Lovingly On Guard
November 2025
Lovingly On Guard
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all you do be done with love.”
1 Cor. 16:13-14
These words were written by Paul to the Corinthian church around 55-56 AD… a long time ago! Yet, the Word of God is alive and active and continues to be relevant in our lives today. This exhortation has a military background, like a commander giving five orders, not suggestions, to his soldiers so they will be ready for battle. These commands are essential to our faith and they require action.
1st command: WATCH. To be alert! To be aware! To pay attention! I have Christmas nutcrackers (soldiers) all over my house. Imagine one of them about to take position to watch at their guard post. The commander reminds them it’s not time to play on your cellphone, or be talking to the solider next to you. Don’t get distracted/dose off or … the enemy may gain a surprise attack! We’re exhorted to stay awake. Remember the Disciples in the Garden? Jesus asked them to watch and pray when He was in the heat of intense spiritual conflict. Instead of watching and being alert, Jesus found them sleeping - - 3 times! Jesus told them that the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. That’s my excuse most mornings when I know I need to get up and exercise. This exhortation reminds us to stay alert and be focused. It’s not time to be spiritually asleep. Time is short. Jesus is coming back soon! Yay!
2nd command: STAND FAST in the faith. A command commonly given when soldiers were under attack, meaning “dig in”, to stubbornly refuse to give ground to the enemy. Our mind is the battlefield. Will you stand fast in the faith by rehearsing God’s promises and not believe the lies of the enemy?
3rd command: BE BRAVE. Means “act like men/ be courageous”/don’t be a sissy. Sissy soldiers were unprepared for the long haul, they couldn’t handle hardship + adversity. They often would panic and desert their post. In the spiritual battles of life, we need courage. Life can be overwhelming at times! Which leads us to the next command given to help us handle the challenges and difficulties of life.
4th command: BE STRONG. This isn’t physical strength, but spiritual strength from the Lord. Eph. 6: 10-11, tells us to be strong in the Lord. This is a PASSIVE command. It’s something we allow someone to do for us. We can’t strengthen ourselves. Good news! Let the Lord on high, cloth you with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Put on His armor and rely on God’s strength to persevere.
5th command: Let all you do be done with LOVE. We are to keep on doing what we do in love. Let’s purpose in our hearts to be women who are watchful, alert, looking to Jesus, while standing fast in our faith, standing firm on God’s Word. Has He called you to something bigger than you can handle? Are you facing something that’s beyond your control? These words are for you! Be brave! Be strong! Our Lord promises to empower you + be with you everywhere you go. Let’s be women marked by the love of Jesus and may His love be the motive for all that you do … including praying for one another.
God bless you + Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen
Lovingly On Guard
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all you do be done with love.”
1 Cor. 16:13-14
These words were written by Paul to the Corinthian church around 55-56 AD… a long time ago! Yet, the Word of God is alive and active and continues to be relevant in our lives today. This exhortation has a military background, like a commander giving five orders, not suggestions, to his soldiers so they will be ready for battle. These commands are essential to our faith and they require action.
1st command: WATCH. To be alert! To be aware! To pay attention! I have Christmas nutcrackers (soldiers) all over my house. Imagine one of them about to take position to watch at their guard post. The commander reminds them it’s not time to play on your cellphone, or be talking to the solider next to you. Don’t get distracted/dose off or … the enemy may gain a surprise attack! We’re exhorted to stay awake. Remember the Disciples in the Garden? Jesus asked them to watch and pray when He was in the heat of intense spiritual conflict. Instead of watching and being alert, Jesus found them sleeping - - 3 times! Jesus told them that the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. That’s my excuse most mornings when I know I need to get up and exercise. This exhortation reminds us to stay alert and be focused. It’s not time to be spiritually asleep. Time is short. Jesus is coming back soon! Yay!
2nd command: STAND FAST in the faith. A command commonly given when soldiers were under attack, meaning “dig in”, to stubbornly refuse to give ground to the enemy. Our mind is the battlefield. Will you stand fast in the faith by rehearsing God’s promises and not believe the lies of the enemy?
3rd command: BE BRAVE. Means “act like men/ be courageous”/don’t be a sissy. Sissy soldiers were unprepared for the long haul, they couldn’t handle hardship + adversity. They often would panic and desert their post. In the spiritual battles of life, we need courage. Life can be overwhelming at times! Which leads us to the next command given to help us handle the challenges and difficulties of life.
4th command: BE STRONG. This isn’t physical strength, but spiritual strength from the Lord. Eph. 6: 10-11, tells us to be strong in the Lord. This is a PASSIVE command. It’s something we allow someone to do for us. We can’t strengthen ourselves. Good news! Let the Lord on high, cloth you with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Put on His armor and rely on God’s strength to persevere.
5th command: Let all you do be done with LOVE. We are to keep on doing what we do in love. Let’s purpose in our hearts to be women who are watchful, alert, looking to Jesus, while standing fast in our faith, standing firm on God’s Word. Has He called you to something bigger than you can handle? Are you facing something that’s beyond your control? These words are for you! Be brave! Be strong! Our Lord promises to empower you + be with you everywhere you go. Let’s be women marked by the love of Jesus and may His love be the motive for all that you do … including praying for one another.
God bless you + Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen
Posted in H2P 2025
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