Daily Devotionals

Determined to See the Dream: Monday

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

“I give up!" I heard myself say while playing a game with my 6-year-old nephew the other day. I will spare you the details, but his response to my declaration made me think. “Why did you give up?” he asked. I did not have a good answer for him. The truth is, I could have kept playing the game. Instead, I gave up. It was not my finest moment. Have you ever given up too quickly? We heard in the weekend sermon that we live in a time when people give up easily. God gives us dreams and a calling to know Him and make Him known, and yet, instead of persevering, we often quit. What we need is a dose of courage, but not just any courage. We need the kind of courage that only God can give.

At the end of the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul urges readers to have courage as they follow Christ. He begins by saying, “Be on guard” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We have to be on guard because, as 1 Peter 5:8 says, we have a real enemy, the devil fighting against us. He is trying to keep us from following Jesus with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. He is trying to hold us back from pursuing the calling that God has placed in our lives. Paul continued explaining in 1 Corinthians 16, "Stand firm on the faith. Be courageous. Be strong" (verse 13). The courage Paul calls believers to have in this verse sustains us throughout life’s difficulties and helps us take bold, courageous steps of faith. We need courage if we are going to fight against the enemy to live lives that honor God.

My friend, have you been feeling like giving up? Has God placed a dream or a calling in your life that seems too difficult or unrealistic? I urge you, my friend, to keep going. Do not give up. Choose courage and persevere. Keep going; God is with you all the way through.

Moving toward action

Sometimes we need a reminder to have courage and keep going. Memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13. Consider this verse when you feel like quitting and giving up on doing what God has called you to do and the dreams He has placed on your heart. Let the verse encourage you to hold on to your God-given courage and persevere!

Going Deeper

1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2 On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. 3 When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. 4 And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, 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.

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.

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. 17 I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. 18 They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.

19 The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

21 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.