No Posts

I have posted nothing for several days because I have Covid.

Please bear with me.  I plan to return to my usual posts when I am well.

Thank you for understanding.

God bless you.

Slipping Away

Slipping Away

Between February 7 and April 7, five people who I have known, who have played one or another significant roles in my life have slipped into Eternity.

It is with a heart heavy with the sense of the brevity of life that I implore you to receive JESUS CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR and LORD.

The BIBLE is emphatic --"No one knows the day or the hour" that each of us will breathe our last but the HOLY BOOK is also quite definitive -- "It is appointed to man once to die."

Though we don't know the time of that appointment, each of us will most assuredly keep it.

Please don't put off your commitment to JESUS to a "more convenient time." Do not presume that you have much time before you to live life to the hilt without regard to GOD and HIS law before you must ponder the reality of Eternity.

I remember reading of a notorious serial killer who had given his heart to JESUS just days prior to his execution. I remember thinking how unfair it was that none of his victims had the opportunity to make that choice before he murdered them. I remember thinking that the justice of that had to be left with GOD because I certainly couldn't make sense of it.

But the WORD is true, for it is established on HE WHO IS TRUTH: if a man lays his life at the feet of JESUS, confesses his sins and receives HIS saving grace, his sins will be washed away and he will be fit for Heaven.

It would be a shame if that vile monster were there and you weren't.

Give your life to JESUS today. Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Genesis 14:20

 "Blessed be GOD MOST HIGH who has helped you conquer your enemies." Genesis 14:20

Thoughts on Today's Verse

 "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse by Phil Ware

What saves us?

What God did for us in Jesus!

Let's make a commitment to let nothing make us relinquish our trust and dependency upon that hope, that Gospel by which we are saved. There is no other name, no other Gospel, no other message that can give us salvation. (see Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:3-9; Colossians 2:6-16)

We don't need to add anything else to it. We must never let anyone take anything away from it. Let's hold firmly to this faith, this trust, in God's grace given to us in Jesus!

My Prayer...

Father, I trust in no other God but you. I trust in no other Gospel but the truth of your love and grace in Jesus. As the old hymn so beautifully puts it, I ask dear Father that I may "never, ever, outlive my love for Thee." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I Corinthians Chapter Fourteen

I Corinthians Chapter Fourteen

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

'Lost Golden City of Luxor

 'Lost golden city of Luxor' discovered by archaeologists in Egypt

Erin Blakemore

A herd of sheep standing on top of a sandy beach: Mudbrick walls preserved to unusual height and wavy “zig-zag” walls- “The second area which is still partly uncovered, is the administrative and residential district, with larger and well-arranged units. This area is fenced in by a zigzag wall, with only one access point leading to internal corridors and residential areas. The single entrance makes us think it was some sort of security, with the ability to control entry and exit to enclosed areas.”

Three thousand four hundred years ago, a contentious ancient Egyptian king abandoned his name, his religion, and his capital in Thebes (modern Luxor). Archaeologists know what happened next: The pharaoh Akhenaten built the short-lived city of Akhetaten, where he ruled alongside his wife, Nefertiti and worshipped the sun. After his death, his young son Tutankhamun became ruler of Egypt—and turned his back on his father’s controversial legacy.

But why did Akhenaten abandon Thebes, which had been the capital of ancient Egypt for more than 150 years? Answers may lie in the discovery of an industrial royal metropolis within Thebes that Akhenaten inherited from his father, Amenhotep III. The find, which has been dubbed the “lost golden city of Luxor" in an announcement released today, will generate as much enthusiasm, speculation, and controversy as the renegade pharaoh who left it.

Because the city was initially discovered just in September of last year, archaeologists have only scratched the surface of the sprawling site, and understanding where this discovery ranks in Egyptological importance is hard to say at this time. The level of preservation found so far, however, has impressed researchers.

