Scripture:
1 Corinthians 9:11-16, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Thu, 19 January 2023

Obstacles to the Gospel

Observation:

Why did Paul not make use of his “rightful claim” (v.12)?

Deeper Reflection
In football, a player commits the foul of “obstruction” when he/she moves into an opponent’s path to block or slow him/her down, when the ball cannot be played by either player. In the spiritual arena, the progress of the Gospel can be also be obstructed.In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul explains to the Corinthian Christians that he has laid down his rights to making a living from the Gospel and to take a Christian wife. These rights sound like good and necessary aspects of life. So why does Paul give them up? Not to prove he’s holier than everyone else or to make life difficult for himself, but for one purpose alone: to ensure that there would be no obstacle to the progress of the Gospel (v.12).If we were to examine our lives closely, might we find that we unknowingly obstruct others from believing the Gospel? It may be that the way we live our lives makes it harder for people to believe the Gospel, rather than easier! Let’s reflect on the way we speak: are our words gracious or do they tear people down (Eph 4:29)? And our workplace ethics: do we work wholeheartedly and with integrity, or selfishly (Eph 6:5-7)?Satan actively obstructs people from receiving the light of the Gospel by blinding them (2 Cor 4:3-4). He is literally hell-bent on preventing as many as possible from seeing Christ’s light. Knowing the enemy’s tactic, will we therefore live as a light unto the world (Matt 5:14) and pray that the enemy will himself be obstructed?
Application:

How might our character and conduct reflect the Gospel and attract people to Christ?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To prayerfully discern ways to lead the church to overcome obstacles to the Gospel that are present in our culture
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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