All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, II Timothy 3:16
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I Corinthians 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints: As I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay aside in store as God hath prospered him, so that there need be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomever ye shall approve by your letters I will send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
5-12 Now I will come unto you when I shall pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may send me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now on my way, but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door, and effectual, has opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear, for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him, but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me; for I look for him with the brethren.
Now concerning our brother Apollos: I greatly desired that he should come unto you with the brethren, but it was not at all his will to come at this time; but he will come when it shall be convenient.
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13 Watch ye; stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong.
Watch: Our flesh is just waiting for an opportunity to rise up and take over, to hate someone, to try to out do someone and other fleshly works. Be alert to it coming and pray for help before it can get hold of you. Therefore we "watch & pray" that we enter not into temptation. Remember the flesh never improves. It is always flesh just waiting to do the works of the flesh which are evil.
Galatians 5:20-23 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
We must resist the flesh when we see it trying to rise up and choose to walk in the Spirit in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
A few days ago, I was at grocery and I felt my flesh wanting to rise up. I could just feel hatred coming over someone who cut in line in front of me. I had been going through a problem and was a little weak at the time but I saw it and stopped and just said to myself, "I can tell you are trying to rise up as 'the old man' would have done." And I began praying, "God help me." And HE did.
Each of the many times I have seen my flesh trying to rise up and have prayed this way, God has helped me and kept my flesh under.
But when I have failed to see it coming, the flesh reacts and does its work and I grieve over what my flesh has done.
So it is critical to stay sober, to stay alert, to watch.
Jesus said: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
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Another thing Paul tells us to do is "stand fast in the faith."
Thoughts come to depress us and even to cause us to stop doing that which God would want us to do. We need to make a strong stand in such cases, choosing the work of God and holding on to scripture and continuing in the faith.
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Be strong:
- able to withstand great force or pressure: I can do all things though Christ (the Word) who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. Ephesians 6:10
Must not try to be strong in yourself. Instead be strong in that which God has said. Hold fast to scripture, to dreams, to specific words given by Holy Spirit. They are strong enough to use as a weapon to fight discouragement and sadness of this world.
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I Corinthians 16:14-24 Let all your things be done with charity.
I beseech you, brethren (ye know the household of Stephanas and that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints), that ye submit yourselves unto such and to everyone that helpeth with us and laboreth.
I am glad about the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours; therefore acknowledge ye those who are such.
(Each of us should refresh one another by genuine encouragement in things of God. We all need to do this for one another and we need to have those among us refresh us with good things. Learn to make a practice of regularly doing this work for it is good so long as it is without pretense and shows how you really feel.)
(Each of us should refresh one another by genuine encouragement in things of God. We all need to do this for one another and we need to have those among us refresh us with good things. Learn to make a practice of regularly doing this work for it is good so long as it is without pretense and shows how you really feel.)
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.
The salutation of me, Paul, with mine own hand.
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema (accursed). Maranatha!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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Accursed:
- abominable
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