How Well Do You Train?

^{24 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. 25 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. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 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)}

As he watched athletes training for and competing in their games, Paul saw an illustration of the struggles and victories of the Christian life. Although our final victory over death through Christ is always assured, we must strive for daily victory over the issues and temptations we face now.

We discipline ourselves, not in order to earn salvation, but to experience the joy and victory God intends for us now!


Look hard at your spiritual life. Are you vigorously participating in the game, barely keeping pace, or merely watching from the stands?**




So what are we training for? We train for the day to day battles that the Christian walk entails.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

 <sup>The enemy is always prepared to put obstacles in our way. He wants to distract us from the Word of God. He wants to cause us to stumble in order to ruin our witness. He will do whatever he can to stop us from bringing another soul into the Kingdom of God. He wants to see us discouraged, depressed, and just ready to give up. He wants to see us hide within the four walls of our church on Sunday and then obsess about the football game a few hours later. He wants us to care more about our feelings of inadequacy or friend's feelings of being offended than our feelings for the Lord and having a heart for the lost. 


How do we train?


13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:13-20 (NKJV)


So, what do you do when the enemy does attack?</sup>

<sup>Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NKJV)


Now before anyone thinks that I'm pointing fingers at anyone, let me explain. I wrote this for myself. There are none of us who are exempt from the wiles of the enemy. I worry more when the enemy isn't attacking because that means that I'm not active and, therefore, not a threat. Do I look forward to these attacks? Absolutely not. It appears that the enemy knows everyone of my weaknesses and will use it against me. But I have hope because:


You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)


So pray without ceasing, stay in the Word of God, and never be afraid to reach out to prayer warriors to intercede if you feel overwhelmed. Be blessed.


God willing, until next time
Maranatha

**Courtesy from God's Daily Promise</sup>

Who Do You Trust?

Europe Close to Banking Crisis, El-Erian Says: Tom Keene

A global financial crisis is at our door step.  Now I’m not going to go on and on concerning this crisis because, honestly, I do not have a great understanding on how all the global and often times back room dealings work.  However, I do understand enough to know that, in the financial world, it is bad and will get worse.

If, and perhaps I should say, when, the U.S. dollar is dumped as the world reserve currency, it will move us into third-world status as a nation. This will position the globe for a New World Order that will include such “benefits” as a one-world government, a universal debt-based currency, and a one-world religion

Now, has anyone read this somewhere before?  (Here’s a hint - it’s the last book of the New Testament.)

It is possible that there are powerful people behind the scenes, maneuvering the markets to attain this New World Order.  I won’t go into conspiracy theories, only what the Scripture tells us.  In the end, we have no personal control on where the markets go and the final outcome of the global financial situation.  The only thing we have control of is where our personal faith lies - with man and the world and then hope for “miracles” and answers or with a Holy God who already has the answers.

I know there are many who do not believe in the prophecies of the Bible, and that is their choice. But I would like to present people with this Scripture:

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)

Now I believe that the Word of God preaches a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church.  I will go into that belief some other time.  However, for those who are not part of the Church, do not know Jesus as your Savior and Redeemer, you will miss the rapture.  If you live long enough, and that will be tough to do, when the Antichrist requires his mark, be warned now.   DO NOT TAKE THE MARK!!.

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Revelation 14:9-10 (KJV)

Now, for some words of encouragement.  As you watch the markets crumble, prices soar, and possibly governments topple, keep your eyes on Jesus alone.  Do not rely on your own strength and your own abilities. Don’t worry as the world worries.And most of all, remember that there is an Almighty God who is in control. At the end, everything will be for His glory and purpose.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:20-21 (KJV)

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?  Or what shall we drink?  Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6: 31-33 (KJV)

Maranatha