The Word for Today with Ray: January 2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

One Spirit with the Lord 1 Corinthians 6:17

Paul the apostle asked the church members in Corinth if they knew their “bodies are members of Christ?”, and he questioned rhetorically, “shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot”? Paul answered, “God forbid”, and declared, “he which is joined to an harlot is one body...one flesh”. In chapter six and verse seventeen of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” where we read:

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

The verse begins, “But he that is joined...” 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 “he that is joined” which means “the person who is being glued together, cemented, fastened and to cleave”. Paul referred to the person who is “glued together or fastened” once again.

The verse goes on to say, “... unto the Lord is one spirit.” Paul continued with the words, “unto the Lord” which means “to he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “is one spirit” or “a single certain rational one who has the power by which the human being feels, thinks and decides ”. Paul shared the results available to the person whose “soul” is “glued together and fastened to” “the Messiah”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see the superiority of being “joined” together with the Lord versus the “body of a harlot”. When a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, they become a part of the “body of Christ” and thereby become “one spirit” with Him. There is no greater position in the world than to be “one” with the “spirit” of the Lord, and those who are wise will receive Him and find their position and place with Him.

Next time Paul tells the Corinthians to, “flee fornication” because “he that commits fornication sins against his own body”, 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.

Joined as One Flesh to a Harlot 1 Corinthians 6:16

Paul the apostle asked the church members in Corinth if they knew their “bodies are members of Christ?”, and he questioned rhetorically, “shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot”? Paul answered, “God forbid”, and in chapter six and verse sixteen of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth if they knew, “that he which is joined to an harlot is one body” where we read:

What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?

for two, says he, shall be one flesh.

The verse begins, “What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?” Paul began with the word, “What” or “either, save, except”?“Know you not” which means “do the church members not perceive with the eyes or senses, notice, discern, discover, pay attention to or observe” “that he which is joined” which refers to “being glued together, cemented, fastened and to cleave” “to an harlot” which means “a prostitute or woman who sells her body for sexual uses or indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse for gain or lust” “is one body” or “is only as a single living corpse”? Paul desired to know if the church members were aware that when they “joined” or “glued themselves” together with a “harlot”, they were becoming as “one body” with them.

The verse continues, “ for two, says he, shall be one flesh.” Paul added the words, “for two” which means “both or twain”, “says he” or “utters, declares and proclaims God” “shall be” or “will come to pass, will follow to be and happen as” “one flesh” which means “toward a single unified living being”. When “two” people “join together sexually” they become as “one body” or “one flesh”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see the importance of the church members not “joining” themselves to “harlots”. The “physical” act of “sexual immorality” has greater implications than just “two bodies” coming together. They become “spiritually” “glued together or fastened” as one, and the deep connection for the church members is they would bring Jesus into that type of relationship. Jesus Christ desires for His bride, the church, to be a “pure” and “holy” bride, and as Paul continued to manage those who were “defiling” not only their bodies but Christ's as well, we should pay particular attention to what we do with our “members” that belong to Jesus.

Next time Paul declares, “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Bodies are Members of Christ 1 Corinthians 6:15

According to the apostle Paul, “God shall destroy” both “meats” and “the body”.“The body” was not to be used “for fornication” by the church members in Corinth, but were rather to be used “for the Lord”. He also declared how “God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power”, and in chapter six and verse fifteen of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth if they knew their, “bodies are members of Christ” where we read:

Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ,

and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

The verse begins, “Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” Paul began with the words, “Know you not” which means “do the church members not perceive with the eyes or senses, notice, discern, discover, pay attention to or observe” “that your bodies” which refers to “that the church members' living corpses” “are the members” which means “limbs or parts of the body” “of Christ” or “belonging to the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul desired to know if the Corinthian church members perceived they were “the body of Christ” as a church.

The verse goes on to say, “shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.” Paul continued with the words, “shall I then” which means “should Paul at that moment” “take the members” or “raise up, elevate, bear up or move from their place limbs or parts of the body”“of Christ” or “belonging to the anointed one, the Messiah and the Son of God”, “and make” which means “cause, make ready, prepare, produce, render and provide” “them the members”or “limbs or parts of the body” “of an harlot” which means “a prostitute or woman who sells her body for sexual uses or indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse for gain or lust”? “God forbid” or “perish the thought, let God never allow it to come into existence, begin to be or receive being”. Since the church members made up “the body of Christ”, how could they ever allow themselves to be connected to or hooked up with a “prostitute”?

When we think through these words from Paul, we understand the sacredness of “the body of Christ”. Although some of the Christians within the Corinthian church may have been involved in sinful sexual behavior in the past, they were not to be indulging in those practices now. When a person receives Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, they become a part of “the body of Christ”, and any involvement in “sinful practices” is like taking His body and joining it to that activity. Paul said, “God forbid!” or “Perish the thought!” As “members” of “the body of Christ”, we are to keep ourselves from sin, and through the power of the Holy Spirit and yielding to His will, we shall be able to obey. May the Lord Jesus help us to know not only our position in Him, but also the importance of keeping ourselves “pure” before Him as His body.

Next time Paul asks the Corinthians if they knew, “he which is joined to an harlot is one body?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Raised Up by the Lord 1 Corinthians 6:14

As Pault the apostle continued to share how “all things” were “lawful” for the Corinthian church members, but not all things were “expedient”, he told how “meats for the belly, and the belly for meats” because “God shall destroy both it and them”. He also declared “the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body”, and in chapter six and verse nine of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth if they knew, “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” where we read:

And God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

The verse begins, “And God has both raised up the Lord, ...” Paul began with 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 both raised up” which means “has aroused, cause to rise, awoke from sleep and stirred up” “the Lord” or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. God “raised” Jesus Christ from the grave in the resurrection.

The verse goes on to say, “... and will also raise up us by his own power.” Paul continued with the words, “and will also raise up” which means “God will in addition arouse, raise up, stir up, incite, resuscitate from death and release from infliction” “us” which refers to “Paul, his companions and the church members” “by his own power” or “by God's personal ability and inherent power which reside in Him by virtue of His nature and is that which exerts and puts forth”. Not only did God “raise up the Lord”, but He will also “raise up” Paul, his companions and the church members in Corinth.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how God has “raised up” His only begotten Son Jesus from the grave, and He will also “raise up” from the dead those who believe and trust in His Son Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus rose from the grave three days after being crucified, and His resurrection provides hope and promise for those who believe and trust in Him to have the same. It is true that our bodies will perish, but our spirits will be forever with the Lord. As Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16), and may we evermore receive His promise to all who believe.

Next time Paul asks the Corinthians if they know, “your bodies are members of Christ?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Significant Insignificance

One thought upon the smaller things that came upon his path

those parts sometimes invisible yet mindful aftermath

Appearance less significant to onlookers they be

their value insignificant because they stand petite

And gaze upon their bantam size with marvel and respect

when once be known the value of their quantum real connect

The ants they play their master part, the hyrax feeble too

yet gather food and forge their homes 'pon rocks or fields abloom

Those locust bugs with tiny wings do fly with yet no lead

by bands they soar throughout the sky and sail where they find need

And spiders too they have their lot, by hands they spin their web

and find reside in palace homes where kings do flow and ebb

And chigger ticks that bring a bite that leads to Lyme's death door

or yellow breasted swallow fowls soft chirps to be adored

The letter “I” hath value too and thus doth have the “a”

which though one consonant be true without words change their way

For pain be pin and pin be pn without the “a” or “i”

and brain be bran and bran be brn if both be out of line

And think of pin that fastens hinge that hangs on swinging door

without the pin that be in hinge might fall upon the floor

Or key for lock for safety shield without would not let in

or mighty wheel that might not stay without a cotter pin

A nail to hold a binding tight or picture on a wall

or flipping switch to turn on light o'er ceiling rising tall

And people too might feel too small for one to note or see

with quiet work and faithful tasks be all that they can be

Twas two small mites from widow's hands that caught the master's eye

and caused His comment much the more than all that did pass by

But none to fret when realize the value built within

Creator's love hath made thee thus such benefit to Him

So tiny purpose thought so small as tiny bolts or ants

those rivets holding airplane wings or hitchballs hauling camps

The hyrax, locusts, spiders too and people feeling small

the one who gave them purposes gives notice to them all

“Tis I” says He, the one who be Creator of all things

“that made thee small this way for me” my pleasure do you bring

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

All Lawful but Not Beneficial 1 Corinthians 6:12

“Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” asked Paul the apostle as he addressed the Corinthian church members concerning evil doers. He added how they were not to “be deceived” because “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” In chapter six and verse twelve of First Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members how, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” where we read:

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:

all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

The verse begins, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient:” Paul began with the words, “All things” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, and everything” “are lawful” which refers to “what is right and according to the law” “unto me” which means “unto Paul”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “all things” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, and everything” “are not expedient” or “are not profitable, expedient or beneficial”. Paul concluded that anything was “lawful” for him, but not everything was “beneficial” or helpful to him.

