Happy Tuesday! As we go through this week of giving thanks, we will spend a lot of time greeting people and wishing farewells. Can you recall the best farewell message that you received? Was it someone speaking affirmations over you and wishing you the best? Maybe it was a hug with anticipation of seeing you soon. Well for the remainder of the week we will be covering the final chapter of 1 Corinthians. It includes Paul’s final instructions to the Corinthian church. Join me as we read today’s verses.
“5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia,[a] for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. 8 In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. 9 There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
10 When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.[b]
12 Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.” – 1 Corinthians 16:5-12 NLT
In these verse we read how committed Paul was to the mission of spreading the gospel message. It was even to the point of receiving opposition, but Paul continued to stand firm and press on.
Sisters and brothers, there will always be opposition against the great work of the Lord. Whether you are preaching the gospel message, sharing a word of faith on Facebook, being a light in dark places or are planted in a church, Satan is always on the prowl to create discourse – so stand firm.
If the Lord is calling you to serve, pray about it and serve. If the Lord is telling you to be still and wait, then pray and wait on God’s direction. Always look out for others especially the faithful followers of Christ. May we stand unified in the word of God praying with and for one another.
On a final note, sisters and brothers, this week don’t forget to greet and say goodbye to others with love and encouragement. If you will be meeting with specific people this week, pray and ask the Lord how can you encourage those people – then do it.
Father God, thank you for your love toward us. Lord, thank you for being everything we need. Thank you for being the beginning and the end. Lord, as we go through this week help us to recognize those who need a warm, encouraging and loving greeting. Lord, may your love shine through us so that we all will be transformed. Lord, be our hope and our shield. In Jesus name, amen.
Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!
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