plenteous and large numbers of” “wise men” or “skilled, expert, cultivated and learned people” “after the flesh” which refers to “down from, throughout and according to the mere human and earthly nature of man apart from divine influence which is therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”. The “fleshly” “wise” people of the world were few in number among the church members of Corinth who were “called”.

The verse goes on to say, “...not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”. Paul continued with the words, “not many” or “not plenteous and large numbers of” “mighty” which means “able, powerful and strong” “not many” or “not plenteous and large numbers of” “noble” which refers to “people who are well born and aristocratically minded”, “are called” which means “invited to embrace God's salvation”. There are few people who are “powerful”, born “aristocratically” and trust in the world's wisdom who are “called” by God to His salvation.

When we think through these words from Paul, we understand the limitations of trusting in and relying upon the “wisdom”, “strength” and “nobility” of the world. God's invitation to receive His Son Jesus as Savior is available to every person, however, those who put their faith in “fleshly strength, worldly wisdom and social position” rarely ever give their lives to Jesus Christ. These with such “worldly” advantages often resist God's salvation because they rely upon and trust in themselves. God is “calling”, have we heard and answered His call, or are we trusting in our “knowledge, strength or social status”?

Next time Paul shares how “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

God's Foolishness Wiser than Men 1 Corinthians 1:25

Paul the apostle told the church in Corinth how“Christ” was “the power of God, and the wisdom of God”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-five of First Corinthians, Paul continued his letter by sharing how “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” where we read:

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The verse begins, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men;” Paul began with the word, “Because” which means “seeing that and since” “the foolishness” or “the absurdity and silliness” “of God” which means “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is wiser than” or “more skilled, expert, cultivated and learned than” “men” which means “human beings whether male or female”. The base and fundamental things of God are superior to the greatest “wisdom” of people.

The verse goes on to say, “...and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”. Paul added the words, “and the weakness” or “the infirmity and feebleness” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is stronger than” or “mightier and more firm and sure than” “men” which refers to “human beings whether male or female”. God's “weakest” or most “feeble” point is “mightier and more firm” than any person's.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we recognize that God is far superior to any “wisdom” or “strength” that man may display. He's Creator God who is “all-powerful” and “all-knowing” and no one comes close to His “strength” and “wisdom”. This is why “Christ” and His “crucifixion” “stumbled” the Jews and seemed “foolish” to the Greeks. God chose this method to “save” mankind. He knows best, and is superior in “strength” to all. When God chose “salvation” through the death of His Son Jesus on the “cross”, we would be “wise” to recognize that His way is best.

Next time Paul shares how the church members were divided between, “not many wise, mighty or noble” men, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God 1 Corinthians 1:24

Paul the apostle “preached Christ crucified” which was “unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness”. In chapter one and verse twenty-four of First Corinthians, Paul shared how preaching “Christ crucified” was “the power and wisdom of God” where we read:

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The verse begins, “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “unto them” which means “which are called” or “who are invited or divinely selected and appointed”, “both Jews” which refers to “the people who belong to, are birthed in, have origin and religion in the Jewish nation” “and Greeks” which refers to “the inhabitants of Hellas or Greek speaking people who are Gentiles or non-Jews”. Paul referred to both the “Jews and Greeks” as he began to address his next point.

The verse continues, “...Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”. Paul added the words, “Christ” or “the anointed one, the Messiah and Son of God” “the power” which means “”strength, ability and influence “of God” which means “pertaining to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and the wisdom” or “broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in management of affairs” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Jesus Christ “crucified” demonstrates God's almighty “power” and His sovereign “wisdom” to everyone regardless of their background and affiliation.

When we consider these words from Paul, we note God's ability to reach people through the crucifixion of Jesus. “Jews” desired “signs” or miracles, and the “cross” was the “sign”. Greeks desired “wisdom”, and the “cross” was the “wisdom”. When we receive Jesus Christ as our “Savior and Lord”, we see God's “power” and “wisdom” demonstrated. God knows what it takes to “save” people, and He has the “ability” to do so. Let us examine the “power” and “wisdom” of God through the “crucifixion” of Jesus, and may we be ready to share this “gospel” with everyone irrespective of their present heritage.

Next time Paul declares how “the foolishness of God is wiser than men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Christ Crucified Preached 1 Corinthians 1:23

“The Jews”, according to the apostle Paul, “required a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom”, but in chapter one and verse twenty-three of First Corinthians, Paul the apostle continued his letter by declaring how he and his companions “preach Christ crucified” where we read:

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

The verse begins, “But we preach Christ crucified,...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “” “we preach” which means “herald, proclaim, and publish openly” “Christ” which refers to “the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God” “crucified” or “driven down and fortified with stakes, to palisade and impale on the cross which figuratively means to extinguish or subdue passion or selfishness”. Rather than preaching “signs” or earthly “wisdom”, Paul and his companions “preached” about “Jesus Christ” being “crucified”.

