Who Is This?

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture Focus: Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes... (1 Corinthians 1.1)

Devotional Thought: In this day of instant messaging, we have lost much of the formal aspect of communication. Texting is the worst. One thing that is particularly missing in texting is the identification of the sender. I was reminded of that - again! - this week when I texted a teen in our church. I immediately received a text back: "Who is this?" "Kind of rude," I thought, but then I remembered that I have done it many times myself! We take for granted that people will know our number, and we feel slighted when they don't! Crazy, but true...

In writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul was not going to take that chance. He identified himself right away. He was...

• Personal. Paul had a name. Each of us are individuals before God. Today people are grouped into classes and races and types. Instead of being seen as individuals, they are seen as members of a particular group. God, however, values us personally.

• Picked. On the road to Damascus, Paul heard the voice of Jesus calling him. We, too, have been called. Jesus interrupts the busyness of our lives to call us to follow him. He does not leave the wanderer to travel alone.

• Purposed. Paul's particular commission was to be an apostle. What is yours? God has a purpose for your life. He created you to fulfill it perfectly.

• Partnered. Paul recognized that he was not a lone ranger. Sosthenes was his brother in faith and in work. How about you? Have you recognized the importance of others in your journey? This life is not meant to be lived alone but in community with the church and fellow believers.

Who are you?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you know my name, that you have called my name, that you have a purpose for me, and that I have sisters and brothers in this great adventure. Amen!

Psalm of the Day: 32 They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, 33 for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips. 34 They did not destroy the peoples, as the LORD commanded them, 35 but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; 38 they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. (Psalms 106:32-39)