Category: I Corinthians

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It Hurts!

This morning I am a living testimony to what I am going to share. Not that I want to be because this morning’s teaching is painful.

I stepped out the back door to let Glory out, took two steps and ouch! I thought I had stepped on a small rock so I bent down to brush it away. Not a rock – a cactus thorn of some sort and all I did was break the head off it. The thorn is still there.

I came back in, got Glory her food and sat down to try and pull out the thorn. My nails are too short and the thorn is too deep. I had to walk around on my tip toes to keep the pressure off the area. Yes, I have tweezers but they are in my bathroom and I would have to wake Dave to get them. Beside that, I’m not as limber as I used to be so getting my foot into a position where I can see the thorn well is a bit difficult.

My body encouraged me to sit down, put my foot up and wait. Wait for Dave to come to my aid. I’m listening to my body!

The Apostle Paul tells us about helping our body when it hurts.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” I Corinthians 12:12-27 NLV

We, as Christians, should be listening to our body. We are all one body just as these verses say. We should be taking care of one another. Helping out the parts that hurt. Jesus said that the world would know we are Christians by our love for one another.

I’m concerned that many times what the world sees is bickering and fighting; animosity, gossip and amputation have infiltrated our actions. It shouldn’t be this way. These things limit our mobility, our effectiveness, our usefulness. We are to be Christ to the world. We are to let Him live through us.

Are you hurting today? Have you asked for help? My heel “screams” for help each time I put weight on it. I’m going to get help as soon as Dave gets up. I’m not going to be proud and say nothing’s wrong, I can do it myself. I can’t. Neither can you – ask for help, ask for prayer. Let others come along and be your strength and healing.

And then look for the hurting. Don’t cause more damage by being hard hearted or gossiping. Do what you can to lighten someone’s load, to bring healing and not criticism.

Be aware, be involved. Be Jesus!

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What Is Communion?

There are those who acknowledge the meaning of communion as heart to heart conversation between dear friends or loved ones. To some the answer to that question brings the image of a priest standing at the front of the church offering a wafer and wine to his parishioners. To others it will be quiet reflection on the sacrifice of Christ while remaining seated in the church assembly as trays of bread and wine are passed.

All of these living definitions of the word communion are correct.

It is a cool and quiet morning. The birds aren’t even up yet and I am enjoying this time with the Father and with you. This too is communion.

I particularly enjoy the time we spend with long time friends reminiscing. The love the Lord has built between us, the many miraculous answers to prayer and moves of God we have seen make our friendship and our communion sweeter. We are blessed!

The Apostle Paul’s letters to the different churches were his communication with them or his communion. He took the responsibility of teaching the Christians in the various churches seriously. He willingly gave of his life to minister to those he called his children in the faith and in turn, he ministers to us.

Paul’s teaches very plainly about Christian behavior and “communion” in his letter to the Corinthians. He instructed the church not to be divided – not to be judgmental and not to embarrass the poor.

Paul was upset with the way they were treating the Lord’s Supper with disregard. Some were gluttonous and greedy and some were drinking too much. It was more of a free-for-all instead of a time to celebrate what Christ has done for us.

“When you all come together, it is not really the Lord’s Supper you are eating. 21 I say this because when you eat, each one eats without waiting for the others. Some people don’t get enough to eat or drink, while others have too much. 22 You can eat and drink in your own homes. It seems that you think God’s church is not important. You embarrass those who are poor. What can I say? Should I praise you? No, I cannot praise you for this.

23 The teaching I gave you is the same that I received from the Lord: On the night when the Lord Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread 24 and gave thanks for it. Then he divided the bread and said, “This is my body; it is for you. Eat this to remember me.” 25 In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said, “This cup represents the new agreement from God, which begins with my blood sacrifice. When you drink this, do it to remember me.” 26 This means that every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are telling others about the Lord’s death until he comes again.

27 So if you eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a way that does not fit its meaning, you are sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 Before you eat the bread and drink the cup, you should examine your own attitude.” I Corinthians 11:20-28 ERV

When we celebrate the Lord’s supper we need to be mindful of all the Lord did, and has done, for us. He established a new covenant, a new relationship, a way of reconciliation with the Father. His shed blood purchased our freedom from sin. Complete forgiveness, total reconciliation. His bruised and beaten body purchased our peace and the stripes on His back paid for our healing.

If we don’t look at the Lord’s Supper as a time of communion with the Father who loved us so much He sent his Son to die and don’t take time to lovingly appreciate Jesus for His sacrificial death to bring us into right relationship with the Father we haven’t truly participated in communing with the Lord and participating in “remembrance of Him”.

The Lord’s Supper isn’t a church tradition – far from it. It isn’t just something we do on the first Sunday of the month. It is a time to reaffirm all that the Lord has done for us, a time to be grateful for this precious and wonderful gift of salvation, salvation for our body, soul and spirit. The Lord’s Supper is a time for us to recognize our total dependence on Him and what He died to bring us!

Dave and I celebrate the Lord’s Supper in our home at the beginning of each new year, we reaffirm our dependence on the Lord and commit our year to Him. We can celebrate our remembrance of all the Lord has done at any time.

I encourage you not to wait for a specific time to enjoy communion with the Lord. We can and should experience that each day. Let the Holy Spirit minister to our hearts a freshness in our relationship with the Father! May we all experience the true depth and meaning of communion with the Father.

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Loud & Noisy

When will I learn? Once again it happened; that annoying three beep blast from the smoke detector at 3:30 a.m.! It’s now 4:30 and my heart rate is just now coming back to normal…I can guarantee you that I have now written on my calendar “Change Batteries” on both September 1 and March 1.

A noisy gong and a clanging cymbal! Life has many obtrusive interruptions. The Apostle Paul writes about such things.

“ If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” I Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT

These are the first verses in what is called the love chapter. Paul is telling us that we may have all sorts of talents, abilities and motivations but if they aren’t done with a loving attitude then our good deeds are worthless, annoying and for self-gratification.

Like a clanging cymbal!

However, when done from a heart of love, a servant’s heart, people’s lives are impacted and they are pointed to Jesus.

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9 ERV

A clanging cymbal can be either an annoyance or a sound of joy and comfort. The little toy monkey pictured with this morning’s blog is one of the most annoying toys ever. Clang- Clang- Clang! It can certainly be compared to the blast of the smoke alarm.

But then there is the blast of the horn of a fire truck on it’s way to rescue someone or the siren of an ambulance. Those sounds might annoy drivers in traffic or someone in their home trying to nap but they most definitely bring comfort to the one who made the 9-1-1 call.

The clanging cymbal – it can be like the little toy monkey or it can be like the finale of the 1812 Overture. It can be dreaded or excitedly embraced! The same is true of our actions. We can be annoying because the things we do are void of love or we can be a comfort and source of joy.

“Praise him with a clash of cymbals;  praise him with loud clanging cymbals. 6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:5-6 NLT

Today I choose to be a loud clanging cymbal used to praise God and tell of His greatness!

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How Good Is Good Enough?

For years I used to work to be “good enough” for God’s love. I, like a lot of people, wanted people and God to love me and I would work to that end. While in college I found myself baking all kinds of cookies and cakes and doing things for people to get them to like me. I was a people pleaser. I would serve on committees and every place that a volunteer was needed to show the Lord and others my dedication. I wanted them to see that I had a good heart and was a good Christian.

And then I found these verses in I Corinthians 3.

“And you are a house that belongs to God. 10 Like an expert builder I built the foundation of that house. I used the gift that God gave me to do this. Other people are building on that foundation. But everyone should be careful how they build. 11 The foundation that has already been built is Jesus Christ, and no one can build any other foundation. 12 People can build on that foundation using gold, silver, jewels, wood, grass, or straw. 13 But the work that each person does will be clearly seen, because the Day will make it plain. That Day will appear with fire, and the fire will test everyone’s work.” I Corinthians 3:9b-13 ERV

I realized I was building with wood, grass and straw. My efforts were exactly that – my efforts. I wasn’t serving people for God’s glory and benefit but for my own. And it never seemed that I was doing enough…

Then the Father began to reveal to me how much He loves me. He loves me – not my works. It was ok to say no to some of the needs that were presented. I could let others serve. The Father didn’t want me working for Him but serving with Him. I didn’t have to earn His love! He loves me unconditionally and in that love I am free to serve because I want to and not because I have too.

Doing that, serving and living life to glorify Him, we begin to build our lives with gold, silver and precious jewels; things with heavenly value. When we serve for our own benefit we grow weary and discouraged. We get jealous and judgmental. (Remember Martha being upset because Mary wasn’t serving).

Occasionally I have to inspect my building materials and ask the Lord to build a fire and burn off what isn’t acceptable. Gold is purified by fire. It isn’t consumed.

“Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns.” I Peter 1:7 CEV

I no longer strive to be “good enough”. My desire is to shine for Him!

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What Are You? Who Are You?

I hope you don’t mind if I share a personal experience I had over thirty years ago. It is still fresh in my memory. I can see each face that was in the room and I wonder if they remember this conversation that we had.

I have shared this before on Facebook but I hope you won’t mind me sharing it here with you.

A long time ago I was asked by some students who worked for me “Are you one of those born again ‘Christians’?” I could tell by the question that this was an opening from the Lord and I could also tell that I wasn’t what they were asking.

Let’s read this morning’s verses and then I come back and give you my answer to their question.

“Friends, when I came and told you the mystery that God had shared with us, I didn’t use big words or try to sound wise. 2 In fact, while I was with you, I made up my mind to speak only about Jesus Christ, who had been nailed to a cross.

3 At first, I was weak and trembling with fear. 4 When I talked with you or preached, I didn’t try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God’s Spirit show his power. 5 That way you would have faith because of God’s power and not because of human wisdom.” I Corinthians 2:1-5 CEV

So I asked the student posing the question what he meant by Christian. He said that his aunt and uncle were always telling him you can’t do this and you got to do that and if you don’t you’re going to hell. And they are “Christians” so am I one of those?

I took a deep breath and answered “No, I’m not a Christian like that but let me tell you what I am”. My office area was filled with students because it was midday and they always came to hang out in my office. They all got quiet and gave me their attention.

“I am a Christian because Christian means one who is like Christ. I am born again because that means I have been given new life by Jesus. He has forgiven my sins and made me new.

I am a fanatic because I trust the Lord with everything I do each and every day. I pray over my grocery list. I pray for my kids to be healed and my husband to be safe at work. I pray for you (calling a student by name) to pass your Algebra test and for another student to find something valuable that she had lost.

I believe that God wants to be involved in every part of my life and I also know that He can handle it so much better than I can do on my own.

I don’t live by a long list of do’s and don’ts. I live by relationship with a Heavenly Father who loves and wants the best for me and I want to do nothing that would displease Him. And when I do fail, because I do, I go to Him and find His forgiveness. His love isn’t based on my goodness – it’s unconditional!

So I guess to answer your question, yes, I am a born again Christian. I’m a fanatic who believes that God wants to show me his love and his power and I pray that each one of you will want a relationship like that too.”

That day the Lord opened the door for me to talk with and pray for many of the students in that room. I thank Him that my life wasn’t filled with religious words and condescending looks but with real life relationship. And from that day forward I have tried to live and teach Jesus in a practical way that cowboys, farmers, ranchers, students and just plain folks could understand.

So today I encourage you to live a life that draws questions. And the answer to questions should always be Jesus and His amazing love!

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Reflection of Love

When I got up this morning, I went outside and looked up. There were feathery clouds filling the sky, a full moon and millions of stars peaking through.

“My Father made those just for me”, I said. I know He made them for you too but I was so taken back by the fact that He knows every star and placed them in just the right orbit and He also knows the number of hairs on my head.

He knows us and He loves us and He calls us by name! That’s a pretty wonderful way to start the day.

“But now the Lord Who made you, O Jacob, and He Who made you, O Israel, says, “Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you. I have given Egypt as pay for your life, and have traded Cush and Seba for you. ” Isaiah 43:1-3 NLV

When I asked the Lord what to share this morning and it came flooding in like the light from the full moon.
“I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you”.

“Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear. 19 We love because God first loved us.” I John 4:18-19 ERV

Suffice it to say, God loves us; He loves you! Just as the moon is a reflection of light from the sun our lives should be a reflection of the love that we receive from the Son.

God’s opinion of us is so much greater than our opinion of ourselves. He saw that we were valuable, priceless and worth the ultimate sacrifice. He loved us enough to send His Son to die for us so that we could live in Him!

Now that alone should drive out any feelings of low self-esteem, worthlessness or fear!

“Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that! Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence, and not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 And God chose what the world thinks is not important—what the world hates and thinks is nothing. He chose these to destroy what the world thinks is important. 29 God did this so that no one can stand before him and boast about anything. 30 It is God who has made you part of Christ Jesus. And Christ has become for us wisdom from God. He is the reason we are right with God and pure enough to be in his presence. Christ is the one who set us free from sin. 31 So, as the Scriptures say, “Whoever boasts should boast only about the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:26-31 ERV

This isn’t just how God feels about us but it’s the way He feels about those that we don’t think are too valuable. His love for all of us is the same and so we need to reflect that when we are dealing with others. We need to give them the same value that our Father does.

