PRESS ON Confession time, and this ones pretty obvious, my writing is sporadic at best. I started blogging about my cancer last fall and when I started chemo I didn't feel like writing about it much less thinking about it. I can honestly say that chemo is not only the most horrific thing I have experienced but it is the assuredly, at least at this time, the worst. Throughout the process of treatment and feeling sick I found myself angry many times. I cried out to God "Why me"? I asked God why His intent was to kill me. I was hurt, devastated, and lonely but God heard my cries and simply said "Why not you?" I was shocked and stunned at this thought but I soon found my way into Philippians 4:11-14, that infamously misused passage of scripture. It was there God spoke deeply into my pain and reminded me of His glory. Paul writes "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I...
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1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Part 2
STAND FIRM We began a study on 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 yesterday with the first part of the verse in focus, “be watchful”. Today we move on to the next 5 words of the text, which are “stand firm in the faith.” What does it mean to stand firm? When I served in the military stand firm meant holding your ground against enemy attack. When you were standing firm in the face of danger. The text here is very much the same. The greek word steko ( steko) literally means to stand firm in faith, to be constant, to persevere, to remain steadfast, to continue in a state, to be persistent . Paul gives a good antithesis to standing firm in 1 Corinthians 6:18 when he tells the church in Corinth to “Flee immorality” to literally continue to fun from it, and keep running from it. As much as the word flee means to run as hard and fast as we can away from something steko, stand firm, means to be immovable. Within the text of 1 Corinthians 16 Pau...
Be Watchful
BE WATCHFUL I believe that Christ gives us tangible means through His word in which we are to walk in Him. Over the next 5 days I am going to try and unravel 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 because I do believe it is a powerful verse in the life of the believer. It is one that gives us direction, instruction, and truly sets a course for our lives. It is practical theology that we can grab ahold of. It is applicable to our lives on daily basis. It is tangible and livable. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14."Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." As Christians, especially Christian men, we are to: Be Watchful Stand Firm In The Faith Act Like Men Be Strong Let All You Do Be Done In Love Lets look closely at this verse and start with the beginning – Paul tells the church in Corinth to “Be watchful”. What does that mean? L...