1 Corinthians 2: Who Do You Know?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
1. The Power Of God (V1-5)
V2 “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
God through Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthian church that they might forget everything, but one thing they must remember was Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. No man shall ever be saved if Christ chose not to die on the cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the world. Indeed, it is never men’s wisdom and power, but God’s wisdom and power that save men from fiery hell, and transport them to pearly heaven.
V5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
2. The Wisdom Of God (V6-9)
V7 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:”
The mystery that was hidden during the Old Testament was finally revealed in the New Testament – Jesus Christ was the Son of God who came to die and shed His blood for the sins of the world. This mystery is only known to a remnant who were close to God and had His wisdom. However, the majority of them knew not, and they crucified Jesus, and thus fulfilled the prophecies which were foretold many times during the Old Testament.
V8 “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
3. The Spirit Of God (V10-16)
V11 “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
The Spirit of God only reveal the mystery or the saving grace of Christ when men choose to repent their wrongdoings, and believe in Christ. Without the Spirit of God, men can never fully understand God. As long as men choose to reject Christ, they will never have the spiritual insight of God’s salvation, and hence will forever be condemned to fiery hell.
V14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I know Christ who came to die for the sins of the world including mine.
1 Corinthians 1: Is Christ Divided?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
1. The Will Of God (V1-17)
V1 “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”
It is the will of God that Paul was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and that His church be united as one body, with Christ as the Head. However, the Corinthian Church, as well as the churches today, had envy and infighting, and are divided into various groups, based on personality, race, status, etc. Therefore, God through Paul pleaded with them to avoid these unhealthy conflicts and divisions, and be united as one body in Christ.
V13 “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
2. The Wisdom Of God (V18-21)
V18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Since the beginning of Adam and Eve, and until today, men always insist on their own ways and reject God’s ways. Therefore, it is not surprising that they reject the preaching of the cross - that Christ died on the cross, and shed His blood for their sins, and whosoever believes in Him shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven one day. Indeed, the preaching of the cross is the power and wisdom of God to them who believes, but it is vain and foolishness to them who rejects it.
V21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
3. The Weakness Of God (V22-31)
V25 “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Indeed, the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men, because God is the Creator, and men are only creatures. Yet men think highly of themselves, and refuse to acknowledge God, their Creator. Therefore, God only saves those who truly confess and repent their wrongdoings, and believe and trust in Him. Men have nothing to boast about, except to glorify Christ, their personal Saviour and Lord.
V29 “That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to submit to Christ, and be one in Christ.
Romans 16: What Is The Secret?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”
1. Servant (V1-16)
V1 “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:”
Paul encouraged the Romans Christians to receive Phebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, who was coming to Rome for her business, with much love and hospitality, because she had took care of Paul and many Christians who were in neeCopyd at Cenchrea.
V2 “That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”
2. Satan (V17-20)
V17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Paul pleaded with the Romans Christians to mark them who were trouble makers, and to avoid them at all cost. He encouraged them that the God of peace and grace, whom they believed, shall grant them victory over Satan, whose final destiny shall be the fiery pits of hell. Indeed, let us be sober and vigilant of the devil, and his evil and deceiving tactics, because he is behind every false teaching, church split and wicked deed in this world.
V20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
3. Secret (V21-27)
V25 “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”
God through Paul finally revealed to them that the mystery or secret that had been kept for years during the Old Testament was – Jesus Christ is the Saviour and the Lord of a believer, and the Head of the Church - a body of believers regardless of their nationality.
V26 “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know the secret – Jesus is my Saviour and Lord!
Romans 15: Do You Know God?
Verse of the Day: (V5) “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
1. God Of Patience (V1-12)
V4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
In the days of Paul, the Christians went through hard times, because of the Romans’ persecution. Paul then encouraged them to look to the God of patience and consolation who would comfort them because He had comforted the many suffering saints during the Old Testament. Today, let us also look to the God of patience and consolation in the midst of our struggles and sufferings, and remember that Jesus, the Son of God, knows our sufferings because He also went through suffering, and even death on the cruel cross.
