I Cor 9:24 - All the runners race. Only one receives the prize. Run that you may obtain it. Exercise self-control in all things.
I Cor 9:26,27 ~ Don't run aimlessly; don't box as one beating the air. Discipline your body and keep it under control or you might be DQ'd.
Jan, I thought about you today as I switched over to The Message to read the last paragraph of today's reading, and it hit me square between the eyes:
ReplyDelete"I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."-The Message
Disciplining myself has always been a struggle. I am lazy and spin my wheels a whole lot on nothing. I have a renewed lease today not to miss out myself because of not being in top condition spiritually and physically to go, tell (the Great Commission.)
What aimless thing am I pursuing, boxing into thin air? Lord, help me to redirect that wasted energy toward You.
"To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
ReplyDeleteI know a woman at work that has just gone through a tragedy. Some might even blame her for what she has gone through.
Especially the church.
But my heart feels Christ's compassion towards her, even in her sin.
To the weak we become weak. We feel the hopelessness they feel outside of Christ. We sense the pit walls they are trapped in by the enemy who steals, kills and destroys.
We as Christ's ambassadors can respond with judgment or grace to the weak. I am thankful that God gives us His Compassion and allows us to feel the pain of others. I pray that each one of us will be just like Paul and reach out to those who are weak...feeling their weakness as our own.
And knowing that God has called us to this ministry of reconciliation...bringing sinners to Jesus.
Both of your posts are very attractive to me...makes me want to love and labor for Him alone!
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