WINNING THE PRIZE
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 8-9
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Ruins of a main street in Ancient Corinth.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:22
…to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Paul’s commitment, his personal discipline, his work schedule, and the way he lived his life are all described in our key verse. The motivation, “that I might by all means save some,” is all consuming. Yes, he’s very human also. His statement about Cephas (Peter) bringing along his wife may have been evidence that for brief moments he felt sorry for himself (9:5). Nevertheless, Paul persevered with a godly stubbornness that refused to pander to his personal pleasures. The same could be said about his financial resources. He worked long hours making tents to support himself here in Corinth. He makes the point that he had every right to be supported by the offerings of the believers, but that for his own reasons, chose not to accept money from them for personal use. Just in case some would make a mandatory practice of this, remember that Jesus and the twelve accepted donations for their support (Luke 8:3). Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and many others provided for Jesus from their substance. Paul, himself, declared in 9:14 that those who preach the Gospel should live from the Gospel. However, Paul made a personal choice to support himself by his trade. I’m sure this added exclamation points (!!!) to his message and to the way these rough, tough people of Corinth opened their hearts to Paul’s preaching.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, May I be given grace to “become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” I pray in the Name of the One who did this completely, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When Jesus left Nazareth, He may have set up a carpenter shop in Capernaum. From time to time, in order to care for my family, I’ve worked extra jobs to provide necessary funds. For some reason one of my efforts comes to mind. I hope I don’t offend anyone, but I would drive to one of the many lakes in the area of Northern Ontario, catch bull frogs, and ship them overnight by train to a Montreal restaurant for their menu of frog’s legs the next day! There are several other initiatives I took in order to have the funds to stay in ministry, preaching the Gospel.
In this blog, I’m like a child colouring in the pictures of a colouring book. My sons, Reynold and Ron, both ordained ministers, create the framework and outlines in which I “colour.” Reynold is a missionary in Africa with World Embrace, as well as a professional photographer. He spent three months in Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Italy to shoot the photos for this blog. Ron is President of Heart to Heart Marriage & Family Ministries.
Yours to “by all means save some,” hopefully by being “winsome,”
David
The Bible is opened to 1st Corinthians in front of the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth.
If you feel you are “colouring”, then I’ll say I love the way you “colour”. I like the “template/framework” you use, with the photos, key verse, commentary and personal words. I find your thoughts on the passage always encouraging and your sharing of personal experiences and insights helpful. Thank you !
Totally agree with you Eleanor. Thank you, David, for all that you and your family do to bring us your insights and stories to help us understand God’s word. You are an inspiration and the Lord’s treasured gift to us and the rest of the world. Thank you for following where He leads.
Amen Eleanor and Sally. Read this week that when we are completely surrendered to the Lord, God works all the time. Am seeing new things in the Word this time around that never stood out to me before. “But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him”(1 Cor. 8″3). In all my service to God, have been a tentmaker by teaching, home care etc. God is faithful and have always provided. God bless you David, Mary and little Lucy, and all the saints.
Hi David, Hope you are getting stronger and stronger and that your body would catch up with your Spirit, which is obviously doing great! l can’t imagine Jesus having any time left over to do carpentry again, once he began his ministry…That would be mind boggling…he gave himself 24/7 to full time ministry for sure, as John 21:25 tells us he did so much, that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written……Wow….What a Saviour!.
Amen Christine and for all the other comments. Continuing to pray for you Pastor David, you certainly have accomplished a lot in your 80 years. You still continue to minister to this flock and I am sure many more besides.
Dear Mary may The Lord be with you and your dear husband today . I pray that you both will feel His healing power working within you. Love in Christ, Eleanor M.
Amen! to all the comments above. God is good. Only He knows best.
Continuing to trust and pray that our Lord Jesus Christ’s Will may be done
in all our lives, in Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen!
Thank you David and all your family for bringing us fresh bread every
day , and Renold your pictures are beautiful. David alot of people color
with adult coloring books I see they even have ones with the bible . For
myself I would not use one to color with it would take my mind off God’s
word.
Lianne Hogg
Well done good and faithful servant of Christ! And I pray that you have encouraged many Mom’s and Dad’s today to continue on in HIS great commission, as you have encouraged me!
Bless you dear brother in Christ!
What a great pictures you colour daily Pastor David; suited for the well done framework by Ron and Reynold:)
Paul’s concern for the lost is evident in all his writings, including today’s. He pressed forward always to win the “Great Prize” …souls!!! Looking to Jesus!!!
Have a wonderful day, blessed of the Lord all you bloggers!!
Frogs legs are’nt too appetizing, as the saying goes “to each his own”.
Bless you, Pastor David, for sharing. Your personal stories are not only interesting, but at times, humorous too.
I love Reynold’s photo of the Bible opened to 1st Corinthians in front of the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth. It is a great message to un-believers. Amen! Thanks Reynold!