Imaginary thoughts at Jericho, You and 2009
Refer to Joshua 6: The Destruction of Jericho
I want to re-visit battle at Jericho but this time I will take the liberty of inserting some thoughts that may have been held at the time. I want us to place ourselves at Jericho on the morning of the 7th day at about the time of the 6th round of marching around the city of Jericho.
First thought: I am tired.
I imagine that there would have been persons among Joshua’s army that felt tired. They might have seen themselves as being overwhelmed by fatigue. Some may have thought that they really needed to stop and rest. Continuing this march right now may not have seemed possible to some.
As we look at our lives at the start of 2009, some of us may be feeling tired. We have been putting our shoulders to the wheel and right now we are just tired. We are overcome with fatigue. We just want to stop and rest for a while. Continuing our march at this time is truly challenging. We need a break, a chance to recoup our energies. This march is proving to be too much for us.
This is not uncommon. Sometimes, we get battle weary. We feel burnt out. We lose the desire to push on and our bodies cry out for us to stop and rest. We just do not seem to be able to pull it together. We fall into some kind of a slump and getting out of it is difficult.
In some instances, we may even manifest symptoms of illnesses that reinforce the fact that we feel unprepared to move forward.
The problem is that sometimes resting is not a viable option.
Prov 6: 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.
Resting at the time of the 6th encircling of Jericho would have frustrated the plan and led to failure. There are times when we have to endure physical discomfort including overcoming fatigue and even illness in order to achieve our objectives. Success is often based on our capacity to have our minds control our bodies. When our bodies say “No”, our minds have to say “Go”.
Instead of embracing a philosophy that says that the mind is willing but the flesh is weak we ought to adopt the stance that we keep our bodies under subjection.
1 Cor 9:24 Striving for a Crown
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Brethren, as we move into 2009, it is important that we recognize the fact that we have to take charge of our physical state. Our bodies must serve us and not the reverse. This has implications for how we treat our bodies and how we prepare them to work for us.
The control of our bodies relates not only to issues of fatigue. Self-control is a critical component of success. Anyone who follows blindly the desires and cravings of the flesh is running the risk of producing disastrous results. When we are driven by the desires and dictates of the flesh we are exposing ourselves to grave danger.
We need to pay special heed to an effective regime of diet, exercise, rest, recreation and spiritual devotion so that are bodies can perform at the level that we need. There is not much point in talking about mind over body when you have allowed the body to be run down and in disrepair. Like Paul, we have to discipline our bodies and bring them into subjection.
So, we want to take away from imaginations at Jericho the need for us to avoid being bogged down or sidetracked by our physical state – real or imagined. This has direct implications for preparing our bodies to perform in peak state. It also means that we have to be strong mentally and be in control of our bodies.
The second imaginary thought from Jericho is “What am I achieving here?”
Having marched around Jericho once per day for the last 6 days and 5 times already this morning, what are the results?
Are there any signs of success? Can I pick up any cracks in the walls of Jericho? Is there any sign that the inhabitants are about to surrender?
Sometimes as we continue along life’s challenging journey we pause to ponder about the journey. We wonder what fruit it will bear. We seek urgently to find some hint that we are on a path that will lead to some success.
We tend to hang our hopes and aspirations on this quest for a sign. When no signs appear and this is linked to feelings of tiredness, it is easy for frustration to enter the picture. “After all my efforts I have nothing to show for it and there is no reason to believe that things are going to change for the better any time soon.”
In that moment the chances of a mental and physical shut down are great. The sense of fatigue is now accompanied by feelings of futility. Going forward at that time is particularly challenging.
Some of us might be at or very near to this point of frustration today. You know the energy that you have expended and you feel it in your body. Yet, when you look around the path that you are treading, there are not many signs that bring hope and good cheer. What lies ahead appears to be particularly challenging…only now you have low energy and you are drained physically and mentally.
Friends, that is the point at which many people cave in or implode. They are just not able to rise above the situation. The beauty is that as Christians it is in precisely those moments that we can call up on one of the many blessings that are to be found in Christ.