“There’s no doubt about it; it really is a phenomenal find,” says Salima Ikram, an archaeologist who leads the American University in Cairo’s Egyptology unit. “It’s very much a snapshot in time—an Egyptian version of Pompeii.”

The site dates from the era of 18th-dynasty pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled between around 1386 and 1353 B.C. and presided over an era of extraordinary wealth, power and luxury. In Amenhotep III’s final years, he is thought to have briefly reigned alongside his son, Akhenaten.

But a few years after his father’s death, Akhenaten, who ruled from around 1353–1336, broke with everything the late ruler stood for. During his 17-year reign, he upended Egyptian culture, abandoning all of the traditional Egyptian pantheon but one, the sun god Aten. He even changed his name from Amenhotep IV to Akhenaten, which means “devoted to Aten.”

The heretic pharaoh didn’t stop there. Akhenaten moved his royal seat from Thebes north to a completely new city he called Akhetaten (modern site name: Amarna) and oversaw an artistic revolution that briefly transformed Egyptian art from stiff and uniform to animated and detailed. But after his death, most traces of the ruler were obliterated.

Starting with his son, the boy king Tutankhamun, Akhenaten's capital, his art, his religion, and even his name was dismissed and systematically wiped from history. Only the rediscovery of Amarna in the 18th century revived the legacy of the renegade leader, which has fueled archaeological speculation for hundreds of years.

Why and how did the pharaoh’s controversial transformation take place, and what was everyday life like under the great Amenhotep III? The newly found city could provide clues. The excavation site straddles old and new in an area renowned for its archaeological riches. To the north is Amenhotep III’s 14th-century B.C. mortuary temple, and to the south is Medinet Habu, a mortuary temple built almost two centuries later for Ramses III.

Archaeologists had hoped the space between might be the site of the mortuary structure where Tutankhamun’s subjects would have placed the food and funerary items they offered him when he died around 1325 B.C. Instead, they uncovered something very different: zigzagging mudbrick walls up to nine feet high and piles of ancient artifacts from the era of Amenhotep III.

Structures are packed with everyday items, many of which relate to the artistic and industrial production that supported the pharaoh’s capital city. There are homes where workers might have lived, a bakery and kitchen, items related to metal and glass production, buildings that appear related to administration, and even a cemetery filled with rock-cut tombs.

Though the size of the city has yet to be determined, its date is clear thanks to hieroglyphics on a variety of items. A vessel containing two gallons of boiled meat was inscribed with the year 37—the time of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten’s speculated father-son reign. Scarabs, bricks, vessels, and more bear Amenhotep III’s royal seal.

The buildings also bear his soon-to-be heretic son’s name, says Betsy Bryan, a professor of Egyptian art and archaeology at Johns Hopkins University. Bryan, who was not involved in the dig, visited on a day when archaeologists found a small clay ceiling stamped with hieroglyphs that said ‘The aten is found living on truth.’ "That’s an epithet of Akhenaten,” Bryan notes. Despite references to the younger king, though, she says the city is part of his father’s palace complex to the north, which was named Nebmaatre or “the Dazzling Aten.”

Once Akhenaten came into power and changed course, he left his father’s city, and seemingly everything it contained, behind.

That loss is modern archaeology’s gain. “It’s extraordinarily beautiful,” says Ikram. She recalls walking through the preserved streets, surrounded by tall walls where, she says, she expected an ancient Egyptian to come around the corner at any moment. “I don’t think you can oversell it,” she says. “It is mind-blowing.”

The city appears to have been reused by Tutankhamun, who ditched Akhetaten during his reign but established a new capital at Memphis. Ay, who later inherited the throne when he married Tut’s widow, seems to have used it, too. Four distinct settlement layers at the site show eras of use all the way into the Coptic Byzantine era of the third through seventh centuries A.D.

Then, it was left to the sands until its recent discovery.

But why was it abandoned during the brief reign of Akhenaten? “I don’t know that we’ll get closer to answering that question through this particular city,” says Bryan. “What we will get is more and more information about Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, and their families. It’s early days, but I think we’ll see more and more connections.”

Though the newly discovered city may not give up clues to the mystery of the rebel pharaoh, it will paint an even more vivid picture of the life he left behind.

Thoughts on Titus 2:11-15

Thoughts on Titus 2:11-15 by John W. Ritenbaugh

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (15) Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."

Paul sometimes uses "grace" as a broad catch-all term to declare the way God acts toward His converted but still occasionally sinful children. In every case, whether referring to a singular gift or a continuing package of gifts that result in salvation, grace must always be perceived as unearned. Here, "grace" is used as a kind of shorthand for the entire ministry of Jesus Christ through which we are given salvation.

Notice that Paul exclaims, "Grace has appeared," just as the manna, cloud, and fire appeared to illustrate God's faithful presence to the Israelites through the entirety of their pilgrimage. Thus God is shown freely providing them with guidance, daily sustenance, and security. Recall that in John 14:18 that Jesus says in relation to giving the Spirit of truth, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." Paul is implying in Titus 2 that Jesus is following the pattern that He established with Israel for the church's benefit.

Paul also describes Christ as the personification of grace, salvation, redemption, teaching, hope, and the instruction and inspiration to live godly lives of overcoming and good works. All of these are shown as aspects of one huge gift that is continuously flowing in our lives.

Even as Paul describes Jesus as the personification of grace, he also uses Him as a synonym for grace and all of its powers and benefits, as Christ exemplified all aspects of grace rolled up in one package. In this way, we can more easily identify and understand it and its meaning to us. Notice further what Jesus—grace—is doing: It is teaching us. Teaching represents the empowerment of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, inspiration, and discernment regarding our responsibilities. It also helps us to identify the subtleties of Satan's devious, anti-God systems.

We should not make the mistake of thinking of grace as an entity; it is not a "thing" God dispenses. "Grace" is a term that represents the freeness of God's personal, patient, and concerned generosity—His blessings and saving acts that are continuously flowing on our behalf to assist us along the way.

God's saving work in us is not merely an extending of life to everlasting life. It is a creative labor on His part, forming us into the image of Jesus Christ, that requires our freely given cooperation for it to succeed. One of our major ways in fulfilling this responsibility by faith is to think about Him consistently, seeking for and acknowledging His benefits, and then returning thanks and praise to Him for His forgiving, patient generosity.

Be a Promise Person

 Be a Promise Person by Rick Warren

“The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Psalm 118:6

God is calling you—as his child—to be a promise person.

What’s a promise person? It’s simply someone who chooses to focus on God and his promises.

If you try to do anything of value in life, naysayers eventually will come your way. They might ridicule you, spread rumors about you, or even threaten you.

But don’t focus on the naysayers or even on your problems. Focus on God and his promises. Become a promise person.

The Bible tells us how Jesus responded to criticism: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).

When a naysayer comes your way, don’t head to a friend to gossip. Instead, entrust yourself to God and his promises. Pray, “Lord, I know you love me. I know you have a plan for my life. I’m going to trust you.”

King David said it like this: “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Psalm 118:6 NLT).

People can dislike you—but it won’t harm you. You don’t need anyone else’s approval to be happy. You will be as happy as you choose to be. You don’t need approval from a parent, sibling, or friend. The Lord is for you. And his is the only opinion that matters.

In Psalm 119:11, David writes, “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart” (The Message).

That’s what you need to do. Stop storing up in your mind all the negativity that comes your way. Instead, become a promise person. Bank on the promises of God. And trust he will do exactly what he says he will do.

Archaeology and Jesus

Archaeology and Jesus by Dr. D. James Kennedy

He answered them, “I tell you, if these should be silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40

Some critics falsely state that there is no archaeological evidence related to Jesus. That is wrong on many fronts. Included among recent archaeological finds is a large stone that was part of a building built by Pontius Pilate in honor of Tiberius Caesar, and on that stone is inscribed, “Pontius Pilatus, Procurator of Judea.” I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, and I’ve read it.

