This week's devotion is entitled:
Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong.
~1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
This verse is all about courage. As we head towards Independence Day and think on the courage that our Founders had when they started this nation, and the courage that the men and women who defend our freedom by fighting for it must have to face each day, we must also think on the courage that it takes to be a soldier in God's army. Sometimes we forget that there is a spiritual war not only between God and Satan, but inside ourselves between the old self and the new, reborn self. We have to face each obstacle of the devil and of our own flesh with courage and the assurance that God is on our side. We have to face the persecution of the world, though those of us in this great free country of ours face only social persecution, with perseverence and courage. I like this verse because it commands us to be strong in our faith. We must never give up the good fight, and we must never stop shining our light for the world to see God's glory through us!