Evil Communications Corrupt Good Manners 1 Corinthians 15:33

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth since he, “fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage” was it to him if “the dead rise not?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-three of First Corinthians, Paul declared to the church members in Corinth how, “evil communications corrupt good manners”, where we read:

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

The verse begins, “Be not deceived:” Paul began with the words, “be not” or “do not and lest you be” “deceived” which means “caused to stray, lead from the right way, wander, roam about and be led into error”. Paul warned the Corinthians not to “wander, roam or be led astray”.

The verse goes on to say, “evil communications corrupt good manners.” Paul continued with the word, “evil” which means “bad natured thinking, feeling, acting, wrong, troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive and baneful” “communications” which means “companionships and communions” “corrupt” which means “destroy and defile” “good” or “fit, good for use, virtuous, manageable, pleasant, kind and benevolent” “manners” which means “usages, morals and character”. Paul shared how “bad company” “destroys the character” of the church members.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we understand the “company” we keep is subject to alter our “virtuous ways” if they are prone to “evil”. Too many people have had their “testimony” and “witness” as a Christian “destroyed” because they “hung out” with the wrong people. Jesus Christ desires for His church not only to recognize Him as “Savior”, but also as “Lord” of their lives, and when we obey this, we are to keep ourselves from those who do “evil”. In other words, if we hang around “filth”, we are subject to become “filthy”. Let all who read these words know, understand and obey our Lord in keeping our distance from “evil”.

Next time Paul shares with the church members, “awake to righteousness, and sin not”, 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.

Fought with the Beasts at Ephesus 1 Corinthians 15:32

Paul the apostle continued to tell the church members in Corinth about the “resurrection of Jesus Christ” as he wrote, “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-two of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth what “advantage” he had when he, “fought with beasts at Ephesus”, where we read:

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

The verse begins, “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not?” Paul began with the words, “If” or “whether” “after the manner” which means “down from, through out and according to the ways” “of men” or “of human beings whether male or female” “I have fought with beasts” which means “Paul contended with wild beasts or furious men” “at Ephesus” which means “permitted” and was “a maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and under the Romans, of proconsular Asia which was situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus”, “what advantages it me” or “what profit or accumulated benefit or gain was it to Paul”, “if the dead” which refers to “forasmuch as or whether that those who are have breathed their last, are lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life and inanimate” “rise not” or “are not aroused, made to appear, raised or stirred up”? Paul rhetorically asked what “benefit” or “gain” it was to him when he “contended” with furious people in Ephesus if there was no “resurrection”.

The verse goes on to say, “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.” Paul added the words, “let us eat” which means “let Paul and the church members consume meat or food” “and drink” which means “and imbibe”; “for to morrow” which means “because the next day or soon” “we die” or “Paul and the church members shall be as those who are have breathed their last, are lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life and inanimate” as well. If there is not a “raising of the dead”, then Paul and the church members might as well “eat and drink” to their heart's content, because there is no hope but to “die”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how gives further argument to the “resurrection”. His contention with the people of Ephesus would have been useless and without meaning if there is no “resurrection” (See Acts 19), and furthermore, he and the church members should just “enjoy” “meat and drink” because they were to “die” soon. Jesus Christ wants us to know about the “resurrection” that is waiting for those who believe and trust in Him. Though “death” is certain for all, those who give their lives to Jesus Christ shall be “resurrected” is as well. The idea of the “resurrection” is worth contending with “beasts”.

Next time Paul shares with the church members how, “evil communications corrupt good manners”, 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.

I Die Daily 1 Corinthians 15:31

As Paul the apostle continued to share concerning the “resurrection” of Jesus Christ, he asked the church members in Corinth, “why stand we in jeopardy every hour”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-one of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth, “I die daily”, where we read:

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

The verse begins, “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord,...” Paul began with the words, “I protest by” or “Paul used the affirmations of oaths, attestations and affirmations through” “your rejoicing” which means “the church members' act of glorying and boasting” “which I have” or “that Paul held, owned and possessed” “in Christ” or “within the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of Mankind and God incarnate” “our Lord” which refers to “Paul and the church members' person to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul “affirmed and attested to” the relationship the church members had with Christ Jesus which caused them to “glory and boast”.

The verse continues, “...I die daily.” Paul added the word, “I” which refers to “Paul himself” “die” which means “perished by means of something” “daily” which means “each and every day”. Every day Paul considered himself as “dead” for the benefit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how passionate he was concerning the “resurrection of Jesus Christ”. He “affirmed” his “rejoicing” in Jesus, and knew this would cause him to “die” every day for the purpose of sharing the “good news” of Jesus Christ. Let us emulate and act upon these principles demonstrated by Paul and yield our lives to Jesus Christ as we “die daily” before our “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Paul shares with the church members about fighting, “with beasts at Ephesus”, 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.

