AVOID BOASTING Wednesday – July 12, 2006

“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?” – 1 Corinthians 5:6

Louis XIV reigned as King of France from May 14, 1643 until his death on September 1, 1715. For 72 years he ruled and he declared that he “was the State.” Although, there was nothing particularly splendid about his appearance, he did possess a total and thorough confidence in himself. He enjoyed being called “The Sun King” or “Louis the Great,” though there was nothing exceptional about this reign except for its length.

Louis ruled France with an iron hand and greatly influenced the culture and political structure of Europe throughout his reign.

Prior to his death in 1715, he left instructions with the Bishop of the Catholic Church in France, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Massillon, that he be buried in a golden coffin and that at his funeral service the entire cathedral should be dark, lit dimly by only one candle positioned above his coffin so that all would be awed in his presence, even in death.

At the memorial, thousands waited in hushed silence. Then Bishop Massillon began to speak; slowly reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”

We should never forget that in ourselves we have no reason to boast. Only in Christ can we do great things. Today in prayer, thank Christ that He has saved you and He is actively working in your life to do great things for His glory.

“The axe cannot boast of the trees it has cut down. IT could do nothing but for the woodsman. He made it, he sharpened it, he used it. The moment he throws it aside, it becomes only old iron. O that I may never lose sight of this.” – Samuel Brengle

God’s Word: “As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” – James 4:16

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2006, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 1 CORINTHIANS pkennedy6@yahoo.com