16 May 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corruptible crown, a crown of righteousness, a free-for-all society, a joyful summer, a means of restoring faith in you, a new flock of believers, accidents, amidst all the anxiety and confusion, an incorruptible crown, be responsible, being able to stand strong, bring it into subjection, but one receives the prize, by the example that we set, Christian Liberty, competes for the prize, crying out for your help, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, divine help, embrace your love and compassion, endurance, every man that striveth for mastery is temperate, exercise a modicum of circumspection, faith, faithful believers, finished my course, for a long duration, forfeiting rewards, fought a good fight, Friday chant, get a move on, God's omnipotent help, holy spirit, I am now ready to be offered, I have preached to others, I keep under my body, I myself should be a castaway, I should be disqualified, imperishable crown, increase our Christian witness, indiscipline, Jesus Christ, Jesus was the best example of endurance, keep our bodies and minds under self-control, kept the faith, lack of self-control, laid up for me, lest that by any means, LOVE, mercy, not as one that beateth the air, not uncertainly, perform an activity, perishable crown, problems are escalating, return backsliders to your fold, salvation, self-control, so fight I, so run, so run that you may obtain, spiritual growth, stand strong and steadfast, stay safe, sticking to the task at hand, take the bull by the horns, temperate in all things, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the ability to withstand adversity, the believer must discipline themself, the error of their way, the essence of perseverance, the righteous judge, the simmering unrest, the sinful world, the throne of grace, the time of my departure is at hand, these ungodly times, they which run in a race run all, to avert being disqualified from Christian ministry, to handle the unexpected storms properly, train like runner, trusting faith, truth, unto all them that love his appearing, use the discontent, Victoria Day weekend, wake up and smell the coffee, we don't falter when times get rough, wisdom, wise guidance, with God's help
1 Corinthians 9:25. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things.
And finally it’s Friday, a good looking day too, after some early morning rain, with highs in the upper twenties. So the shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ have obviously risen to heaven, especially as we also celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend, the first long weekend of the summer. Now, Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25, in honour of the late Queen Victoria. This year it’s been celebrated on Monday May 19, the upcoming Monday, so you can imagine all the stuff that’s going to be happening, especially up in cottage country, as the homes are opened once again for a joyful summer.
And there’s nothing wrong with celebrating, but we’ve got to be sensible and exercise a modicum of circumspection, because so many accidents and other unwanted things happen when we’re not careful. So, with that warning for circumspection, (smile) let’s turn to the topic of endurance that we promised to continue today, if God spared life. And it’s obvious He did! So thank You Lord!
And to get us back into the topic, let’s reiterate the commentary of yesterday that described endurance. ‘Endurance, in general, refers to the ability to withstand hardship, adversity, or stress, particularly the ability to sustain a prolonged effort or activity. In a physical context, it refers to the body’s ability to perform an exercise or activity for a long duration, encompassing both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.’ So it’s basically being able to stand strong, despite problems and finish any task we’ve undertaken. And we know that Jesus was the best example of that, as we saw from the scriptures yesterday in Hebrews 12:1-3.
Now, Bruh Paul was also big on the point of endurance or sticking to the task at hand, which we see from many of his writings. And one of the most popular is this one to the Corinthians. ‘Know ye not they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
And that’s the essence of perseverance my brethren! One has to practice it, train like a runner or a fighter, keep your bodies, souls and minds under self-control, so that you don’t falter when the times get real tough. And believe me, they will at some stage or stages in our earthly lives.
And the scholars offer an interesting explanation of that last line: ‘Lest that by any means … I myself should be a castaway.’ Literally meaning “So that … I myself will not be disqualified.” Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation: his subject is still Christian liberty. The point is that the believer must discipline himself to avert both being disqualified from Christian ministry, and forfeiting the rewards for such service.’
It’s obvious therefore, that although we might have freedom to do as we please, self-control and self-discipline are still very important in our Christian ministry. And sadly, that’s not something that our current world is famous for, or even tries to implement. Instead we live in a free-for-all society, where selfishness, greed and arrogance are the order of the day. That means it’s left up to the induvial believers and churches to instill self-discipline and self-control, which is not such an easy task, when all around you is indiscipline and lack of self-control. However, with God’s help, if we’re serious, we can do it.
