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 - February 24, 2019
  The other day I saw an interview with Tim Tebow. You who follow football should know who Tim Tebow is. He’s a former professional football player and who has now become a professional baseball player. But, he’s more than that. Besides writing books and playing baseball, what he is doing n...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - August 26, 2018
[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER As you already knew Tante Daisy has been receiving treatment in a nursing facility as a result of the fracture she suffered from the fall a couple of weeks ago....
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - May 22, 2016
[:en]THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Last Saturday morning our sister Achin was admitted to the hospital for a light stroke. Tuesday morning she suffered another stroke while she was still in the hospital. But, by the grace of God she is recovering with virtually no signs of stroke. Also by the grace of God...
Read More