And the Winner is.......(The One Who Preaches the GOSPEL)?

1 Corinthians 9:16-20 ESV : "16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them."

Featured today are two pictures, one of myself and a few friends serving the kids of the Tsilitza Village in Malawi at dinner time, and the other at a MEN AT THE CROSS event in 2009. Both events their were preaching one by orally communicating the WORD of GOD and in the other by becoming a servant of GOD to His people. TODAY GOD has blessed you with another opportunity to LIVE, and LIVE ABUNDANTLY. In our scritpure today Paul reminds us of why must we preach the gospel. I know some of you are saying I'm not called to be a preacher, and I say that is a lie, you may not be called to Pastor, or speak from a pulpit, but WE ALL ARE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, that was part of the GREAT COMMISSION to ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE on JESUS! But that isn't the point of this devotion to make you preachers, but rather make you aware that your life is a sermon. Do your co-workers see you dying daily or do they see you climbing the corporate ladder? Do you intentionally seek to be 3rd so that you can promote GOD first, then other's second by being a true servant of JOY (Jesus first, others second, then YOU)? Paul said "he's made himself a servant to all, so that he may win more of them."

Has winning more of THEM (the non-believers,democrats, republicans, liberals,drug dealers, your boss, your neighbor, the scoffers, the people you can't stand, but GOD LOVES) your daily goal.....for if so YOU ARE WINNING! If not....well you know what the opposite of winning is...and remember this is REAL LIFE there is an award ceremony when it ends. LGLP