But getting back to the subject of endurance, we also have these marvellous words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, when he believes his life is on the line. ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim. 4:6-8)
Now, those are the kinds of statements we as true believers, as Christ’s representatives here on earth, ought to be able to make when we’re about to be taken home. But we cannot do that unless we’ve had self-control and endurance and leaned heavily on the examples of Bruh Paul and Jesus, two of the best at enduring hardships without complaints. And for divine help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant.
Altogether: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times.
We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And my fellow believers, praying for aid is good, but at the same time, we too have to increase our Christian witness. We just cannot sit back and wait on the Lord to do it all. A lot depends on us. So please, let’s take the bull by the horns, and get a move on nuh! Much LOVE!
…to grow spiritually…one must be able to control one’s body and mind…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Apr 2025
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a great cloud of witnesses, a merciful forgiving and gracious God, a true disciple of Christ, a warning, absolutely necessary, an incorruptible crown, be disqualified, bring it under subjection, business, Christian celebrations, compassed about, competes for the prize, corruptible crown, denying the spirituality of the situation, despising the shame, disicpline our bodies, disobeyed your word, disqualified from Christian ministry, divine aid, earthly spiritual journey, ease the pain, Easter celebrations, Easter Monday, encouraged by the enemy, endured the cross, eternal life, every man that striveth for mastery, faith, fall by the wayside, finished my course, flails helplessly, food, for the joy that was set before him, forfeiting rewards, fought a good fight, frustrations, gifts, grace, greed of the world, have a part to play, he that abideth in me, heavenly help, holy spirit, humble ourselves, humble servants, I am the vine, I in him, I keep under my body, I myself should be a castaway, I therefore so run, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus Christ, Jesus' miraculous resurrection, Jesus' sacrificial death, keep Jesus uppermost in our minds, kept the faith, know ye not, lay aside every weight, lest that by any means, looking unto Jesus, lose sight of the essential facts, LOVE, mass confusion, material selfishness, mercy, not as one that beateth the air, not that we are sufficient of ourselves, one receives the prize, our sufficiency is of God, parties, peace and calm, personal sacrifice, practical advice, pray, run not as uncertainly, run with patience, salvation, self-control, selfless sacrifice of Jesus, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, share a partnership with Christ, sin, sincere repentance, sincerely seek your face, so fight I, so run that ye may obtain, spiritual strength, spirituality, steal our joy In Jesus Christ, strong faith in Christ, suffering from negative situations, surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, ta perishable crown, temperate, temperate in all things, Thank you Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, the giver of life, the God who heals, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the material world, the race of life, the race that is set before us, the same bringeth forth much fruit, the sin which doth so easily beset us, they which run in a race run all, throne of grace, to think anything of ourselves, traffic jams, trainig for a marathon, truth, turn from our evil ways, we have all sinned, when I have preached to others, wisdom, wise guidance, without me ye can do nothing, work diligently, ye are the branches
1 Corinthians 9:24b. So run, that ye may obtain.
And the Easter celebrations continue unabated on this somewhat cloudy Easter Monday! And why not eh, when we were given the greatest presents ever; salvation and eternal life through Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection! And the other good thing about today is that many of us don’t have to face the traffic jams and all the other frustrations involved in going out to work. And all God’s children said, a loud and grateful, ‘Thank You Jesus!’
However, there’s always a warning needed in these Christian celebrations, a warning to not let the material selfishness and greed of the world to make us lose sight of what the celebration is truly about; the LOVE and selfless sacrifice of Jesus! For if we allow them, the material world, staunchly encouraged by the enemy, would just make it all about business, gifts, food, and parties, while denying the spirituality of the situation. So, as we celebrate, let’s keep Jesus uppermost in our minds today and every day, for He is the giver of life, health, wealth, LOVE, mercy, grace…in fact of everything that we enjoy!
Now, to always keep Jesus first place is no easy task, especially when the enemy’s main goal is to steal our joy in Christ, since, as the Bible says: ‘for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) That means if we lose our joy in Christ then we’ll lose our spiritual strength and won’t be able to make the wise decisions we ought to, or have the peace and calm we desire.
And how do we do that? We have to work sincerely and diligently at it. But obviously not by ourselves, for as Bruh Paul writes: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’ (2 Cor. 3:5) And Jesus corroborates that when he declares (yesss!!!) that well known statement: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)
But unlike what some might think, that does not stop us from working towards the goal of spiritual maturity, for we share a partnership with Christ, meaning we both have a part to play. If we do our part, He will do His. But if we don’t do our part, neither will He do His, and we’d be left in the lurch. And what’s our part in all this eh? Here’s one practical bit of advice from Bruh Paul. He writes thus in his first missive to the Corinthians: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor. 9:24)
Yes friends, Bruh Paul is likening our earthly spiritual journey to a race, and in his last communication with Timothy, he uses that same imagery. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim. 4:7) Likewise, the author of Hebrews views our earthly journey as a race, when he writes: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb. 12:1-2)
So Jesus is our example for living this earthly life. But yuh know what, if we want to obtain anything positive and/or substantial from this race of life, we have to put out something. Therefore, Bruh Paul continues to the Corinthians. ‘And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown, but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air (flails helplessly): but I keep under my body (discipline my body), and bring it under subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:25-27)
Ah mih people, like a runner training for a marathon, we too have to discipline our bodies and exert ourselves so that we will do well in the race of life. If not, we’ll fall by the wayside and lose the promised imperishable crown that Christ has laid aside for us. As the scholars explain: ‘The point is that the believer must discipline himself to avert being disqualified from Christian ministry, and forfeiting the rewards for such service.’ So we see that running this earthly race is not easy, but with the help of our wonderful God, we can do it, if we put out the necessary effort. And to help us do so, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, pleading for divine assistance.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.
So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
And from our prayer, we see that there are some necessary steps we must take before divine aid is granted; humble ourselves, pray, sincerely seek God’s face with sincere repentance. So please, let’s get to them right now nuh, so that we’ll get heavenly help asap! Much LOVE!
…as a true disciple of Christ…personal sacrifice is absolutely necessary…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
21 Aug 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a future and a hope, a generous God, a second wind, always wants something for nothing, as to the Lord and not unto men, ask, Bible, boost our spirits, but one receiveth the prize, Christ - the answer to everything, Christian performance, christianity, courage, do God's will, do it heartily, endure to the end, enjoy the fruits of life, eyes fixed straight ahead, faith, finished my course, for God so loved the world, grace, greedy. selfish, halfway home, hands on the plough, hath nothing, he gave his only begotten son, hearken unto you, I have fought a good fight, I know the thoughts I think toward you, it shall be given you, it shall be opened, Jesus Christ, kept the faith, knock, LOVE, mercy, not a doting grandfather, not looking back, obedience to God's will, pray unto me, provisos to God's promises, salvation, search for me with all your heart, seek, seek me and find me, should not perish but have everlasting life, sit on our lazy fannies, so run that ye may obtain, thank God, the breath of life, the soul of the diligent shall be made fat, the soul of the sluggard desireth, they which run in a race run all, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to a glorious future with Jesus, to give you an expected end, trust, truth, wallowing in the mire, Wednesday Wail, whatsoever ye do, whosoever believeth in him, wisdom, without lifting a finger, without rhyme or reason, ye serve the Lord Christ, ye shall find, ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance
1 Corinthians 9:24b. So run, that ye may obtain.
Here comes Wednesday, our mid-week work day, with the promise of a second wind and thus better things, or rather, better Christian performance from us supposed believers. And isn’t that good news? It surely is! For any improvement in our Christian lifestyle is welcome because it gives more credence to Christ’s gospel. And today we’ll look at some scripture promises that will inspire us to do better And there’s no better scripture to begin with than this one where the Lord clearly spells it out through the prophet Jeremiah.
‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) Now friends, that’s a scripture we all know, but do we use it to boost our spirits, our courage and trust in the Lord? Possibly not as much as we should. But the Lord is saying loud and clear that He has a good future in store for us, if we will only do His will. And yes, it all comes down to doing the Lord’s will. He’s not going to hand out blessings and such to those who refuse to obey Him…although some of us seem to think so.
And ofttimes there are provisos to God’s promises – like if you do this, I’ll do that, or I’ll do that, when you do this. And this is one such case, as the Lord expands on the promise of a future and a hope. ‘Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto (listen ) to you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:12-13) And that’s very understandable, for we do the very same thing when others come to us asking for help, we look for some sincerity and a promise that we won’t be deceived.
So why can’t the Lord, the Creator of the earth and all therein do likewise eh? The problem is that we’re just greedy and selfish and always want something for nothing. But that doesn’t work, especially with our heavenly Father. Oh, He’ll give us oodles of things we don’t deserve, for He’s a most generous God, but He must see some obedience and a light burning in our hearts for Him. Nothing different to our human behaviour.
Then there are these words of promise from Jesus: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8) There you have it again friends, a great promise, but we have to do something to claim it.
We cannot expect to have all the good things thrown in our lap without any involvement on our part. Life just doesn’t work that way, although some of us seem to think that we can just sit on our lazy, entitled fannies and enjoy the fruits of life, without even lifting a finger. And that’s why so many of us are just wallowing in the mire of this evil world, lost and alone, with no real future or hope.
And yuh know, even God’s greatest gift, that of salvation, comes with something for us to do. Listen as Jesus spells it out for us. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) Yes my people, to get everlasting life all you have to do is believe, simply believe.
But there are many of us who refuse to believe but expect to receive everlasting life. No way! Our God is great and good and kind and LOVING and all those wonderful things, but He’s definitely not a doting grandfather who just throws goodies at us without rhyme or reason., although that’s what many of us think, or believe, or expect.
And in accordance with all that we’ve said, here’s this pearl of wisdom from Cousin Sol. ‘The soul of the sluggard (lazy) desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat (rich).’ (Prov. 13:4) It’s oh so simple and straightforward my people; the lazy will die in poverty, while those who make a diligent effort will prosper! And that’s all the Lord is asking of us; to make a diligent effort in living for Him. It’s all up to us, the goodness of His grace and mercy are waiting for us to come and get them, they certainly won’t come to us without some effort on our part.
Then there’s this great promise from Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) And that’s the gospel truth, but we also have a part to play; belief and obedience to God’s will! And these words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians tells us of how it should be. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor. 9:24)
Yes friends, the only way we will ever obtain what’s been promised to us is if we RUN! Not dawdle or take our time, but RUN towards what’s been promised to us! Or as Bruh Paul says to Timothy: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim .4:7) And how do we do that? By following this basic but very wise advice to the Colossians: ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.’ (Col. 3:23-24)
Oh my fellow believers sincerely living for Christ means serving and doing, not just sitting on our laurels and expecting stuff to fall into our laps. So let’s wake up and get going nuh, show the world some serious action on Christ’s behalf! And we’ll begin that action right now, by going home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong and sincere voice! ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then He’s promised that that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, hoping to see you there! Much LOVE!
…running to, and for Christ…is the answer to everything…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Jul 2024
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corruptible crown, a crown of righteousness, an incorruptible crown, and every man that striveth for mastery, be a castaway, Bible, but one receives the prize, christianity, competes for the prize, endure afflictions, endure hardship, faith, fight the good fight of faith, fought a good fight, god, good soldiers, good soldiers are not born, grace and mercy, holy spirit, humble ourselves and pray, I discipline my body, is temperate in all things, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kept the faith, life is hard, LOVE, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, one that beateth the air, pick up your cross daily, put on the armour of god, repercussions, run not as uncertainly, sacrifices, self-control, seriously disobeyed your word, sincerely seek your face, stale like day old bread, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the God who heals, the helmet of salvation, the medium of prayer, the righteous judge, the shield of faith, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the spiritual armour of God, the sword of the Spirit, the throne of grace, the time of my departure is at hand, the two edged sword, the Word ofGod, they which run in a race run all, tough times, unto all them that love his appearing, when I have preached to others, wisdom, wise guidance
1 Corinthians 9:25a. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate in all things (has self-control).
Awright friends, it’s Monday…and there’s no birthday celebrations today. No. This is the start of a full work week, so please, let’s be up and about Christ’s business as we ought to, as good soldiers in His powerful army. And I guess there’s’ no better day to talk about fighting the good fight than on a Monday, when we’re supposed to be at our freshest and best, but so many of us seem uninterested and stale like day-old bread.
That’s why Bruh Paul exhorted Timothy with these words of valour: ‘Fight the good fight of faith…Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship) as a good soldier of Christ… But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the works of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (1 Tim. 6:12a, 2 Tim. 2:3, 4:5-8)
Oh my people, that’s the kind of buzz we need to make in this world. A stand for Jesus so strong that few can refute it. So that we can receive that crown of righteousness from the Lord when our time on earth is up. And no it’s not an easy stand to make, but we have all the tools to do it, beginning with the powerful Holy Spirit that indwells each of us.
Then there’s the proctection of the spiritual armour of God that Bruh Paul talks of in Ephesians: The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God, that mighty two edged sword, all banded together with the equally powerful medium of prayer. (Eph. 6:14-18)
Yes friends, with all of that firepower available to us, we cannot be defeated if we put it to good use. But it doesn’t happen automatically, we have to first put on the armour, then go out and fight the good fight. But before we fight that good fight, like all good soldiers, we also have to train, to practice, so that we can become efficient and effective on the battlefield. And that’s why Bruh Paul sets out this tough but sensible and oh so necessary training regime in his first letter to the church at Corinth.
‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate in all things (has self-control). Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown: but we an incorruptible (imperishable). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air (throws wild and unconnected blows): But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
Now that, my fellow believers is how we ought to be training to be good disciples and tough soldiers of Christ! Unfortunately though, too many of us supposed believers are not interested in taking up that training regime because they claim it’s too hard. But however you live life, it’s hard, and the only way to fight life is by being tougher than it, and you can only get tougher by long hours of practice and training.
Too many of us are too enamoured with the wonderful amenities and entitlements the world has to offer and thus refuse to take up their armour, go into training and fight, but they still expect to receive an imperishable crown of righteousness come the day of judgement. Unfortunately though, I’m afraid those lackadaisical, apathetic soldiers will be sorely disappointed when those crowns of righteousness are handed out.
If you refuse to pick up your cross daily and follow Christ as a good disciple, then Christ will leave you behind when he comes into His kingdom. It’s as simple as that my fellow saints. There’s no easy or simple way to cut it. Working for Jesus implies sacrifices and tough times, which we all have the wherewithal to handle, but we’re just too bloody lazy and only desire to live the easy life.
But let’s remember that anything that’s comes too easily, will later on have serious repercussions. Life was just not meant to be easy. Whatever you want, you have to work for it. So if you truly desire that imperishable crown of righteousness, then you’d better get up off your fat, lazy fanny and work for it! Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us with our earthly problems.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face.
So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’
And the best way to encourage divine aid is by humbling ourselves, praying and sincerely seeking God’s face. Much LOVE!
…good soldiers are not born…but are developed…through discipline and serious training…
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17 Aug 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a marathon, a sprint race, but one receiveth the prize, catch our second wind, every man that striveth for mastery is temperate, faith, fear not, grow in grace and faith, hands on the plough, have good success, I discipline my body, I have finished my course, I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I should be a castaway, jump in feet first, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, one step at a time, perseverance, sacrifice, shall not depart out of thy mouth, so glad to be alive, so run that ye may obtain, the breath of life is still flowing through me, the Isthmian Games, they which run in a race run all, this book of the law, thou shalt meditate therein day and night, Wednesday Wail, when I have preached to others
1 Corinthians 9:24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
Wednesday, oh Wednesday! The middle day of the work week, where we catch our second wind, so we can finish the week’s race, strong in Jesus’ name. Yes friends, every week is a sprint race, with life being an overall marathon. And we win them just one day at a time, then one week at a time, with rest and rejuvenation on the weekend, to come back out bursting with confidence and energy on a Monday morning, ready to take on all comers in the race of life, in the mighty and wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That’s how Bruh Paul characterized the Christian life, like a race, when he told Timothy: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim. 4:7) Oh my fellow believers, it’s important that we realize that our Christian faith is indeed a race, and a long one too; one necessitating much faith, sacrifice, and perseverance. It’s definitely not meant for the faint of heart, or the weak in spirit. And we can only run it successfully by having the utmost faith and trust in our Triune Godhead, sincerely believing that through their amazing help and assistance we will eventually be victorious.
That’s how all the great men and women of God were able to run their difficult races. And though our races today might be somewhat easier than theirs back then, it still necessitates great faith, because the enemy is still out there just chomping at the bit to cut us down and make us useless to Christ, like unflavoured salt or darkness of spirit. Now, listen to how Bruh Paul explains the Christian race to his readers in Corinth. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor. 9:24)
And the scholars tell us that ‘Paul draws on a scene familiar to his Corinthian readers in order to drive home his point. The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all of his readers. They were held on alternate summers in the vicinity of Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution, it was familiar to his readers as modern football is to most Americans.’
