March 31, 2019: SOAP #3405:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Observation:   As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, he quickly includes these five thoughts.  Each one could be the subject of a much longer portion of scripture.  Perhaps Paul had limited time to prepare this letter before sending it on its way.  Maybe Paul was limited by writing materials.  Loving and caring parents, writing to their children, might include similar quick thoughts at the end of a letter.

Application:  It is good to put scripture in our own words.  To say the same thing with different words.  I encourage SOAP readers to use your own words and phrases to say what Paul was writing in the verses above.  Here is what I hear the Lord speaking to me:

Keep alert; do not let Satan surprise you.  Your faith is your foundation.  Do not let fear make decisions for you.  Do not be an easy target for the enemy.  And whatever you do, do it in love!

The above did not just flow through my thoughts.  I meditated on each phrase; I asked the Lord to help me understand what was for me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you went to so much trouble to make sure we would have the Bible, and to have it in our language so we could understand it.  Holy Spirit, open my understanding to what you are saying to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!