September 18, 2016

The Shepherd's Corner

[:en]The Race of Life

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. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Whenever I have read this verse I've struggled with Paul's statement of "strike a blow to my body." Some translations say, "beat my body and make it my slave." It doesn't sound too nice or comforting to me.

Then I think about my own life and the times I've played sports, exercised, or competed in races. It doesn't always feel nice. The training often doesn't feel nice. I often have to push myself and force myself to exercise even when I don't want to. I'm sure that Olympic athletes wake up and feel the same things we do sometimes when we're trying to get motivated to exercise - no motivation at all!

Then something is supposed to happen - We are supposed to remember the goal. We are supposed to remember the prize. We are supposed to remember Jesus - "who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning it's shame" (Hebrews) and we need to set our eye on Him, "the author and perfector of our faith."

Then I think - if I can be disciplined and work hard in these things like sports, school, work, I can also do the same in my faith - and the prize is so much better than things this world can offer. Are you running in such a way as to not be disqualified, but to get the prize? Is part of my "running" telling others about Jesus and showing the world His love like Paul mentioned he was doing - "preaching to others"?

Pastor Steve
[:id](tidak ada terjemahan bahasa indonesia)

The Race of Life

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. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Whenever I have read this verse I've struggled with Paul's statement of "strike a blow to my body." Some translations say, "beat my body and make it my slave." It doesn't sound too nice or comforting to me.

Then I think about my own life and the times I've played sports, exercised, or competed in races. It doesn't always feel nice. The training often doesn't feel nice. I often have to push myself and force myself to exercise even when I don't want to. I'm sure that Olympic athletes wake up and feel the same things we do sometimes when we're trying to get motivated to exercise - no motivation at all!

Then something is supposed to happen - We are supposed to remember the goal. We are supposed to remember the prize. We are supposed to remember Jesus - "who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning it's shame" (Hebrews) and we need to set our eye on Him, "the author and perfector of our faith."

Then I think - if I can be disciplined and work hard in these things like sports, school, work, I can also do the same in my faith - and the prize is so much better than things this world can offer. Are you running in such a way as to not be disqualified, but to get the prize? Is part of my "running" telling others about Jesus and showing the world His love like Paul mentioned he was doing - "preaching to others"?

Pastor Steve
[:]

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - October 10, 2021
One of the hymns that has become a beloved of many is, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,’ written by a 19th century Scottish pastor, George Matheson. Unlike Fanny Crosby who became totally blind at a very young age, Matheson began to suffer partial blindness later in his teens. But that did not [...
Read More
Shepherd's Corner - February 22, 2015
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Despite the turbulent flight we made it home Friday evening. Santy and I are happy to be among you again and we want to say, thank you, for keeping us in your prayers. By the grace of God, He has blessed our time and ministry in Indonesia. Particularly we count it as [&hellip...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - June 9, 2019
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER For over two months I drove with an expired driver’s license—and I didn’t even know it!  When we moved to our current residence over two years ago, I immediately notified my change of address to DMV, hoping that I would receive my new license in the mail.  But...
Read More