I guess those games was the forerunner to our modern Olympic Games. So, since everybody knew of them, the idea of a race was something they would all understand. It’s like Jesus talking about a shepherd to His listeners, something with which they were all familiar. And me talking to us about Christ, whom we all know about. (smile)
Anyway, after proposing the race idea, Bruh Paul sets it up thus: ‘And every man that striveth for mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown, but we an incorruptible (imperishable). (1 Cor. 9:25)
That’s the big difference between the physical and spiritual races friends. The physical one gives us a crown that perishes or can be destroyed by moth or be stolen by thieves. However, the spiritual crown is set up for us in heaven, incorruptible, imperishable, cannot be destroyed or stolen. That’s what makes it so important, and the winning of our earthly race so necessary.
Consequently, Bruh Paul strenuously advises: ‘I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I. not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified). (1 Cor. 9:26-27) Ah mih people, as we said earlier on the Christian race is indeed not for the weak in spirit or faint of heart. And if you don’t believe me, listen to the scholars explain what Bruh Paul was writing about.
They say: ‘ The expression I keep under loses much of the original sense. It has the idea of to “give one a black eye,” “buffet,” or “bruise.” Paul’s readers knew that in the Isthmian Games, the boxers wore gloves consisting of ox-hide bands covered with knots and nails, and loaded with lead and iron. To prepare for such an event, a man would have to brace himself to endure all forms of physical abuse.
Lest that by any means…I myself should be a castaway (lit. “So that…I myself will not be disqualified”). Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation: his subject is still Christian liberty. The point is that the believer must discipline himself to avert both being disqualified from Christian ministry, and forfeiting the rewards for such service.’
And we think that our modern-day boxing is brutal! Hn! Bruh Paul’s zeal about the Christian race must have frightened off some people, thinking that to be a believer, they had to put up with such awful physical abuse. It’s no different from the way some of us behave today, desiring no sacrifice or hard times on our Christian journey. But that’s simply impossible, for life itself brings hard and sacrificial times whether you’re a believer or not.
It all begins with self-discipline though my brethren! If we are to live successfully for Christ, we need to conquer our flesh, our carnal nature, and that can only be done by constant training. And that training means constantly meditating on God’s word, through prayer and thanksgiving, and putting it all into action in our lives.
But don’t believe me, hear it directly from the horse’s mouth, (smile) when the Lord Himself explained it to Joshua, on making him the Israelite leader after Moses’ death. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) And friends, if the Lord says it’s so, then so it is! (smile) Who are we to dispute it eh.
So please, let’s get serious about living for Christ nuh. Life itself is difficult enough, and Christ’s desires adds more to it. But the good thing is that He never asks us to do stuff we can’t do, or not give us the tools to do it. But we must believe, to come up with the necessary faith. And that only comes from daily experience with Him. As we give our lives to Him, and see how He faithfully handles them, then our faith grows. But we have to let go and jump in feet first, take the first step; then, taking one step at a time grow in grace and faith. As Christ reassuringly advises: ‘Fear not.’ That’s the only way to do it.
