Date: 03-30-2020

Title: Cowboy Up

(S) cripture:
    1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB77) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

(O) bservation:
    Paul is finishing his letter to this troubled church. He concludes with greetings and a benediction. He also encourages them to move forward in their faith in Jesus.

(A) pplication:
    Tom Auvenshine was my friend in Michigan. I had the honor of being his pastor and preaching his funeral. Tom was known as the “Hay Man”. He was a cowboy in every way. On his farm he had a bunkhouse and on the wall was a plaque of Roy Rogers Rules to Live By. He would often in difficult times say it was time to “Cowboy Up”. It was his way of saying – Don’t give up or give in. When you are tired and hurt get back on the horse, when you are exhausted and have no strength, get back to business there is a horse to ride, It’s time to “Cowboy Up”. The church in Corinth had its troubles and its leaders must have been tired and worn out and yet Paul tells them to “Cowboy Up” – stand firm, act like men, be strong. This is good encouragement for me. There are times like these surrounding the covid-19 pandemic when ministry needs just keep coming and I am reminded to, “Cowboy Up” not in my own strength but in God’s. In my weakness, He is strong. I must rely on His strength. The Lord enables me to, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I know that my strength comes from you. Forgive me when I try to go it in my own strength. Let me experience your strength today and let me be alert and strong. Let me be the man you created me to be. Amen