Tag Archives: God’s approval

December 1
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“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.  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 forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”   (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, NIV)
Excellence, discipline, and humility.
We admire these three qualities in any athlete.  Likewise, these three qualities together are essential for faithful discipleship.
Are we living our lives — every hour of every day — “in such a way as to get the prize,” which is life in all of its fullness and length?  Are we engaged in the private, hidden, work of “training”– in the words of Paul to his protege Timothy: “to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”?  (2 Timothy 2:15)
Paul’s words remind us to aspire to excellence in all that we do.  He reminds us to adopt the discipline of “strict training” so that we will be prepared for any of the so-called surprises of life, and fit to finish the course.  He reminds us to be humble, lest we ourselves are disqualified as the price of our pride.
Excellence + Discipline + Humility = Faithful discipleship.  – Luther
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March 30
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“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:9, NASB)

We frequently here the word “passion,” or its derivative, “passionate,” to describe the drive, energy, and the focus that someone brings to an activity.  It is meant to be a compliment, but when we are driven for the wrong reasons; or focused on the wrong things, it is anything but complimentary.

As disciples of Jesus, our passion is to be pleasing to God.  All other interests are subordinate; and all other invitations for our time, talent, and treasure are subject to — and informed by — this singular, supreme, objective.

To “have as our ambition. . .to be pleasing to Him,” is to succeed at all else, because all else is affected by this one thing!  – Luther

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November 16
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“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  (Hebrews 13:16, NIV)

Of course, it is a sacrifice to do the right thing, because doing so means forsaking the privileges and benefits to which we feel entitled.

Of course, it is a sacrifice to share. It means making do with less of something we, deep-down, want more of; or we think of some others as less worthy of our time, talent, and treasure.

Nevertheless, we are reminded that to pursue goodness, mercy, kindness, and love in all of our relationships; and to prefer sharing all that we have with others to withholding the same from them pleases God.

So, go ahead: Do the things that make our heavenly Father smile.  There is no shame in goodness; and it is through giving that we receive.  – Luther

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