An Athlete For Christ (1 Corinthians 9: especailly vs 11, 14, 18, 25 and 27 ESV)

 An athlete for Christ is not necessarily a sports person who's into floorball, basketball, badminton, football, gymnastics or the like.  This is not necessarily the group I'm referring to.

I'm talking about 'spiritual' athletes that run the race for Christ.  Those whose feet are beautiful because they bring the gospel of Jesus Christ and peace to the world (see Hebrews 12:1-2 & Romans 10:15 ESV).

People like Billy Graham, Priscilla Shirer, the Apostle Paul and even like my Dad had been, among others, who run and go all out for the Lord.  Those also who preach in our pulpits on a regular basis, faithfully, Lord's Day after Lord's Day.

Have you ever looked at their faces?  I mean, really looked?  Are they tired?  Or beyond tired to the point of exhaustion?  Are they suddenly gaunt looking, or overweight, and just plod to their place in the pulpit?

Are they overweight because they have hypothyroid problems or just because they overeat due to the stress of constant 'on guard' alertness to other peoples' needs and concerns; or because of slander and false accusations against them and they eat 'comfort food'?

Or, conversely, they're gaunt because of those same things but then have loss of appetite, and begin to wither away?  They are actually becoming physically sick as well as spiritually sick.

Due to neglect by the congregation in general and individual carers in particular, our pastors and preachers and teachers of God's Word, can experience all the same emotions and defeat that the rest of us can.

No doubt we are all entreated to

"exercise self-control in all things" (vs 25) 

and as the Apostle Paul said of himself,

"but I discipline my body and keep it under control ..."

Human beings - even those who feed us spiritually - have breaking points.

And just a word of clarification here, I do not insinuate that Paul whipped or harmed himself in any way except to have that self-control and sacrifice of his own wants and needs for the good and benefit of others.

May we all be encouraged to encourage not only ourselves to keep fit in these exercises of self-control, but to encourage our spiritual leaders to the same.

Be a caring support system for them so that as they preach, they do not disqualify themselves, nor we them (vs 27).

"It's time for us to do something" (Matthew West).

Let's all be very fit athletes for Christ until He comes.  Perhaps today ...

                                         ~ ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 9: especially vs 11, 14, 18, 25 & 27 ESV.

Sing, Do Something, along with Matthew West.  This may be a bit noisy for some peole but the lyrics are poignant.

Lord's Day Devotion - Bruised and Crushed

 "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Romans 16 :20 ESV).

There are two opposing forces at work here.  But the one who is Almighty God is the one who has the final say and action.  He is the One who crushes Satan.  He is the One of grace.  He is the One who is with you - Jesus Christ our Lord.

If we hearken back to the epic world catastrophe, when Adam and Eve sinned and God caught them in the aftermath, then we know He pronounced judgement.  This is what He told the serpent...

"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15 ESV).

And it has been thus ever since.  There have been incidents of this along the way, since the Bible's first prediction of a Savior -

 "the offspring will bruise Satan's head" (Genesis 3:15).

Even though it appears Satan gets the upper hand, and bruises the offspring of the woman's heel, the offspring will crush the serpent's head.  This plays out in the story of Jael, Deborah, Barak and Sisera (see Judges 4 & 5).

Israel had been cruelly oppressed by the Caananite king for about 20 years.  King Jabin and Commander Sisera were a fearsome twosome of leaders, ones who sound like they showed little to no mercy.

Israel, led by Deborah and Barak, fought mightily that day, routing all the 900 iron chariots and all King Jabin's army.  But Sisera escaped alone and fled on foot for something like 10-12 kms.

He was a totally exhausted man but eventually found Jael and her tent.  She, despite her Kenite clan branch being at peace with her huband Heber's house and the King of Hazor, Jael took up her everyday tools - a tent peg and a mallot, and did a very courageous thing.

Having lured and lulled Sisera to sleep, she 'crushed' the head of Sisera as he slept.  Israel, God's chosen people, were liberated that day by a distant relative of Moses.  This, to me, is a parallel to Satan's head being crushed under the bruised heel of the offspring.

Some similar incidents happen even today.  Children come to Sunday School and learn of Jesus and even accept Him as Savior of their lives.  Their lives change, as young as they may be, for the better.  It is noticed at home.  A home that is a non-Christian home.  The children speak too much about Jesus.  This disrupts and upsets the parents who follow other gods.  God and Satan are at enmity again.

These are prototypes of the real thing.  That is, not only Jesus' death where His heel was bruised, but also His resurrectin, where He bruised Satan's head.  This is where Jesus' being alive showed He'd conquered sin, death and Hell.  The serpent, the form Satan took, or its body Satan used, definitely was defeated.

And in a day to come, the final sentence upon Satan will be executed.  Read this ...

" ... and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10 ESV).

Satan's final everlasting crushing doom is comng.  Followers of Jesus Christ will triumphantly enter Heaven to be with Him forever and ever.  This day is coming by and by.  This is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This grace is with us now to carry us through our earthly days, as we fight the inevitable spiritual warfare, until Jesus comes.  Perhaps, today.

We praise You Father God, for all You have done for us through Your Son Jesus Christ.  You are so Almighty and All Knowing.  Even from the beginning of time You had it all mapped out.  The bruising and crushing and the salvation plan.  We cannot thank You enough.

And as we reach for the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, symbols of that epic day, God's love brought us salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection, we remember all You've done for us in crushing Satan and bringing us redemption through Jesus.

In Jesus' most precious name we give You our praise and heartfelt thanks.  Amen.

                                                   ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 16:20; Genesis 3:15;  and  Revelation 20:10 ESV.

Sing, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Unbridled Knowledge (1 Corinthians 8: 3specially vs 1 ESV)

 Grackles and pigeons and likely other fine feathered friends, puff themselves up when they wish to attract a mate with whom to have a courtship and family.  They want to look bigger, more impressive and maybe shriek and coo respectively to gain the female's favor.  That is their instinctive knowledge.

People like to gain knowledge and that can be a good thing.  However, if one is not humble, one can become 'puffed up' proud with what they know, letting their whole world know about it all, be it actually little or much.

Paul,  in 1 Corinthians 8 says, 

"knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (vs 1).  

If a person is so busy strutting their stuff, it leaves little to no room for others to say their pieces.  People who actually really know.  This lack of interest in others and what they have to say can be hurtful to those folks who've been cut off.

In this case, it's regarding eating food offered to idols.  Puffed up people may say, "just eat it" but that could marr another's conscience and could even cause another brother or sister to stumble.  It does not show loving care or consideration for another believer's conscience and situation.

Loving others with God's unconditional caring love, is the priority in God's book.  This is the knowledge we need to know and put into action - humbly.

Lord, may we wield our knowledge appropriatedly, encapsulated with Your love.  Help us to avoid unbridled knowledge and pride.  This we ask in Your name.  Amen.

                                                 ~  ERC  May  2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 8: especially vs 1 ESV.

Sing, Will You Be An Overcomer, along with Musikahan Corner.                                    

Gathered Together

 

"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31 ESV).

The people of God were prayng.  They were in one place, "gathered together".  Then something extra-ordinary happened.  Things got shaken up.  Secondly, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  In turn, they spoke the word of God - not with frivolity, but the "Word of God" in sincerity and truth.  And that was done with boldness.

They had been persecuted.  Hateful actions of others trying to put them down, to quiet them.

But the Lord intervened when they'd "gathered together".  It seems to me they were in a state of unity.  Unity of Spirit, of one and the same mind.  And they were praying.

They prayed about others who'd once been persecuted but who'd continued to stand boldly and speak God's Word.  They prayed and asked the Lord to,

" ... look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness" (vs 29).

All this too while God would do His part of stretching out His hand healing and performing signs and wonders in Jesus' holy name (see vs 29 & 30 ESV).

The Holy Spirit then came, shaking the place of prayer and those praying, 

" ... were  filled with the Holy Spirit" (vs 31).

For what purpose?  Was it to babble in unknown tongues?  Was it to fall backward, senseless?

No.  It was for boldness, boldness to speak the Word of God and continue to speak God's truth despite persecution.

It reminds me of the sister in the news who publically quoted some Bible verses, or at least wrote them in a pamphlet for public reading.  Her chosen verses came from the first chapter of Romans, if I'm not wrong.  In these recent times of the PRIDE movement, someone lashed out against her faithful words, which are actually God's Words.

She had to defend herself and give her reasons for speaking them with boldness.  Oh, I just need to stop here and pray for her that she will continue to have courage and boldness to continue to speak God's Word faithfully.  Even though this occured a few years ago, many may still have this sort of threat hanging over their heads.

Lord, You know that doctor from Helsinki who was arrested and accused of "hate speech".  Give her the right words and wisdom to speak the Word of God more boldly.  Work on her behalf.  Thank You for the opportunities even those "warmongers" against "free speech" give her to highlight Your Word more succinctly, in plain sight for this decadent world.  May she stand her ground and know Your presence beside her.

