Monthly Archives: July 2025

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDER IN WORSHIP

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August 5

1 CORINTHIANS 14

26 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. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. – 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

1 CORINTHIANS 14 ORDER IN WORSHIP

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you come to church to gather for worship

Remember that all you do must be to praise Christ

Apply your gifts in an orderly manner so you avoid chaos

Love and respect each other in order to build up the church

Since God is a God of order, let us worship him as he deserves

Worship him in spirit and in truth and don’t let your flesh creep in.

Paul paints a picture of God in this letter. He wants the Corinthian church to know that when they come together in the service, they must have one purpose: that is to glorify and praise the Almighty God. I love how detailed Paul was in pointing out how to apply their spiritual gifts in order that there will be no chaos or confusion happening in the church.

God is a God of order and peace while Satan is a god of confusion and chaos. When there is disorder, confusion can easily set in and steal our main goal of worshiping God. We become led to cater to our flesh which is self-focused and not God-centered. This is the main sign that a church of God is truly worshiping him in truth and Spirit. There is order and peace; there are no performance-based acts. There is no focus on the self to increase but it is to raise and elevate God above all things.

REFLECTION

  • Share some worship services you’ve witnessed that have order and disorder.

1 CORINTHIANS 14 INFANTS IN EVIL AND MATURE IN THINKING

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August 4

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

                                                                      -1 CORINTHIANS 14:20-25

1 CORINTHIANS 14 INFANTS IN EVIL AND MATURE IN THINKING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As we walk in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ

We need to be infants in evil and adults in our mind

Our life as believers need to be a constant aim to grow

It cannot be a desire to be comfortable and to resist change

We ought to let go of childish ways and embrace change

God’s Spirit transforms us so that we can focus on worshipping God.

Paul drives a very important aspect of how Christians need to live their lives for the Lord.

It is quite interesting how he tells them that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers and prophecy is a sign for believers. What does this mean? In verses 23-25, he gives an example how this applies. I am particularly humored by verse 23 because when I was a newly born-again Christian, I went to a church where many Christians were uttering different gibberish sounds and doing all sorts of worship like dancing, laughing and drawing and painting. I was confused and didn’t know where to look but I was made to think that it was spiritual and so I just went with the flow. I never went back to that church. I only went there once. Years later, as I grew in my study of God’s word. I knew it wasn’t right to have all those performance-based worship. The Holy Spirit whispered to me at that time I was experiencing it that it wasn’t true worship. Paul explains it very well in this letter how those Corinthians misuse these gifts of the Spirit.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights about how Christians should worship the Lord our God.

1 CORINTHIANS 14 UNITY OF MIND AND SPIRIT

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August 3

1 CORINTHIANS 14

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsidersay “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 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 14:13-19

1 CORINTHIANS 14 UNITY OF MIND AND SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Since our Lord wants us to worship him in truth and Spirit

We need to align our minds and spirits as well to praise Him

When our minds are not in sync with our spirit, we develop confusion

That conflict inside us creates much chaos and division

If you line up your mind to the truth, you will have order

You’ll begin to see lies and then discern right from wrong.

In this letter, Paul brings about a very essential ingredient in a believer. Unity of mind and spirit is crucial to live a peaceful, productive and joyful life. Paul gives the example of the use of the gifts of tongue and interpretation. He says that if you can speak a language that you cannot explain or interpret, what good would that be for the hearers of your speaking in tongues? So, he encourages them to pray for the gift of interpretation or understanding of a certain declaration that they utter in another language. Just like when you are in a foreign place and you do not know the language of that nation, you would need an interpreter of that language in order for you to understand what they are saying. That would be the only time communication can happen. The same way when we have the gift of speaking in another language, we also need to pray for the ability to interpret what we just spoke about. Otherwise, it is of no use for building up the members of the church when we just utter something they don’t understand.

REFLECTION

  • What are some of the effects of disunity with the mind and the spirit?

1 CORINTHIANS 14 THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

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August 2

1 CORINTHIANS 14

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. – 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

1 CORINTHIANS 14 THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you have received the gift of speaking in tongues

You are able to utter another language you’ve never known

The Holy Spirit equips you to speak them so truth can be revealed

It doesn’t focus on your abilities but it aims to have the body edified

It makes one discern what is true and declare such to others

This gift is given to reveal truth, correct or encourage the believers.

