A Few Simple Things

Reading: 1 Corinthians 16; Proverbs 31

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.  (1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG)

13 Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, 14 and love without stopping.  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 MSG)

Look at the encouraging exhortation to action in these verses near the end of 1 Corinthians: Stand your ground, don’t hold back, throw yourselves into the Master’s work, keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, love without stopping.

Once again, I’m reminded that the Bible is given to us not for information but for action. In 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with error, instructs in right ways and right worship, and assures us of the eternal resurrection of Jesus Christ and of every Christ-following believer. But he doesn’t leave it at that. He tells us to live it out with all our hearts.

So today I’m going to concentrate on a few simple things: I’m going stand my ground, not hold back, but throw myself into the Master’s work, keep my eyes open, hold tight to my convictions, give it all I’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping. 

Sounds like that should be enough to keep me occupied all day!

How about you, friends? Want to pick a few simple things from Paul’s exhortation to concentrate on today?

Prayer:

Father, Today I receive Paul’s exhortation to give it all I’ve got. Thanks for reminding my friends and me that this stuff is for action and not just information! I resolve to throw myself into the Master’s work. I believe that this is the highest and best way for me to use the life and the gifts you have given me. Amen.