1 Corinthians 9: Will You Receive The Crown?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

1. Christ (V1-8)
V1 “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”

Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians that they should love and support God’s preachers. Though there were Christians who supposedly loved God and men, yet in reality, they hated and opposed God’s preachers. The reason was that they might not be Christians, and even if they were, they had backslidden to the point where they hated and opposed God’s preachers.  Let us truly love God’s preachers as they preach God’s word!

V2 “If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”

2. Corn (V9-23)
V9 “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”

Paul explained to the Corinthian church that they must love and financially support their full-time preachers, just like the farmers would not muzzle their oxen but let them freely eat the corn which they were ploughing on the field. However, Paul knew that the church must do it willingly, and hence, Paul became a tentmaker to support himself while preaching the gospel. Let us as a church truly loves and financially supports our full-time preachers and staff, because God shall richly bless and reward the church in due time.

V18 “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”

3. Crown (V24-27)
V24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

Though it was not an easy road for Paul as he faced much hatred, opposition and persecution, yet he persevered to the end. He was determined to finish his Christian race well, so that he could gladly receive the incorruptible crown from his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and hear His comforting words, “Welcome, my good and faithful servant!”

V25 “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to finish my race so that I shall receive Your crown.

1 Corinthians 8: Do You Love God?
Verse of the Day: (V3) “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”

1. Love (V1-4)
V1 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit reminded the Corinthian church that God placed charity or God’s love above everything else, including knowledge. When we have knowledge, we may become proud, while when we have true love of God, we will always remain humble, and continue to love and encourage others. Paul warned them that though they could eat the food offered to idols because these idols were nothing, yet they must be careful not to stumble the weaker Christians. Indeed, God’s love is above everything else!

V3 “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”

2. Lord (V5-6)
V5 “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)”

The people in Paul’s time, and even today, believed and worshipped many gods and lords, but truly there is only one God, the Father, and only one Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only God is the Creator of this world, and only the Lord Jesus is the Saviour of this world.

V6 “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

3. Liberty (V7-13)
V9 “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.”

Though we are at liberty to eat food offer to idols, yet we should refrain from eating them, because we know that there are weaker Christians who have weak conscience, and may be stumbled by our liberty. If we stumble them, we actually sin against God, because it shows that we do not love them. Therefore, let us who are strong, love the weak, by not stumbling them, because the Lord Jesus Christ is the best and perfect example of love. Jesus loves us so much, that He left the throne of heaven to be a man, and to die on the cruel cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. Whosoever believes in Jesus should never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven.

V12 “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love You and others, because You first love all.

1 Corinthians 7: What Is Your Gift?
Verse of the Day: (V7) “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”

1. Gift Of God (V1-17)
V1 “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”

Though God through Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to follow the example of Paul who devoted all his time and energy on God’s work because he had God’s gift of being single, or was a widower, yet not all the Christians had the gift of being single or were widowers. However it is God’s desire that whether we have His gift of being single or married that we devote most if not all our time and energy on His work.

V7 “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.”

2. Commandments Of God (V18-24)
V18 “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.”

During Paul’s time, the Corinthian Christians were arguing whether it was necessary to circumcise the Gentile Christians because the Jewish Christians were circumcised according to tradition. Some even argued that the Jewish Christians should do away with circumcision. Hence, God through Paul explained to them that keeping God’s commandments, namely, loving God and men, was more important than keeping men’s tradition. Let us therefore focus on keeping God’s commandments than men’s tradition.

V19 “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.”

3. Spirit Of God (V25-40)
V39 “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”

Beside God’s salvation, marriage is another of God’s great gifts. Marriage is for life, and only death, with the exception of adultery, separates the married couple. Only when the husband is dead, can the woman choose either to marry another or remain single. Indeed, whether we are single or married, we are the happiest when we are led by God’s Spirit!

V40 “But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your gift of salvation whether I am single or married.

1 Corinthians 6: Who Shall Judge The World?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “Do ye know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”

1. Saints (V1-8)
V1 “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?”

God through Paul commanded the Corinthian Christians that they should not bring their disputes to the State Court before unbelievers, but to settle them among themselves. It was sad and tragic that they failed to love and trust one another, and hence they resorted to man’s ways instead of God’s ways in settling their disputes. Indeed, let us settle our disputes with the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, and not take matters before men, because one day we shall judge and reign with Christ in this world!

V2 “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?”

