Yes, There is More to Do Part 1
1 Corinthians 16:1-12
Memory Verse: On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
1 Corinthians 16:2
One of the marks of a great leader is the ability to identify what needs to be done and see a way for it to be accomplished. Leaders see opportunity when no one else does. The one who sees opportunity in the work of God is the one who walks with God. We often say around the church, “Jesus is the head.” This would mean that we are relying upon on Jesus to guide us. We also mention from time to time that God directs our steps. I believe God does direct our steps when we set our hearts toward Him. One way He does this is by the written Word. The written Word, the Bible, sometime leads us by command and other times by example. In the case for attending a gathering of saints on the first day of the week, Sunday, we have both command and example. The command is from Hebrews 10:25 and the example is from 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Paul instructed the church at Corinth, to give an offering when they met on Sundays for the purpose of sending missionaries into service. From this we know we are obedient to Christ when we follow biblical instructions to give to missions through the local church. This is an opportunity.
The Apostle Paul also saw great opportunity according to verse 9 in your reading for today. On the one hand Paul was longing to spend some time with the Corinthian church, but on the other hand his calling as a church planting missionary limited his time with them. When Paul looked at the world around him, he saw a vast sea of lostness. This view of others compelled him to go in the power of God. Due to his faith in the divine hand of God in this world, he went in confidence knowing that God would bring an increase.
May we catch the spirit of Paul. Many believers have given up on this world. Do you see that if we fail to recognize opportunity for the furthering of the Gospel we have actually given up on God’s intervening power? Do you see any opportunity? Do you see the lostness? Where there is lostness there is opportunity for the Gospel. May we see a “wide door for effective service” opening for us in our attempts to take the Gospel of Christ to the nations.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did God say to me?
