Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
On Your Guard
Unlike the US Coast Guard, which is a military force, the Canadian Coast Guard is a civilian organization. The enforcement of laws in Canada’s territorial sea is the responsibility of Canada’s federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as all ocean waters in Canada are under federal jurisdiction. Saltwater fisheries enforcement is a specific responsibility of officers of the Department of Fisheries. The Canadian Coast Guard does not have a conventional paramilitary rank structure; instead, its rank structure roughly approximates that of the civilian merchant marine.
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Anyone who has hiked in a provincial or national park learned early on that you need to pay attention to where you are walking. It’s too easy to trip over a root, or stumble over a rock. While you are enjoying the beautiful scenery of Canada’s outdoors, you need to be constantly looking down at where your feet are walking so you don’t face plant on the path. This is a picture of the Christian life. As we walk with Jesus, we enjoy the beauty of His presence in us and around us. But at the same time, there are many things in life that can trip us up as we walk with Him. That is why Paul the apostle writes this in 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” There are many things that can trip us up as we determine to live a life that honours the Lord—temptation comes when we least expect it. As you enjoy the beauty of Jesus and the spiritual path He is leading you on, be on your guard so you will stand firm in the faith.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley