I Corinthians 9:16; “For though I preach the gospel I have nothing to glory, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”’

DAILY READING; • 1 Corinthians 6; 1 Kings 19; Amos 3:3-4:3

On November 1, 1887, William Borden was born as heir to the Borden family fortune. Yet, William was so passionate about serving God that he walked away from a lifestyle of opulence to become a missionary.
As a young boy, William gave his heart in full surrender to Christ. In 1904, for his high school graduation present, William Borden’s parents gave him a trip around the world. As he traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, William felt a growing burden for the world’s hurting people and there was birthed in him the desire to be a missionary.
In 1905, he began studying at Yale University and during his first semester, he began a small morning prayer group. By the end of his first year, about 150 students were meeting weekly for Bible study and prayer. The number eventually grew to 1,300 students meeting for prayers.
Borden’s used his money to serve God and extended outreaches to widows and orphans and the disabled. His desire to rehabilitate drunks led him to found the Yale Hope Mission.
Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down some high-paying job offers and later sailed for China to begin missionary work. Because he was hoping to work with Chinese Muslims, he stopped first in Egypt to study Arabic. While there, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead.
News of William Borden’s death was carried by nearly every American newspaper as a wave of sorrow went round the nation.
But Borden’s untimely death wasn’t a waste as he had invested his short life in God’s service. In the back of his Bible was found written these words “No reserves” “No retreats,” and “No regrets.”

With all his wealth, Borden could have ended up living the flamboyant, hedonistic lifestyle of a young millionaire. But he chose rather to live for God and used his time and resources to make a great difference. He seemed to realize he did not have all the time in the world and promptly went about the Father’s business and achieved so much in his short lifetime.
A man can run after pleasures, have all the money in the world and end up with an empty life of no value and no impact.
What matters most is a life lived to serve God and bless humanity.
We must place more value upon God’s calling over the mundane pursuits of life. God will judge each of us according to how well we followed His plan, not our own plans. We are to follow His vision, and not our ambition.
As believers, one way we live a life of impact is by embracing the urgency to preach the Gospel to a dying world. It is a mission that must fill us with holy zeal.
Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel I have nothing to glory, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

Indeed necessity is laid upon us to proclaim liberty to the captives. It is a burden we each should take personally and channel our time, energy and resources towards its pursuit.
It is clear that we are living in the very last days and we can no longer afford to be complacent.
It is not just enough for us to warm the pews in Church, our lives must burn with passion towards the service of God.
Certainly, in this last days, lukewarm Christianity will not do, we need fiery zeal and blazing passion for God to be able to make a difference in the world.
With the gross darkness coming upon the earth, there’s an urgency for us to shine our lights to draw men to Christ. It is time for our spiritual fire to burn brightly.
Spending time in God’s Word is what sustains our fire because it is the entrance of the Word that gives light.
And as we passionately seek God’s kingdom, certainly, we will experience supernatural overflow that will establish us as men and women of great impact to our world.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace and passion to seek after Your kingdom first. As I pursue Your vision for my life more than personal ambitions, I thank You for Your abundant blessings in Jesus Name.

QUOTE;
God protects and shields us when we are being led by Him. – WORDBITE 222.