1 Corinthians – Chapter 14

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 – Once again we see Paul in this chapter speaking of the gifts of the Spirit. Now a fuller discussion on those would be good, but we don’t have space for that in these short devotions. Here though Paul is speaking of the gifts great value in the church and how helpful they can be to building up the church. At the same time, if used improperly, we see Paul warning the church of the damage they could bring. If the individuals within the church are striving to have and express these gifts for their own personal glory, instead of strengthening the body and uplifting the church, we can see the church dividing and being damaged. Paul’s wisdom then? Strive to be used by the Lord in these ways, and when the Lord chooses to you use in this ways, be about building up the church. As we serve our own local church bodies, let’s take Paul’s words close to heart. Whatever gifting the Spirit has given you, there is a choice on how you can use it. You could use it to glorify yourself, building your brand and leaving the body behind you. Or you could use your gifting for the building up of the church. No, you may not get the fame, the glory, the worldly praise, or the following, but the church will be healthier and stronger because you chose to leverage your life for the work of the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3121

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (v.26) What’s at the heart of why you serve? Sometimes I see the superficial reason of why someone is serving is to worship God with that service, but the worship aspect isn’t at the heart of why they are doing what they are doing. The heart of their service is to give them an opportunity to be in the spotlight. The theme of their service is “Look at me.” Folks, if that is the heart and purpose of why we serve, it would be better for all of us to just sit in the pew doing nothing. God opens up for us the reason why we serve…to build the church up. We serve because we have seen the amazingness of Jesus and want others to experience it as well. So if I have talents, gifts, time, and/or resources that could help someone draw closer to Jesus, I will use them for just that. When that’s the heart of why we serve, God will honor that and use that. Yet, if we find ourselves serving only to catch the eyes of those watching, we’re missing the bigger picture. I encourage everyone to step out and serve in one way at your church home, and if you are already serving, I pray that your heartbeat for why you serve is to build the church not to build your spotlight. – Daily DEVO 19

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Corinthians 14:26 – For building up. Our reason for gathering together is to build up each other in the Lord. Not to gripe about each other or even just coming together yet trying to avoid any personal interaction with each other. I shared in my sermon Sunday how we are placed in the areas of our life for a deeper reason than we first see. We are there to love the people there. What an amazing way to love them by having a mindset of when I come together with someone I’m going to build them up somehow. Use the gifts God has given you to bring glory to Him and love to others. What you’ll be amazed to see is when you are building up all those around you how many will come around to build you up as well. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 716

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 – Building up of the church is of the highest priority to God. Everything about this chapter comes back to that point. If you speak in tongues, seek to have an interpreter so it can build up the church. If you speak prophecy it’s to build up the church. Whichever gift you use it’s purpose is to build up the church. God’s heart is all about using whatever He can to build His church…can that be said of us? God is using the gambit of His resources to invest in the growth of His church, we should be as well. Each talent, each blessing, and each gifting of our’s should be for the purpose of building the church. Building the joy up in the church, building the strength of the unity in the church, and building up of the good witness to those outside of the church. What is then even one thing you can do today to begin working alongside God in building up of His church? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1781