Kilfenora, County Clare Ireland, Danny Burke

Good afternoon, beloved!

Well, I’m just about to embark on a new study in the Word. I’m pretty excited. I’m taking my family along. We are going to study…Esther…Joshua and I are going to use the Precepts study and the kids are going to use the Grapevine studies curriculum. Woohoo! Most certainly we will not be watching One Night with the King..unless of course I would like to be bored out of my skull. I digress.

Well, tonight Bill Hybels will be discussing his life verse and rather than wait for him..I thought I would do a little of my own research on the verses surrounding his verse and also the verse. And do some compare when I get there tonight! 🙂

1 Corinthians 15

Cape Mendocino Coast

⁵⁷But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks…it’s just good to pause and say thanks. Isn’t it? Think of all we have to be grateful for..

How about for your food…

Or for Jesus?
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

For the victory you have forever?
Proverbs 21:31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

For the peace that can be yours?
John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Well, onto the verse…
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

An opportunity to share with you why I always begin with beloved! Well, first off, Kay Arthur always begins her communications this way…my way to tip my hat..so to say. And beloved…in the greek, means from agapao, “to love,” is used of Christ as loved by God, e.g., Mat 3:17; of believers (ditto), e.g., Rom 1:7; of believers, one of another, 1Cr 4:14; often, as a form of address, e.g., 1Cr 10:14. Whenever the AV has “dearly beloved,” the RV has “beloved;” so, “well beloved” in 3Jo 1:1; in 1Jo 2:7, AV, “brethren” (adelphos), the RV has “beloved,” according to the mss. which have agapetos.

Be firm…steadfast…primarily denotes “seated” (hedra, “a seat”); hence, “steadfast,” metaphorical of moral fixity..Stay put. Don’t wander from here or there. Stay in the word of God.

Immovable…sensing a theme here? Don’t give up! Don’t allow the storms of this life to move you from your hope in the Lord!

Abounding...”Abounding” is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom. This excites me. As we remain steadfast and firm in our faith in the Lord, keeping our eyes on Him, we can see our lives on a path like a sweet flower. We are a tight bud at the beginning of our faith journey and as we continue in our walk with the Lord, the flower opens gradually, but fully.  Abounding…:)

Lastly, Our labor is never in vain when it is for the Lord. Never. Pray on friends. Pray on…