“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly and you will be singing as the days go by.”
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
2 Cor 1: The God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
God knew that if Joshua and his people obeyed Him and persevered victory would be theirs. He knew how imminent their success was. In the midst of your frustration and even despair God knows what He has in store for you. Deliverance and success might be a lot closer than you can even imagine.
Your responsibility is to be obedient. Do what God would have you to do. Let that dictate your actions and not your physical or even questioning mental state. It is really not about you. Hard as it sounds, this is bigger than you. This is about God and His purpose for your life.
It is that understanding that allows Christians to rise up to the challenge. It is this understanding of God’s providence that equips Christians to resist the temptation to get downhearted and frustrated and instead to move forward with confidence while others falter. No matter what 2009 looks like for you at this time, when you put your trust in God and walk in accordance with His will, you are able to overcome physical fatigue and the temptation to doubt.
Rise up Christian brethren and maximize the opportunities that are open to you. Victory is at hand even if you can’t see it just yet. Success is guaranteed when you commit it all to God and are obedient to His will. Step forward in faith and make 2009 your best year yet!
The third imaginary thought is “I have no idea where this is going. I am tired and miserable, but I am going to go along. Is there a better alternative? In any event, I back these people to come through”
Some of Joshua’s throng might have had doubts and may have been fatigued but decided to follow Joshua nevertheless. When they contemplated the alternatives, they figured that staying the course was the smart thing to do.
You might be between a rock and a hard place. You recognize your situation and feel the pain and discomfort that comes with it. There is great pressure to throw your hands up in the air in frustration or to find some way to run away from the situation. On closer examination, however, it might become clear that giving up or running away are not realistic options. Sticking to the game plan and moving forward in faith is the answer.
Some of us have stuff hanging over our heads for weeks or months or years. We would want nothing better than to have that stuff disappear. Oh, to be freed from this burden!
Yet, the reality is that we have to continue along the path….painful and frustrating though it may be. We have to take charge of our physical being and subject it to the disciplined pursuit of our objective. We WILL do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and in the manner that it needs to be done.
This is not the time to falter or to crave rest. Now is the time to march bravely forward to claim the victory that is assured in Christ.
A fourth imaginary thought is: “I am ready for this. I want to be on the front lines. I am so excited about this that I could hardly sleep last night. Let’s do this!”
Some of Joshua’s crew might have been totally supportive and committed to the process. They would have been thrilled to be a part of the action and their enthusiasm would have been evident to others. They would have been an encouraging sign to others. Their presence and attitude would have lifted the spirits of many.
You may be sitting here and thinking that your personal situation is not really of crisis proportions. Things might not be great but you are moving along and coping. Yes, there are things that you would like to accomplish and changes that you would like to see. But in the overall scheme of things you are not too uncomfortable.
At the other end of the spectrum, you are facing genuine challenges. There are pressing matters that you have to deal with. There are hard problems that are camped at your doorstep.
Whatever your situation today, you are called upon to march. As part of God’s army we are called to press forward to claim the victory. The message to you is that when the march is on we all have to keep in step. This is not a time for letting up or slacking off or giving up or for being crippled by doubt and fear or being hampered by complacency.
We are marching in Christ’s army and we represent God. When we represent God, we are called to do our very best for Him, continually. We have to strive to be the best we can be for God. We have to set aside our limited goals and vision. We need to operate on a grander scale. We need to ask, seek and knock with renewed purpose so that we achieve great things in Jesus’ name.
In 2009, we all have to broaden our horizons. We need to dream bigger dreams and dare much with God as our provider, protector and guide. We have to give account for the talents that we have been given. Let us ensure that we all produce excellent results – individually and as a congregation. It is not about us…it is about God and His will for our lives.
Once again, Christians arise and claim the victory. Let 2009 be a spectacular year for you. Commit all your plans and activities to God and be obedient to His will. The fall of Jericho followed obedience and perseverance. Your victory is assured if you too will obey and persevere.
