The dearest Heavenly Father has been teaching this young heart of mine many things over the past several months. Among them, I am learning that He wants me to absolutely love being at home taking care of my responsibilities and being a big sister. This, I am finding, is taking more effort than I at first thought! My mind is always wandering off and thinking about what my friends might be doing, where I would rather be at the time, or who I've been wanting to visit with. But the Master gently reminds me, "Daughter, you must learn to put away these thoughts and desires of the flesh, and focus on things eternal - my plans for you." As I was reading through the last chapter of First Corinthians one night, these verses stood out and spoke to my heart.
1 Corinthians 16:13,14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
In these two small verses, our Lord gives us five commands! The first: "Be on your guard." Be on your guard... against evil? against the sinful nature? I think we are commanded to be on our guard against anything that hinders our walk with the Father. We cannot let sin creep unnoticed into our lives. The second: "Stand firm in the faith." This is such a difficult command to follow in our world today! Young people especially face much opposition to their stand for Jesus at every turn. We are called to stand firm, with our feet solidly planted on the Word of Truth. The third: "Be men of courage." Of course, this means women of courage as well! This is a command to be bold in defending the gospel, and daring to step out into society and proclaim the Way of Salvation. The fourth: "Be strong." As sinful humans, there really isn't anything strong about us - except for our whicked ways! But we, God's chosen children, are commanded to be strong in the Lord. He will give us a strength that only comes from above, and will carry us through every trial and worry of this life. We can daily grow stronger in the Lord by reading His Word and seeking His will in prayer. The fifth and last: "Do everything in love." Wow... everything?! The only real example we have of someone doing everything in love is the story of our Savior's life on earth. Jesus lived love! The Master loved us so much that He was willing to die and take the punishment for our sins. And now He fills our hearts with so much love that He commands us to allow it to overflow in every area of our lives. "We love becuase He first loved us." The love of God is greater far than all my sin and shame - praise be to His holy name! I have been cleansed and made new through the precious blood of the Lamb. Halelujah! What a Savior!
Alive in Christ,
Ashley
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