Today

A Pattern of Self-Denial

1 Corinthians 9:1, 12

“Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not as an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”

“Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ Jesus. 

Before Paul became an apostle of Christ, he was a Pharisee, a teacher of the law of Moses, and lived according to the law. He was also a free man according to his Roman citizenship. Yet, like Jesus, who was God and is God, made Himself a little lower than the angels in heaven, came down from His heavenly throne, and humbled Himself, even unto death, for the sake of the Gospel for all people, Paul is also modeling what Jesus taught the disciples at the last supper; to serve all people and because like them in order to save. Jesus reminded them that He came to serve, not to be served, and we should model Jesus with hearts of gratitude in everything we do; yet because we are human and our ego wants to sit on the throne, we struggle. But the good news is that the Holy Spirit is there to counsel us and help us when we commit our way to the LORD, praise the Lord!

The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked

Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herbs. 

3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, also trust in Him, and he shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness, as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, Giver of all Good things, it is so easy to preach than to practice what we preach; we are walking testimonies of Your goodness, and Your grace has transformed our lives. I commit my way to Your loving care and delight myself in You throughout this day with a heart of gratitude and supplication unto You. Be exalted above my ego, and bless the work of my hands. Keep a guard over my mouth, and grant me ears to hear Your counsel in my time of need. I declare that no weapons formed against me, my loved ones, nor my brothers and sisters in Christ shall prosper, but in all things, we will overcome, because Your name is our victory, in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and Savior, amen.