Author: astherainandsnow

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort…

“We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7,8b-10; 12:7-10

Jesus the God-man is the perfect match for those He created. Made for relationship with Him and to reflect His glorious image, man finds completion and fulfillment of divine purpose in Him alone. Every lack He meets with sufficiency. In suffering, comfort; in want, supply; in weakness, strength; in sorrow, balm; in lack, wisdom; in division, reconciliation; in brokenness, healing; in despair, hope; in anxiety, peace; in uncertainty, guarantee; in loneliness, presence. The greatest match is Jesus’s life for my certain death, by ransom for impossible debt. (Isaiah 43:7; John 14:16-17; Philippians 4:6-7,19; James 1:5)

Often we go about life assuming self-sufficiency, realizing only when challenges loom that we are no match for them alone. Our God kindly arranges circumstances to drive us o His promises and open arms. He matches our every need with grace and abundance.

What areas of life are we withholding from the Lord? Do we depend on Him in certain places of need, but keep others to ourselves out of pride or shame? Do we merely talk about believing and trusting Him, yet doubt His supply? Do we close ourselves off to sanctification or change because we coddle sin, or prefer to nurse resentment and blame and remain as a martyr in a miserable status quo? He is ready to meet us!

Father, teach me to take Your yoke and live fully for Your notice and honor. (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Hear this, all peoples!
    Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
both low and high,
    rich and poor together!
My mouth shall speak wisdom;
    the meditation of my heart shall be understanding…
    I will solve my riddle to music…

Why should I fear in times of trouble,
    when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of the abundance of their riches?
Truly no man can ransom another,
    or give to God the price of his life,
for the ransom of their life is costly
    and can never suffice,
that he should live on forever
    and never see the pit.

For he sees that even the wise die;
    the fool and the stupid alike must perish
    and leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes forever,
    their dwelling places to all generations,
    though they called lands by their own names.
Man in his pomp will not remain…

This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
    yet after them people approve of their boasts.
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
    death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning…
But God will ransom my soul..,
    for he will receive me. 

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
    when the glory of his house increases.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
    his glory will not go down after him.
For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed—
    and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—
his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,
    who will never again see light.
Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:1-3,5-20

The psalmists ponder in song many aspects of and responses to riches. Admitting to tempted fear of the rich because of the influence they wield, often by cheating or oppression, they contemplate with an eternal perspective and put to rest these concerns. Pomp, things, and earthly glory do not last, and neither rich nor poor, wise nor foolish, can take anything to the afterlife. The need for ransom at death is the great equalizer for all mankind. All will face the Lord as bereft sinners, and no earthly wealth suffices for redemption. Only God can ransom a soul, through His Son, Jesus. (Psalm 73:3-19; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:27; 10:10-14)

Looking here and there makes for a distracted heart. There will always be someone in easier circumstances, who shines brighter and looks happier. But the Lord would strum our heart strings with His grace to fix our eternal treasure with Him, so we know and can sing of true contentment.

Where am I unsettled over another’s wealth, success, or apparent ease? For what good gifts, including salvation, can I thank my Lord this day? How will I assure, and rejoice in, my heavenly inheritance? (James 1:17; 1 Peter 1:3-7)

“Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.” ~Irish, 8th century

Lord, keep me thinking rightly about true treasure, that my confidence and joy remain in You alone.

“Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.” Psalm 51:1-15

The wide blanket of mercy had fallen on King David. It had inflicted the misery of mental and physical agony to cause him to know his ugly evil sin. It convinced him that his sin was an affront to the Lord and His holiness, uprightness, and truth. It convicted him with guilt that cried out for its loving embrace and cleansing. It filled him with the hope of restoration. Only a merciful God could do so much with mercy. (Psalm 32:1-5)

How much do we know of the mercy of God? According to His mercy, He extends mercy. It defines both His character and interactions with His beloved children. Do we recognize its reach into our lives? If we are saved, we have been enveloped by its wide strong arms. But constant mind buzz and activity easily take us far from a keen awareness of mercy through our hours: insight that cautions and inspires, conscience that pokes and directs, nearness that fortifies and comforts.

It is God’s mercy that stings when we begin to go astray, and warms the heart toward the needy. It is mercy that warns of harsh consequences, convicts of guilt, and soothes with forgiveness. Are we seeking it from the One whose nature is mercy, bringing every care under its cover? Do we see it, feel it, welcome its activity? Are we grateful that mercy goes before us, works on us, upholds us, and follows us all our days? If so, would we open our lips and declare God’s praise? Marveling at the mercy of God and its wide reach in our every day brings security, confidence, and joyful praise. (Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 23:6)

My Lord, keep me aware of, dependent on, and thankful for Your daily mercies to me, and help me extend bountiful mercy to others in Your name.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭33‬

“You keep him in perfect peace
    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’  And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:37-39

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 14:27; 16:33

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Jesus taught and the Scriptures emphasize repeatedly that the God of peace sent His Son into the world to bring peace into the chaos and confusion of life by making peace with our souls. What Christ achieved on the cross reconciling ruined sinners to their Holy God has its peace-bringing effect in personal anxieties, relationships, decisions, and cultural tumult. Those at peace with Him are held in peace in the world and its fury. (Job 22:21; Isaiah 9:6; 48:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:16-20)

Our lives are fraught with many a storm and conundrum. At home and work, in the wrangling of our minds and pick and parlance of interactions, the Lord is present, speaking peace. Christ’s grace penetrates disordered affections and broken relationships, brings solace into storms of grief and hurt and fear. How are these truths meaningful for us?