Now, for those of us who are doing our best to live for Christ, let’s go home letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Him, by declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail. As one strong, confident voice. ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Now, let’s get out there and run that race of glory for Christ, as is our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…to successfully run a race…one must prepare seriously for it…
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22 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a bear hug, a brilliant dash to the finish line, a high priest, a warm kiss, accomplish, after the order of Melchizedek, Amen, antidote, author and finisher of our faith, author of eternal salvation, be wearied and faint, believer's vocabulary, blazed the trail, bold, buckle down, but one receives the prize, called of God, catch our second wind, confidence, confident, conviction, Corinth, courageous, deflate, depress, despising the shame, different paths, discourage, discouraged, don't give up, don't think about letting go, earthly guidebook, endured such hostility of sinners, endured the cross, energetic, faith, faithful, faithful over a few things, falter, finish line, finish with style, finished the course, glorified, glory hallelujah, god, God's plan for our lives, guidance, Guide, halfway home, in full swing, incarnate son of god, Isthmian Games, Jesus Christ, lay aside every weight, lifeline, looking unto Jesus, LOVE, made perfect, maganimous and magnificent God, magnified, marathon runner, marathon-like adventure, national institution, obedience, obstruction, orignator, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, perfector, perseverance, pitfalls, power, pratfalls, promises, purpose, quit in mid-stream, radiant smile, rest assured, ruler over many things, run our race of life with plenty vim and vigour, run the race of life with excellence, run with patience, see another sunrise, sense of purpose, set down at the right hand of the throne of God, sincere words, so great a cloud of witnesses, so run that you may obtain, strength, stumble, suffered, supreme champion, thankful, the BIBLE, the joy of thy lord, the race of life, the sin which so easily ensnares us, they which run in a race run all, thou good and faithful servant, time to take stock, to run...and yet to run, trusting, victory, vigour, vim, we've won the first two rounds of the workweek battle, Wednesday, well done, winning qualities, wisdom, wisdom of Almighty God
1 Corinthians 9:24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.
Wednesday…oh Wednesday…you’re my ‘renewer’…my lifeline…!
Yes Friends, it’s a big Wednesday morning! That means we’re halfway home; we have won the first two rounds of the workweek battle… Glory Hallelujah!
So please don’t give up now. Don’t even think about letting go! Instead, it’s time for us to take stock, like a marathon runner, to catch our second wind, and put on a brilliant dash to the finish line that’s Friday! And all God’s people said a loud and hearty ‘Amen!’
Ah mih breddren, we need to be very thankful that we’ve been allowed to see another sunrise, because it means God’s plan for our lives isn’t over as yet. He still has a purpose for us to complete, His plan is still in full swing since we haven’t yet accomplished what He’s set forward for us to accomplish.
Therefore, we need to be trusting, faithful, energetic, courageous, bold and confident in the promises of our magnificent and magnanimous God, for there’s NO other like Him in this great universe!
As our Bit so wisely reminds us: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’
Yes Friends, we need to run our race of life with plenty vim and vigour, so that we may obtain that awesome victory which awaits us at the end.
And the scholars give us some background info into what Bruh Paul was referring to. ‘9:24. Paul draws on a scene familiar to his Corinthian readers in order to drive home his point. The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all his readers.
They were held on alternate summers in the vicinity of Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution, it was as familiar to his readers as modern football to most Americans.’
Oh mih people, the race of life is never an easy one. In the first place it’s often a marathon-like adventure, spread over a long period of time, and certainly strewn with all sorts of pitfalls, pratfalls, options of different paths and untold kinds of obstruction along the way, stuff that wants to discourage, depress and deflate us and get us to quit in mid-stream.
But please remember that that awful word ‘quit,’ doesn’t exist in a believer’s vocabulary. And besides, we have the antidote for that rotten, wearisome word right at hand, as our great God and Guide has caused it be so eloquently written in our earthly Guidebook, the Bible!
‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb.12:1-3)
Yes my people, we have to buckle down now and do what is necessary to run the race of life with excellence and finish with style, as Jesus desires of us. And at those times when we falter or stumble, as we all will do, we need to look to our supreme champion, Jesus Christ, for guidance and strength, for He is also our most worthy example of successfully running this earthly race.
And as we just read, He is indeed ‘the author and finisher of our faith.’ He began our faith by running His earthly race with outstanding conviction and sense of purpose, combined with loads of perseverance and endurance. As the scholars declare: ‘He has already blazed the trail and finished the course.’
The author of Hebrews also boosts our confidence earlier on as he tells us: ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10)
And though we will never have all the parts that He possessed, per His being the incarnate Son of God, we can nonetheless rest assured that He WILL enable us to run our race with the same winning qualities and meet us at the finish line with a radiant smile, a big bear hug, a warm kiss, and sincere words of…
‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ (Matt.25:21)
Now NOTHING will ever surpass that glorious moment my fellow believers!
So, starting today, right now, let’s get out there and run our race of life with power and confidence nuh, so that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be magnified and glorified, as He so richly and justly deserves! That’s the wisdom of Almighty God! Much LOVE!
…to run…to run…and yet to run…even when the spirit seems to be tiring and wants to stop…by looking unto Jesus…the author and finisher of our faith…our supreme champion…
SCRIP-BITS 