October 15th

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love."  1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

Paul is giving his final instructions to the Church in Corinth and these are good instructions for us today in the times that we are living.

* Be watchful - As believers what should we be watching for in our lives?  First, we should be watching for the Blessed Hope, the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to take His People to be with Him.  God's Word tells us - "When you see all of these things happening, LOOK UP, FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWS NEAR."  As a believer we should be watching for the coming of the Lord.

We should also be watchful for our own spiritual condition, and the spiritual condition of our families.  Let us not be like the 5 foolish virgins who fell asleep and the oil ran out.  We need to stay awake and be watchful.  It is time to wake up and watch!

We should also be watchful for the tricks of the enemy and how he will try to tempt, deceive and pull us away from Jesus.  "Be alert because the devil prowls around seeking whom he may devour."

* Stand firm in the faith - We need a faith that is firm, strong, enduring in Jesus and the Word of God!  "Without faith it is impossible to please God..."  If we want to please God then we need to stand firm in the faith.  How do we stand firm in the faith?  "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."

* Act like men - be strong - Men love competition and being successful.  Paul writes to the church to be strong!  "Fight the good fight."  "Finish the race."  Be strong to the very end!  Be a man or woman of faith!  "Be strong in the Lord."

* Let all you do be done in love - Let our actions be motivated by love.  "These three remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love."

Paul gave us some great final instructions to live out in our daily lives in a society like we live today!  We can only live this out in our daily lives by remembering:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Lord, help me to apply these final instructions today!