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 1 Corinthians 16 - Serve Well

Sometimes it’s hard to refresh others when you don’t feel refreshed yourself.  Life is hard.  May God's word refresh you today so that you may refresh and encourage others.

        This is a motivating and encouraging letter from God’s word.  It reminds us that despite the challenges of the human condition, we must press on.  You may be going through a cycle of anger to exhaustion or a feeling of futility - nothing ever changes, and the wicked seem to prosper when the godly are beaten and abused.  That often seems to be the case.  Be honest with God, and let Him how tough the battle is.  He knows already.  But tell Him.

        Know this: victory comes from God; Jesus knows how much we can endure, and He will indeed bless His people (Psalm 3).  This chapter reminds us that in Christ Jesus we have every resource we need.  God made you in His image.  He loves you.  You are His prized possession.  If you know Him and love Him you are blessed beyond measure.

        It’s time to get moving, to get going.  It’s time to plan with confidence and a clear conscience.  Let’s seek to do all we can to live in peace with others (Hebrews 12), in sincerity, and in holiness.  

        We see in this final chapter of this book that we are to honor God with our resources.  Don’t store up treasures here on earth.  This is not our eternal home.  Heaven is.  We see too that we are to respect the independence of others.  Each brother in Christ is under the authority of Christ (1 Cor. 11).  Know that.  Don’t try and impose your will on others.  Yes, do as Paul does with Apollos here and by all means encourage others, but recognize that they are seeking God’s understanding and God’s path for their lives (16:12).  Trust that they are following God.  Help and encourage them to do so.

        Lord Jesus, please forgive your church for sin, for worldliness, and for dysfunction.  Help us to get it right.  Please give us your grace and revive us.  Help us to be the men and women that you designed us to be and may we be confident in our need to spend our lives in service to Your people (16:15).

        May we, “Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous.  Be strong.  And do everything with love” (16:13).  Amen.


With Kari (on our 30th Wedding Anniversary)

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