Obedience includes following God’s plan to rescue you from the condemnation of death for your sins that is the lot of all persons. The plan for your salvation starts with your hearing that God sent Jesus His Son to be crucified and resurrected from the dead to pay the price for sin.
You must believe this to be true to the point that you are willing to change your outlook and decide to make serving God your top priority and purpose in life. You must also be willing to let people know that Jesus is Lord of your life. You must also be baptized in water for the forgiveness of your sins and continue to be obedient to the will of God as outlined in the Bible.
If you have not yet obeyed this simple plan of salvation now is the time. Get a head start on 2009 by being in Christ and being able to enjoy all the blessings that are in Christ.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Thursday, 8 January 2009
What type of year was this for you?
What type of year was this for you?
As we come to the close of the year there is a tendency for us to reflect on what type of year it was for us. Some events might jump out at us that lead us to classifying the year in one way or another. This event or maybe a series of events paints a picture of the year that helps to shape our current mood. The past has a way of turning up in the present and indeed in the future.
What was this year like for you? Is it a year that you would like to bottle and take with you and savour for the rest of your life? Or is it a year that you wish never happened and would like to delete from history? Maybe your year did not represent either end of the spectrum and you experienced a mixed bag of bitter and sweet.
The Apostle Paul (as Saul) was enjoying a phenomenal year when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and literally brought to his knees. His future took a dramatic turn from that time forward. Paul’s past did not determine what his future would be.
Moses was cast in the role of a fugitive when he was called to lead his people out of bondage. Moses’ past did not determine what his future would be.
Joseph was cruelly separated from his loved ones, sold into slavery and later cast into prison when he was called to guide the fate of a nation. Joseph’s past did not determine what his future would be.
My friends the past need not be a determinant of the future. No matter what your year has been like, outstanding results can be yours in the future. And if you achieved great results this year, even better results can be yours going into 2009.
I want to share 3 points with you. The first is hopefully already clear. Our past need not decide what our future will be. Our fortunes can be turned around quickly and with markedly different results.
One implication of this is that we should avoid limiting our vision of the future on the basis of our past experience. We have to lift our eyes above our current circumstances as we ponder the future. The great things that lay in store for you might not now be evident from how you see yourself at this point in time. But I challenge you to dare…dare to allow yourself to see a better and brighter future. Your past need not determine what your future will be.
As a congregation, our vision of what we can achieve should not be limited by our past achievements. We too can have a greatly expanded role in the service of God. We can get to the point where it will be hard to believe where we are coming from. Persecutor to Apostle; fugitive to leader; prisoner to top level official.
What is store for us going forward?
Phil 3: 12 - 21 Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
The 2nd point is that God has a plan for our lives.
God stopped Saul in his tracks as a persecutor of Christians to become Apostle Paul - a standard bearer of the Christian faith. Saul’s despicable role in presiding over the murder of Christians did not deter God from redirecting him to useful service in bringing people to Christ.
God has a role for your life. Are you going to wait to be stopped in your tracks and brought to your knees before you stop kicking against the pricks?
I encourage you now to spend the next days in prayerful searching for what it is that God would have you do. Examine where you have been placed and see if there are not missed opportunities for you to do work for God.
Look at the skills that you have and see if there are any that could be redirected to effective service to God.
Re-visit the pain or hurt that you now feel and explore whether there is a message there that could be of value to someone in need of solace and who would benefit from being guided to God – the true source of peace and comfort.
Moses and Joseph might have been justified in thinking that their lives were going nowhere. They could have become despondent at their marked lack of success. They might not have had high expectations with respect to the future. Yet, God had a plan for their lives…..in just the same way that He has a plan for your life today.
I invite you to go into deep, prayerful introspection with the Bible as your guide to see if there is any aspect of your life that God would have you redirect to His service.
This is a call to stop kicking against the pricks; to avoid despondency; to resist accepting failure and channel our energies into achieving great results in the service of God!
