“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no mean seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” 1 Corinthians 10:23
Today’s Christian daily devotional
It’s a Friday night and I am looking forward to a much needed and long overdue wind-down time with my girlfriends.
My stomach starts rumbling as I pull into the parking lot of our favorite Chicago Steakhouse. Watching the puffs of smoke curl in the air like disappearing ribbons in the night sky, it is easy to picture the toasty chimney I know that smoke is emanating from.
Every Christmas season for the last fifteen years, my girlfriends and I have kept our pact. We meet and dine in this regal little stomping ground the same time every year. Dusting the snow off my boots, the sounds of laugher and live music prompts me to hurry it up. I simply can’t wait another second to see my girlfriends!
My posse’ is just as excited; I don’t even have to open those big brass doors. Lisa, my old college roommate does it for me.
“Jules! You’re late…go figure!” She engulfs me in a big bear hug.
Two more of my friends get up from the bar and charge towards me. They turn Lisa’s hug into a group fiasco that the whole restaurant can’t ignore.
“I just ordered their best bottle of Merlot!” Renee’ shrieks as she lifts her empty glass.
“I mean, another one… of course!” Lisa and Renee’ clink their empty glasses together. Both of their cheeks are nice and rosy.
As I pull off my bulky layers of scarf and coat, I notice that Becky isn’t sporting an empty glass like the rest of them.
This observation quickly brings me back to our last phone conversation; the one where Becky poured her heart out with me about her secret struggle with alcohol addiction.
I make sure to pull a chair next to Becky’s.
“For you, too?” The bartender turns to grab a fresh wine glass. We both stare at the new bottle that is sitting waiting to be uncorked.
“I’ll have what she’s having.” I nod at Becky’s glass of water. “But, I’ll take mine on the rocks.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:23 the Bible tells us that the children of God have the freedom to exercise restraint. This is the power that God enables all believers who really want to give hope to those who are feeling discouraged, perhaps even on the verge of a royal stumble.
Of course, it’s much easier to make the claim that another person’s problem isn’t necessarily ‘our problem’. But, when we make the choice to shoulder the burdens of another, we have a wonderful opportunity to lighten their load and lessen their pain.
Nobody ‘has’ to do this, of course! But, saying you love someone without it sacrificing anything, doesn’t really say much at all.
Do you really want to make an impact? Look around you and notice those who could use some encouragement today. Then, go do a little something about it. Those acts of sacrifice and kindness are the mark of a person who is truly stretching towards that mark of becoming more like Christ. Can you think of anything better than that?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I repent of not looking past myself. Many of the things I do, I do out of the simple habit of thinking selfishly.
I forget that other people may be struggling and hurting. I also tend to forget that there might be something that I can personally do about it.
Help me to have the wisdom and self-control to think before I act. Even if no one ever knows of the tiny sacrifices I make, you know God. You see. Let that be enough for me.
I want to become a bit more like Jesus everyday. This will only happen if I am willing to listen to your still small voice guiding me. In Jesus’ precious name, I am ready to do things your way, Lord. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verse: 1 Corinthians 10:23
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan