Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium was considered to be the strongest fortress in the world. Its concrete walls were fifteen feet thick and reinforced with honeycombed steel. It took five years to build and was the strongest and most heavily armed fortress in the world. Upon completion the Belgians boasted, “It is so strong no army can storm it.” And they may have been right.

But one night a German glider with well-trained and heavily armed paratroopers quietly descended into the fort. They discovered that few men were on duty and they easily took command of the fort and its assets. All of their preparations were in vain.

The Apostle Paul had a military background. So it is no wonder that he went back to his military experience to give an insight for Christian living to the Church at Corinth. And it seems as though he is speaking as a military commander when he wrote, “Be on the guard! Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done in love.”

His first order of the day was to be alert – to be on guard – to the spiritual dangers that will certainly and with great consistence confront the Christian. We may prepare well and be strong in our faith but if we are not constantly alert to life’s temptations we will be defeated.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to avoid becoming complacent in our lives. May we be constantly aware of those areas in our life where we are weak and look to You for our strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Years of struggle had finally ended for George. He completed all of his requirements to become a high school teacher. After sending out many resumes one principal finally invited him for an interview. He looked forward to it with great excitement.

Sitting across from the principal he was asked, “In your biology classes, would you teach biology or evolution?”

Anxious to get the job he replied, “I would teach it any way you wanted me to teach it. It really does not matter to me.”

In many of his letters Paul addressed the importance of being Christians of conviction. Writing to the church at Corinth he boldly declared: “Be on guard! Stand fast for what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love!”

No apology here. Those words are as important when he wrote them as they are today. The spiritual danger to compromise our faith greets us everywhere we turn. The temptation to compromise our witness when we are called upon to speak boldly for Christ is difficult when the fear of rejection overwhelms us. And we often act unlovingly towards others when acts of kindness and thoughtfulness could be essential to bring and to win them to Christ.

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we will become strong in our faith through You. May we rely on Your strength and power to overcome the temptation to compromise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

During the Olympics in Mexico City some year ago, a runner received a standing ovation – not for winning – but, of all things, for finishing last.

In the heat of the race, he tripped, fell and severely damaged one of his knees. He was in great pain and bleeding profusely when he stumbled across the finish line.

"Why didn't you quit?" asked a reporter.

"My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race," he answered. "They sent me 7,000 miles to finish the race!"

What courage he displayed. Had he quit, everyone would have understood his problem and pain. Everyone except the runner. He had a quality of character and a state of mind that enabled him to endure great suffering for the joy that would be his by completing the race.

When we face trying times if we turn to and trust in the Lord we can complete the race He has set before us."Be courageous. Be strong," said Paul.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes on You, our faith in You and find courage through You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.