SELFLESS SERVICE
1 Corinthians 9:13-23
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more. 1 Corinthians 9:19
Preaching the gospel for Paul was a necessity and not an option. He used himself to portray the principle of self-denial for the sake of the gospel and others. He gives up his own rights for the spiritual salvation of others in order to preach the gospel to them without any limitation. Paul did not just encourage us to deny ourselves for the message of Christ to be preached, but he showed us by doing it. He became all things to take the gospel to the lost, not because he wanted favour or glory, but because preaching the gospel was greater than his rights, likes and dislikes; he was willing to set aside any limitation. In doing this, he did not compromise his Christian principles, but he had to let go of his personal bias and practices for the sake of reaching out to people.
Another crucial point that was raised by Paul is a loving consideration for others; this makes it easy to preach the gospel as Christians. Having a heart of love enables us to take the gospel to the world with the people as our first consideration, regardless of our rights. As Christians, we are expected to deny ourselves for the sake of reaching out to people with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, in doing this, just like Paul, our Christian principles should not be compromised in order to influence people for Christ. Rather, there should be a balance in keeping the principles. Are you willing to restrict your rights for the gospel to be preached to the world? Is preaching the gospel an option and not a necessity to you?
Prayer
Lord, by Your grace, I stay fully committed to Preaching the message of my lord Jesus Christ. Help me stay committed to preaching the gospel to the lost, Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 75 Numbers 4,- Num.5:1-10; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 34:11-22
STRIVE TO WIN
1 Corinthians 9:23-27
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Corinthians 9:24
It’s fascinating how Paul compared our journey as Christians here on earth to a race. He redirected our hearts to the reward of following Jesus to the end using a race. This illustration made by Paul referred to the victory of being with God forever, which is the greatest of the Christian life and not just a mere athletic game.
Running a race is personal; it requires focus, temperance and perseverance. However, winning this race is not about being in competition with others, but it depends on our character, lifestyle and day-to-day dealings with others. Paul emphasised the risk of not winning the race, which leads to falling out of God’s plan and purpose for us. As Christians, we are expected to strive to win the race set before us, and some of the ways to do this are to exercise self-control, discipline, self-denial and love in our dealings and relationships with others and not by competing with others. There’s no perfect winning in this race; what is important is that the race is won. This points to our perseverance: not giving up regardless of the hurdles along the way, but being focused on the prize. The race requires focus and self-discipline. How do you run your race? Do you encourage others to run theirs but fail at yours?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to live a disciplined life so that I may finish the race. Amen
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 76 Numbers 5:11-31; -Num 6:1-27; Luke 2;1-20; Proverbs 7;6-20
STAND RIGHT
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
The Israelites were God’s chosen people under the leadership of Moses. Through Moses’ leadership, God guided them in a right relationship with Him, supplying their needs and delivering them from evil and harm. The Israelites had experienced the mercy and love of God. God sustained them in the wilderness. However, God was not pleased with them because they displayed disobedience and unfaithfulness towards Him. God’s judgment on the Israelites serves as an example to us now that we ought not to defy God’s commandments.
One of the major things that may cause us to falter is assumption, and this is brought to the fore here. Dear soldier of the Lord, confirm your standing. Do not just think or assume that you are standing; check your footing, check your grounds. Are you standing on the solid rock? In other words, are you hearing and doing God’s word? Christians are expected to live by God’s word and standards and not by the standards of the world. Our standing as believers should be based on God’s word alone and not on what we think or feel, so we don’t fall at the end. Do you walk based on God’s word or based on what you feel or think? Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. This is a word of warning to all believers.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to stand on Your word alone and not on assumptions, feelings, or worldly standards. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 77 Numbers 7:1-65; Luke 2:21-40; Psalm 35:1-10
SIN IS NOT AN OPTION
1 Corinthians 10:13-22
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful and just. He desires a total submission to Him regardless of what comes our way in life. As believers, we should never justify our sinful acts and disobedience towards God with excuses of being human or imperfect. Our reading today points us to the fact that temptations would come our way, but God will always make a way of escape for us. Therefore, when temptations come, sin should not be an escape route for us.
