The Competitive Edge

I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

1 Corinthians 9:27

The people of Corinth knew all about the self-discipline it takes to become a top athlete. Every two years, the city of Corinth held the Isthmian Games, similar to the Olympics in Athens. Potential athletes trained hard for ten months. If they didn't complete the training or if they broke the rules, they were disqualified from participating in the prestigious competition.

The apostle Paul wanted his readers to understand the same principle was true when it came to going the distance in life. He filled the ninth chapter of his letter to the Corinthians with boxing and running illustrations that allude to the Isthmian Games. But verse 27 lies at the heart of the passage. It explains why self-discipline is crucial for Christians. When God asks you to do something, you want to be spiritually up to the task. You don't want anything to get in the way of your success. That includes any bad habits, uncontrolled passions, or lazy attitudes. 

Through sheer self-effort, you can discipline your body for athletic competition. Disciplining your body and your soul for spiritual challenges is possible only with God's help. Ask God to show you if there is any area where your lack of self-control could interfere with what he wants you to do. Use Paul's words as an inspiration to gain better discipline in that area.

Like a star athlete who leaves fans disillusioned by acting inappropriately, a Christian who behaves inappropriately can turn others away from God. Let Paul's words remind you that undisciplined words or actions can have serious consequences.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God for spiritual maturity, for discipline in the self through his will; not by your wants and desires. Our earthly wisdom is limited and will yield emotional outcomes when push comes to shove. God's wisdom is limitless and always yields love. Without a relationship with God we are subject to unnecessary hardship and sorrow. God created us to love and share love; even when it's not fair. We are not the JUDGE but He is. Let his wisdom and judgement guide your footsteps and actions. ~ MME Team

Consolation Prize

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The apostle Paul began his second letter to the church in Corinth just as he did his other letters, with a brief introduction that leads straight into thanksgiving. Paul's cause for thanks, however, sets this letter apart. You can be thankful for comfort only if you've know the pain of suffering. Paul certainly did, and so did his Corinthian audience. So does every individual who reads these words today.

Through levels of personal suffering differ, pain and heartache are universal. Yet amid that sobering truth, Paul gave reason for praise. God's comfort is at hand in every type of trouble. The original meaning of the old-fashioned-sounding word tribulation covers a lot of ground. It can mean "distress," "affliction," "persecution," or simply "great mercy." God's comfort fits any and every situation perfectly.

Through Paul, God provided even more good news: there is a positive, productive side to suffering. As God comforts you, you learn how to better comfort others. This is different from simply being sympathetic toward people and their problems. The Greek word for comfort implies action. It means "to come alongside and help." God actively comes alongside you with strength, encouragement, hope, and healing, and you gain the ability to do the same for others. When you are struggling with difficulty in your life, remember to reach out to God and then to others. God provides comfort to help you become a comforter like him.

When you're facing tough times, follow Paul's example. Praise God for the comfort he's already promised, and then ask him to help you use your own experiences to bring comfort to someone else.

Source: The 100 Most Important Bible Verses

Pray to God and praise him in your suffering. It is in the suffering that we strengthen our faith and find peace and hope in the mercy and grace of our Lord. ~ MME Team