Training

"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7b, 8

"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

In the sweltering heat of the muggy dog days of August, if you pass a high school you will probably see students out training for football season. They are preparing to play the game well when fall comes.

The athletes of Paul's day greatly influenced his writings. For instance, he pointed out the importance of training and thorough preparation for living our spiritual lives. How can we be trained spiritually? We feed ourselves daily on the Word of God. We learn and understand and practice the things that God instructs us to do, and we are careful to avoid those things which He tells us not to do. We attend Sunday School and church on a regular basis. We spend time with other Christians who sharpen us "as iron sharpens iron."

One of the best preparations for spiritual living is an in-depth Bible Study. Most, if not all, of us should avail ourselves of this kind of opportunity. And week-end conferences can be very helpful. Our ministers take classes at Bible colleges, and some of us may do the same. As God gives us opportunities to grow and learn, we should take advantage of each one to be well prepared for God to use us in different ways and circumstances.

Heavenly Father, may I take advantage of every opportunity You give me to grow in grace and learn what pleases You. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

This time of year I almost despair

Trying to decide what to wear.

Sometimes it's cool; sometimes it's hot.

Sometimes it's raining; sometimes it's not.

It's too late for summer clothes

And it's too warm for fall.

I guess that's just the way it goes.

I don't know what to wear at all!

Forgetting

Phil. 3:13b, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Matt. 6:34a, "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow."

The operative phrase from Phil. 3:13 for our purposes today is, "Forgetting what is behind."

These words of advice are found in Garth Stein's book "The Art of Racing in the Rain," "To remember is to disengage from the present.

In order to reach any kind of success in automobile racing, a driver must never remember." In other words, in racing, and in other athletic endeavors, it is crucial to be in the moment at all times. Being in the moment is also good advice for living the Christian life. Our joy, our peace, and our effectiveness can all be adversely affected if we try to drag around the memories of our past sins, mistakes, and shortcomings, with their accompanying guilt, shame, and regret. We can allow bitterness against others who have mistreated us in the past to steal our joy and peace and effectiveness. We can also dwell too much on the tragedies in our pasts and allow grief to take the joy from our present lives, or we can grieve and then move on. We can't change the past. The best we can do is start where we are and use the time we have now wisely. Possibly the best memorial we could give to our loved ones who have died is to live our lies as fully and well as possible and take every opportunity to do good.

Athletes learn to shake off the previous plays, whether good or bad. They do not worry about the plays ahead. Instead, to be effective, they must focus solely on the play at hand and do their best with it. Paul tells us to focus on Christ and keep pressing on.

Where are you living today? If anybody had a past that was hard to forget, it was Paul. Yet he concentrated on pressing on in the present, living in the moment, allowing God to use him where he was and as he was each day. Hopefully you and I will choose to do the same.

Father, may we put the past behind us and trust You for the future. May we live each moment of everyday with a sense of Your presence, Your peace, Your joy, and Your guidance. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

These are football days and football nights.

Everyone's playing for bragging rights.

It's a wonderful season as long as we win,

But if we lose, it's a long year 'till we play them again.

Commitment

Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."

The weather hasn't turned cool yet, but we are very much aware that a special time of year has arrived. I am presently getting prepared to camp out for the next several hours and watch my team play its first football game of the 2011 season. The electricity of excitement ripples through the air like the crackle of lightning just before a storm. The stakes are high--bragging rights for the next year.

Lots of us will watch many hours of football before the season is over. Are there any principles from football that we can apply to our spiritual lives? Yes, there certainly are. The apostle Paul, a sports fan, made several analogies between athletic competitions and living as Christians, and our devotionals will center around these for the next several weeks.

Probably the most important lesson we learn from football is the necessity for commitment and dedication. It is the players who are willing to give 110% effort that we see on the playing field.

How many Christians do you see who are as intense about their commitment to Christ as college football players are to their coach and teammates? Do you think that Christians with that level of commitment would make a difference in the church? In the world at large? Would having that kind of commitment make a difference in your life?

Father, stoke the coals of our commitment to You and to Your kingdom so that our dedication burns brightly in a dark, evil world and people are drawn to Your light and Your love through us. Amen.