My 3rd and final point is that what you are called to do for God takes precedence over everything else.
Peter and the other disciples dropped everything to follow the call of Christ.
Devout Saul was challenged to give up that role and carry out an assignment for Christ as the Apostle Paul.
I cannot say whether God is expecting you to change your occupation or your pre-occupation. However, whatever He is calling you to do must take precedence over what you are doing now.
There might be someone who is being called to follow the plan of salvation. One reason after the other is being trotted out as to why this call is being resisted. Do not wait for God to put you through a painful experience like Saul for you to stop kicking against the pricks. You may not be as fortunate and end losing your soul for eternity.
The call to come to Christ must be given top priority. What you are called to do for God always takes precedence over everything else.
Luke 10: 38 – 42 At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed.[Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Pressures and distractions of one sort or another might be drawing you away from delivering the service that God has in mind for you. You put things off that ought to be done now. You fail to commit the right amount of energy and enthusiasm in those things that you finally getting around to doing. You skilfully avoid putting yourself in the way of opportunities to serve.
You develop nice sounding arguments as to why right here, right now is not the ideal time or place for YOU to serve. Your calling is for another time and place.
God has a plan for your life and that plan must be given precedence over everything else.
Do not allow the past to cloud your vision of the future. Your past need not determine what your future will be. Consider Saul, Moses, Joseph.
Understand that God has plan for each and every life…including yours. Be diligent in prayerful reflection with the support of the Bible as you seek to find out what God would have you do.
What God wants of you takes precedence over everything else. Do not wait to be stopped in your tracks to put yourself in God’s service.
To be in God’s service you need to be a baptized follower of Christ…why are you holding back? Get up and be baptised for the remission of your sins and become eligible to be in full service to God.
A review of all the conversions in the New Testament and supporting passages point to the following plan of salvation:
We must hear the good news of Jesus, His atoning sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection. Rom 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
You must also believe the good news.
Heb 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith is not enough. We are called to act on our belief and to make a decision to no longer let sin reign in our lives but to seek to live in obedience to God. This is the very important act of repentance.
Luke 13: 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
You then have to confess Jesus as Lord of your life. This is a public declaration of your belief that Jesus is the Son of the Living God:
Rom 10: 8-10 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Another major step is that you must be baptized for the removal of our sins. This is a step that is either left out completely or is comprised in attempts to make salvation more convenient.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
As we come to the close of the year there is a tendency for us to reflect on what type of year it was for us. Some events might jump out at us that lead us to classifying the year in one way or another. This event or maybe a series of events paints a picture of the year that helps to shape our current mood. The past has a way of turning up in the present and indeed in the future.
What was this year like for you? Is it a year that you would like to bottle and take with you and savour for the rest of your life? Or is it a year that you wish never happened and would like to delete from history? Maybe your year did not represent either end of the spectrum and you experienced a mixed bag of bitter and sweet.
The Apostle Paul (as Saul) was enjoying a phenomenal year when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus and literally brought to his knees. His future took a dramatic turn from that time forward. Paul’s past did not determine what his future would be.
Moses was cast in the role of a fugitive when he was called to lead his people out of bondage. Moses’ past did not determine what his future would be.
Joseph was cruelly separated from his loved ones, sold into slavery and later cast into prison when he was called to guide the fate of a nation. Joseph’s past did not determine what his future would be.
My friends the past need not be a determinant of the future. No matter what your year has been like, outstanding results can be yours in the future. And if you achieved great results this year, even better results can be yours going into 2009.
I want to share 3 points with you. The first is hopefully already clear. Our past need not decide what our future will be. Our fortunes can be turned around quickly and with markedly different results.
One implication of this is that we should avoid limiting our vision of the future on the basis of our past experience. We have to lift our eyes above our current circumstances as we ponder the future. The great things that lay in store for you might not now be evident from how you see yourself at this point in time. But I challenge you to dare…dare to allow yourself to see a better and brighter future. Your past need not determine what your future will be.