In what net of confusion are we currently entangled- a big decision, conflicting diagnoses, uncertain career or financial future, rocky communication with a loved one? What are we doing to seek and implement God’s way of peace? How can we better learn and trust His promises? Where can we serve as peacemaker for others? Staying our minds on Jesus ensures other-worldly peace. (Matthew 5:9)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.” ~Horatio Spafford (1873)

Lord, in life’s chaos and confusion, rule and be exalted as my Prince of Peace.

“That very day two of them were… talking about all these things that had happened. While they were discussing, Jesus himself drew near and went with them…  He said, ‘What is this conversation you are holding with each other as you walk?’ They stood still, looking sad… Cleopas answered, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ He said, ‘What things?’ And they said, ‘Concerning Jesus.., a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up… to death, and crucified him. We had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel… Some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,.. did not find his body, [and] came back saying that they had seen angels, who said he was alive…’ He said, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted to them in the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

“They drew near to the village… He went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to them.  And… they recognized him. He vanished… They said, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, open[ing] to us the Scriptures?’ They rose and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:13-15,17-23,25-35

The risen Lord’s entry into an ordinary conversation revealed much about people as clueless and Him as patient instructor. His followers, dull to His repeated promise to be crucified, then rise again, now failed to recognize Him alive. His probing, abiding, gentle guiding, and breaking bread led them to awakening faith. (Matthew 16:21; 20:17-19)

How prevalent is talk about all the things that happen and ignorance to true meaning. A constant riot of information and strategically-chosen narrative buzzes and bubbles over airways and screens, catching us and every emotion in its clamor. So we talk. We discuss. We opine. And so often we miss Jesus in the midst.

He is among us, knowing our angst. Interpreting His word through events. Proclaiming peace that’s elusive in the world. Actively advocating for us against the deceptive enemy. Loving and not letting go. And we trudge through hours and days, muddling in turmoil and decisions and difficulties, dull to His promises and presence. (Luke 24:36; John 14:27; Romans 8:31-39)

What would change in our attitudes, decision framework, overall outlook, if we acknowledged His providence and invited Him into our reasoning, deliberating, and choosing? What can we turn off or avoid in order to trace His hand, voice, and perspective? How will we intentionally align ‘all the things that happen’ with the living, redeeming Christ and His word? Ongoing communion with the Holy One clears our thinking to interpret true wisdom and purify emotions.

Lord Jesus, sharpen any dull affections or determinations in me so my eyes and heart are open to understand and proclaim Your good news.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-14:1

In teaching on the spiritual gifts being vital to the health and growth of the Body, Paul elevates the importance of love in and through and over all. The exercising of spiritual gifts unifies and build up the body, and love gives lasting substance to each. Every member of the Body is important and his gifts needed for proper functioning, yet these are temporary while love is supreme and abides always. (1 Corinthians 12:7,24-27; 14:3-4)

In the grind and urgencies of life, we can consider many fleeting things and issues as of utmost priority. What things are partial and temporary we allow to take whole and absolute importance and full attention. There is no eternal perspective when the immediate occupies our vision and ‘now’ trumps the ‘not yet.’

But there is a more excellent way to go about kingdom living. All that is partial should be done with full gusto for the Lord and His church, yet seen as subservient to lasting love. The gifts we exercise are to convey a deeper love and farther hope than what anyone now sees. We wholeheartedly serve God’s people as we can and with the knowledge we have with an eye for all He will one day fully redeem and perfect. It is Christ we serve, and His ultimate motives should permeate all we do. (Romans 12:5-8; Colossians 3:17)

Do we go about our work partially, or with abandon? Do we settle for half-hearted effort in service, or knowledge in decision-making, or investment in relationships? If the Lord will one day complete and fully reveal what we now see dimly, how are we building toward a glorious reveal?

How can we exercise our gifts with deeper love, increasing patience, humility, truth, and endurance? How can our love for others spur them to greater faith and hope? We do not in this life know the full effects of what we give, but we can trust that the Lord will complete all He’s begun in and through us. When we see Him and are fully known, He will receive the glory. (Philippians 1:6)

Father, help me exercise my gifts with love that serves others and honors You.

“When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem with 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him from Egypt—Libyans, Sukkiim, and Ethiopians. And he took the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem. Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam… and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak.”’ Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is righteous.’ When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, [he said] to Shemaiah: ‘They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless, they shall be servants to him, that they may know my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.’

“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard… And as often as the king went into the house of the Lord, the guard came and carried them and brought them back to the guardroom…

“Rehoboam reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem… And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 12:1-11,14

So much potential. David, the godly warrior king, had been his grandfather, and wise Solomon his father. Faithful, dedicated priests served beside him. Yet Rehoboam abandoned the faith of his fathers, turned from the Lord and His law, and lost out forever. Though he briefly humbled himself and by God’s mercy was spared full destruction, his choices brought great loss to the temple, to Judah, and to his legacy. His life is summarized in a few poignant words: he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.

