| Remain Self Controlled |
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1 Corinthians 9:24, 25 & 27
(Living Bible) In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. *Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to…”
(Living Bible) In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. *Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to…”
Many times your flesh (body) may behave like an unruly child that needs to be disciplined and made to submit to what is right and not what it thinks it needs at that moment. As a Christian who prioritizes holiness, you cannot give in to all the pleasures and desires your flesh seeks. Instead, maintain a position of godly leadership over your body by exercising your God empowered will to subject it to the leading of God's Spirit that is in you. Resist the temptation to be led by the emotions and the feelings of your flesh. Train yourself to take authority over your emotions and feelings and control them to submit to God and please Him always. Take seriously your relationship with God and endeavour to cooperate more with Him. God is at work in you, making you willing and able to do His will, Phil.2:12-13.Reprogram and renew your mind by meditating on the right things and desiring only those things that please God, Rom.12:2. Make up your mind to out-rightly hate and deny yourself the things that are displeasing to God, Heb.1:9, Titus 2:11-12. In fact, make personal covenants for yourself. In Job 31:1, Job made a covenant with his eyes that he would not look lustfully at any woman. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua made up his mind that he and his household would serve the Lord. Schedule times for yourself and your family to fellowship with God, set out days to fast and pray and to preach the gospel. Consistently show the love of God to others. Continually focus on the joy and blessings of living a life that honours and totally pleases God.
PRAYER FOCUS: Heavenly Father, I receive Your grace today to exercise the powerful will You have given me to train my body to please You.
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