V5 “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
2. God Of Hope (V13-29)
V13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Paul explained to the Romans Christians that God had called him to preach to them, the Gentiles, so that they too, like him, a Jew, would believe in the God of hope, and receive the power of the Holy Ghost. Indeed, God shall fill us with joy and peace, and grant us salvation when we believe in Jesus, the Son of God, who came and died for the sins of the whole world. Whosoever believes in Jesus shall never perish, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven one day. This was why Paul was called the Apostle to the Gentiles.
V16 “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.”
3. God Of Peace (V30-33)
V30 “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”
Paul earnestly asked for prayers from the Romans Christians as he was severely persecuted by the Romans’ authority for preaching the gospel. In all his suffering and even at his death, Paul had the peace of God, because he believed in the God of peace.
V33 “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I know You - the God of patience, hope and peace.
Romans 14: Who Are We?
Verse of the Day: (V8) “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
1. Able (V1-8)
V4 “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”
It is our natural tendency to judge others, and this was why our God through Apostle Paul, admonished the Corinthian Christians as well as Christians today, never to judge one another. It is even worse when Christians not only judge but condemn other Christians. Who are we, but sinners saved by God’s grace? Only God, our Judge, our Master, is able and fit to judge our sins and wrongdoings, because only He can forgive them when we confess and renounce them. Indeed, we are the Lord’s, and let us love and serve Him, for whether we live or die on this earth, we shall all be with Him forever in heaven one day!
V8 “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
2. Account (V9-13)
V10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
We give our account to God because only God is our Judge, and no one else. Though we are accountable to our parents at home, our teachers in school, our supervisors at our workplace, our leaders in our country and our pastors in church, yet, above all, we are accountable to God in our daily Christian living. One day, we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ, and give an account of our lives to Christ, our Judge and Saviour.
V12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
3. Acceptable (V14-23)
V18 “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
God shall only accept our works and service, whether at home, school, work, church or community, when we do them by faith in Him. Anything that is not done by faith in God is sin, and is unacceptable to Him. Indeed, we shall have God’s righteousness, peace and joy, and be a great blessing to others, when we live by faith in Christ, and Christ alone!
V23 “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that we are Yours now and forever!
Romans 13: Will You Put On The Lord?
Verse of the Day: (V14) “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
1. Law (V1-9)
V8 “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
God commands His people, the Christians, to submit to the authority and to obey His commandments, namely, to love all, because God appoints the authority, and He loves man and makes man in His image. However, the great challenge will be how we submit to the authority when the leaders force us to deny God. The same great challenge will be how we love those who hurt or harm us. This is where God really tests our faith and trust in Him. It will not be easy but God shall surely provide a way for us when the time comes!
V9 “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
2. Love (V10-11)
V10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
We will keep God’s commandments when we truly God and people because we will not commit anything that will dishonour God, and hurt or harm others. Indeed, Jesus is coming soon, and let us wake up from our lack of love, and start loving God and people!
V11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
3. Light (V12-14)
V12 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Again, God reminded the Christians in Apostle Paul’s time and even today, the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the importance of putting on the armour of His light in this dark world. Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts by putting God first, and fleeing from sins and lusts, and He shall grant us the needs and desires of our hearts!
V14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to put You in my heart, and love all, and flee from sins.
Romans 12: How To Live?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
1. Holy (V1-3)
V1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
God through Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians to give their lives to God in holiness and humility as there was intense infighting among the Corinthian Christians. The Corinthian church was divided into at least 3 groups – the so-called successful or strong Christians, the average ones and the weak ones. They failed to realise that it was only by God’s mercies, grace and love that they had the faith, the talents, and the great privilege to have the eternal home in glorious heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.
V3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
2. Honour (V4-16)
V10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
God desires the Christians to live with the highest honour that reflect His attributes of holiness, humility, honesty, etc. Indeed, the Christian ought to be the most honourable and hardworking in their life and conduct at their workplace, school, church and home.
