Four Daily Routines

“Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Your every action must be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 CSB)

Food, water, and air are basics for life. Some daily routines are likewise basic. For example, we get up, eat something, go to work, come home, interact with others, go to sleep, and so on.

There are also some spiritual basics that are important, and we see at least four of them in this brief verse for today.

“Be alert,” says Paul. Peter also writes, “Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 CSB) We need to understand that every day we live on this earth Satan is going to try to disrupt our walk with God by leading us toward sin. So, must be alert to this so that we are not deceived by his tactics. Awareness is a first response to temptation.

Second, we stand firm in our faith. Reading from God’s word and spending time with the Lord in prayer encourages us in our faith. In faith we daily take our stand with the Lord.

A third spiritual basic is to be brave and strong. The Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous. This is simply a decision of the will. It basically means to commit yourself to God as a personal decision and stay faithful to that commitment throughout the day.

Fourth, in our daily interactions with others and in any action we may take on any given day, we must allow these to flow out of hearts of love, love that is generated by the Holy Spirit within us. As the Lord has loved us, so we are to love one another. As He has forgiven us, so we are to forgive one another. As He has helped us, so we are to help one another.

Lord, Help us today to be alert, to stand firm in our faith, to be brave and strong whatever comes, and to intentionally take all actions throughout the day from hearts of love. Amen.