The Spiritual Olympics:  Training for the Race

It that time again, we are all focused on the Olympics, hoping that the U.S Teams will bring home the gold. We find the Greek culture in the 1^st Century is the result of our modern day Olympics. Some 3,000 years ago around 776 B.C., sports competition was organized in Olympia. Greece. Greek Mythology of the  period,  held the belief that the events were the result of the gods. I would ask that you think for a moment, don’t Christians go out into the world daily to “Run the Race of Faith”? Today, we shall train for our “Daily Spiritual Olympics”.

First, we need to know that we are surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Just think, the Old Testament verse suggests that the saints, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Joseph, etc., are looking  down on us. It is nice to think about but, there is no indication in the Bible (Ec. 9:5) that the dead know what is transpiring on Earth. While Luke, eludes to the possibility of the dead having a “memory” (16:28). Those in heaven can encourage us by their exemplary lives, and encourage us in “Running the Race of Faith”.

Second, we can not lose confidence. we are not competing alone. God stands with us. Every coach has told his team. “You must believe”. The writer of Hebrews warns us that we must guard ourselves against developing unbelief. (Heb. 3:12-15). Satan and his demons will do everything possible to cause us to lose faith. Third. we must endure all things for Christ, (Heb. 6:11-12; 10:36-39). Daily, we must endure and show love toward each other and the non-

believers. Fourth, we must sacrifice, or put certain things down to compete, behavior, attitudes, habits and un-Christian behavior. Long distance cyclist make sacrifices, they removed all body hair, purchase expensive custom bikes, kept a strict training regiment, they are prepared to make personal, financial and physical sacrifices to reach their goal. We too must “lay aside” those things that weigh us down. (Lk. 21:34-36; Col. 3:8; 1 Pe 2:1-2 and Jam.1:21). To run the race for Christ we must sacrifice personality: attending church, changing our habits or behaviors, forgive others, control anger, and ask for forgiveness. We must be prepared to set aside anything that keeps us from “running the good race”.

Fifth, we need the endurance to run the race. Endurance comes from prayer, meditation, Bible study, fellowship with others in our faith community, and helping others. We must train for endurance and unless we train in the Word, pray and meditate daily we will be weak  and fall short of the goal and in most cases, not even finish the race. Endurance is a sustained effort over a long period of time. Our race is a marathon…not a sprint. Jesus taught us of the need for endurance, (Lk. 8:12, Mat. 10:22; 24:13. As we read and study of the faithfulness of God Who fulfills His promises we see the end for those who have remained faithful,  those who stayed the course.

Lastly, we must focus on our goal, Jesus Christ. If you watch an athlete we will see a total focus his goal. The Bible provides the “Formula for Our Spiritual Victory”. God Word is there for his children who are depressed, angered, fearful, lonely, sick,and tempted. If you want victory, look up to Jesus. (Col. 3:1-2). For Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith” (He. 2:10). He is the

beginning and the end. The first and  the last, the Alpha and Omega (Rev.1:8, 11). Christ finished the race by looking to the joy before Him. He is our forerunner who has entered the heavenly sanctuary. (He. 6:19-20). Now, He is our provider and strength to help us finish the race that He has sat before us.

In the  1992 Olympics, in Barcelona, Derek Redmond was running the 400-meter race when his hamstring broke, he fell down, but waved off the stretcher bearers and began to limp toward the finish line in mid-race. His father pushed his way through the crowd and ran to him on the track and held him up and they finished the race together. As Christians, we can have the peace that God breaks through the crowd and comes to so that we to can finish the race.  

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the  will of God, you may receive the promise..." (Hebrews 10:36)

        

Meditation – It’s Food for the Soul

Are you concerned about what is happening in our society?  When we experience feeling of “uncertainty” in our life, we can expect its companion “anxiety” to be close behind. Maybe you are struggling with personal illness, legal problems, finances, family problems or employment. Maybe your parents that are considering “homeschooling” because of all the legislative issues on transgender bathrooms, whatever the catalyst that brings on your “dread monster” at one time or other, in our lives, we will face difficulty, confusion, and depression. Take it from one who has been there, it is not “if” it is “when” these feeling come upon you.

          First, we must realize that these feeling of dread, fear, and uncertainty are NOT from God. If you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, He has a paved walkway out of the maze of distress. In Psalm 55, we see David experiencing great emotional pain and anguish.  First, let’s consider the context and the circumstances in which David penned this psalm. In Psalm 54:1, David is David has fled from King Saul to keep from being killed. David wrote this psalm after the Ziphites revealed to Saul where David was hiding (1 Sam, 23:19-23). God did not inspire David to describe the details of the situation he was facing, Instead, God inspired David to bring his fear and anguish to Him in prayer “My heart is in anguish within me; terrors of death have fallen upon me…Fear, trembling and horror overwhelm me. Oh, that I had wings like a dove...I would fly…to shelter from my raging tempest.” (Ps.55:4-8). To fly away does not mean that David was a coward, for David a likewise for you and I, it is natural to desire to escape danger and

emotional pain. David wrote in “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you… But I will trust in You” (vs 22-23).

