1Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
There is no room for complacency in a Christian’s life. Or, there should be no room. I am as guilty as anyone of cutting myself slack when I am tired or discouraged. But really, Jesus did not call us to follow him on good days and go our own way the rest of the time. Following Christ needs to be a way of life, a vital part of myself, like breathing in and out. It takes discipline and work.
Holy Lord, I need your strength and support, your direction, to live the life you have set out for me. Help me to stay on your path. Help me to be dissatisfied with complacency when it creeps in. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
It is very easy to become satisfied with where you are in life and with what you do. But this is not how you get better at doing hard things. That takes self-discipline and practice, practice, practice. And it is often hard and the rewards often come slowly. I know this for a fact. I kept trying different methods for my nursing home Bible Study and most of my first attempts were failures, at least in my mind. It took almost a year before I found a method that seemed to engage the residents in the story. I could tell they were with me and so I felt successful. I am always trying to impr…
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
This tells me that the “race” is never, ever over and the next leg of the race is just around the corner, to every end, there is a new beginning. Like worship, it is ongoing, not just a Sunday exercise. Sunday is always the new start block, every day is a step to the next start block… praise, engage in the word, and pray every day until you get to the next start block, then start anew again.
Dear Lord, help me to keep focused on the “race” and always be looking for the next start walk. Help me to praise, worship, and pray as a matter of who I am and not just what I do.…
Thursday, October 24th, 2024
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should not be disqualified.
If I ever considered running a race I need to understand that I will have my own style, just as all the other racers will have theirs. To me this means I need…
1Corinthians 9:24-27
As I read Paul’s exhortation, it reminds me that part of the strict training we engage in for our crown is what we do each morning on this blog site, when we gather to reflect on Tuesday and to worship on Sunday. The spiritual disciplines of Scripture study, prayer and worship are but three tools available to us in our spiritual training room. A quick search of the term “spiritual disciplines” will yield many more that we can put into practice to stave off any complacency over the state of our faith walk. No one can do them all, but I now ask myself if I can do more.
Prayer - Like regular physical exercise builds stamina and…