Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Abundant Life Through Kingdom of God Experience

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:4-15

Key Verse :For in him you have been enriched in every way with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge.” 1 Corinthians 1:5

DEVOTION

Have we ever considered the abundance God has already poured into our lives? When we look at the blessings we have received from the Lord it is always provided in abundance because there is so much he has given us. As Paul starts his letter to the Corinthians, he greatly illustrates God’s grace and gifts, which forces us to recognize that abundant life starts with our experience with God now. 

Paul highlights three major points when writing his letter…

1. The Foundation of Abundant Life: Grace
    Paul reveals that our foundation in Christ is created through the grace he has provided to us. This grace transforms us, and allows us to experience the richness of life in His kingdom. As seen through verse 5 it says “For in him you have been enriched in every way…”, this further displays how we are rich through grace. Through the grace received by our Lord and Savior we are no longer bound by sin or fear, rather, we are free to live in His love and set for the purpose he has bestowed upon us. 
2. Abundance Through Spiritual Gifts
    Paul also makes sure to point out that us believers are equipped with all spiritual gifts necessary to work in God’s kingdom. The gifts that were given to us include wisdom, knowledge, and speech. Using these gifts we must get ready to expand his kingdom if we haven’t done so already. In our own daily lives we are aware of individuals who don’t believe in Christ, however using the gifts provided by our Lord, we must be willing and take initiative to do so. 
3. Unity in Kingdom
    From verses 10-15, Paul talks about the division in the Corinth church. He emphasizes that abundant life isn’t lived in isolation or conflict, rather by being in unity with one another through the body of Christ. We should only be focusing on glorifying the Lord and growing his kingdom; when we start focusing on these aspects our differences will start to fade. 

   PRAYER

 Lord, Heavenly Father, thank you for providing us with another day in our lives. Thank you for the gifts you have provided us in a world full of harm and terror. Please give us strength to expand your kingdom, and to nurture others by putting their trust in you. Please remove the divisions that separate us from the fact of glorifying our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ Most Precious Name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day
 “Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God” - A.R. Bernard

Jason Mathew
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY

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