Tag: 1 Corinthians

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I Run…

yeah, what a great holiday this is – National Running Day!  Of course I had planned on a nice easy run this morning when the temperature was in the normal range, but I overslept a few minutes too long, which messed up my schedule, so I will have to go out tonight in the record heat.  That’s correct,  why not make it a challenge.

And of course a day and a post about running sends me directly to one of my favorite verses in the whole entire bible. Yes, the one over in 2 Corinthians that I used to have on my wall in my bedroom when I was a young boy right next to my running goals.

 

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, New International Version)

And as most of you know this is the cornerstone verse for this blog, when it is take from the American Standard Version:

24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, American Standard Version)

On the National Running Day web site, they have various statements that fill in the I Run… badge that you see at the top of this post.  I think this verse is a pretty good way to fill in that statement – “I Run.. with certainty, making my body my slave, and winning the prize!’

Get out and run a little today, even if it is from the front porch to the mailbox and back. And more importantly, run the race of life in a way as to get the prize and keep on buffeting your spiritual body each and every day!

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Freedom and Memorial Day

It’s Memorial Day and I hope that in the middle you cook outs, lake trips and ice cream, you take a moment to remember those individuals who served America by giving up their lives. Remember those lives sacrificed so that you can enjoy the marvelous freedoms we enjoy in the country.

And then also think about how you are choosing to use those freedoms that you have been afforded.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, New International Version)

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The Day After

I wonder what Monday morning felt like in Jerusalem?  Friday had been an incredibly odd day.  The death of a man who claimed to be God.  Then there were incredible storms, damage to the temple, reports of dead people rejoined with their families.  Then there was this report that the man who was beaten and drugged through the city was alive and seen by many? Can you imagine what it would have been like to get up and watch the morning news?  Can you imagine the statuses on Facebook and the twittering on twitter?

And so it is with us.  Today we leave the Golgotha, we leave the tomb – knowing the man Jesus died and was raised again.  We know that death was defeated.  We know that he is victorious.  And what will you do with that today, the day after?

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, New International Version, ©2011)

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March 32nd

It seems March is going out like a lion in New England with over 8 inches of snow to keep the fools away!  But hey, its April, we all know what those April showers bring – Pilgrims.  (May Flowers – get it har har).

So, now on to a exergisis about fools in the bible. No no, surprisingly I have not spent much creativity on something cute for April Fool’s Day, and so I don’t have a great April Fool’s verse or thought. But I did find a thoughts on foolishness that could keep you going.

 1 The fool says in his heart,
   “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
   there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1, New International Version, ©2011)

and

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25, New International Version, ©2011)

Man, I would hate to be the victim of one of God’s April Fool’s jokes!
But seriously on this day we play the fool, remember that the creator did play a little joke on the Devil a little further in April – when he let the evil forces of the world think they could kill his son. – only to have his rise again three days later. Who’s the joke on now?

Enjoy the day!

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Ides of March

Yikes, it’s the Ides of March ( already!).  Beware!!

Yep, there you have a idyllic warning of pending catastrophe!  Idyllic? really. Well I think so when you compare it to the warning bells and whistles that went off last week in Japan. Have you been able to watch any of those videos of the water crashing in, and the only warning being a shrill high pitched alarm. And with that warning the people reacted.

Of course, those of us who “buffet our bodies daily” realize that with each and every day, we must be watchful and careful.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

It is something that we must do each and every day, not just on the Ides of March, not just when the warning whistle is sounding. We have been provided a warning and always need to be on the lookout! Not only watching for attacks on our faith, and on our soul, but also watching for those in need, seeking opportunities to multiply mercy peace and love.

Oh, and back to Japan, if you are looking for a place to help, Healing Hands International will be working with local churches in the area – trying to get supplies, water, and blankets to those who are suffering and are in need. You can check it out here.

18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (New International Version, ©2011)

Heed the warning and be watchful today