And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians
In his early life Paul must have been keen on sports! He uses the phrases for the gymnast, the boxer, and the racer. He had probably stood, many times, watching the great games, which were held in various parts of the Greek-speaking world. He knew the long and arduous training through which competitors had to pass.
Paul was
running a race for an imperishable crown. He had no doubt as to his goal, and
therefore did not run uncertainly. He went straight as an arrow to its mark,
and his mark was to win souls for Christ. To gain some, to save some, was his
passion (1 Corinthians
We must
exercise "self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control." It's best to
hand over the whole of our nature to the Master, and ask Him to direct,
control, suggest each day whatever we think, or do, or say. It is infinitely
happier to be Christ-controlled than self-controlled. Happy are they who from
the earliest are able to subordinate the delights of sense, however innocent,
to some high quest of the spirit. The soldier has to forfeit many things which
are legitimate for the civilian, because he must be able to march rapidly from
place to place. He has to forego the use of many comforts, but he is
compensated if his name is placed on the honors list. The farmer has to submit
to hardships of weather and to encounter difficulties and discomforts which do
not occur in the lives of others; but there is no other way if he is to obtain
the fruits of his work. These deny themselves for lower considerations, but we
have an infinitely higher object in view; but by so much the more should we lay
aside every weight. Never forget Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, your great
Savior and life-giver - the source of all spiritual power.
PRAYER
Heavenly
Father, engraft Your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, inwardly in my heart, that I
may bring forth the fruit of holy living, to the honor and praise of Your name.
I pray in Jesus' holy name, AMEN.
God's
Daily Promise
Promise #318:
I will shower My Spirit and My blessings on your offspring.
Isaiah 44:3 (WEB)
For I will pour water on him
who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my Spirit on
your seed, and my blessing on your offspring:
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