2. Spirit (V9-14)
V9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”

Paul warned the Corinthian Christians to flee from sins which they had confessed to God, and God had washed them by the precious blood of His Son, and justified by His Spirit. However, it does not mean that Christians never sin, but it does mean that they should not continue in sins, and if they sin, they should confess and repent them. Those who continue in sins may never be truly saved. However, only God knows His saints, and let us continue to trust Him and look forward to the day when we shall inherit His kingdom.

V11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”’

3. Sin (V15-20)
V18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”

God hates sins, and in particular, immorality, because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we should keep them pure and holy, and not abuse and dishonour them.

V19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I shall judge the world by Your Spirit and wisdom.

1 Corinthians 5: How To Overcome Satan?
Verse of the Day: (V5) “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

1. Satan (V1-5)
V1 “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.”

God through Paul rebuked the Corinthian church because they allowed Satan to deceive them into committing many sins, and openly accepted a couple who had committed incest, which even the Gentiles or the unbelievers would never accept it. Satan is real as much as God is real. Satan is stronger and wiser than men, and only God is able to overcome him. Therefore, let us draw near to the holy God, and claim upon His strength and wisdom to defeat Satan. In fact God has already defeated Satan whose final destination is fiery hell.

V5 “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

2. Sacrifice (V6-7)
V6 “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Not only the Corinthian Christians sinned against God, but they even had the audacity to boast about their sins. This was why God disciplined them by permitting Satan to afflict them. Indeed, we are new creatures in Christ when we believe that God sacrificed His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. We therefore belong to Christ, and we must hence willingly love and serve Him, and flee from the sight of sins and Satan.

V7 “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”

3. Sincerity (V8-13)
V8 “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Let us keep our life testimony by living in sincerity and truth, knowing that God is our ultimate Judge. He shall richly bless and reward the righteous for their labour of love and work of faith, but He shall curse and punish the wicked for their sins and wickedness.

V13 “But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to overcome Satan by Your strength and wisdom.

1 Corinthians 4: Are You Sharing The Mysteries Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

1. Mysteries Of God (V1-2)
V1 “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

Apostle Paul commanded the Corinthian church to be faithful in sharing the mysteries of God which was none other than the gospel of Christ - that Jesus died and shed His precious blood, and whosoever would believe in Him shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven one day. Indeed, we may not have the same gifts and talents, but God commands us to be faithful in sharing the gospel of Christ!

V2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

2. Praise Of God (V3-5)
V4 “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”

Though God called Paul to be the preacher of His mysteries, yet there were people who judged him for his past sins, and rejected him as God’s servant. However, Paul was not discouraged, as he knew that only God is his judge, and only God could see the hearts of men. Let us be found faithful in sharing the gospel of Christ so that one day we shall hear the praise of God - “You are my good and faithful servant, welcome to my kingdom!”

V5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

3. Kingdom Of God (V6-21)
V20 “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

Paul explained to the Corinthian Christians that it was not so much that they shared the gospel of Christ, but it was the power of their life testimony. They must practice what they preached - if they preached the love of God, they must themselves love one another. Paul’s final word to them before he would visit them was that they must be prepared that he would come to them with the rod of discipline if they failed to live for God, or that he would come with the spirit of love and humility if they had lived for the praise of God!

V21 “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to faithfully share Your mysteries or gospel.

1 Corinthians 3: Who Give The Increase?
Verse of the Day: (V6) “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

1. The Grace Of God (V1-11)
V6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

God through Apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian church as they sought credits for work done for Him. The church was carnal as they served, witnessed, preached, etc., so that others would recognise and praise their labour of love. However, Paul admonished them that it did not matter who planted the seeds or share the gospel of Christ, or who watered the seeds or disciple the new converts, as ultimately it was God who gave the increase, and saved these precious souls from fiery hell to glorious heaven. Indeed, it is God’s grace that we are saved through faith, and not of our works. We are only the builders and building blocks, but Christ is truly the Master-builder and Foundation. Though we serve God, yet we have nothing to glory, because it is all about God and His amazing grace.

V10 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”

2. The Spirit Of God (V12-16)
V13 “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and saviour, God’s Spirit shall indwell in us, and we become His temple. Henceforth, God’s Spirit shall lead and direct us as we share the gospel, disciple converts, and do God’s work. Finally, our work shall be tested by God’s fire to ascertain whether it is truly done with the Spirit’s leadership, or by our own effort.

V16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

3. The Temple Of God (V17-23)
V17 “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

Since we are the temple of God, we must be holy, as God is holy. It is therefore of utmost importance that we strive to be holy by submitting to the leadership of God’s Spirit, and by fleeing from the sight of sins and evil. Indeed, we belong to Christ, and Christ alone.

V23 “And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You give the increase and I am truly Yours.

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!