3.11.11

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Need for Self-Discipline

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.


Dear friend,


The President of the United States is coming to your house tomorrow! Are you ready? Do you have your house in order and have you prepared yourself to meet him? Have you reviewed his agenda so that you know your talking points?

Okay, so the president isn't coming to your house, but I guarantee if you knew he was, regardless of your political ideology, you'd prepare yourself for the meeting. We all would consider it an honor to have a visit at our homes by such an important person.

So how's your walk with God these days? Are you giving Him your best time and preparing for your daily visit with the most important being in your life, the Creator of the Universe? Are you intentional about your meetings with God or are you canceling on Him? Is your house in order? How's your relationship with your spouse and children? What does your training regimen look like?

We need to train for our race, our walk with God. We're all guilty when it comes to letting our time with God slide. Each of us is given the same 168 hours each week; rich or poor, we all get the same amount of time. It's what we do with it that counts! Is God getting your best time each day?
Paul tells us to be disciplined through 'strict training' so that we run the race to win! Our eyes are on heaven and our prize is eternal. In verse 27 we're called to bring our flesh into submission; to discipline ourselves spiritually so that our witness isn't called into question as we preach the Gospel. We don't want to be 'disqualified for the prize' because we weren't prepared for the race.

Make an intentional effort today to reflect on the time you're giving God. We all can do better.

In Christ,
-Robert