Indeed, Lord, You will have the last word in the end.  All praise and glory belong to You.  In Your name, Lord Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

                                              ~  ERC  May  2026  ~

Based on Acts 4:23-31, especially vs 31 ESV.

Sing, Unashamed, along with Matthew West.

Reference:

Dr. Paivi Rasanen.

Book Review - Sharks Preschool Activity Book - By Dr. Chelsea Black - Publication Date: 26 May 2026

 This shark experience will definitely intrique many young children, I believe.  Even as an adult I found it of interest and have learned a thing or two about these wonderful creatures of the oceans.

There are great pictures with educational facets such as learning the English language alphabet and numbers; how to trace and write them; learning the different colors as well as the many types of sharks.  There are short blurbs about each type of shark and a showing of their habitat.  In my opinion, this has great potential for a fascinating and integrated learning encounter for any little ones' inquisitive mind.

This activity book earns a 5-Star rating from me.

                                             ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                          February  2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Dot. Line. Arrow. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 12, 19 ESV)

 Think of a time line that begins with a well defined 'dot'.  The line extends straight out to the right from that dot.  The end of the drawn line, ends with an arrow.  Then, along the line increments are demarcated.  Some of the increments are wider apart than others; others represent shorter spaces of time.

The dot establishes the point in time when a person accepted Jesus Christ as Savior of their lives.  They have been born again and become a new creation in Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).

As Paul puts it, the person has been,

" ... washed, ...  sanctified ... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV).

The increments circumscribe growth spurts in Christ.  Sometimes it takes longer than others to learn lessons and the new Christlike life.  Yes, our coming to Christ 'sanctified' us and saved us; that is, set us apart from our old life and put us in a new room, so to speak.

If you've ever watched sheep shearers at work, you'll see that once a sheep has been shorn, they're moved to a different pen.  They are 'set apart' from those yet to be 'sanctified,' that is, shorn.

This analogy falls short no doubt but hopefully gives a small picture of the process.  But once sanctified by our salvation, there is further sanctification we ourselves must personally work on.  NOT to earn salvation, but to become more like Christ in all our ways.  Many call this "progressive sanctification".

As a snake sheds its skin as it grows, and dons a new skin, so the believer in Jesus Christ must grow.  The old habits of the old nature need to be shed.  New, godly habits need to be donned.  Again, each person does this at various times and lengths of time.  Thus the 'growth in Christ increments' along the timeline vary in length.

We also keep in mind that we do not own ourselves.  We have been 

"bought with a price" (v. 20) 

by God through Jesus Christ's shed blood.  Our new life in Christ did not come cheaply.  Therefore, we have the responsibility to show our faith by our actions (See James 2:18-20).

In this first letter to the Corinthians, Paul pointed out the gross sin of incest that was among them (See 1 Corinthians 5:1-2).  The unrepentant man had to be removed from among them for a season of ...

" ... destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord'                (1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV).

This man had allowed himself to be dominated by his lust for one he should not have.  But he did learn his lesson.  By the time we read Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, the other believers' in the assembly had overdone the "destruction".  Paul had to tell them the man had repented, God had forgiven him, they needed to also forgive him and bring the brother back into the congregation and fellowship of believers (See 2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Our bodies are the ...

" ... temple of the Holy Spirit within [us], whom [we] have from God.  [We} are not our     own ..." (1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV).

God wants us to be holy as He is holy (See Leviticus 11:44).  As we live consciously along the timeline of progressive sanctificaiton, we do just that.  In this way we can ...

"glorify God in [our] bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV).

First Peter 1:15-16 further shows us this injunction.

" ... but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct ..."

Let's all continue to move towards holiness.  The timeline ends with an arrow that never ends until we are called home to be with the Lord forevermore.  Perhaps, today...

                                              ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 6: especially vs 11, 12 and 19 ESV.

Prayfully sing, Search Me O God, along with Providence.

Meme Photo Credits:  Dan Froese.

Still Your Hearts

 

When I hear the song Like A River Glorious, something in me shifts.  It reverbrates into my inner core.  Very comforting and uplifting.

It's one of those lovely old pieces you rarely hear anymore.  The reassuring words, despite trials and tribulations of life, we can still,

"Stay our hearts upon Jehovah".  

In so doing we will find perfect peace and rest.

Do have a listen.  Close your eyes.  Listen.  Still your hearts.

Be blessed.

                                                  ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Inspired by, Like a River Glorious.  Sing it along with Northside Baptist Church, Charleston, SC.  Or slightly more lively, try with Squirrel.