The verse continues, “...unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”. Paul added the words, “unto the Jews” or “the people who belong to, are birthed in, have origin and religion in the Jewish nation” “a stumblingblock” which means “truly, certainly and indeed a movable stick or trigger of a trap, a snare or impediment place in the way and causing one to stumble or fall such as a rock which is the cause of stumbling” “and unto the Greeks” or “the inhabitants of Hellas or Greek speaking people who are Gentiles or non-Jews” “foolishness” which means “absurdity and silliness”. Because Paul and his companions “preached Christ crucified”, the Jewish people were tripped by it, and the Greek people thought it was “absurd and silly”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we notice the two responses to the “gospel” of Jesus Christ exhibited by the Jews and the Greeks. The Jews were “tripped over” or “stumbled” at the lack of “miraculous symbol” that was involved, and the Greeks thought the idea of Jesus dying on a cross for their sins was “absurd”. Each of these groups could not reconcile God's wisdom to save people. They thought there should have been some other way to be proclaimed either by “miracles and prophetic reconciliation” or by “intelligent explanation”. However, God chose the simple “preaching of the good news” that Jesus Christ came to the earth as a man, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of all mankind, rose from the dead three days later and now offers “eternal life” to all who believe. Lest we be like those unbelieving Jews and Gentiles who need the “gospel” of God to be according to their way, let us believe in the “wisdom of God” and simply believe in the sacrifice of Jesus unto “everlasting life”.

Next time Paul shares how to them that “are called”, “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

The Punching Bag

Once cast my thoughts on boxer's bag

the beaten pummeled purse

where stricken one took every blow

where mankind came to curse

No withdrawn punch nor hidden slap

continued with regard

nor slashes bruise thus nonchalant

the leather fashioned garb

The constant jab and nailed assault

the economic crash

the spit the mock and laissez faire

the changeless slaughtered slash

Without respect for what's inside

thus smack and punch at will

rejecting saddened quiet pain

observant care be nil

The smitten heavy bag that hung

abused by unaware

the lacerations deep within

endured affliction there

Thy pierced whipped hands and crowned brow

with thorns sunk deep within

thy taken licks thrown one by one

acquainted grief from sin

Thou punching bag thus speared upon

enduring price twas paid

long-suffering wounds and pain-filled stripes

ignoring hurt contained

Repeated blows despising shame

thou wounded leather sack

travailed rejected as a foe

the drubbing of attack

Thou stricken bag though not esteemed

doth bear iniquities

and blows poured out from wicked souls

make intercessors clean

The Jews and the Greeks 1 Corinthians 1:22

As Paul the apostle continued to share how “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”, he referred to how God would “destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent”. He also asked, “where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world”, and he questioned “has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” In chapter one and verse twenty-two of First Corinthians, Paul continued his letter by sharing how the “Jews require a sign” and “the Greeks seek after wisdom” where we read:

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

The verse begins, “For the Jews require a sign,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “the Jews” which means “since, cause and after the people who belong to, are birthed in, have origin and religion in the Jewish nation” “require” or “ask, beg, call, crave, and desire” “a sign” which means “a mark or token which is distinguished from others and is known or portending remarkable events soon to happen”. Paul, who was a Jew, knew the Jewish people “desired” a special “token” which would “mark events soon to happen”.

The verse continues, “... and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”. Paul added the words, “and the Greeks” which refers to “the inhabitants of Hellas or Greek speaking people who are Gentiles or non-Jews” “seek” which means “crave, demand, strive for and require to find” “after wisdom” or “the broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in the management of affairs”. The “Greeks”, or “gentile” people in the world, “desire” “knowledge” and “intelligence”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see the difference between the “Jews” and the “Greeks”. Jewish people, according to Paul, wanted to have a “special token” or “mark” which would signify things that were about to occur, and Greek people wanted factual “knowledge” and “understanding”. God chose neither of these to share His “gospel”. He elected “the foolishness of preaching” to declare His salvation plan which satisfied neither of these groups of people. God's “wisdom” is beyond the worldly “wisdom”, and if a person is going to “know God”, he or she will do so through believing the “good news” of Jesus Christ neither through “signs” or “worldly wisdom”.

Next time Paul declares, “we preach Christ crucified” which becomes a “stumbling-block” to the Jews and “foolishness” to the Greeks, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Foolishness of Preaching to Save 1 Corinthians 1:21

Paul the apostle continued to share how God used “the foolishness of preaching” to save people from their sins, and because He did, it “brings to nothing the understanding of the prudent”. In chapter one and verse twenty-one of First Corinthians, Paul told the the church members about God's pleasure to use “the foolishness of preaching to save” where we read:

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The verse begins, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God,...” Paul began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “after” or “when now, since, of which cause and forasmuch” “that in” or “by and through” “the wisdom” which means “the broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in the management of affairs” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “the world” or “the circle of the earth with its riches, advantages and pleasures” “by wisdom” which means “the broad and full of intelligence, knowledge of very diverse matters and skill in the management of affairs” “knew not God” which means “did not perceive, get a knowledge of, be acquainted with and understand”. Paul declared how God used His “wisdom” so people in the “world” would not be “acquainted” with Him.

The verse goes on to say, “...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”. Paul continued with the words, “it pleased” or “seemed good to, chose, determined, decided willingly to prefer and take pleasure in and was favorably inclined toward” “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “by the foolishness” or “absurdity and silliness” “of preaching” which means “heralded, cried and proclaimed” “to save” or “to keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction and to preserve those in danger of destruction” “them that believe” which means “the people who think to be true, are persuaded of, credit and place confidence in”. According to Paul, God was “pleased” to use the “silliness and absurdity” of “preaching” to bring salvation to people who “believe” or “rely upon, trust in and cling to” His Son Jesus Christ.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how God purposed to have the “wisdom of the world” to be insufficient for people to know God. Rather than “worldly wisdom”, God chose the “foolishness of preaching” to bring people to His Son Jesus Christ. Though it may seem “absurd and silly” when a person “preaches” the gospel, God uses it to “save” all who “believe”. When we hear the “preaching” of the gospel, let us remember, God Himself chose this means to bring “salvation” through His Son Jesus to all mankind.

Next time Paul shares how, “the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.