Philippians 1: Why Am I Here?
Verse of the Day: (V21) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
1. The Servants Of Jesus Christ (V1-5)
V1 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote this letter to the pastors, deacons and the Philippians Christians encouraging them to keep on, keeping on living for Jesus Christ even though he was in prison. The Romans, who were in control of Philippi at that time were against Christianity, had arrested and thrown Paul into prison because he refused to stop preaching the gospel. Though Timothy was not with him, yet Paul identified himself with him as servants of Jesus Christ because they truly loved and served Christ. Though Paul was in prison, yet his letter was full of joy, and he even told the Philippian Christians that he was praying for them. Indeed, Paul was joyful because he knew that God was with him, and he had nothing to fear, but a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun.
V4 “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,”
2. The Day Of Jesus Christ (V6-18)
V6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Paul commanded the Philippians Christians never to give up but to keep on, keeping on preaching the gospel, as the day of Jesus Christ shall come when He shall receive them with great joy and blessings. In fact, Paul realised that while he was in prison, his fellow Christians were even more determined to preach the gospel not only in Philippi, but the regions beyond. Indeed, God can make something good from something seemingly evil!
V12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;”
3. The Spirit Of Jesus Christ (V19-30)
V19 “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”
Paul was ready to die in the hands of the Romans because he was greatly encouraged by the Spirit of Jesus Christ who indwelt in him. Indeed, the purpose of our existence is to live for Christ, because He truly loves us, and gave His life for us. Whosoever believes in Christ shall never be condemned in hell, but one day, shall live with Him in heaven.
V21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am here because of Jesus Christ who truly loves me.
Ephesians 6: Are You Putting On The Whole Armour Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
1. Will Of God (V1-9)
V6 “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit commanded the Ephesians Christians to serve and please God, and not men, and to do the work and will of God from their hearts. Indeed, let us truly serve and please God with all our hearts, as only God and God alone, our Creator and Saviour, deserves our worship and praises, as He loves and cares for us.
V7 “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”
2. Armour Of God (V10-16)
V11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Apostle Paul concluded his letter to the Ephesians Christians with a timeless and precious truth and advice that they must put on the whole armour of God in order to overcome and defeat the devil who seeks to destroy God’s Word and work, and the Christians and the churches. The devil is real and we can never overcome him, unless we have God and His whole armour on us. Let us therefore put on the whole armour of God, starting with the helmet of salvation, follow by the breastplate of righteousness, the loins of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of God’s Word, the shoes of the gospel, and finally prayers.
V12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
3. Word Of God (V17-24)
V17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
The sword of God’s Word is the only offensive weapon of the whole armour of God. Let us meditate and memorise God’s Word because it not only help us to overcome the devil, but it is also for us to share the gospel of Christ that all may come to know Christ and make Him known. Above all, let us pray to God, and abound in His Word, work and will!
V18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to put on Your whole armour and abound in You.
Ephesians 5: Who Love The Church?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
1. Christ (V1-21)
V2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit encouraged the Ephesians Christians to walk in love with Christ and with one another as Christ is love when He lovingly left the splendour of heaven to live among man and subsequently died and shed His precious blood as the ultimate and supreme sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Let us therefore give thanks to Jesus Christ for all that He has done for, with, through and in us.
V20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
2. Church (V22-27)
V23 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”
Christ not only loves His church but He is the head of the church, and so the husband is also the head of the wife. The reason why there are so much sorrow and conflicts in a marriage is because sometimes the wife desires to be the head, and in this case, there will be two heads, and the marriage becomes a monster and disaster! Let us therefore love our wife as Christ loved His church, and let the husband be the head of his wife as Christ is also the head of the church, and there shall be joy and peace in the marriage and family.
V25 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
3. Cherisheth (V28-33)
V29 “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”
Let us care and cherish our wife as Christ also cares and cherishes His church. Indeed, when we follow Christ’s example, our marriage shall last till death separates the couple. As for those who are yet to be married, let us pray that our spouse is a Christian, for how can two individuals become one flesh, unless they have the same true and living God!
V31 “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You love Your church, and you also love me.
Ephesians 4: How Is Your Walk With God?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
1. Walk (V1-27)
V1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit pleaded with the Ephesians Christians to walk worthy of God and be a great blessing to others so that the unbelievers would desire to know and believe in the true and living God. How can we win the unbelievers to God when we walk unworthily of His holy name and high calling? Let us therefore walk worthy of God by being humble, forgiving and loving others, including our enemies.