As a congregation, our vision of what we can achieve should not be limited by our past achievements. We too can have a greatly expanded role in the service of God. We can get to the point where it will be hard to believe where we are coming from. Persecutor to Apostle; fugitive to leader; prisoner to top level official.
What is store for us going forward?
Phil 3: 12 - 21 Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
The 2nd point is that God has a plan for our lives.
God stopped Saul in his tracks as a persecutor of Christians to become Apostle Paul - a standard bearer of the Christian faith. Saul’s despicable role in presiding over the murder of Christians did not deter God from redirecting him to useful service in bringing people to Christ.
God has a role for your life. Are you going to wait to be stopped in your tracks and brought to your knees before you stop kicking against the pricks?
I encourage you now to spend the next days in prayerful searching for what it is that God would have you do. Examine where you have been placed and see if there are not missed opportunities for you to do work for God.
Look at the skills that you have and see if there are any that could be redirected to effective service to God.
Re-visit the pain or hurt that you now feel and explore whether there is a message there that could be of value to someone in need of solace and who would benefit from being guided to God – the true source of peace and comfort.
Moses and Joseph might have been justified in thinking that their lives were going nowhere. They could have become despondent at their marked lack of success. They might not have had high expectations with respect to the future. Yet, God had a plan for their lives…..in just the same way that He has a plan for your life today.
I invite you to go into deep, prayerful introspection with the Bible as your guide to see if there is any aspect of your life that God would have you redirect to His service.
This is a call to stop kicking against the pricks; to avoid despondency; to resist accepting failure and channel our energies into achieving great results in the service of God!
My 3rd and final point is that what you are called to do for God takes precedence over everything else.
Peter and the other disciples dropped everything to follow the call of Christ.
Devout Saul was challenged to give up that role and carry out an assignment for Christ as the Apostle Paul.
I cannot say whether God is expecting you to change your occupation or your pre-occupation. However, whatever He is calling you to do must take precedence over what you are doing now.
There might be someone who is being called to follow the plan of salvation. One reason after the other is being trotted out as to why this call is being resisted. Do not wait for God to put you through a painful experience like Saul for you to stop kicking against the pricks. You may not be as fortunate and end losing your soul for eternity.
The call to come to Christ must be given top priority. What you are called to do for God always takes precedence over everything else.
Luke 10: 38 – 42 At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed.[Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Pressures and distractions of one sort or another might be drawing you away from delivering the service that God has in mind for you. You put things off that ought to be done now. You fail to commit the right amount of energy and enthusiasm in those things that you finally getting around to doing. You skilfully avoid putting yourself in the way of opportunities to serve.
You develop nice sounding arguments as to why right here, right now is not the ideal time or place for YOU to serve. Your calling is for another time and place.
God has a plan for your life and that plan must be given precedence over everything else.
Do not allow the past to cloud your vision of the future. Your past need not determine what your future will be. Consider Saul, Moses, Joseph.
Understand that God has plan for each and every life…including yours. Be diligent in prayerful reflection with the support of the Bible as you seek to find out what God would have you do.
What God wants of you takes precedence over everything else. Do not wait to be stopped in your tracks to put yourself in God’s service.
To be in God’s service you need to be a baptized follower of Christ…why are you holding back? Get up and be baptised for the remission of your sins and become eligible to be in full service to God.
A review of all the conversions in the New Testament and supporting passages point to the following plan of salvation:
We must hear the good news of Jesus, His atoning sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection. Rom 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
You must also believe the good news.
Heb 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith is not enough. We are called to act on our belief and to make a decision to no longer let sin reign in our lives but to seek to live in obedience to God. This is the very important act of repentance.
Luke 13: 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
You then have to confess Jesus as Lord of your life. This is a public declaration of your belief that Jesus is the Son of the Living God:
Rom 10: 8-10 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Another major step is that you must be baptized for the removal of our sins. This is a step that is either left out completely or is comprised in attempts to make salvation more convenient.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Cues from the Olympics for Christian Living
Cues from the Olympics for Christian Living
Knowing confidence
Usain Bolt – the star of the Bejing 2008 Olympics - exuded supreme confidence. Some say almost to the point of arrogance. That confidence allowed him to be mentally calm and to execute his plan flawlessly. There was no room for doubt. He knew he would win and proceeded with that as a given.
