The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 21:11 (MSG)
11 Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 33:20-22 (NLT)
20 We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
The Word of God for encouragement:
1 Corinthians 9:12 (HCSB)
12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don't we even more? However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:15-18 (HCSB)
15 But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship.
18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.
My observation:
When I open my bible each day, this is the prayer that I pray in my heart. In the depths of my heart, I want to hear a word from God.
Psalm 119:18 (KJV)
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
What I saw with my eyes, heard with my ears, and felt in my heart is the purpose, priority, and the passion that the Apostle Paul had for the ministry that God had given him.
The Apostle Paul was willing to give up his right to compensation by the church for the sake of advancing the gospel of Christ.
Paul's compensation did not come from a paycheck. Rather, it came from something far more valuable, and money cannot buy what Paul valued most.
1 Corinthians 9:18 (HCSB)
18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.
Paul got his reward from preaching the gospel free of charge, and not taking advantage of the church by the full exercise of his Apostolic authority. The servant of the Lord has the freedom to give up their rights. Paul did, and he encouraged others to do the same.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I ask that you form in me the character traits that I see in the life of the Apostle Paul in today's bible reading. Father, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and feet that are quick to obey your will and do your work. In Jesus name, Amen.
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1 Corinthians 1:2-3 (HCSB)
2 To God's church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—⌊both⌋ their Lord and ours.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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