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

Shepherd's Corner - October 26, 2014
A dog is truly man’s best friend.  Those of you who are dog’s lovers certainly know what I am talking about.  Over five years ago the Good Lord brought a strayed dog into our lives.  Since then Oliver, that’s his name, has been in our hearts, not only in our home.  Every time we go [&helli...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - June 5, 2022
I wonder what I would be thinking about when I, if God’s willing, turn 90! Perhaps I’d be thinking about how grateful I am for the life God has given me and how I look forward to finishing it well.  The last thing in my mind would be about starting another project.  I’d simply be [&h...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - June 26, 2016
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER We don’t know the exact number of copies that have been sold. What we know is that the book has been translated into 200 languages and millions of copies have been sold. It is estimated that next to the Bible, it is the one book that has outsold any other books. And, [&hell...
Read More