12.07 Sermon Devotionals
These are the Daily Devotionals for our Reputation Matter Sermon Series, Part 11.
Status, Singleness, and Marriage
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Tuesday, December 9th
Day 1: Contentment in Your Current Status
Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Devotional: God has placed you exactly where you are for a purpose. Whether you're in a season of abundance or limitation, high status or low, He can use you right now. The Corinthian believers struggled with thinking they needed different circumstances to be useful to God. But Paul's message is clear: your eternal status in Christ far outweighs any temporary earthly position. You are seated with Christ, free in Him regardless of your social or financial standing. Stop waiting for the "perfect" circumstances to serve God. He doesn't need you to climb any ladder first. Your current season isn't a mistake, it's your mission field. Ask yourself today: "How is my discontentment revealing that I'm not finding my fulfillment in Christ alone?"
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Wednesday, December 10th
Day 2: The Gift of Singleness
Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
Devotional: Our culture has made marriage the ultimate goal, but Scripture presents a radically different perspective: singleness is a gift that allows undivided devotion to God. This isn't about devaluing marriage, it's about elevating the purpose of every season. If you're single, you have a unique opportunity for focused kingdom work that married individuals cannot replicate. Jesus Himself, Paul, and countless missionaries stewarded singleness for maximum kingdom impact. The question isn't "What's wrong with being single?" but "How am I using this gift?" If you're married, celebrate and support those who remain single for Christ's sake. If you're single, stop waiting for marriage to start living purposefully. Your life can make an eternal difference right now. God is enough to fulfill you completely.
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Thursday, December 11th
Day 3: Marriage as Mission, Not Completion
Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33
Devotional: Marriage was designed by God to reflect Christ's relationship with the church, not primarily to make us happy or complete. This truth frees us from unrealistic expectations that lead to discontentment. If you're married, your spouse cannot fill the God-shaped void in your heart; only Christ can. When we understand marriage as a mission to display God's love to the world rather than a means to personal fulfillment, everything changes. Your marriage becomes about glorifying God together, not about what you can get from each other. This shifts marriage from a source of disappointment to a sanctifying partnership. If you're single and pursuing marriage, examine your motives. Are you seeking completion in a person or companionship in mission? Only Christ completes you. A spouse is a gift, but never a savior.
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Friday, December 12th
Day 4: Stewarding Your Season Well
Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Ephesians 5:15-17
Devotional: Every season of life presents unique opportunities to serve God. The tragedy isn't being in a particular season, it's wasting it by constantly longing for the next one. Single people waste singleness by obsessing over marriage. Married people waste marriage by romanticizing singleness. Those in difficult jobs waste opportunities by only dreaming of better positions. Paul's repeated command to "remain" is a call to contentment and intentionality. What if God placed you in your current circumstances specifically because that's where He can use you most effectively right now? Time is short, and the mission is urgent. Stop playing the comparison game. Stop believing the lie that fulfillment is just one life change away. Steward today well. Disciple someone. Serve sacrificially. Use your unique freedom or responsibilities for kingdom purposes. Make your current season count for eternity.
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Saturday, December 13th
Day 5: Christ Alone Is Enough
Reading: Philippians 4:10-13; Psalm 73:25-26
Devotional: Paul learned the secret of contentment: Christ is sufficient in every circumstance. Not Christ plus marriage. Not Christ plus financial security. Not Christ plus the perfect job. Just Christ. This isn't positive thinking, it's gospel truth. When Jesus becomes your ultimate treasure, everything else becomes secondary. Your relationship status doesn't define you. Your bank account doesn't complete you. Your social standing doesn't fulfill you. Only Christ does. This is the freedom the gospel offers: you can lose everything and still have everything in Him. You can remain in difficult circumstances and still experience deep joy. The world chases after the next thing, believing happiness lies just around the corner. But believers know better. We've tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Whatever your circumstance today, declare this truth: "Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You." Let Christ be enough.