V2 “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
2. Working (V28-30)
V28 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Paul rebuked the Christians who were lazy and doing nothing, and some even stole from others. Paul commanded them to find work, and get themselves busy to support not only themselves and their family, but others, especially the poor, the needy and the helpless. Indeed, God sends His Holy Spirit to indwell in us the day we are redeemed. Our salvation is sealed forever as once saved, always saved. However, we cannot abuse God’s grace by walking unworthily as we are grieving His Holy Spirit and incurring His anger.
V30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
3. Wrath (V31-32)
V31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
Let us walk worthily by letting go of all our bitterness, wrath, anger and evil from our hearts, and let us learn to be kind to one another, and forgiving one another even as Christ has forgiven us. Indeed, Jesus Christ left His throne of glory and came to earth to live and then died and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world, for yours and mine.
V32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to walk worthy of Your holy name and high calling.
Ephesians 3: Do You Know The Love Of Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V19) “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
1. Mystery Of Christ (V1-7)
V4 “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit revealed to the Ephesians Christians that the mystery of Christ was actually the gospel of Christ and His body. The body of Christ is the church or the Christians consisting of both the Jews and the Gentiles. Indeed, the Christians are blessed as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ in all His richest and glory when we repent of our sins and wrongdoings, and believe and receive Him as our personal Saviour.
V6 “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”
2. Riches Of Christ (V8-12)
V8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
Paul counted it the greatest privilege and highest honour to be the apostle to preach the gospel of God’s richest grace to the Gentiles beside the Jews, because he confessed that he was the worst sinner who had persecuted the Christians and destroyed many churches.
V9 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”
3. Love Of Christ (V13-21)
V19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
The mystery or the gospel of Christ begins with the love of Christ. Christ loved and obeyed His Father as He left His throne of glory to live among man, and then to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world. Indeed, it was the love of Christ that we are reconciled with God. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of God that we may obtain His mercy, and find His grace to help in time of needs. Indeed, God shall supply all our needs above all that we ask or think, according to His power and richest in glory.
V20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your abundant love that I am saved by faith in You.
Ephesians 2: Do You Have The Gift Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V8) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
1. Gift Of God (V1-10)
V8 “For by grace are ye saved though faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit reminded the Ephesians Christians that the greatest gift of God was when God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of the whole world. Today, as in the days of Apostle Paul, whosoever believes and receives Jesus Christ, and repent and renounce their sins and wrongdoings, shall shun fiery hell, and inherit everlasting life with God in His glorious heaven. Indeed, our salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ, and never because of who we are, and what we have done, but it is truly God’s amazing grace, lest anyone should boast of ourselves or our achievements.
V9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
2. Household Of God (V11-20)
V19 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
Paul reiterated to the Ephesians Christians that once they were saved by God’s grace, and received Jesus Christ as their salvation, God’s greatest gift, they were no longer strangers or foreigners, but members of God’s household. What wonderful joy to know that we are citizens of heaven, God’s beloved family, with God as our spiritual Father, and Christ as our chief Cornerstone, who shall provide, protect and preserve us now and forever!
V20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
3. Habitation Of God (V21-22)
V21 “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”
As Christians, we are God’s habitation or church. Every Christian is like a building block. Though we are different in size or shape, yet we fitly joined together through the Holy Spirit, with Christ as our chief Cornerstone. We or the church is still growing or work in progress, and the only time when it is completed or perfect is when we all get to heaven!
V22 “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that by faith I believe in Jesus, Your Son, Your greatest gift.
Ephesians 1: Are You God’s Faithful Saint?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
1. Saints (V1-6)
V1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit encouraged the Ephesians Christians to continue to be the faithful saints of God who glorified and praised God for everything, both good and bad, in their lives. Indeed, God blessed the Ephesians Christians with all spiritual blessings because they were not only faithful and obedient to God and His Word, but they were also thankful and grateful to all that God had done for, through, in and with them.
V3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
2. Sins (V7-12)
V7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
The Ephesians Christians were thankful to God for forgiving their sins and saving their wretched souls. This was why they trusted and served God with their utmost best. Indeed, we shall trust and serve God with our utmost best when we are thankful for His grace that not only save us from fiery hell, but one day He shall transport us to His glorious heaven.
V12 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
3. Sealed (V13-23)
V13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
The greatest joy of a Christian is to know that once saved, always saved, because God shall seal His promise with us when He sends His Holy Spirit into our hearts once we believe and receive Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. We can never trust man for their promises and even contracts can be broken, but God shall always keep His promises. However, though we are saved and always saved, yet we should never abuse God’s grace, but instead we should live like God’s saints and ambassadors for His glory and praise.
V14 “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be Your faithful saint who glorifies and praises You.
Galatians 6: Are You Weary In Well Doing?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
1. Word (V1-8)
V6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit commanded the Galatians Christians to communicate or support those who taught them the Word of God. Indeed, let us support in prayers and finance our full-time pastors so that they can fully focus on sharing the Gospel and God’s Word. Let us remember that what we sow is what we reap, and when we are generous to our pastors as well as those in need, God shall abundantly bless us!
V7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
2. Weary (V9-10)
V9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Paul encouraged the Galatians not to be weary in well doing especially to those in their church because they were God’s family. Indeed, let us keep on doing good, and doing God’s work, and never give up, never give in to the devil, but give our best and all to God!
V10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
3. Walk (V11-18)
V14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Paul commanded the Galatians never to glorify man but Christ only, because only Christ suffered and died for our sins. Many Christians, during Paul’s time, and even today, glorify themselves as to how many souls they have won to God, or how much they have given to God. They fail to realise that everything including their salvation is from God. Without Jesus’ sacrificial death, we can never be promoted to pearly heaven, but instead be condemned to fiery hell. Let us therefore walk in love and humility knowing that we are truly saved by the amazing grace of God, and never because of ourselves or works.
V16 “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to keep on, keeping on doing Your work and never quit.
Galatians 5: Are You Walking In The Spirit?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
1. Stand (V1-15)
V1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit commanded the Galatians Christians to stand fast in their faith and trust in God after they believed in Christ and had been delivered from the bondage of sins that they should never succumb to sins again. However, if they would sin, they must immediately confess and forsake their sins. One of the terrible sins of Christians is to bite and devour or hurt and harm one another which actually divide and destroy the church and stumble the unbelievers from believing in Christ. Let us therefore stand and serve God and love and forgive one another so that we shall not stumble the unbelievers from believing and receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V15 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
2. Spirit (V16-18)
V16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Paul commanded the Galatians Christians to walk in the Spirit and to trust and obey God, and never fulfil the lust of the flesh and sin and rebel against God. Indeed, we can never serve two masters, as either we walk in God’s Spirit or we fulfil the lust of our flesh.
V17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Paul commanded the Galatians Christians to walk in the Spirit so that they shall reap the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, instead of hatred, sorrow, strife, impatience, violence, evil, unbelief, pride and anger. Let us walk in the Spirit and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives so that the unbelievers shall desire to believe and receive Christ as their personal Saviour.
V22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to walk in the Spirit and not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 4: Is God Your Abba?
Verse of the Day: (V6) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
1. Abba (V1-13)
V6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Apostle Paul encouraged the Galatians that when they received Christ in their hearts as their Saviour, they were no longer servants to sins, but the sons and heirs of God. Indeed, as we receive Christ as our Saviour, we shall call God, Abba or Father, through Christ who redeems us from our sins, and one day He shall deliver us from fiery hell and transport us to glorious heaven. Let us count it the greatest privilege and highest honour to be called the sons and heirs of God as we call upon God anytime, and for all our needs.
V7 “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
2. Angel (V14-21)
V14 “And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.”
Paul expressed his gratitude to the Galatians as they received him as the angel or messenger of God, and were even willing to pluck out their eyes to give to him because his eyes were failing him. However, there were some who were deceived by the false teachers, and opposed and rejected Paul even though he was preaching God’s holy Word.
V15 “Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.”
3. Abraham (V22-31)
V22 “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.”
Paul reminded the Galatians that those who believed by faith in Christ were the sons of Abraham’s wife, Sara, the freewoman, while those who rejected Christ were the illegitimate sons of Abraham’s maid, Hagar, the bondmaid. Let us therefore be the sons and heirs of God by believing and receiving Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord.
V30 “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Abba, Father, and I am your son and heir!
Galatians 3: Are You Faithful?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
1. Foolish (V1-5)
V1 “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”
Apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians as foolish because they had heard and some even witnessed the miracles of Christ, yet they doubted and rejected Christ and His works.
V5 “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
2. Faithful (V6-10)
V8 “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”
Paul mentioned faithful Abraham because Abraham believed in God even when it seemed humanly impossible, just like he had a child, Isaac, with his wife, Sara, even when it was humanly impossible for them to conceive at their old age. This was why God blessed Abraham and his descendants and called them Israel, a great nation, which shall show forth God’s love and grace to the unbelieving and sinful world, so that they shall also believe in the true and living God of Israel. However, the people of Israel failed to trust and obey God, and was eventually judged and punished for their unbelief. God then sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the perfect Saviour, to redeem mankind from their sins.
V9 “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”
3. Faith (V11-29)
V11 “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
Paul reminded the Galatians that no man could be justified and saved by God’s law unless they truly believed by faith in Christ. Christ came and ministered to the people yet the people hanged Him on the cruel cross because of their unbelief. However, it is the fulfilment of God’s prophecy because Christ had to die to redeem us from the curse of the law and the sins of the world. Whosoever believes in Christ shall escape fiery hell and inherit everlasting life with Him in heaven. Indeed, the just shall live by faith in Christ.