According to bibleref.com “Paul never dismisses or discounts the gift of speaking in tongues, but his instructions seem to indicate that the gift was being misused in the Corinthian church services. Apparently, tongues were being used mostly for praying aloud to God in unknown languages. Paul agrees that this may be encouraging to the one who prays, but it is useless in the church service. If nobody can understand what is being said, the church is not being built up (1 Corinthians 14:1–17).”

Paul corrects the Corinthian believer not to misuse the gift of speaking in tongues. I think that all believers should take this reproof very seriously because one can easily edify oneself instead of the body of Christ. It could easily be turned into a self-focused ability or a performance-based act. This isn’t what spiritual gifts are supposed to be. It must not bring up the “self.” It needs to bring God all the praise and glory.

REFLECTION

  • What are some ways that some churches have misused the gift of tongues?

1 CORINTHIANS 14 PURSUE LOVE & DESIRE PROPHETIC GIFT

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August 1

1 CORINTHIANS 14

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. – 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

1 CORINTHIANS 14 PURSUE LOVE & DESIRE PROPHETIC GIFT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you grow in your love for the Lord

Make a conscious effort to resist the world

Seek and chase unconditional love for others

Desire to prophesy so you can build one another

Do not be tempted to edify your own self

It defies the purpose of the gifts you received.

A prophecy is a statement which predicts a certain thing or event that is going to occur in the future. To prophesy is to declare or say what one believes is going to happen. In the bible we can reflect on the different prophets who actually prophesied future events which later on came to pass. Some of these prophets who spoke divine messages to a king or the people were Samuel, Nathan, Elijah and Elisha. Later, some prophets wrote God’s messages to his people. They were Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, and Malachi. In 2 Peter 1:21, it says that 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. These prophets spoke beginning their prophecies with “Thus says the Lord” or “This is what the Lord God said.” They never claim that those messages they spoke are from them. Pastors or ministers are now our prophets because they speak the word of truth to the people so that they can understand God’s word and be built up to give glory to God. Any believer can be a prophet if they declare truth to mature others in their faith.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Paul values prophetic gift as the highest spiritual gift?

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS ETERNAL

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July 31

1 CORINTHIANS 13

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS ETERNAL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Like God who is love, love is eternal

All things ends but love prevails

While we are on earth, we will know little

But if we are one with God, all will be revealed

If we walk in love, we will never be misplaced

Hold on to love so you can experience God’s full grace.

In this letter, Paul is giving the Corinthian church a glimpse of heaven as he continues to reassure the believers that the way to eternal life is to walk in love. He wants them to see that only in loving will they fulfill the promise of eternity.

In 1 John 4:7-21, the apostle whom Jesus loved was given the revelation of who God is. Those verses say that we love because God gave us that love through his only begotten Son Jesus. That is the greatest love of all because he sacrificed and gave up his only Son to save mankind from the sinfulness that we all have inherited from Adam and Eve. Because he loved us so much, he was willing to sacrifice his own Son for our sake. These verses further talk not just what love is but who love is. God is love. He is “love” himself. It is not just an attribute or characteristic of his. He is the epitome of love. He is all about love. Since God himself has no beginning or no end, we know that anyone who believes in Christ will be transformed to God’s own likeness. The concept of love is deeper and greater than we all humans can fathom. It has no limits and it has no end just like God.

REFLECTION

·       How does verse 13 reiterate 1 John 4:8 which says anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love?

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL ACTS

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July 30

1 CORINTHIANS 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

1 CORINTHIANS 13 LOVE IS THE ESSENCE OF ALL ACTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If your purpose at doing something is not love

Your work is futile; it has no meaning and won’t last

No matter how much abilities you have or how much knowledge

It won’t make a difference; you won’t be wise to discern things

But if you do things out of love, you will be patient and humble

You will not make a list of wrongs done to you or grumble

There will be no expectations of getting something

It won’t be a contract but it will be unconditional giving to someone.

