Today marks the beginning of a new month and an opportunity to reflect on what happened last month as well as what we can look forward to in the weeks ahead, should the Lord tarry. Last night, Karen and I watched our oldest grandchild play baseball. His team had won a playoff game on Monday and were unable to play on Wednesday due to heavy rains. Although his team lost in their final game of the season yesterday, we are proud of how well Brendyn played. He is now preparing to play hockey soon. Thinking about his participation in sports reminded me of the words of the apostle Paul in his first letter to the believers in Corinth:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)
In his Study Bible, Dr. David Jeremiah writes: “Paul viewed the church in Corinth as being sanctified in Christ Jesus rather than in the context of the city’s wickedness (please see the verse in ‘Scripture for the weekend’). It was one thing to be in Corinth; it was quite another to be in Corinth in Christ Jesus. Saint means to belong to God, to be His special person.”
Karen and I are grateful to the Lord for His many blessings, including family and brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for your prayers for us and for the radio ministry to which He called us many years ago. One of our former pastors, Rev. David Trafford, and his daughters have a wonderful ministry connecting crocheters, knitters, quilters, sewers and shoppers in compassionately caring for orphans and other vulnerable children and youth. You can learn about this ministry at: www.jabezblanketministry.org.
May the Lord be glorified in all that we say and do!
Scripture for the weekend: “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Divine love, unlike human love, is not dependent on its object.” – R. B. Kuiper
Steve