Heart priorities always determine life direction. Sinners all, we make poor choices and do things we regret, often leaving hurt and harm in our wake. When our bent is for anything but the Lord’s honor, to serve anything other than His will and anyone other than Him, we always opt for self. We abandon His law because we prefer our own, and choose faithfulness to what we please over faithfulness to God. Only threats to personal reputation or loss bring any semblance of regret.

But when we are the Lord’s, the Spirit’s conviction pokes the heart, turns it tender, and we genuinely repent of errant ways. We despise our sin and do not require the sting of consequence to humble ourselves before the Holy One. A redeemed heart has no desire to continue in willful sin. (1 John 3:6-9)

How firm is our faith? Are we more motivated to serve self, or the Lord? Where have we grown casual about sin, regretting only when it stings? What will we do to reestablish our life kingdom under God’s benevolent headship?

Lord, may I daily set my heart to seek, obey, and honor You.

“‘Thus says the Lord God [to the house of Israel]: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone. Therefore… I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God…

“And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city. And the Spirit lifted me up and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision that I had seen went up from me. And I told the exiles all the things that the Lord had shown me.” Ezekiel 11:16-21,23-25

The prophet Ezekiel was chosen to see and declare God’s judgment on Israel’s guilt. Repeatedly he absorbed and proclaimed vivid visions and harsh condemnations from the Almighty. Amidst the storm of righteous judgment, he also delivered God’s merciful message of hope, a promise to gather and remake His own. The scattered would be brought home, hearts of stone softened to flesh, rebel passions made obedient, strangers identified as God’s people. The Lord their sanctuary would do mighty things as they returned to land and loyalty.

Since Eden, we have inhabited a strange land stained by varied abominations. As exiles awaiting a heavenly home, we often feel like foreigners in places bereft of sense, beauty, hope. In every place, be it appointed for planting or punishment, the Lord is our sanctuary, offering the secure and hidden place of worship, confidence, and trust. His pledge is to conform us in this time here below to His soft heart to be His righteous child. (Romans 8:29-30)

Whether we feel at home or not, we must face our abominations and acknowledge stony attitudes toward the King. In what areas do we resist His supremacy? Personal disciplines regarding His temple our body? Interactions with others regarding complaint, gossip, disrespect, ingratitude? Have we failed to deal honestly and ruthlessly with known sin? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Colossians 3:5-10)

When we yield to the Spirit’s softening of our hearts, how robustly do we beat for Jesus? Do we worship with humility, serve with zeal, love with abandon? To what new obedience is the Lord calling us? How can we better identify as God’s people in a dark world? (Romans 12:3-11)

Lord, wherever You assign me, may my heart pulse with Your joy, grace, and life that reflects Your glory.

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,  nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

Examples abounded for Israel and others through history: follow the Lord and He will provide, rebel against Him and suffer consequences. Paul knew the Corinthian church needed reminding of the stories, the detailed recollections of how God had dealt with men, and urged them to heed their intended warnings. He lovingly encouraged them to take note from God’s word and help from His promises, to beware cockiness and obey Him always.

How is it that we can know so much about right and wrong and fail to heed? That we observe and criticize folly in others but convince ourselves the rules don’t apply to us? We see examples of fallen individuals and harsh, lasting consequences, yet when we are in the midst, we think our situation is different. We willfully make exceptions for obedience and rashly excuse succumbing to temptation.

Knowing that God supported and protected His people in the wilderness yet many rebelled and thus suffered, what do we learn? Will we therefore test Him, or trust Him? Do these vivid warnings lessen our desire of evil? How do they train confidence and shape resolve?

What particularly troublesome temptations do we face? What preventatives we can put in place to avoid their situations or reoccurring? Whom can we trust for help and accountability? What biblical promises will we memorize and recite for strength and direction? Putting off rebel ways and putting on attention to godliness, we’ll find strength to stand in our faithful God. (Psalm 3:3; 46:1,7; Colossians 3:5-17; Hebrews 4:15-16)

“A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.

Although this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord, help me apply insight from Your word to remain faithful to You.

“If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

“Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?  In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

“But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting… Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:11-23

Paul lays out a clear argument that he has every right to receive material support from others for his work of ministry. But more that holding onto what he rightfully deserved and could request, he takes opportunity to convey all he’s willing to relinquish for the sake of the gospel. He would give anything, even his life, that others might eternally gain. (Philippians 3:8)

There are freedoms and rights we enjoy as God’s children, and how we manage them reveals our priorities toward those in our influence. How willing are we to surrender rights for Christ’s sake, and to win others? Jesus gave everything for our salvation, yet we grip time and trinkets as though they’re ours to control.

How can we practically follow the example of Christ and the apostle? Do we value more our earthly due, or the eternal lives of those around us? What can I give, of time or treasure, to further the gospel today?

Lord, set aflame a passion of love for the lost, that I spend myself wholeheartedly for others’ gain and Your glory.