Gospel Reading Plan: Acts 21-22
Paul’s First Letter to
the Corinthians: DAY 19
READ 1 Corinthians 16
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
Now Paul brings his letter to a close with some final
instructions. Paul was a true defender of the faith and understood what it
meant to live by the Spirit. In his conclusion he mentions his desire to
personally visit the church at Corinth for an extended time, though even this
is a desire to be surrendered to the Lord. His purpose is to go and do only
where and what the Lord wills. Paul does not live controlled by his feelings or
personal preferences; in everything he does, he works for the Lord. A humble
leader, he has no trouble sharing the load of the churches, raising up
disciples and exalting the efforts of fellow workers. His love for the Lord and
for the believers is made clear in his final words. Paul’s life is not his own;
he is a joyful slave to the Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
In light of all that you’ve read in
this letter, why do think Paul chooses to give the specific exhortations that
he does in verses 13 and 14?
2.
Paul did not live by feelings. Ask God
to show you an area of your life where you are letting your feelings take
control, rather than letting Him guide you. Take some time to surrender control
over to Him and ask Him what He wants of you in the situation.
3.
You have just finished Paul’s letter to
the Corinthians in sequence and in context. In order to seal what you have
learned so that you will not forget it, take a few minutes to write out an
overview of what this book of the Bible is about. What were some of the verses
and themes that really stuck out to you?
4.
If you serve in the church in any
capacity, spend some time asking God to give you a deep love for those you
serve.