When feelings of dread, fear, and distress overwhelm you, where do you escape? Common paths of escape are family,  friends, social media or a bookstore to the “self-help me” The reality is that none of us are secure in this world except in Christ. Nothing is certain. We aren’t guaranteed our next meal,  our next heartbeat. Even when we feel secure, we are incredibly fragile and completely dependent on the Lord for every breath. But when we are particularly tempted about the future it is important for us to meditate on these bedrock truths and trust God as David did. I close this article with a personal recommendation, Copy the verses listed below and put them in a location you can see them regularly, in your Bible or on your fridge or 3x5 cards , find a quite place and listen to the Bible (biblegateway.com), if you are unchurched, reunite with a biblical based “faith community” . As you prayerfully meditate on these passages, God will use His word to encourage your heart. It is my prayer that the “God of peace, guides you, comforts you and holds you in His mighty right hand in all things” Amen.

Words for the Soul:

§  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

§  Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.  Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18 

§  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

§  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

§  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

(These are just a few of my personal favorites…seek out others in God’s Scriptures)

How Strong Are Your Convictions? Will You Fight for Them?

Every Christian should have a set of convictions that are based on the Word of God. These convictions should define who we are, how we live and testify to our faith in Jesus Christ. But, let’s take a moment to ask the question, “Do our lives truly exemplify our Savior, or do we modify our convictions based on the environment”?  Others, might try to hide their convictions, or adapt them to fit in and go with the flow, they always result in failure. But the Christians who live daily for Christ, displaying unwavering faith, holding firmly to their convictions and are willing to suffer for Christ will find an indescribable joy and peace in their daily lives as the Holy Spirit fills them. The Book of Acts, sometimes referred to as “The Acts of the Apostles” is a thematic book which provides us with the life and mission of the Christian community in the age of the apostles. It is a glimpse of followers of Christ who were willing to die for their convictions. Let’s take a moment and evaluate our convictions.

Consider this fictional story; “You are asleep with your family, there is a  crash, and your home is invaded by the government police, yelling and screaming at you. They accuse you of being a part of an urban terrorist group. They search your home and find religious materials and Bibles, considered to be a threat to national security. Your entire family is arrested, jailed and without a trail, you are  sentenced to death. “A poll finds that, in just two years, the number of Americans who think Christians are facing growing intolerance in the U.S. has drastically increased.

Sixty-three percent of respondents in the LifeWay Research survey said they agree or strongly agree that Christians are facing growing levels of persecution, up from 50 percent in 2013. The bulk of that surge comes from respondents who said they “strongly agree” with the statement, a number that increased from 28 percent to 38 percent. A similar number, 60 percent, said religious liberty is on the decline in America, up from 54 percent”  www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016)

Each Sunday when you attend church, go to work, shop or merely interact with society or  shop do you expect to be persecuted for your faith? “Early Christians expected to suffer. Christ had died on the cross, so there was no higher honor than to imitate that death through accepting martyrdom (witness by one’s blood). The Jewish legacy portrayed, in writings such as the Fourth Book of the Maccabees, the glorious nature of death rather than a renunciation of Israel; even without this, Christianity would inevitably have held the martyr’s death in high esteem”.  (http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-27  Peter expressed it, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:16)

Fellow Christians, it is not “if” persecution will occur in America, it is “when” Franklin Graham has preached for years that the storm is coming. He now preaches, “The Storm Is Here”. As the early church begins to form we see Peter and John preaching the gospel, they were  jailed beaten and released with a warning by the Jewish Sanhedrin not to preach the gospel anymore. Their convictions were so firm that they risk death and continued to preach boldly the message of Christ and they continued to preach until Peter was put to death and John was exiled.

Our goal today should be to be as Peter and John. Our convictions have a powerful influence in the world today. If we stand strong, hold the line, regardless of the circumstances, constantly meditating on scriptures and walk in the Spirit constantly, God will move and use us in a great way. What conditions might tempt us to compromise your convictions? It is time, do not be reluctant to stand for your convictions, release all fears of rejection, and loss. Go boldly before the throne of Christ, pray for courage and strength to fight the spiritual battles and persecution that await just around the bend. I pray God equips you with His full armor.