Today's Bible reading is the 16th chapter of the Book of 1st Corinthians. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NASB&search=1%20Corinthians%2016

Two relatively short verses in this last chapter of 1st Corinthians summarizes much of what Paul had written to them in the entire sixteen chapters. In verses 13 and 14 the Apostle Paul was inspired to write, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love". In keeping with much of what Paul had already written to the believers in Corinth, these two verses maintain their great profitability for churches all around the world today. Oh, how needful in our day for the church to be "on the alert"! Many have been "asleep at the wheel" for many years and the spiritual health of the church has suffered for it. Although admonished here and in other passages of scripture, we have failed to "stand firm in the faith" and have instead been "tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming" as we read in Ephesians chapter four. Spiritual maturity has been unimportant to many, including those who find themselves in leadership and teaching positions. There has been an unfortunate contentment with human wisdom, shallow spirituality and walking as "mere men". Quite frankly, the church struggles to embrace the gospel message, the gospel of grace and the cross of Christ. We must not walk as mere men but as Spirit empowered new creatures in Christ strengthened in His might. And although few would argue against the admonition that all things "be done in love", it seems that many find it difficult to have and maintain a biblical understanding of what Christlike love is. Yes, pray that we might "be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" and let all that we do "be done in love".