Pressed and not depressed.

Sitting in a room, looking at the four walls,the ceiling and the floor. Sometimes one would not help but feel that its like a box. One can definitely can go insane staring at the walls for too long. Especially when faced with mountains of pressure of this world. From the mounds of assignment, homework, and tests. Or the projects, overtime and meetings at work. From our family and friends who may be calling us to pay attention to them in some way. Our finances and resources can be heavily exercised. Our ministry that needs a push and devotion to. Are just a few examples that one would experience in a normal day.

However as we add more and more, the things that are in and out of our control. For example issues in relationhship, waiting on an answer for a circumstance, becoming sick and deadlines with limited time to be met. It feels like a weight has been placed in the heart, feels like being pushed from all directions when your in that box. Imagine a frog that is placed at the bottom of a 10m well, it sees darkness all around just a source of light high up there. How is it possible that the frog can climb this wall?

The frog has two options, one is to give up and stay there at bottom of the well until it dies. Two choose to persevere and climb the walls even though every 2m it climbs it may slip down 1.5m. (Roman 5). Over time with what God has given the frog, the special legs that acts as suctions to climb the well, it will reach the top, where the light and life shines. Where the frog will enjoy the freedom and warmth of the sun.

Lesson learned is to have a simple, faithful and persevering heart. No matter what we face, we need to hold our integrity and faith that God will bring our circumstance to light just as the frog. When we trust and stand firm on his word, even though it may be tough and people who are close to us may misunderstand us, we need to continue our walk with God and take it in our stride. Asking God to prepare the way, prepare our hearts, and to come to our aide when it becomes too difficult that we can not do on our own. (Footprints in the sand)

Remember that we are pressed but not depressed because our God is the almighty and he delivers us from the darkest of valleys into green pastures. (Psalm 23)

The RACE

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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 for ever.

26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul speaks in relation to the Olympics held every 2yrs where men and women train and compete towards the GOLD medal. By relating to the Greeks in this analogy, he is able to share how the athletes ran the race physically to the race that is run spiritually when we become Christians. The Faith Race.

v24 The runners were totally focus, fueled with determination and single-mindedness in winning the race. Just as people of God, we need to be excellent in all that we do, to be excellent stewards of God in our studies, our work, our family and our church. To be focus on the task that God has given us. To be able to prioritize the importance of each task.

More so, we need to run the race that God has called us, to move forward in his kingdom, to share the good news, to testify his goodness and to do our best in all! Keeping focus on our purpose that God has given us, and not being distracted by the world. Many times we will be distracted, lose zeal and determination in our faith towards God. But we need to be reminded that the race isn't over. e.g. We sprint at first with our joy of being Christian but over time we can tire and slow down. The race we are called to run is not a sprint but a endurance race.

v25 The word of God prepares us in training, equips us with the tools we need to run. The circumstances/experiences God places before us, are the training ground for us to overcome and used to share and teach others.

E.g. In todays australian swimming team, their goal is to be the top swimmers of this world. They train day and night for most of the year from dusk to dawn. Doing their warm-up laps, sprints, cool downs, and time laps. Apart from that they take care of the their bodies by watching what they ate, they exercised in the gym with weights, treadmills and all the other programs that would enable to them to maximize their potential in winning. How much more should we train for our race?

Some would say Gods word is strict, but in actually fact, everything that God has placed for us is through love. Just as a coach gives pointers to improve in the race, God gives us pointers on how to live a purpose filled life. Through obedience of our coach, we can improve / moulded and grow towards our potential.

By competing in this race, we will receive a prize that would not fade with the world, but a heavenly prize That is the crown that God will bestows on us, "My faithful son/daughter here is my gift to you".

v26 Picturing this verse, it looks funny as a crazy man wavering his arm around in the air for no aparant reason. Paul suggests that winning the race requires purpose and with clear direction. Without a goal discipline and training is nothing.

v27 Winning requires discipline, hard work, self-denial and demanding preparation. Furthermore we dont stand on the sideline or jog a couple of laps each morning but training takes diligence and consistency. This would mean giving up on something we like in order to do what God wants. And practicing everyday to make it become a habit, part of our life.

Paul refers to being disqualified not of salvation but to lose the privilege of telling others about Christ. It is easy to tell others how to live and then not to take our own advice so we must practice what we preach.

Future scriptures to look at on running the race:
Hebrews 11 and 12:1,2;
Philippians 3:12-16
1 Timothy 6:12;
2 Timothy4:7-8

Carrying the Cross

Todays God minute goes like this...

THEN JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, "IF ANYONE WOULD
COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE
UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME."
( MATTHEW 16:24 *NIV )

It then says in devotion that we have crosses to bear in our lives and perhaps our crosses seem to be heavy one, however when you look around, you will find much bigger ones than yourself. So when your cross "seems" to be heavy, God is there to help carry it for you. God has said "NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU." ( HEBREWS 13:5 ). So we need to put our faith in God "DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. TRUST IN GOD; TRUST ALSO IN ME. ( JOHN 14:1 ) . A poem is than attached, here it is.

May the wings of faith uphold you
When your cross is hard to bear,
As temptations surround you,
And no one seems to care.
May the wings of faith surround you
And shield you from the pain
When sorrows overcome you
And teardrops fall like rain.
May you know that God is with you
In times of deep despair.
May the spirit, who's within you,
Confirm that He is there!
May the valley of the shadow
Provide angels unaware...
May the wings of faith uphold you
When your cross is hard to bear.
Poet, Clay Harrison