As our hearts fill with the realization of how precious God feels we are we can’t help but show more love to others. I read once that the moon only reflects 3-12% of the sunlight that hits it.

Wouldn’t it be a great world if we reflected 12% of God’s amazing love?

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All Good Things

You know how the old saying goes when making comparisons “Apples to Apples, Oranges to Oranges”. I’m sure I have used it before some where in my teachings so it should come as no surprise to you that I will be using it again this morning.

Last week I heard a very good teaching on the character of God. I have been mulling it over all week. I keep going back to it because it isn’t what some prophet or Bible character is saying about God, it’s what God is saying about Himself.

Moses wanted to see God. God had been giving him messages of provision for the Israelite people and Moses had seen the burning bush, all the plagues and the Red Sea part. He had seen the cloud covering by day and the fire covering each night but he hadn’t seen God.

“Then the Lord came down to him in a cloud, stood there with Moses, and spoke his own name. 6 That is, the Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “Yahweh, the Lord, is a kind and merciful God. He is slow to become angry. He is full of great love. He can be trusted. 7 He shows his faithful love to thousands of people. He forgives people for the wrong things they do, but he does not forget to punish guilty people…” Exodus 34:5-7 ERV

Look at what God says about Himself. I am merciful, kind, gracious, good tempered, loving, trustworthy, faithful, forgiving and just! Sounds very similar to the Apostle Paul’s description of what Love is.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. 8 Love will never end…” I Corinthians 13:4-8 ERV

These are love’s characteristics and since God is love then these are His characteristics too. Love is patient, kind, unselfish, good tempered, forgiving, loyal, trustworthy, hopeful, committed and eternal.

As I was studying these verses together I realized that these are also the characteristics that the Holy Spirit brings out in our lives, the fruit of the Spirit. That was the focus of yesterday’s blog and it also ties in with the teaching on our spiritual DNA that I wrote about a week ago. Because we are children of the Father, his DNA shapes our lives. God’s word always dove-tails together giving us a true perspective of His character.

God’s Character Love’s Character Fruit of the Spirit  
Faithful Hopeful Faithful
Forgiving Supportive Gentle
Good Faithful Good
Gracious Forgiving Joy
Loving Truthful Kind
Merciful Not Rude Love
Patient Patient Patient
Trustworthy Selfless Peaceful
  Kind  
  Not Boastful  
  Good Tempered  

God wants His character to overflow in our lives so that we look and act like Him. The Father is pleased when people look at us and say “Oh they must be a Christian, they look and act just like their Father”.

“Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus.” Colossians 3: 17 NLV

May our lives be an “apples to apples” comparison with Father as we grow in our daily walk with Him.

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A Real Budget Buster

Have you ever taken time to evaluate your spending habits? We have lived on a budget all our married life. Everything has a category and an amount and to the best of my ability I try to make it all line up each month. Need to be good stewards right?

This morning I was thinking about spending; spending for groceries, vehicles, clothing, furniture, entertainment, health and extragavences. The way we assign value differs from category to category. I want to get a “good deal” on vegetables and meat and so I set an amount that I won’t go over when it comes to a pound of meat or a pound of grapes.

We shop for the best buy when it comes to our furniture and vehicles and are always looking for a super sale. Then there are those things that we will willing go into our savings to purchase; a child’s wedding or college education, medical expenses for a loved one. These require sacrifice but a sacrifice of love.

As I was reading in I Corinthians I saw Paul repeat a phrase that he had used earlier in the book.

” God paid a high price for you,” I Corinthians 7:23 ERV

I want you to stop and think about your value this morning. Do you understand how priceless you are to the Father? We’re not like a bunch of grapes or a bag of tomatoes that can be bought cheaply for $.99 per pound. We’re not like the new dress or new car that He waited for the big sale to purchase. We are invaluable to Him.

Our value is so great that we are “Budget Busters”!

“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. He hid it again and was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned and bought the field. 45 “Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it.” Matthew 13:44-26 ERV

The earth is the world, God the Father is the man, we are the treasure or the pearl and Jesus is the price that was paid!

What is it that would cause you to sell all you have – your home, your jewelry, your cars, your boat, your horses, your RV, cash in the CD’s and empty the savings account? What would be valuable enough to have you sell all to buy one treasure?

We are that treasure! God gave His only begotten Son to purchase us!

No words can convey what I am feeling in my heart this morning as I realize in a deeper way God’s love for me.