The verse goes on to say, “all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Paul continued with the words, “all things” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, and everything” “are lawful” which refers to “what is right and according to the law” “for me” or “for Paul”, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “I will not”or “Paul would not” “be brought under the power” or “beneath the authority or mastery” “of any” which refers to “of a certain one”. Paul reiterated that anything was “lawful” for him, but he purposed not to be “mastered” or “controlled” by anything.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see the freedom he enjoyed to do anything he desired, however, just because he could do anything did not mean he would anything. Though permissible, not everything was beneficial to Paul, and when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the same should be true for us. There are “temporal” and “carnal” things which are available to us, however, they are not profitable to our walk with Jesus. We are to be witnesses to the world as Christians, and though things are “lawful” or “permissible” to us, let us determine whether they are “beneficial” to our witness of Him.

Next time Paul shares how, “the body... is for the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Such Were Some of You 1 Corinthians 6:11

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God”, and they were not to “be deceived” because “neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” In chapter six and verse eleven of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “such were some of you” where we read:

And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified,

but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The verse begins, “And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified,” Paul began with the words, “And such were” which means “and the same kind of these used to be” “some of you” which refers to “certain ones of the church members”: “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “you are washed” which means “have been remitted away and cleaned”, “but” which is the disassociation conjunction employed again “you are sanctified” which means “rendered or acknowledged to be venerable or hallow, consecrated and dedicated people”. Some of the people within the church of Corinth used to be involved in the evil practices he just named, but they were now “cleansed” and “set apart” for God's kingdom.

The verse continues, “but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “you are justified” which means “rendered righteous or such as they ought to be, just and righteous” “in the name” or “everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing or remembering” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”, “and by” which means “and with” “the Spirit” or “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son” “of our God” which means “of Paul and the church members' Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul added that the church members were also in a state that is “just as if they had never sinned” “in Jesus' name” and through their relationship with God's Holy Spirit.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see the change that was made in the church members in Corinth. Paul noted how they “used to be” like those he listed who would not “inherit the kingdom of God”, and now they are “justified” which means “just-as-if-I'd” never sinned. They were “sanctified” which means “set apart” and “consecrated” for and “in the name of the Lord Jesus”. This was accomplished by a work of “the Holy Spirit of God” who brings conviction and persuasion that aligning with Jesus Christ is the way to change. Jesus Christ came to “seek and save that which was lost”, and those who receive Him as “Savior and Lord” shall not only be with God eternally, but shall also “inherit” His kingdom forever.

Next time Paul shares with the church members how “all things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Wall to the Wall

Two beasts of power detect a dream

a wall to halt one convoy stream

prevent their cross into the land

inhibit trespass high demand

This structure tall see-through and strong

would thus prevent the massive throng

“What's this?” the beasts did each exclaim

“Who doth permit immoral strain?”

Twas he who sat upon the throne

from one whose reign precept had grown

when once He Ruled the beasts did find

debacle wretch they would malign

“We shan't allow horrid obstruct

t'wound never be correct construct

forbidden this we won't allow

they'll be no wall, no way no how”

“With wall of words we shall prevent

degraded fence we won't relent

though our wall be of statements made

our wall is just and shall not fade”

From deep within their hearts did speak

forgetting paths bygone did piqued

to build a wall was their way then

but now refuse 'cause brought by him

Twas then there was but such a need

but now obstruct it cannot be

for Rule we'll block no matter what

whatever works his manner shut

Our moral script be ours to own

and waver when it's best alone

we thus ignore the Holy writ

we shall not look into that script

For there be found one Noah's ark

whose door was shut and none embark

and Nehemiah's wall of weight

or Heaven's walls with twelve pearl gates

Jerusalem hath walls for guild

their houses too they would not yield

for fences there they have condoned

for those be places made their homes

But hatred guides decisions made
for beasts must make their banner wave
and ideology theirs the best

they could not care for all the rest

Though walls they have in their abodes

and Whitehouse too has fencing modes

immoral they must soon retreat

and tear them down for all to mete

So open doors and tear down fence

the first be thine for that makes sense

since walls immoral thou hast said

then beasts let strangers in thy beds

Transient ones on thy front porch

to lay upon thy deck of sorts

and leave thy keys unlock your doors
for these be barriers to thus explore

Uncanny how thy minds have changed

when hatred has but filled thy veins
contention now hath filled thy minds

and filled thy hearts with fearsome pride

So if debauched these walls be seen

then rhetoric immoral beasts

indite them by their oft refrain

and beasts' hypocrisy has reigned

More Who Shall Not Enter God's Kingdom 1 Corinthians 6:10

Paul the apostle asked the Corinthian church members, “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” He also told them, “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” would “inherit the kingdom of God”. In chapter six and verse ten of First Corinthians, Paul added to his list of those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” including, “thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners” where we read:

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,

nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

The verse begins, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,...” Paul began with the words, “nor thieves” which means “not embezzlers, pilferers or false teachers who do not care to instruct men but abuse their confidence for their own gain” “nor covetous”, which refers to “not ones eager to have more, especially what belongs to others who are greedy of gain” “nor drunkards” which is the Greek word “methysos” and means “not intoxicated people” “nor revilers” or “not abusive railers”. Paul included “embezzlers” and “greedy, intoxicated and railing” people in his list.

The verse goes on to say, “... nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul continued with the words, “nor extortioners” which means “not rapacious, ravenous or robbers”, “shall inherit” or “will not receive a lot, be an heir, become partaker of and obtain”“the kingdom” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion, rule and authority” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul concluded that “robbers” along with those in who are “ embezzlers” and “greedy, intoxicated and railing” will not gain “be partakers and obtain” God's kingdom.

When we consider these words from Paul, we note the warning he gives to “wicked” acting people. Though his list of “sins” is horrible, they are not unredeemable because Jesus Christ came to die for all “sin” against God. Those who continue in “theft, greed, intoxication, railing and robbing” may be assured, they shall never “inherit” God's kingdom, and the wisest choice is to turn to Jesus Christ, repent of those evil ways, and yield themselves to His Lordship. Those who do shall be saved, and those who do not, shall never know the “inheritance of the kingdom of God”.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “such were some of you: but you are washed” and “sanctified”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Unrighteous Shall Not Inherit God's Kingdom 1 Corinthians 6:9

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another”, and he asked, “Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?” He declared, “no, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren”, and in chapter six and verse nine of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth if they knew, “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” where we read:

Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

The verse begins, “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” Paul began with the words, “Know you not” which means “do the church members not perceive, notice, discern, discover and observe” “that the unrighteous” which refers to “that those who are sinful and deceitfully violate or has violated justice” “shall not inherit” which means “will not receive a lot, be an heir, become partaker of and obtain” “the kingdom” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion, rule and authority” “of God” which refers to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul is very clear when he states that people who are sinful and violate justice” will not be “heirs” of God's “kingdom”.

The verse continues, “... Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,...” Paul added the words, “be not deceived” which is the Greek phrase “planaō mē planaō” and means “to not be caused to stray, led astray or lead aside from the right way; to be lead away from the truth, lead into error and sever from the truth”: “neither fornicators” which refers to “not ones who prostitute their bodies to another's lust for hire or indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse”, “nor idolaters” or “not worshipers of false gods”, “nor adulterers” which means “not faithful toward God or ungodly”, “nor effeminate”which literally means “soft or soft to the touch” and metaphorically means “a catamite, a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man or a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness”, “nor abusers of themselves with mankind” which is all one Greek word “arsenokoitēs” which means “one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite or homosexual”. Paul did not want the church members in Corinth to be “led astray from the right way and truth” because “fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate and abusers of themselves with mankind” shall not “inherit the kingdom of God”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see his warning for the church members not to “be deceived” which means there is a possibility to be so. Rather than compromise God's truth, Paul was straightforward in his words. “Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate and abusers of themselves with mankind” will not inherit God's kingdom. Jesus Christ came to save people from their “sins”, and none of these listed by Paul are unredeemable. Jesus said, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” and He added “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:17,19-20) Perhaps there were people within the Corinthian church who used to be involved in these sins who continued to be tempted in these areas. Whichever the case, the fact that God gives them warning through Paul's word demonstrates God's desire for everyone to turn from their “wicked ways” and “inherit” His “kingdom”.

Next time Paul adds to his list of those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” which includes, “thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.