1 Corinthians 16:5-9 says...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 16:5-9, which read,
v.5, 6 - But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
Paul is filling us in on his travel plans and also calling ahead to the Christians in the Corinthian church to be making his bed and room ready for him. Of course Paul was not coming for a vacation but there was a definite purpose for his travels to them and also the route to and from them. Everywhere was a mission field to Paul and even the places to the places where he was going was a mission field.
Paul is also giving them time to process and put into place the things that have been spoken of in this letter that most likely Timothy delivered to them. He is also shown some more confidence in them after this letter of correction to be the senders of him to other parts of the known world with the gospel. They would be the providers for the gospel getting out to another section of the world and Paul would most likely let those in that region know that it was because of the faith and provision of the Corinthians that he was there.
Paul's travels were never just to the destination but also the places that he was going to be going through and in this instance, the city of Macedonia. I am seeing a devotional point here that we may be passing over an opportunity on the way to our opportunity so keep your eyes and ears open to God's direction on the journey and not just at the destination.
v.7-9 - For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul is also letting us and the Christians in the Corinthian church in on his prayer requests. It almost feels like a missionary support letter that has prayer concerns on the end. Paul is in Ephesus and something big is on the brink of opening up for the gospel and so there are many adversaries when the work of God is going to go forward.
It is like Paul is saying to them, "See Corinthians, there are troubles in other churches too, not just you." Paul is extending his time with the Ephesians so that he can also extend his time with the Corinthians but this is all in the Lord's hands and His time. The gospel is so important and the spread of the gospel that Paul leans heavily on God's direction and timing.
Another devotional point comes out that when we have an opportunity to share the gospel or to start a new ministry and doors are opening up, be ready for some opposition from the enemy. Sometimes the enemy doesn't look or sound like an enemy too. I call it the "half-way" fail. I have seen so many ideas that get formed and thought through get half-way to a kick off and then some opposition comes in and the person has to decide what to do. If it is for the gospel, push through that opposition and that half-way point to see what God has at the end. Remember that adversaries are different than godly people giving godly wisdom, direction, and correction at times. Adversaries are just that, adversaries to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus will send godly brothers and sisters in Christ to correct and direct but they will not want the gospel to not get where it needs to go.
"Lord, what a morning I am looking forward to with Your people. A time to sing, a time to give, a time to fellowship, a time to shake hands and give a hug, a time to pray, a time to study, and a time to pause together to acknowledge the author of the gospel. Guide us through that time together just as You guided Paul from place to place with the message of You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.5, 6 - But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
Paul is filling us in on his travel plans and also calling ahead to the Christians in the Corinthian church to be making his bed and room ready for him. Of course Paul was not coming for a vacation but there was a definite purpose for his travels to them and also the route to and from them. Everywhere was a mission field to Paul and even the places to the places where he was going was a mission field.
Paul is also giving them time to process and put into place the things that have been spoken of in this letter that most likely Timothy delivered to them. He is also shown some more confidence in them after this letter of correction to be the senders of him to other parts of the known world with the gospel. They would be the providers for the gospel getting out to another section of the world and Paul would most likely let those in that region know that it was because of the faith and provision of the Corinthians that he was there.
Paul's travels were never just to the destination but also the places that he was going to be going through and in this instance, the city of Macedonia. I am seeing a devotional point here that we may be passing over an opportunity on the way to our opportunity so keep your eyes and ears open to God's direction on the journey and not just at the destination.
v.7-9 - For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul is also letting us and the Christians in the Corinthian church in on his prayer requests. It almost feels like a missionary support letter that has prayer concerns on the end. Paul is in Ephesus and something big is on the brink of opening up for the gospel and so there are many adversaries when the work of God is going to go forward.
It is like Paul is saying to them, "See Corinthians, there are troubles in other churches too, not just you." Paul is extending his time with the Ephesians so that he can also extend his time with the Corinthians but this is all in the Lord's hands and His time. The gospel is so important and the spread of the gospel that Paul leans heavily on God's direction and timing.
Another devotional point comes out that when we have an opportunity to share the gospel or to start a new ministry and doors are opening up, be ready for some opposition from the enemy. Sometimes the enemy doesn't look or sound like an enemy too. I call it the "half-way" fail. I have seen so many ideas that get formed and thought through get half-way to a kick off and then some opposition comes in and the person has to decide what to do. If it is for the gospel, push through that opposition and that half-way point to see what God has at the end. Remember that adversaries are different than godly people giving godly wisdom, direction, and correction at times. Adversaries are just that, adversaries to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus will send godly brothers and sisters in Christ to correct and direct but they will not want the gospel to not get where it needs to go.
"Lord, what a morning I am looking forward to with Your people. A time to sing, a time to give, a time to fellowship, a time to shake hands and give a hug, a time to pray, a time to study, and a time to pause together to acknowledge the author of the gospel. Guide us through that time together just as You guided Paul from place to place with the message of You. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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