” And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV

Father, I will take my words of praise from the Psalms
“Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you. 4 By my life, I will praise you. In your name, I lift my hands in prayer” Psalm 63:3-4 ERV

Thank you for seeing me as valuable!

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Keep It Clean

I used to clean a home that was used for a vacation rental. I was surprised quite often by the way the tenants kept it. Some were neat and tidy while others were sloppy and never even tried to pick up after themselves. I find it hard to leave a hotel room without making the bed…

I like a clean and tidy house. It’s hard for me to sit and relax when I know that the bathrooms need to be cleaned or I can see dirty floors and dusty furniture. I’ve always been that way. It’s a part of who I am. My mom kept a tidy house and from what I’ve read, it’s a part of my heritage.

I once read a book on a Norwegian family. The woman, who was a bit older than I, told stories about her Mom and her complusion for cleanliness. At one point in the book she said they moved into a home, it was clean or so she thought but her mother had them scrub the floors just in case the family that had lived there before wasn’t Norwegian and didn’t understand the importance of cleanliness the way they did.

Now I’m not that bad. My husband and children may take umbridge with that last statement. However, cleaning for me isn’t a chore, it’s enjoyable. I am thankful for my home and the things I have in it and want to keep them looking nice and not let them deteriorate or come to disrepair.

And with that confession I’m sure you are wondering how all of this applies to this morning’s blog. Let me draw the correlation.

I know that the dust seeps in and requires my attention. Then there’s the dog hair and dusty feet or food spills in the kitchen, dirty sinks and smudged windows. It all requires my attention. I would have a real problem if someone wanted to march through the house with muddy feet or walked through the rooms spilling garbage. More importantly, I would stand up to anyone that wanted to vandalize my home or bring in a bag of snakes and scorpions.

So how do you think the Holy Spirit feels when we let our actions, our words and our activities “dirty up” His home?

“You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 20 God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 ERV

We are a valuable dwelling place – a temple, as it were, for the Holy Spirit to live in and there are times we carelessly vandalize His home.

As I grow older I realize more each year how important it is that I keep my house clean. There’s no room for dishonesty, no room for bitterness or petty jealousy. I don’t want the garbage of lying, gossip, or criticism spread about and I certainly don’t want my dwelling to be vandalized by immoral living.

“And don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. God gave you his Spirit as proof that you belong to him and that he will keep you safe until the day he makes you free. 31 Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.” Ephesians 4:30-32 ERV

Take a look around. Is it time for a good cleaning? Make your earthly home a place of welcome and comfort for the Holy Spirit.

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More Than Shadow Boxing

Remember, years back, all the Rocky movies?

Cue theme music, roll tape, see Rocky running through the streets and up the steps. Now he stands at the top and raises his arms above his head in triumphant victory! And the crowd goes wild!!!

I have to be honest, I only saw the first one; it was good but it didn’t entice me to see the sequels. The thing that I took away from that movie was the heart’s desire of the underdog. The never give up, never quit determination that can consume some one’s life.

Long before Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed there was someone else who knew the importance of never giving up.

“You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one runner gets the prize. So run like that. Run to win! 25 All who compete in the games use strict training. They do this so that they can win a prize—one that doesn’t last. But our prize is one that will last forever. 26 So I run like someone who has a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something, not just the air. 27 It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won’t miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.” I Corinthians 9:24- 27 ERV

The Apostle Paul compared our lives in Christ to a athletic competition.

We’ve got to be disciplined. We’ve got to train with someone who will challenge us to be our best and won’t allow us to quit. Victory is not the result of an overnight success; it comes from dedication and hard work. We don’t run a marathon in our first week of training and we don’t get the champion’s belt after our first sparing match.

Of course not!

The same holds true with the battles we fight with our physical desires that don’t honor the Lord. The Apostle Paul says that we are to crucify (deaden, kill, destroy) our fleshy desires. John writes the same thing.

“Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. 16 Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. 17 The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.” I John 2:15-17 CEV

We all know we shouldn’t be doing those “big” sins. It’s the little ones we need to conquer. Things like gossip, the little white lie, loosing our temper, saying something unkind or critical, laziness. These are the conditioning races or shadow boxing. Perfecting our technique and skills. We need to conquer the small things.

“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 CEV

We have the best coach and trainer, we have Jesus. He came and faced every temptation that we do and He was victorious every time. If we follow His instruction, we will also be victorious!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

Cue the music – We are the champions!

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