In 1990, an ossuary (a first century bone box) was discovered, containing the bones of one Joseph, the son of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was a surname, and Joseph Caiaphas was the high priest who concocted the whole scheme to crucify Jesus after the priests were upset over Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. They didn’t know what to do.

It was cunning Caiaphas who said, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, that the whole nation should not perish” (John 11:49-50).

It was expedient, he said, that Jesus should die—the death of expediency. It was Caiaphas who examined Him there in the Sanhedrin. It was Caiaphas who led the mob over to Pilate’s palace. It was Caiaphas who turned Jesus over to Pilate and demanded His crucifixion.

So there you have archeological evidence for Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews, who condemned Jesus, and for Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea, who unwillingly and reluctantly was finally forced to cave in and deliver Jesus up for crucifixion.

As has been said, the very stones cry out to the truth of Christ.

Genesis 14:20

 "Blessed be GOD most HIGH." Genesis 14:20

First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen

 First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen

* Charity

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

* Charity = Love

Trade Deficit Widened

Trade Deficit Widened to Record $71.1 Billion in Biden’s First Full Month - Brietbart

Economists had forecast a trade gap of $70.4 billion. The January gap was revised down from $68.2 billion to $67.8 billion. Both imports and exports fell in the month but the pace of the decline of exports was much swifter, enlarging the deficit. Imports fell seven-tenths of a percentage point but remain near record highs. Exports fell 2.6 percent.

The trade in goods deficit rose by $2.8 billion to $88 billion. The services surplus shrank $500,000 million to $16.9 billion.

U.S. exports have been hurt by the return off lockdowns and slumping economies across the globe, particularly in Europe. American spending has been bolstered by the strength of the U.S. economy, enhanced unemployment benefits, and stimulus payments—and a large portion of that spending is leaking out to foreign producers through imports.

This is an absolute disaster and tragedy to put this sort of debt on the future generations of America’s children. We pray for improved leadership to come quickly! We pray God will raise up new and fresh leaders as He has never have before and give them the supernatural strength to make it into these positions where they can effect needed change from the careless ineptitude that is currently destroying our economy.

May God send revival to our land.

May God bless the United States of America.

Thoughts on Today's Verse

 "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand." 1 Corinthians 15:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse by Phil Ware

Our hope, our salvation, and our foundation for faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is the same as the Gospel that was first preached by the apostles and passed on to the believers in the early church.

With so many confusing and conflicting ideas present in the world, we need to go back and be reminded of our simple faith in Jesus -- in his death, burial and resurrection. We need to unclutter our hearts from all the ideas and issues that so often divide our churches and rip apart our fellowships so we can hear the words of the old hymn, "Simply to Thy Cross I cling." Today, let's be reminded of that simple Gospel of Jesus and build our life there.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Precious Father, I love you. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your love and grace, displayed so powerfully to me in Jesus. I know the basis for my hope and the foundation on which I build my life is the Gospel of your dear Son. Thank you for giving me something so simple, steadfast, and sure. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Friendship in the Pit

Friendship in the Pit

From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman

April 8, 2021

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17

"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit."

The pit is a time when no one can cheer you up and you are so broken and defeated that you wonder if there ever was or is a God.

Have you ever had such times?

Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low that arising seems impossible.

The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12).

When we get so low that we despair of our faith, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after becoming so discouraged with life.

"I'm coming over," my friend said.

"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.

"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."

About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat in my living room and my friend began to pray.

I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen.

After awhile my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"

"What verse is that?" I asked.

"I don't know, but that is the verse the Lord spoke to me."

I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much?

Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day?

Are you there for your friend?

Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.

Jeremiah 33:3

 "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you amazing things you cannot imagine." Jeremiah 33:3

I Corinthians Chapter Twelve

I Corinthians Chapter Twelve

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

28 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

29 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

30 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.