Asafa Powell doubted his ability to run at his best after completing three rounds of heats. His doubting disturbed his inner peace and manifested itself in limiting him physically in the 100m finals.
The issues of fear and doubt are very real for most of us. The ability to proceed with ‘knowing confidence’ is often the difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, fear and doubt is very much present even among Christians whose lives are supposed to be heavily grounded in faith. It is fair to ask whether the believers really believe.
Matt 17: 19-20
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
The Bolt attitude is demonstrated many times over in the Scriptures by people who accepted that with God all things are possible. David (v Goliath), Daniel (lion’s den), Joshua (Jericho battle) readily come to mind. Christians need to be inspired by these examples to “ask believing” and then proceeding with knowing confidence. At all cost, Christians must avoid doubting.
James 1: 6 – 7
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Joy and pain
The Jamaican Olympic team missed achieving the historic feat of winning all the sprint events at a single Olympics. In the midst of the euphoria and the basking in one gold medal achievement after the other, the ladies failed to get the baton around in the 4 x 100 relay. Assured victory turned to shocking despair and disappointment.
Christians must be ready to accept good times and bad times. The Apostle Paul has set us a perfect example. Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Empathy
The Jamaican saying “The same knife that stick sheep stick goat” has relevance to those who revelled in the fact that the American sprint relay teams had dropped the baton. I was overcome by a sense of deep sadness when their women dropped the baton. Maybe, that was a foreboding of the fate that would befall the Jamaican women.
There was also the situation in the 110m hurdles for women when one competitor crashed into a hurdle and fell. Bridgette Foster-Hylton (Jamaican hurdle finalist) was gracious in consoling the fallen athlete. Empathy is an important aspect of Christian living. In another context, we are admonished to bear the burdens of others.
Gal 6: 1 - 3
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
We are living in a period where individualism appears to be a dominant philosophy for living. We seem to be consumed with looking after our own interest. The common good is not high on our agendas. The shared fate of the two women’s relay team and Foster-Hylton’s compassion should remind us that Christian living requires us to be concerned about others. In loving others as we love ourselves we need to walk in their shoes at times.
Focus on the goal
The successful athletes at the Olympics repeatedly spoke of their focus on the lofty objectives that they had set for themselves. They had their goals clearly set before them. Many of them had to overcome injury, defeat and other challenges but they refused to be distracted from their goal. They refused to be put off by potentially discouraging events and comments.
Christians are required to keep their eyes on the goal of winning the ultimate prize – Eternal life. Too many persons who enter the faith get distracted and discouraged and give up on their chance of obtaining the ultimate prize. The perseverance of the Olympians serves as a reminder for Christians to stay the course, complete the race and win the prize.
Phil 3: 13 – 15
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Going for more
There was a lot of pre-Olympics concern as to whether Bolt should run the 100m at the Olympics. It would commit him to running 7 races before the treasured 200m final. Would he reach for too much and come away with less than was expected of him?
Michael Phelps committed himself to seeking 8 gold medals in a single Olympics. That was a daunting feat that had never been achieved. Bolt and Phelps dared much and reaped unprecedented rewards.
The Bible is replete with examples of people who have ventured much in faith. Christian living is based on firmly grounded faith. Today, Christians need to go for more. In many instances, we are limiting the manifestation of the power of God in our lives. We settle for less than we can achieve and we fail to test just what is possible under God’s guidance.
Mal 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
This is the God who provided so much manna that the complaining Israelites over ate to the point of vomiting. The God who greatly rewarded Abraham’s obedience. The God who protected Apostle Paul through many perils.
