Free Gift

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Run To Win

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

We do somethings for personal gain.  We go to work get money to take care of our needs.  We buy car insurance so if we have an accident we do not suffer a huge financial lost.  Most of what we do is for our own benefit.

But the Apostle Paul points out that while we are doing these things we need to consider that we are children of God, and act like it.  This means we operate with honesty, we treat people fairly and in some cases better than we think they deserve.  We are generous and merciful.  We treat others as we want to be treated.

And, we do not hesitate to share why we do this.  We do this because Jesus is our Lord, Master and Savior, and we invite others to know Jesus, too.

Our purpose is not to gain great wealth, but to serve God.

Claim Your Peace

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

I Need Direction

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,

And I shall observe it to the end.

Give understanding, that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart.

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,

For I delight in it.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies

And not to dishonest gain.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,

And revive me in Your ways.

Psalm 119:33-37

You Think You Are Having A Bad Day

For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ, we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

1 Corinthians 4:9-13

So, you think you are having a bad day?  The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of what every day was like for the apostles.  Yes, they had their church friends, but they also had a world full of enemies who killed all of them except John the Beloved. 

What does this teach us?  It teaches us that it is not always easy to be a Christian and to act in a Christ like manner.  It teaches us that even when we do what is right, there will be people who will criticize and torment us for doing the right thing. 

And, heaven knows, should we do something wrong, there will be people who know nothing of the forgiveness of God, who will yell at us and spread the word of our shortcomings.   

So, all this stuff happens; so what.  We know our faith rests in God and that we are called by God to do His work.  Therefore, we keep on working for God and sharing the Gospel.

Walk By The Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25.