DAILY BRE AD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
NOVEMBER 10, 2026
READ: 1 Corinthians 9 (Focus vs. 20-27)
MEMORY VERSE
“[Athletes] do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25
BACKGROUND
Tom Cruise has built his film career on a megawatt smile . . . and incredible stunts. The signature stunt in the seventh Mission: Impossible spy action film featured Cruise riding a motorcycle off a cliff and parachuting to safety.
In other Mission: Impossible films, he’s hung off an airplane, held his breath underwater for more than six minutes, and performed high-altitude jumps. We might call him crazy. But Cruise’s commitment—for the sake of telling the best cinematic story—is remarkable.
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul identified another group whose training demanded everything of them: competitive athletes. He praised their discipline: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training” (v. 25).
He said they were compelled by temporal glory— “to get a crown that will not last”—while believers in Jesus are compelled by a calling with eternal value: “to get a crown that will last forever” (v. 25).
Are we as committed to our faith as a disciplined athlete—or a famous actor—might be? “Run in such a way as to get the prize,” Paul said (v. 24).
Because of God’s grace, we will receive the crown of life as sons and daughters of the King. That changes everything about how we spend our days here.
Adam R, Holz
INSIGHT
Paul’s commitment to sharing the good news of Jesus compelled him to live as the Jewish people lived when trying to reach them (1 Corinthians 9:20). But he put that aside to live like the gentiles when ministering to non-Jews (v. 19). In fact, he lived “like one not having the law” (v. 21).
Yet he noted, “I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law” (v. 21)—the law of love. “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,” the apostle said (10:33).
Because of Christ’s great salvation, we, like the apostle, should live disciplined lives “for the sake of the gospel” (9:23).
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How do being saved by grace and living a disciplined life relate? How has God used disciplines to transform you?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Are we as committed to our faith as a disciplined athlete—or a famous actor—might be?” Adam R. Holz
PR’s TAKE
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:3-6
“Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our Master (at all times) and where we can respond freely to God’s guidance.” Henri J.M. Nouwen
“Discipline for the Christian begins with the body…We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.” Elisabeth Elliot
PRAYER
“Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus to live and die on my behalf. Please help me live today as a response to that gift, offering everything fully to You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“STAND UP STAND UP FOR JESUS”
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict,
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger,
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in His strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
To him who over-cometh
A crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.