We serve a “can do” God. We need to adopt a “can do” spirit. Rise up Christian soldiers and let the power of God be seen in you and in your magnificent achievements. Step out in faith and see if God will not indeed open the floodgates of heaven on your efforts.
Disqualification
Two athletes missed out on getting medals despite finishing second and third in the men’s 200m final. They were guilty of violating the lane restrictions. Their performance in the race confirmed that these were good athletes. They had run fast. However, they did not operate within the guidelines. They got so caught up in trying to achieve their objectives that they failed to pay sufficient attention to the rules.
Many of us fall into the same trap. We are so fiercely committed to achieving our goals that we fail to pay sufficient attention to the rules that govern our behaviour. Some Christians are putting their souls at risk by stepping outside of the principles for Christian living that are outlined in the Scriptures.
Gal 5: 19 – 26
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Entry requirements
Qualifying standards are established for participation in the Olympics. Olympians are required to meet certain criteria. While many might dream of standing on a medal winning podium those dreams cannot come to fruition if they fail to comply with the entry requirements. You must qualify for entry if you hope to win the prize.
Many persons are leading lives that onlookers may consider to be “good lives.” It is hard to fault them on their behaviour. However, they will miss out on the opportunity to gain the ultimate prize – Eternal Life – because of their failure to comply with the entry requirements. To qualify for eternal life, one must obey the Gospel and complete the plan for salvation that is laid out in the Bible.
The gospel relates to hearing the good news that you can be redeemed from your sins because Christ paid the ransom for you through His death and resurrection.
You must also believe the good news.
Heb 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith is not enough. We are called to act on our belief and to make a decision to no longer let sin reign in our lives but to seek to live in obedience to God. This is the very important act of repentance.
Luke 13: 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
You then have to confess Jesus as Lord of your life. This is a public declaration of your belief that Jesus is the Son of the Living God:
Rom 10: 8-10 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Another major step is that you must be baptized for the removal of our sins.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Leading a supposedly ‘good life’ outside of Christ is like running a ‘good race’ in the wrong lane. In both instances you will be denied the coveted prize.
Knowing confidence
Usain Bolt – the star of the Bejing 2008 Olympics - exuded supreme confidence. Some say almost to the point of arrogance. That confidence allowed him to be mentally calm and to execute his plan flawlessly. There was no room for doubt. He knew he would win and proceeded with that as a given.
Asafa Powell doubted his ability to run at his best after completing three rounds of heats. His doubting disturbed his inner peace and manifested itself in limiting him physically in the 100m finals.
The issues of fear and doubt are very real for most of us. The ability to proceed with ‘knowing confidence’ is often the difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, fear and doubt is very much present even among Christians whose lives are supposed to be heavily grounded in faith. It is fair to ask whether the believers really believe.
Matt 17: 19-20
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
The Bolt attitude is demonstrated many times over in the Scriptures by people who accepted that with God all things are possible. David (v Goliath), Daniel (lion’s den), Joshua (Jericho battle) readily come to mind. Christians need to be inspired by these examples to “ask believing” and then proceeding with knowing confidence. At all cost, Christians must avoid doubting.
James 1: 6 – 7
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Joy and pain
The Jamaican Olympic team missed achieving the historic feat of winning all the sprint events at a single Olympics. In the midst of the euphoria and the basking in one gold medal achievement after the other, the ladies failed to get the baton around in the 4 x 100 relay. Assured victory turned to shocking despair and disappointment.
Christians must be ready to accept good times and bad times. The Apostle Paul has set us a perfect example. Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Empathy
The Jamaican saying “The same knife that stick sheep stick goat” has relevance to those who revelled in the fact that the American sprint relay teams had dropped the baton. I was overcome by a sense of deep sadness when their women dropped the baton. Maybe, that was a foreboding of the fate that would befall the Jamaican women.
There was also the situation in the 110m hurdles for women when one competitor crashed into a hurdle and fell. Bridgette Foster-Hylton (Jamaican hurdle finalist) was gracious in consoling the fallen athlete. Empathy is an important aspect of Christian living. In another context, we are admonished to bear the burdens of others.
