Run

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.

 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB) 

If I didn't know better I would think that the Apostle Paul lived in our 2014 American culture.  It is a culture that says we all should win.  Give a prize or trophy to every one.  But that's not really how it works, is it.  Reality is that in life running is just not good enough but it is running to win.  One of the words of wisdom I have shared with my kids over the years is, "if it is worth doing it is worth doing right!"  Whether it is sports and games, or work in the workforce success is not based on participation but on doing our best.

The Christian life is no exception.  Some Christians are merely participating but not really giving their 100% to grow as a Christ follower. Some act as though God will be satisfied because they showed up at church every now and then.  Some are satisfied that they carry a Bible instead of digesting every Word as precious.  Some simply give what is left over rather than give God all of themselves.  But the Apostle Paul says, "No, run in such a way as to win."  In other word each day give God your very best.  Give Him your all.  After all, He gave His all for us!

Gladness

 Serve the Lord with gladness;

Psalms 100:2 (HCSB)

How do you serve the Lord?  Did you wake up today intent and excited about serving Him.  Or has your service become a drudgery.  We sometimes begin to feel serving the Lord is a duty and it loses its excitement and appeal.  Here is a simple challenge.  Remember how good He is and serve Him with gladness!

A Bad Attitude

All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron;

Num 14:2 (NASB95)

Is a bad attitude a sin?   When we become negative we find ourselves falling into a trap that will lead us to nothing good or godly.  A bad attitude and grumbling is just the first step that will lead us to fall into sin.  Usually accompanying grumbling will be other negative actions that lead to sin.

When we grumble we also find ourselves in despair.  We cry, belly ache and complain.  With despair we struggle to see anything positive.  But in reality for the child of God, there are many, many blessings that we should remember.

We also find ourselves longing for the good old days.  There is an important reality to remember.  It is that rarely are the good old days as good as we remember them.  The Israelites wanted to return to Egypt, yes Egypt.  It seems they forgot the whips, cruelty, the bricks and all that went with their slavery there.

The Israelites also found themselves blaming God.  Can you imagine that.  Blaming God for what?  Hasn't God rescued them from their captivities?  Hasn't God provided for them food miraculously?  Hasn't God brougth them through the Red Seas and saved them miraculously from the Egyptian military breathing down their necks?  Yes that God who did great things for them they blame for their troubling situation.

Finally after grumbling, despair, longing for the good old days and blaming God we find ourselves rebelling against God.  We must be careful of our bad attitudes and the sin it will draw us into.  Christ followers must guard against negativity and grumbling.  Don't grumble but  thank God for the opportunity to serve Him today!

For the Glory of God

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

1 Cor 10:31 (HCSB)

How often we need to be reminded of this principle. It is so simple and yet so profound and life altering. Do everything for God's glory. Eat, drink, sleep, drive, study, talk; you get the idea, everything. What kind of impact would that make on your life. Or think about this, what kind of impact would that make on the lives around you. Wow!

If I could but remember this verse every moment of every day it would transform my attitude. Attitude as they say is everything. This is one attitude adjustment we could all live with!

Pity Party

Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented [an offering] —some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast.

Gen 4:3-5 (HCSB)

Cain gives us a good picture of a bad attitude. God did not find Cain's offering satisfactory and it made Cain mad. The Bible also says he was downcast. What is downcast? Well basically he was pouting. He was having a pity party!

Oh how we need to be careful about those pity parties. When God comes and corrects us, or shows us the error of our ways how do we respond? Do we humbly acknowledge our sin and repent or do we get angry and throw a temper tantrum? We would avoid much of the pain and problems of our life if we would just agree with God (confession) and turn away from our sin (repentance) rather than to become angry and downcast.

Be careful of throwing a pity party. God may be your party poop-er!