This is a nice follow up from yesterday. I was impressed by the concluding thoughts in each of the chapters I read from 1 Corinthians:
1:21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. ... 24 ... We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.2:14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us.
It gives me great assurance to remember that God is closely watching me, and I think this assurance augments my joy.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for watching me and taking care of me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Christ's triumphal procession, and I pray that my life will be a sweet, life-giving perfume to many. Lord, give me sincerity with Christ's authority, confidence that you are watching me, and much joy as I stand firm in the faith you are growing. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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