In Jeopardy Every Hour 1 Corinthians 15:30

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty of First Corinthians, Paul questioned the church members as to, “why stand we in jeopardy every hour” where we read:

And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

The verse begins, “And why stand we in jeopardy...” Paul began with the words, “and why” or “and for which and what reason” “stand we” which means “position Paul and his companions” “in jeopardy” or “to be in danger and peril”. Paul questioned “why” he and his companions would put themselves in “danger and peril” for the message of the “resurrection” of Jesus Christ if it were not true.

The verse goes on to say, “...every hour”. Paul continued with the word, “every” which means “each, all, the whole and everyone” “hour” which refers to “a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year”. The frequency of Paul and his companions' “danger and peril” was as consistent as “every” passion “hour” of the day.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how he was willing to commit himself and his companions to “peril and danger” because Jesus “rose from the dead”. “Salvation” from sin and death are made possible by Jesus dying on the cross and being “raised” from the dead, and those who believe and trust in Him shall enjoy “eternal life”. This message of the gospel is worthy of “jeopardy”, and Paul and his companions fulfilled their “stand” in these things because they are true. Let everyone who reads these words know the value of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and yield and submit their lives to Him.

Next time Paul shares with the church members, “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Jesus”, and “I die daily”, 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.

Baptized for the Dead 1 Corinthians 15:29

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-nine of First Corinthians, Paul asked the Corinthian church members,“what shall they do which are baptized for the dead”, where we read:

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead,

if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

The verse begins, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, ...” Paul began with the words, “Else” or “when, since, after, of cause, since, seeing that and because” “what shall they do” which means “what shall they make, produce, construct, form or fashion” “which are baptized” or “that are immersed or submerged” “for the dead” or “on behalf and for the sake of those who have breathed their last, were lifeless, deceased, destitute of life and inanimate”. Paul questioned why the people would practice “baptism” for people who “died” since Jesus shall subdue “all things”, make Himself “subject” to God the Father so “God may be all in all”.

The verse continues, “...if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Paul added the words, “if the dead” which means “whether those who have breathed their last, were lifeless, deceased, destitute of life and inanimate” “rise not” which means “do not arouse from the sleep of death or to recall the dead to life” “at all” which means “wholly or altogether”? There would be no reason to “baptize” people who had “died” if there was no resurrection.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how he reasoned the uselessness of “baptism” for people who had “died” if there was no “resurrection”. There would be no point, for those people would be beyond the benefits of “baptism”. Jesus Christ desires to reach all people with the gospel while they are living, and when they receive Him as “Savior and Lord”, they are promised “eternal life”. Those who “die” while having “faith” in Jesus Christ are promised to be “raised from the dead”, and those who are reading these words should consider the great promise of the “resurrection”.

Next time Paul asks the church members why he is, “in jeopardy every hour”, 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 Gumball

There stood the little girl at bay

her eyes were shining bright

before the grand gumball machine

one filled with neon lights

Twas soon she'd have within her mouth

the tasty sweetened treat

perhaps an orange, a red or blue

a yellow even green

Put from her hand the quarter first

machine began to sound

the twirling twisting music played

and parts did move around

But alas when time to fall

the gumball did not come

When reached her hand to take the treat

alas there was no gum

So try again put quarter in

and thus with same result

no gumball from machine did drop

which squelched her grand exult

And one by one her quarters spent

each with the likened fate

Till at last she gave up hope

her quarters would not waste

And walked away from broke machine

the girl filled with disgust

no quarters would she waste n'er more

on this false promise thrust

And children to their parents' praise

place quarters verbiage lined

desire for the gumball treat

they notice by design

And yield their quarters one by one

with no gumball in site

till at last they walk away

disgusted from false light

And disappointment one by one

their quarters often failed

'pon broken candy gumball treats

put forth to no avail

And vow themselves to never be

of this false promise thrust

no quarters would they waste n'er more

on broken gumball trust

God May Be All in All 1 Corinthians 15:28

Paul the apostle referred to the time when Jesus, “has put all things under his feet”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-eight of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth how “all things shall be subdued unto him” so, “God may be all in all”, where we read:

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

The verse begins, “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, ...” Paul began with the words, “and when” or “and at such time, as long as and as soon as” “all things” which means “each, every, the whole and every thing” “shall be subdued” or “placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject” “unto him” which means “under Jesus”. Paul referred to the time when “everything” shall be “arranged under and subordinated” to Jesus.

