Pause

There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; and there are different ministries and the same Lord; and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Listen

I’m the least important of the apostles. I don’t deserve to be called an apostle, because I harassed God’s church. I am what I am by God’s grace, and God’s grace hasn’t been for nothing. In fact, I have worked harder than all the others—that is, it wasn’t me but the grace of God that is with me. So then, whether you heard the message from me or them, this is what we preach and this is what you have believed.

1 Corinthians 15:9-11

Think

Verse 10 feels to me like a perfect verse to commit to praying on: "I am what I am by God’s grace, and God’s grace hasn’t been for nothing." Paul knows that he has made mistakes in his life. Big ones. He had no idea at the time of making them how bad they were. But once he came to see who Jesus was, he realized, deep in his bones, that harassing the church, as he says in verse 9, was a big mistake.

In this part of Corinthians we hear Paul’s regret for the life he lived before, but also his clear conviction that God is not making a mistake by calling Paul to now serve Christ by founding and supporting new Christian churches.

God can and does use us all. No matter what mistakes you make, God is making no mistake by loving and calling you.

Emily Peck-McClain

Pray

God, I am what I am because of your grace, and your grace isn’t for nothing. I pray that you use me well and that you convince my heart that I am the one you need. I am here for you, as I know you are here for me. Amen.

Go

Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17