Devotion in I Corinthians 10

Daily Nugget:

The compiled Word of God, the Bible, has many purposes. It tells man the mind of God, what He likes and disapproves of, how to live, how to die, how to be successful, why one fails, and many other important life lessons.

There is another purpose for having God’s preserved Word. That reason is so man can learn from examples of those in the past. A wise man should not want to repeat the errors of others. Reading and learning from others' mistakes is one reason God allows us to have His preserved Book.
“Now these things were our examples…” I Corinthians 10:6
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition…” I Corinthians 10:11

Although the vehicle of temptation, sin and trials, has changed appearance and may not look like it did 6,000 years ago, they are very similar. A man may no longer be tempted to have a chariot like his Roman neighbors, but today he may lust after a car just like his peers. Seldom does a man lust after watching a woman bath on a rooftop, as did King David, but lust still rages through internet pictures. A person may not spend his time worshiping a silver idol, but many still put more value on material things than the things of God. Fewer gossip at the city market, as in the past, but many talk about others on the phone or e-mail.

Mankind has changed little. Because he is basically the same, we can learn about how problems were dealt with in the past, their consequences, and how people got through the hardships they faced. Hopefully, many will avoid making the same mistakes that were preserved for us in God’s Word (KJV).

A wise man learns from other’s mistakes. He also follows advice and wisdom that had worked in the past. The Bible contains much of man’s wisdom and, most importantly, God’s advice on how to get through life.

God made an extra effort to make sure we have every word He wants us to have. We now can have a more successful life by heeding His advice. Are you a wise person? Are you reading and following God’s example book?

Today’s Thought: 
“Wisdom is applied knowledge.”

Words to Understand:
Admonition: advice
Communion: fellowship that reminds of past actions
Expedient: convenient; helpful
Murmur: complain

Today’s Reading:
I Corinthians 10
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 ¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 ¶ I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.