Another sin issue mentioned by Paul in today’s reading is the issue of idolatry. The Israelites were involved in it because of a challenge they faced in the wilderness. Hence, He tells us also to flee from it as His followers. Do you take sin as an option when faced with a challenge? The pattern of idolatry in our present time might be similar or different. Different in the sense that one need not have a graven image he or she worships. However, anything placed higher than God in our day-to-day living is fit to be called an idol. God loves us jealously and wants us to live for Him. Do you currently cherish something else more than God? It’s a question you need to answer.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I ask for the grace to live above sin every day of my life. Help me to take the escape way you provide when temptations come my way and not to have sin as an option. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 78 Numbers 7:66 – 89; Num 9:1-14; Luke 2:41-52; Psalm 35:11-18
SEEKING GOD’S OWN
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
The paramount importance of any matter of personal conscience or liberty for Christians is to do what glorifies and honours God and what is most profitable for others in their relationship with Him. Our priority should never be centred on personal rights but on what God desires and what sets a perfect example for others to follow.
In today’s reading, Paul encourages us to give glory to God in all things. One of the greatest ways to honour God is by becoming more like Jesus Christ. We do this by displaying love, humility, and selflessness toward God and others. Therefore, whatever does not bring glory to God should not be done at all. We are called to put God first in every decision and action. This means living in obedience, walking in humility, and selflessly considering others above ourselves. Jesus modelled this life perfectly, and Paul followed in His steps. As believers, we are expected to reflect that same attitude in our daily lives. Let us strive to live in such a way that every choice, every word, and every action points others to Christ and brings glory to God. This is the essence of true Christian liberty, not living for ourselves but living for Him and for the good of others.
Prayer
Father, help me to honour You as I should and be considerate of others. I ask for grace to seek what you desire for me and not my own. Amen
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 79 Numbers 9:15-23,-Num 11:1-3; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 35:19-28
CHRIST-CENTRED LIFE
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. I Corinthians 11:1
It is interesting how Paul urged the believers to follow him only as he follows Christ. Paul was a spiritual authority in his time, yet his focus was never on himself but on imitating Jesus and pointing others to do the same. This principle remains true today: we are expected to imitate Christ above anyone else, no matter how highly placed they may be in our lives or society. Living a life patterned after Jesus means manifesting His character and lifestyle in love, humility, obedience, and selflessness.
From our study today, Paul addresses order and submission in worship, including headship and outward expressions of honour. Emphasising that these instructions were given to maintain harmony and reflect God’s design, and as believers, we should model God’s Pattern, the word of God, which is Christ Himself, should guide our living. We may have mentors, role models, and spiritual leaders whom we respect and look up to. However, we must follow them only as long as they follow Christ. We honour men, but honouring God must always be our top priority. God demands that we imitate Him and follow His word above all else. Let us strive to live in such a way that our ultimate example is Jesus Christ, and our lives reflect His glory.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to live a Christ-patterned life to Your glory. Amen
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 80 Numbers 11:4-35; Num.13:1-25; Luke 3:23-38,- Lk. 4:1-13; Proverbs 7:21-27
THE ESSENCE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
I Corinthians 12:1-11
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Corinthians 12:7
Paul analyses the different gifts of the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that the gifts are not human endeavours, but special God-given abilities and empowerment meant to honour God and build up the body of Christ. The manifestation of these gifts plays a major part in the building up of the Church. Our study today teaches us that though the gifts are different, they all come from one source, God through the person of the Holy Spirit. This points us to the fact that God desires unity in diversity, regardless of how different we are, God wants us to be united as a Church. He wants us to come together to serve each even with different abilities.
Another important point worthy of note in today’s lesson is the fact that the Holy Spirit decides who to give these gifts to. However, one can desire them with humility and rightness of heart. This means the gifts of the Spirit should be desired for service and not self-glorification. Therefore, as Christians, we are expected to desire the gift of the Spirit as God desires it in the spiritual building up of the Church. Let us have in mind that God wants His church to have the full capacity to operate in these end times. Do you desire these gifts? If you have received from God, are you using it to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the edification of the Church? Do not miss out on this.
Prayer
Dear Father, help us to embrace Your plans for us, take away competition from us and help us to serve and love one another with the gifts You have given us. Amen
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 81 Numbers 13:26-33, Num.14; Luke 4:14-37; Psalm 36:1-12
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