The verse continues, “then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, ...” Paul added the word, “then” which means “therefore, accordingly and consequently” “shall the Son” which refers to “will Jesus” “also himself” which means “even and indeed his own self” “be subject” or “placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject” “unto him” which refers to “under Jesus” “that put all things” or “who placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject each, every, the whole and every thing” “under him” which refers to “beneath and below Jesus”. At the time “everything” is “subject” to Jesus, Jesus shall be “subordinate” to God the Father as well.

Finally the verse says, “ that God may be all in all.” Paul ended this verse by declaring, “that God” which refers to “so the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “may be all” or “should be each, every, the whole and everything” “in all” which means “within each, every, the whole and everything”. When Jesus has “everything” subject to Him, and He unto the Father, God shall have been completed and perfectly “whole” in His mission.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see the order of subjective things to come. First, “all things” shall be “subordinated” to Jesus. Second, Jesus shall be “subject” unto the Father, and finally, “God's” plan and mission of the salvation of people shall be complete. Jesus Christ shall rule and reign, and everyone shall be “beneath” Him. As the scriptures say in the book of Philippians chapter two and verses ten and eleven, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” When this occurs, God shall be “all in all”, and eternity shall be spent with Him by those who put their “faith and trust” in Him as “Savior and Lord” in this life. May all who read these words know, understand and yield to God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul asks the church members, “what shall they do which are baptized for the dead?”, 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.

All Things Under Jesus' Feet 1 Corinthians 15:27

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-seven of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members how Jesus shall have, “all things under his feet”, where we read:

For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

The verse begins, “For he has put all things under his feet.” Paul began with the word, “for” or “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “he has put” which means “Jesus has placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject” “all things” or “each, every, the whole and every thing” “under his feet” or “beneath and below Jesus' footstool”. Jesus, by conquering death and being resurrected from the dead, has “subdued” everything else that exists.

The verse continues, “But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.” 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 “when he says” which means “at the time Jesus utters, declares and proclaims” “all things” which means “each, every, the whole and every thing” “are put” or “are placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject” “under him” which refers to “beneath and below Jesus' footstool”, “it is manifest” or “it is clear, evident and manifest” “that he is excepted” which means “Jesus is outside, beyond and besides”, “which did put” or “that placed, arranged under, subordinated and made subject” “all things” which refers to “each, every, the whole and every thing” “under him” which means “beneath and below Jesus”. When Jesus declares that “everything” is “subordinated” to Him, it shall be “clear and evident” that He is “beyond and beside” the normal person who has lived.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how Jesus not only conquered “death” and the “grave”, but He also shall “subdue” every other “thing” that is in life. When He does this, it shall be “evident” that He rules and reigns over all the earth, and no one is or ever shall be above Him. This same Jesus desires to be “Savior and Lord” of our lives, and when we submit ourselves to Him, we have aligned with the one to whom “all things” shall be made subject, including ourselves.

Next time Paul tells the church members what will happen, “when all things shall be subdued unto him”, 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.

Death, The Last Enemy 1 Corinthians 15:26

Paul the apostle shared with the church members in Corinth concerning “death” and “resurrection” and how, “every man” goes through this “in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming” because “he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet”. In chapter fifteen and verse twenty-six of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members in Corinth how “death” is “the last enemy that shall be destroyed”, where we read:

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The verse begins, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed ...” Paul began with the words, “the last” or “the extreme, uttermost and lowest grade of worth” “enemy” which means “hated, odious, opposing, hostile and adversarial foe” “that shall be destroyed” or “rendered idle, unemployed, inactive, inoperative and deprived of force, influence and power”. Paul declared that God's “final foe” would be “rendered idle and deprived of force”.

The verse goes on to say, “is death.” Paul added the words, “is death” which means “the separation, whether natural or violent, of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Paul declared “death” to be the “final foe” which is opposed to God as “unemployed and inactive”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how he relates this defeat of God's greatest enemy to the resurrection. Because Jesus defeated “death” by rising from the grave, He dominated “death's” power and rendered it “inoperative and idle”. Now, because “death” is defeated, those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” shall enjoy the “victory” Jesus holds as He offers and promises them “eternal life”. May all glory be given to Jesus Christ who has “destroyed” the “last enemy” that shall ever come against us in this life.

Next time Paul shares with the church members, “for he has put all things under his feet”, 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.