Gal 6: 1 - 3
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
We are living in a period where individualism appears to be a dominant philosophy for living. We seem to be consumed with looking after our own interest. The common good is not high on our agendas. The shared fate of the two women’s relay team and Foster-Hylton’s compassion should remind us that Christian living requires us to be concerned about others. In loving others as we love ourselves we need to walk in their shoes at times.
Focus on the goal
The successful athletes at the Olympics repeatedly spoke of their focus on the lofty objectives that they had set for themselves. They had their goals clearly set before them. Many of them had to overcome injury, defeat and other challenges but they refused to be distracted from their goal. They refused to be put off by potentially discouraging events and comments.
Christians are required to keep their eyes on the goal of winning the ultimate prize – Eternal life. Too many persons who enter the faith get distracted and discouraged and give up on their chance of obtaining the ultimate prize. The perseverance of the Olympians serves as a reminder for Christians to stay the course, complete the race and win the prize.
Phil 3: 13 – 15
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Going for more
There was a lot of pre-Olympics concern as to whether Bolt should run the 100m at the Olympics. It would commit him to running 7 races before the treasured 200m final. Would he reach for too much and come away with less than was expected of him?
Michael Phelps committed himself to seeking 8 gold medals in a single Olympics. That was a daunting feat that had never been achieved. Bolt and Phelps dared much and reaped unprecedented rewards.
The Bible is replete with examples of people who have ventured much in faith. Christian living is based on firmly grounded faith. Today, Christians need to go for more. In many instances, we are limiting the manifestation of the power of God in our lives. We settle for less than we can achieve and we fail to test just what is possible under God’s guidance.
Mal 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
This is the God who provided so much manna that the complaining Israelites over ate to the point of vomiting. The God who greatly rewarded Abraham’s obedience. The God who protected Apostle Paul through many perils.
We serve a “can do” God. We need to adopt a “can do” spirit. Rise up Christian soldiers and let the power of God be seen in you and in your magnificent achievements. Step out in faith and see if God will not indeed open the floodgates of heaven on your efforts.
Disqualification
Two athletes missed out on getting medals despite finishing second and third in the men’s 200m final. They were guilty of violating the lane restrictions. Their performance in the race confirmed that these were good athletes. They had run fast. However, they did not operate within the guidelines. They got so caught up in trying to achieve their objectives that they failed to pay sufficient attention to the rules.
Many of us fall into the same trap. We are so fiercely committed to achieving our goals that we fail to pay sufficient attention to the rules that govern our behaviour. Some Christians are putting their souls at risk by stepping outside of the principles for Christian living that are outlined in the Scriptures.
Gal 5: 19 – 26
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Entry requirements
Qualifying standards are established for participation in the Olympics. Olympians are required to meet certain criteria. While many might dream of standing on a medal winning podium those dreams cannot come to fruition if they fail to comply with the entry requirements. You must qualify for entry if you hope to win the prize.
Many persons are leading lives that onlookers may consider to be “good lives.” It is hard to fault them on their behaviour. However, they will miss out on the opportunity to gain the ultimate prize – Eternal Life – because of their failure to comply with the entry requirements. To qualify for eternal life, one must obey the Gospel and complete the plan for salvation that is laid out in the Bible.
The gospel relates to hearing the good news that you can be redeemed from your sins because Christ paid the ransom for you through His death and resurrection.
You must also believe the good news.
Heb 11: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith is not enough. We are called to act on our belief and to make a decision to no longer let sin reign in our lives but to seek to live in obedience to God. This is the very important act of repentance.
Luke 13: 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
You then have to confess Jesus as Lord of your life. This is a public declaration of your belief that Jesus is the Son of the Living God:
Rom 10: 8-10 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Another major step is that you must be baptized for the removal of our sins.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Leading a supposedly ‘good life’ outside of Christ is like running a ‘good race’ in the wrong lane. In both instances you will be denied the coveted prize.
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