My 16th anniversary is coming this first of August. This love chapter is the sermon in our wedding. I wasn’t a born again Christian when I got married. I had no idea what this chapter meant until after a few more years of being married. It was one day in February that I placed so much preparation for our love celebration and I wasn’t aware that I had a very transactional concept of love. I was expecting something from my husband that I wasn’t even truly aware of. When he did not meet that standard, I was so angry and grumbly. I was already born again and that day, I was writing a blog on these verses. Then I was rebuked by God’s Spirit to look again and study these love chapters. I then realized that I didn’t know how to love truly. I only know the way the world loves which is transactional. Paul presents the true meaning of love in this chapter as he confronts the carnal ways that the Corinthians view love.

REFLECTION

·       What is the most challenging part of these verses on love for you? Why?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 DESIRE HIGHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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July 29

1 CORINTHIANS 12

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

1 CORINTHIANS 12 DESIRE HIGHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a member of the body of Christ, you are assigned functions

The Holy Spirit decides what kind of gifts you will be given

For some, he gives apostleship, to others, prophetic vision

While others are given the roles of teachers

Others are administrators or miracle workers

So, ask and desire higher spiritual gifts

Your Father will not deprive you of such a wish.

If you have a loving and godly father, you are assured that if you request anything from him that will be for your own good, you will receive such a wish. How much more if it is our heavenly Father. In this letter, Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church the various spiritual gifts that the Spirit bestows on God’s children. He also proposes to them that they should desire the higher gifts.

According to studylight.com, the Corinthians were focused on gifts that aimed to show how good they are rather than usefulness, hence “the gift of prophecy was neglected while languages sounded forth among them with great show, indeed but with little profit.” Paul wasn’t asking them to choose certain roles to play in the body of Christ, but he tells them to focus on those that will edify each member of the body and not bring much attention to themselves. Because we are fallen in our nature, it is easy to choose performance- based gifts that will also bring some form of glory to ourselves instead of bringing all the praise to our Lord.

REFLECTION

·       What do you think are higher spiritual gifts? Why do you think they are higher?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 COMPASSION ON THE WEAKER

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July 28

1 CORINTHIANS 12

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

                                                                   – 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

1 CORINTHIANS 12 COMPASSION ON THE WEAKER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The believer does not look down on anyone weaker

Instead, they show them compassion and honor

Unlike the world system, we don’t look down on them

But we bring justice to those who are vulnerable and weak

We give the weaker parts of the body the respect they deserve

We exude love to those who are weak and unlovable.

Paul presents another conversation between parts of the body. The eye, the hand, the head and the feet were all parts of this conversation. Their topic is about who is weaker and who is stronger. Doesn’t this sound like the world? Instead of having a mindset of being united and loving, we fall into this sinful world view that we need to identify which one is greater than the other. Remember the disciples of Jesus who was with him for three years and yet still have that competitive spirit of trying to know who among them is the greatest? It is this immature perspective that gets us in envy or jealousy and eventually create division among each other.

Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they must not have this kind of thinking. He presents how God wants them to focus on what they can do to honor those who are weak and vulnerable. God gave us the weak so we can show compassion and love, not competition, control and discrimination.

REFLECTION

  • How can we develop a compassionate heart towards the weak and vulnerable?

1 CORINTHIANS 12 MANY PARTS BUT ONE BODY

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July 27

1 CORINTHIANS 12

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

1 CORINTHIANS 12 MANY PARTS BUT ONE BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a member of the body of Christ

Each of the part of his body has a role to play

Although each have different functions to do

They are all aiming to give God splendor.

One of the most controversial topics in the church of Christ is the spiritual gifts. Many different denominations focus on certain gifts they like and bring about divisions among the churches. One church puts more importance on one gift than the other or one believer may rank a certain gift as better than the other. They miss the point of unity in the body of Christ. Our sinful nature will always have standards to follow. It is automatic for humans to compete and compare. We miss out on the purpose of God giving us these gifts when we look at it in a worldly manner. We think that these gifts are for our own edification and not for giving God the praise. We begin to classify certain gifts as better and some other ones as lesser.

Paul presents the division stirred by having a worldly mindset in discerning the spiritual gifts. It veers the believer away from the purpose of the gifts to unify all the parts of the body of Christ. It creates disunion and conflicts among the different parts.

REFLECTION

·       How can we minimize the tendency to highlight differences instead of unity?