Monday, January 20 – “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) The body of Christ is the collection of all who have and who will, yield their life to the lordship of Jesus. There’s great diversity in the body of Christ. Just as there’s great diversity in your body. Yet, the diversity serves a common root, a common good. Every body needs every part functioning in order to have an abundant life. What’s your part?
Tuesday, January 21 – “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) You have a “manifestation of the Spirit” living in you right now. A manifestation is a public demonstration. Thus, as a follower of Jesus, you have some kind of public demonstration of the Holy Spirit in your life. It could be teaching. It could be encouragement. It could be hospitality. It could be discernment. It could be leadership. What it is isn’t as important as if you’re using it for the common good.
Wednesday, January 22 – “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) The apostle Paul is trying to teach the Corinthian church that they are all in this together. We tend to segregate, to separate people based on our definition of what is important, vital or significant. Paul is teaching us that as followers of Jesus, we don’t segregate, we integrate. You aren’t in this alone. You’re a part of the body of Christ. What’s your part?
Thursday, January 23 – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) Notice that Paul isn’t teaching you to win, at any cost. His instruction is to “run in such a way as to get the prize”. Meaning, give it all you got, whatever the “it” may be. Give your relationships all you got. Give your job all you got. Give your faith in Jesus all you got. Live, as if you’re actually are trying to win the prize.
Friday, January 24 – “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:17) This is an allusion to communion. All people coming together, as one body, to eat from one loaf. Just as bread is made up of many individual grains of wheat, the body of Christ is also made up of many individuals. Yet, every individual is essential to the body, just as every grain of wheat is essential to the loaf. You’re important to the body of Christ.
Saturday, January 25 – “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) Chances are good that you don’t believe that you matter. That who you are isn’t as important, vital or significant as others. Nothing could be further from the truth. You were created, you were gifted and you are loved by the same God who created, gifted and loves every human being who has ever been or will ever be. So, now all you need to do is get out there and start living like it. Regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Tuesday, January 21 – “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) You have a “manifestation of the Spirit” living in you right now. A manifestation is a public demonstration. Thus, as a follower of Jesus, you have some kind of public demonstration of the Holy Spirit in your life. It could be teaching. It could be encouragement. It could be hospitality. It could be discernment. It could be leadership. What it is isn’t as important as if you’re using it for the common good.
Wednesday, January 22 – “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) The apostle Paul is trying to teach the Corinthian church that they are all in this together. We tend to segregate, to separate people based on our definition of what is important, vital or significant. Paul is teaching us that as followers of Jesus, we don’t segregate, we integrate. You aren’t in this alone. You’re a part of the body of Christ. What’s your part?
Thursday, January 23 – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) Notice that Paul isn’t teaching you to win, at any cost. His instruction is to “run in such a way as to get the prize”. Meaning, give it all you got, whatever the “it” may be. Give your relationships all you got. Give your job all you got. Give your faith in Jesus all you got. Live, as if you’re actually are trying to win the prize.
Friday, January 24 – “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” (1 Corinthians 10:17) This is an allusion to communion. All people coming together, as one body, to eat from one loaf. Just as bread is made up of many individual grains of wheat, the body of Christ is also made up of many individuals. Yet, every individual is essential to the body, just as every grain of wheat is essential to the loaf. You’re important to the body of Christ.
Saturday, January 25 – “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:5-6) Chances are good that you don’t believe that you matter. That who you are isn’t as important, vital or significant as others. Nothing could be further from the truth. You were created, you were gifted and you are loved by the same God who created, gifted and loves every human being who has ever been or will ever be. So, now all you need to do is get out there and start living like it. Regardless of what anyone else thinks.
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
