Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study and move into the Old Testament. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea reveals what happens when a nation confuses comfort with covenant faithfulness. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our shout-out today goes to David Luna from Frisco, TX. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 16:5-9.

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. — 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

How do you know when God is opening a door? Paul says something about this that is pretty striking today:

"A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

We often assume God opens the door to ease. Paul assumes the opposite— opposition. This means a "wide-open door" does not always mean comfort. Wide-open opportunity in the kingdom often invites resistance.

Notice the theology beneath this statement.

The door has opened because God did it. But on the otherside the adversaries are real. Open doors, even wide open ones, do not remove enemies. They often reveal them.

And Paul does not refuse the door because opposition appears. He walks through it because the opportunity is substantial.

This is mature discernment. Providence is not measured by comfort. Faithfulness is not determined by the absence of difficulty. Sometimes the clearest sign you are in the will of God is that resistance increases.

The Corinthians were tempted to chase two things: spectacle and status. Paul models two different things: endurance and obedience.

He sees the mission clearly. He walks through the open door anyway. Because resurrection hope produces durable courage. If death is defeated, all adversaries are not ultimate.

DO THIS:

Identify one area where opposition has made you question obedience. Recommit to faithfulness there this week.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I interpret resistance as a sign to quit?
2. Have I confused ease with God's will?
3. Where might a "wide door" require stronger resolve?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, give me discernment to recognize open doors even when adversaries appear. Make me courageous, steady, and faithful in the work you have set before me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study and move into the Old Testament. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea confronts divided hearts and exposes what we truly love. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Edward Janowiak from Highland Ranch, CO. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. — 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

What does resurrection faith look like?

After fifty-seven verses on resurrection glory in Chapter 15, Paul talks about money. And that is not accidental.

Resurrection hope does not make Christians abstract in their practice. It should make us practical. The Corinthians were instructed to give regularly. Systematically. Proportionally.

"Each one as he may prosper."

This is not emotional manipulation. It is disciplined stewardship. Notice who this giving supports. The saints. The church. It's a gospel partnership across the region.

Paul is organizing a relief offering for believers in Jerusalem. The Gentile church supports the Jewish church. Theology becomes generosity. Doctrine becomes dollars. Unity becomes action.

Resurrection people should never be close-fisted with the generous life and blessings that God has afforded them. If Christ is risen and eternity is secure, then natural resources (i.e., money) loses its ultimate grip.

Believers never hoard what they cannot keep. Believers invest in what will outlast them. Giving to God's work is not a side note in Christian maturity. It is further evidence that you believe the kingdom is real.

And Paul adds accountability to his command. Trusted men will carry the gift. Paul may go with them. Resurrection faith produces transparent generosity.

DO THIS:

Set aside a specific, intentional gift this week for the work of the Lord. Don't wait for emotion. Plan it. Pray over it. Give it.

ASK THIS:

1. Does my spending reflect resurrection hope—or present fear?
2. Am I giving proportionally to how God has prospered me?
3. Do I see generosity as worship—or as loss?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, you gave your Son for me. Teach me to hold my resources loosely and invest in what advances your kingdom. Make my generosity a reflection of my hope in the risen Christ. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Take My Life and Let It Be"

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study, and we are moving into the Old Testament. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea shows us a God who refuses to let his people go—even when they run from him. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Kevin O'Neil from Prior Lake, MN. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."
"O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Paul, still speaking about the critical nature of the resurrection, now narrows his focus to one unavoidable reality.

"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

This present body—weak, aging, perishable—cannot enter eternity as it is.

Paul now brings the chapter to its triumphant close.

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable... 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'" (This is from the book of Hosea, which is our next book of the Bible).

This is prophetic fulfillment.

Isaiah anticipated it. Hosea echoed it. Paul preached it. We need to remember it.

In the resurrection of Jesus, our victory has already begun.

Then Paul dares to taunt the grave:

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

Death may feel powerful. Funerals still bring emotional aches. Bodies still return to dust. But for those in Christ, stinger of the scorpion of sin is simply a reminder of the day the sting and death are gone.

This is because sin incurs judgment defeated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ bore the penalty for sin and its sting. He fulfilled the law. He rose in triumph. So death no longer holds final authority over those who belong to him.

"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

And we are called to faithful obedience because of this hope.

DO THIS:

Choose one act of faithful obedience you have been postponing. Do it this week—not because you feel strong, but because Christ is risen.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I live like death still has the final word?
2. Where has fear weakened my faithfulness?
3. Am I abounding in the Lord's work—or retreating under pressure?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, thank you for victory through Jesus Christ. Make me steadfast when I grow weary. Fix my eyes on the risen Christ so I labor with courage, knowing my work in you is not in vain. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Before the Throne of God Above"