V11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
3. Honest (V17-21)
V17 “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
The world says, Honesty is the best policy, but God says, Honesty is the only policy. The world says, Evil for evil, an eye for an eye, but God says, Overcome evil with good. The world says, Fight against those who harm you, but God says, Live peaceably with all men. It is only when we submit and surrender our lives to God that we can truly lead a life of holiness, honour and honesty in a world of dissatisfaction, dishonour and dishonesty.
V18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to live in holiness, in honour and in all honesty.
Romans 11: Do You Know The Goodness And Severity Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V22) “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
1. Goodness And Severity Of God (V1-27)
V21 “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
God warned the Gentiles, or the grafted branches, or more specifically the church, to be humble and fear Him, as he has chosen them to be His people, because the Jews, the natural branches, whom He had originally chosen, had rejected Him. However, God extends His goodness and grace to the Jews, if they will repent of their unbelief, and return to Him, otherwise His severity and judgment is still upon them for their unbelief.
V22 “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
2. Gifts And Calling Of God (V28-32)
V28 “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”
The Jews were enemies of Christ when they rejected and crucified Him. However, one day, during the Millennium, the Jews shall be His beloved, because He shall fulfil His promise that He made to their forefathers, the likes of Abraham and Isaac, that He shall be their King forever. Indeed, God’s gifts and calling, or His promises, shall be fulfilled!
V29 “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
3. Wisdom And Knowledge Of God (V33-36)
V33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
God’s wisdom and knowledge draw the hearts of the people whether they are Jews or Gentiles to Him. However God gives man the choice. If we choose to believe and trust in Christ, and repent of our sins, we have a pearly heaven to gain. However if we choose to reject Christ, then we are condemned to fiery hell. Ultimately, God’s plan and purpose is that all may know Him, that He is our Saviour and Lord, and all glory be due to Him!
V36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your goodness and severity that keep me trusting You.
Romans 10: What Is Your Heart’s Desire?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
1. Zeal Of God (V1-2)
V1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer to God was for his people, the people of Israel, to know the Lord Jesus, and to make Him known throughout the world. However, the people of Israel only had the zeal of God, but they did not have the truth and knowledge of God. They stubbornly refused to believe that Jesus Christ was truly the Son of God. Today, many people may have their own religions and are very religious, but the truth of the matter is that they have no salvation. Salvation is only by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
V2 “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
2. Righteousness Of God (V3-13)
V3 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
The Jews refused to believe in Jesus, and they rebelled against God by keeping their own tradition and established their own righteousness. Today, many people zealously keep their own tradition and establish their own righteousness, but they are sincerely wrong because we can only be saved and have the righteousness of God when we confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and believe in our heart that God had raised Him from the dead.
V9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
3. Word Of God (V14-21)
V14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Our faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is only possible when we have the opportunity to hear the word of God. Therefore Paul encouraged the believers to preach and share God’s Word so that all may come to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
V17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please fulfil my heart’s desire that all may come to know You.
Romans 9: Who Are You?
Verse of the Day: (V26) “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
1. Christ (V1-19)
V1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,”
God revealed to Paul that he must not only preach to his own people, the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. However, Paul was falsely accused by some of the Jews for reaching out to the Gentiles. These Jews rejected God’s plan that whosoever believed in Christ could be saved. Though God promised Abraham that the Jews were His chosen people, yet God’s plan was for both Jews and Gentiles to believe in Him by faith. In fact, these Jews not only opposed Paul, but they sought to take his life. This was why Paul’s heart was heavy and sorrowful as he defended himself that he spoke the truth in Christ, and was of Christ.
V2 “That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.”
2. Clay (V20-24)
V20 “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”
God through Paul rebuked the pride of these Jews who rejected the truth that God also loved the Gentiles and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Indeed, God is the Potter and we are the clay, and without God, we are nothing!
V21 “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
3. Children (V25-33)
V26 “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”
God had chosen Israel to be His people to testify to the world that the God of Israel was the true God. However Israel failed God, as they rebelled against Him. God then sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and established His church to replace Israel as a witness that He is the true God. Hence all including the Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith are called the children of the true and living God.
V30 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Potter and I am Your clay, Your child!
