Sunday, September 28, 2008
Am I Fit Enough To Run This Race?
1 Cor 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.
As I shared in past posts this is a race that requires humility. Other things are required as well, but I zeroed in on humility because I struggle to have it. The struggle of course becomes futile the minute I decide that I am humble. So rather than gauge myself or giving myself spiritual assessments all the time I now look to the greatest example of all for race running.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 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.
As I shared in past posts this is a race that requires humility. Other things are required as well, but I zeroed in on humility because I struggle to have it. The struggle of course becomes futile the minute I decide that I am humble. So rather than gauge myself or giving myself spiritual assessments all the time I now look to the greatest example of all for race running.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 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.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
That Second Wind
2 Chro.13:10 But as for us, the LORD [is] our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, [are] the sons of Aaron, and the Levites [wait] upon [their] business:
Isa.40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Wait is one of those words with various meanings. The words waiter and waitress are words used to describe a people who wait upon others.
Waiting upon the Lord has have a huge promise attached to it.
Isa.40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Wait is one of those words with various meanings. The words waiter and waitress are words used to describe a people who wait upon others.
Waiting upon the Lord has have a huge promise attached to it.
Running a Race
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 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.
The race I run requires humility. The old joke is "I thought I was humble once but then I became proud of being humble." More true than not because once I stop to access myself , rather than just keep on running , I fall once again into pride. Running without a gauge might seem mundane but I think it is the only way I will manage to keep from falling. Gracious as my LORD is to always uphold me in His right hand when I fall, I would rather not fall into pride again. I once thought it prudent to stop and access myself but now I see the folly of it . There really is no other better thing to do than to look unto Jesus.
The race I run requires humility. The old joke is "I thought I was humble once but then I became proud of being humble." More true than not because once I stop to access myself , rather than just keep on running , I fall once again into pride. Running without a gauge might seem mundane but I think it is the only way I will manage to keep from falling. Gracious as my LORD is to always uphold me in His right hand when I fall, I would rather not fall into pride again. I once thought it prudent to stop and access myself but now I see the folly of it . There really is no other better thing to do than to look unto Jesus.
Running the Race
1 Corth. 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.
This scripture exhorts us to fully embrace what he (Paul) had said in the prior scriptures,
1 Corth.9:19-23. The jest of it being here in verse 19 , For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
The humbleness of Lord Jesus has inspired Paul to also lower himself for the gospels sake that he might be a partaker with them . (My paraphrase from verse 23)
So then humility is required to run this race, first and foremost, or I would not be in the race at all.
This scripture exhorts us to fully embrace what he (Paul) had said in the prior scriptures,
1 Corth.9:19-23. The jest of it being here in verse 19 , For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
The humbleness of Lord Jesus has inspired Paul to also lower himself for the gospels sake that he might be a partaker with them . (My paraphrase from verse 23)
So then humility is required to run this race, first and foremost, or I would not be in the race at all.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Without A Care
1 Cr 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
The delight that fills my heart is that our LORD would want us to be able to attend Him without distraction.
The old man use to look at every text with the idea here were more rules . The new man in Christ Jesus that I now am , realizes every word as a loving gift.
"He wants me to be without distraction ! " I joyfully say to my distractions now. Somehow these seemly undeniable distractions can and will be without their ability to distract.
I take it to be in the same context of " cast all your cares upon Me, for I care for you." and " there is therefore a Sabbath rest." Also "Mary has chosen the good part and it will not be taken from her."
We have been given choices and everyday we must choose this day whom we will serve. Also how we will serve. Joyfully and cheerfully as unto the LORD , without distraction.
The delight that fills my heart is that our LORD would want us to be able to attend Him without distraction.
The old man use to look at every text with the idea here were more rules . The new man in Christ Jesus that I now am , realizes every word as a loving gift.
"He wants me to be without distraction ! " I joyfully say to my distractions now. Somehow these seemly undeniable distractions can and will be without their ability to distract.
I take it to be in the same context of " cast all your cares upon Me, for I care for you." and " there is therefore a Sabbath rest." Also "Mary has chosen the good part and it will not be taken from her."
We have been given choices and everyday we must choose this day whom we will serve. Also how we will serve. Joyfully and cheerfully as unto the LORD , without distraction.
