"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WATCHFULNESS, STANDING FAST IN THE FAITH, AND BEING BRAVE AND STRONG, AND LOVE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WATCHFULNESS, STANDING FAST IN THE FAITH, AND BEING BRAVE AND STRONG, AND LOVE"

1st Cor 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong,
1st Cor 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:

1. First of all, there are about 5 exhortations given to us in these two verses.

2. They are encouragements as to what the believers in Corinth were to do, and what we also ought to do in our walks with The Lord.

3. Please take another look at the verses. These are things that God can work into our lives, these are attitudes if you will that we can have by His grace and power. He would never ask us to do something that we can't do.

4. Here's how it reads in the Amplified version. "Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (Your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it ) Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength"  "Let everything you do be done in love ( true love to God and man as inspired  by God's love for us)."

5. There is not much to add to the above, except to say, these are words that truths and attitudes that are important for us day by day. Paul recognized the challenges we face from within ourselves, the world, and the devil. But, the teaching he gave here is to help us prevail and walk in victory.

A prayer:

Father, it always seems so natural to start our prayers with saying thank You. And, thus, we do. "Thank You Father" For all of Your blessings, and for the great power and nourishment we receive from Your Word. It's so wonderful for us. We pray that these exhortations would be taken to heart by us, and we pray that You would help us to remember them day by day. One day, we are going to leave this world, and see You face to face. Then, none of these things will be needed, but now they are, so, let us walk like men and women of God, pleasing our Heavenly Father. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.