“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get
a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever”
(1 Corinthians 9:25, NIV).
--------------------------------------------------------------
A Word From Billy Graham
“Life is a game, someone has said. And games require discipline. The Apostle
Paul said, ‘Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily hinders you’ (Cf.
Hebrews 12:1). If you just want to dabble in a game, forget about the
discipline. Champions must bring their best to their chosen game. The Christian
life requires discipline, too. Paul said, ‘I discipline my body and bring it
into subjection’ (1 Corinthians 9:27, NKJV). He meant that he kept his passions
and his anger and his appetites under submission. We are to keep ourselves
disciplined in every phase of our lives. That discipline comes under the
Lordship of Jesus Christ. Sometimes an athlete is called upon to suffer, to
subject his body to testings to prepare him for superior performance. And God
allows suffering in our lives for a purpose. Many times that purpose is to
discipline us, to prepare our souls, to get us ready for heaven. The Bible says,
‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18, NKJV).”
--------------------------------------------------------------
Athlete in Training
“Sacrifice has had a positive impact on my life. At times, I have chosen
personal sacrifices related to physical discipline, in the spirit of the Apostle
Paul's decision to control his body and make it his slave like an athlete in
training (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). This might include additional exercise,
intentional fasting (fasting one day per week, skipping certain meals or
eliminating snacks or desserts) or getting up 30 minutes earlier each day to
spend more time in Bible reading or in prayer. The sacrifice also has related to
economic discipline--choosing to do without certain purchases, or trying to
spend less money and give away more money. I have added special service to the
poor, increased outreach in the community or intensified development of
spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and Bible reading). Through voluntarily
choosing to sacrifice, I grow in my ability to identify with Jesus in the
voluntary sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10); I learn to exercise
self-control so that Jesus Christ--not my ‘appetites’--masters me; and I
identify with needy people by imitating Jesus, who ‘though He was rich, yet for
[our] sakes He became poor, that [we] through His poverty might become rich’ (2
Corinthians 8:9, NKJV)” (Paul Borthwick).
Prayer
Lord, thank You that Jesus set an example of discipline and of sacrifice for us
to follow. Remind us daily of the importance of spiritual discipline. We know
that the sacrifices we make in this life cannot compare with the glory that You
want to reveal in us. May we learn to serve others with joy and, at the same
time, become more like Your Son. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever”
(1 Corinthians 9:25, NIV).
--------------------------------------------------------------
A Word From Billy Graham
“Life is a game, someone has said. And games require discipline. The Apostle
Paul said, ‘Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily hinders you’ (Cf.
Hebrews 12:1). If you just want to dabble in a game, forget about the
discipline. Champions must bring their best to their chosen game. The Christian
life requires discipline, too. Paul said, ‘I discipline my body and bring it
into subjection’ (1 Corinthians 9:27, NKJV). He meant that he kept his passions
and his anger and his appetites under submission. We are to keep ourselves
disciplined in every phase of our lives. That discipline comes under the
Lordship of Jesus Christ. Sometimes an athlete is called upon to suffer, to
subject his body to testings to prepare him for superior performance. And God
allows suffering in our lives for a purpose. Many times that purpose is to
discipline us, to prepare our souls, to get us ready for heaven. The Bible says,
‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18, NKJV).”
--------------------------------------------------------------
Athlete in Training
“Sacrifice has had a positive impact on my life. At times, I have chosen
personal sacrifices related to physical discipline, in the spirit of the Apostle
Paul's decision to control his body and make it his slave like an athlete in
training (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). This might include additional exercise,
intentional fasting (fasting one day per week, skipping certain meals or
eliminating snacks or desserts) or getting up 30 minutes earlier each day to
spend more time in Bible reading or in prayer. The sacrifice also has related to
economic discipline--choosing to do without certain purchases, or trying to
spend less money and give away more money. I have added special service to the
poor, increased outreach in the community or intensified development of
spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and Bible reading). Through voluntarily
choosing to sacrifice, I grow in my ability to identify with Jesus in the
voluntary sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10); I learn to exercise
self-control so that Jesus Christ--not my ‘appetites’--masters me; and I
identify with needy people by imitating Jesus, who ‘though He was rich, yet for
[our] sakes He became poor, that [we] through His poverty might become rich’ (2
Corinthians 8:9, NKJV)” (Paul Borthwick).
Prayer
Lord, thank You that Jesus set an example of discipline and of sacrifice for us
to follow. Remind us daily of the importance of spiritual discipline. We know
that the sacrifices we make in this life cannot compare with the glory that You
want to reveal in us. May we learn to serve others with joy and, at the same
time, become more like Your Son. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
