Daily Worship (May 11)

1 Corinthians 9:19–23
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Devotional Thought
Paul was a man who never changed the message of Jesus, but he often changed how he shared it. In this passage, Paul explains how he adjusted his behavior to reach different kinds of people. He didn’t pretend to be someone else, and he didn’t lie. Instead, he learned how to understand others, speak their language, and meet them where they were. His goal was to help more people know Jesus.

This connects with how Paul acted in Acts 21. When he came to Jerusalem, the Jewish Christians were worried about rumors that he didn’t respect Jewish laws. So Paul joined a purification ceremony to show that he still cared about their customs. He didn’t do this because he had to—but because he loved them. He was flexible in his methods, but faithful to the gospel.

This is an important lesson for us. Sometimes we think people must fit our style or traditions before they can follow Jesus. But gospel movements grow when we love people where they are. If we want to reach others, we may need to let go of our preferences and learn how to speak in ways they understand. That’s what Paul did. That’s what Jesus did. And that’s what we can do too.

COMMA Questions

• Context – Why is Paul talking about his rights and freedom earlier in this chapter?
• Observation – What are the different groups of people Paul says he tries to reach?
• Meaning – What does it mean to become “all things to all people”?
• Main Idea – How does flexibility in method help the gospel spread more effectively?
• Application – How can you adjust your actions or attitude to share Jesus better with others?

Prayer
Lord, help me to love people like Paul did. Teach me to be flexible in how I share the gospel without ever changing its truth. Give me a heart that listens, learns, and reaches out. Use me to bring others to Jesus. Amen.

Acts 22:21–22
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

Devotional Thought
Paul had tried everything to show love to the Jewish people. He had followed their customs, spoken their language, and told his story with care. But when he said God had sent him to the Gentiles, everything changed. The crowd got angry and wanted him gone.

Why did this happen? Because the gospel challenges our pride. The Jews believed they were God’s special people, and they didn’t like the idea that others—outsiders—could also receive God’s grace. Paul was faithful to tell them the truth, even though he knew it would upset them. He didn’t water down the gospel. He didn’t skip the hard part. He stayed true to God’s message.

This reminds us that being kind and loving does not mean everyone will like what we say. If we share the real gospel, some people will be offended. That’s not because we’re doing something wrong, but because truth can be hard to hear. The good news is for everyone—but not everyone wants to receive it.

When we face rejection or pushback for speaking the truth about Jesus, we can remember Paul’s example. Stay gentle. Stay loving. But stay faithful. God’s Word never returns empty.

COMMA Questions

• Context – What was Paul doing before he mentioned the Gentiles?
• Observation – What exact words caused the crowd to get angry?
• Meaning – Why would the idea of Gentiles being included cause such a strong reaction?
• Main Idea – What does this passage show us about the cost of telling the whole gospel?
• Application – How can you stay faithful to the gospel when others don’t want to hear it?

Prayer
God, thank You that Your gospel is for all people. Help me to speak the truth, even when it’s hard. Give me courage to be bold and gentle to be kind. May I never be ashamed of the message of Jesus. Amen.

Acts 22:25–29
As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered. Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied. Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

Devotional Thought
Things were not looking good for Paul. He had just been beaten by a mob and was about to be whipped by Roman soldiers. But just in time, Paul speaks up and says something surprising: he is a Roman citizen. That changes everything. The soldiers stop. The commander gets nervous. Paul is protected.

This moment is a reminder that even when everything feels out of control, God is still working. Paul didn’t become a Roman citizen by accident. God had given him that citizenship as part of His plan. Even in danger, Paul was never outside of God’s care.

We all go through hard times. Maybe we feel misunderstood, rejected, or hurt. But this story reminds us that God is always in charge. He can use anything—even a birth certificate or a legal rule—to protect His people and carry out His plan.

Paul didn’t escape trouble forever. But at that moment, God gave him help. And God will help us too. We may not always see it right away, but He is always with us, always working for good, and always writing a bigger story.

COMMA Questions
Context – What events happened just before this moment?
Observation – What detail stops the soldiers from hurting Paul?
Meaning – Why is Paul’s Roman citizenship so important in this story?
Main Idea – How does this passage show that God is in control even during suffering?
Application – When things feel scary or unfair, how can you trust that God is still working?

Prayer
Father, thank You that You are always in control. Even when life feels scary or unfair, You are with me. Help me to trust You, speak up when needed, and believe that You are working in all things for good. Amen.