V13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be like faithful Abraham and live by faith in You.
Galatians 2: Are You Crucify With Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
1. Circumcision (V1-13)
V9 “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”
Apostle Paul rebuked Apostle Peter because Peter still distinguished himself as a circumcised Jewish Christian, and would not eat with the uncircumcised Gentiles Christians who were eating pork which the Jews would never eat. Paul explained to Peter and his fellow Jewish Christians that Christ had died and resurrected and they had direct access to the Almighty God and they no longer had to obey the Jewish ceremonial laws.
V11 “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.”
2. Christ (V14-19)
V14 “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
Indeed, Jesus Christ came and died for all our sins and whosoever, whether Jews or Gentiles, believes in Christ shall be forgiven of their sins, and freed from the Jewish laws. Jesus Christ is our ultimate and supreme sacrifice for our sins and all who believe in Him can now directly ask God for His forgiveness without offering sacrifices for their sins.
V15 “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,”
3. Crucified (V20-21)
V20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Let us be crucified with Christ or dead to self, yet live by faith in Christ and Christ alone. Let us thank our God for His amazing grace that saves wretched sinners like you and me!
V21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am crucified with You, yet I live by faith in You.
Galatians 1: Who Do You Please?
Verse of the Day: (V10) “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
1. Preach (V1-9)
V1 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Apostle Paul affirmed himself as an apostle, not chosen by men, but God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul warned the Corinthian Christians to be careful of other gospels, other than the true gospel of Christ. Indeed, there is no compromise, as we either preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ or none at all, because only Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Almighty God shall judge and punish the men who preached the other gospels which were all from the devil that would surely send men to fiery hell.
V9 “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
2. Please (V10-17)
V10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
Again Paul asserted himself as an apostle of God and not of men. Unlike the politics of the day where the religious Jewish leaders sought to please men by their vain preaching and much flattery to please men into supporting their leadership and religion, Paul preached nothing but repentance of sins and returning to the holy God. In fact Paul was once a religious Jewish leader and even persecuted Christians, but God called, saved and used him to preach the gospel of Christ. However, many still rejected the gospel of Christ because they were proud and chose to walk after their lusts than to trust the living God.
V13 “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:”
3. Persecuted (V18-24)
V23 “But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.”
Many Christians believed in Christ and glorified God, when they heard that Paul who was once the religious leader persecuting the Christians and destroying Christianity was now not only a Christian but an apostle of God faithfully preaching the gospel of Christ.
V24 “And they glorified God in me.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to please You and You alone.
2 Corinthians 13: Are You Perfect?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
1. Proof (V1-3)
V1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
The Corinthian church challenged the authority of Apostle Paul for the third time to produce proof and evidence that he was truly an apostle and preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul proved to them that all that he preached and taught was all about the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and nothing about himself or his reputation or credential.
V3 “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.”
2. Power (V4-10)
V4 “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”
The Corinthian Christians accused Paul of being weak in his preaching and teaching. Paul then explain to them that he was like Christ. Though Christ seemed to be weak when He was mocked, beaten, and eventually crucified, yet He was mighty and strong as He rose again the third day. Similarly, Paul was seen to be weak, yet he was mighty and strong in his testimony for Christ. Paul challenged them to examine their own hearts whether Jesus was truly in their hearts and that they truly lived their lives according to God’s Word.
V5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
3. Perfect (V11-14)
V15 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Finally, Paul closed his letter to the Corinthian church encouraging them to be perfect, to be of good comfort, to live in peace, and be united in Christ. Indeed, let us strive for perfection as we daily pray and study God’s Word, share the gospel and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost to all.
V14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be perfect as You are perfect.
2 Corinthians 12: Is God’s Grace Sufficient For You?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
1. Glory (V1-8)
V1 “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
Beside Paul’s life experiences, God also transported him to heaven and revealed to him visions and revelations so that he could write more than half of the New Testament books, namely, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews. However God gave Paul a thorn in his flesh for life so that he would never glory in himself, but only in God.
V7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
2. Grace (V9-10)
V9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Though Paul suffered much from the thorn in his flesh, yet he experienced God’s grace in his life and ministry. Never once did God’s grace fail him, as he went through life storms. Indeed, when we are weak then are we strong, as God’s amazing grace is sufficient for us.
V10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
3. God (V11-21)
V15 “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
Paul’s prayers was that the Corinthian church shall always be a Christ-centred church filled with God’s love and grace. Sadly he heard that they were anything but Christ-centred, and hence he admonished them to repent and return to God’s love and grace.
V21 “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your grace is sufficient as I go through life storms.
