Day 15 - Sept 28
Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 16
Theme: Courage to Obey
Special Verse: Joshua 1:9 — “Be strong and of good courage… for the Lord your God is with you.”
Personal: Pray for courage to obey God quickly and fully.
External: Pray for those far from God due to disappointment or church hurt.
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Tough And Tender
One of the greatest lessons on love I learned from my earthly father, who was both tough and tender. Dad was a “man’s man." He worked long hours as a service station owner and mechanic. His hands and arms were strong, and the lines on his hands reflected the stain of working on cars and trucks.
Dad made two things abundantly clear. First, he loved us unconditionally. Second, he trained and raised us to be obedient (and he was not hesitant to discipline us when we weren’t).
I write all this to point out this one fact, my father could be strict but he was never scary. He had the ability to be fierce when needed, and unbelievably gentle when that was required.
In our walk with Jesus, we are instructed to “be strong, courageous, on guard, and firm… and do it all in love.”
Is it unloving to be strict, firm, resolute, protective, or demanding? Not when it is done in love.
Jesus cleared the temple, twice.
Paul took on the “beasts” of Ephesus.
Elijah took out 850 prophets of Baal.
And,
Jesus also died for all mankind… even the knuckleheads.
Paul won Ephesus to the Lord.
Elijah saved Israel from destruction.
Friend, being loving does not mean weak. In fact, true love only emerges from strength.
Will you stand for Christ without being mean?
Can you accept others who reject you?
The real test of love is turning the other cheek, when it’s in your power to strike.
Let’s be both tough and tender.
