In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul explains that he disciplines his body and keeps it under control so he will not be disqualified. He uses an image from athletics, where a competitor who fails to meet the training standards cannot even enter the race.
Paul’s concern was not about losing salvation, but about losing his credibility and effectiveness in ministry. He did not want to preach the gospel to others while failing to live in a way that honours Christ. Like an athlete who sacrifices comforts to prepare for competition, Paul was willing to give up anything that could harm his service for the Lord.
His goal was to remain faithful and free from sin or distraction that could limit his usefulness. The Christian life is a race toward the goal of God’s heavenly calling, and it requires focus, discipline, and perseverance.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Even if others treat us poorly or choose not to live peacefully with us, we are still responsible for our own actions. No situation makes it right to hold onto bitterness. Holding an unforgiving attitude can never be defended, no matter what has happened.
When we take a close look at our own lives, we see how much Christ has already forgiven us. Our past includes times when we’ve ignored or disobeyed God, yet He continues to offer grace. Remembering this helps us to forgive others, even if we struggle to like them or decide not to continue the relationship.
Forgiveness does not mean agreeing with wrong behaviour or pretending nothing happened. But if we want true peace inside, we must release the weight of resentment.
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Joseph Habedank’s mother, Leah Griffis, recently suffered a life-threatening heart attack while waiting to board a plane. Airport paramedics were close by and performed CPR on her.
Since the incident on 5 November, it has been touch and go. However, Joseph says things are moving in a positive direction.
Joseph shared an update saying his mom’s ventillator was taken out and she’s breathing on her own and she’s awake and, “she’s very loud.” He explained that “she’s not quite talking, the tube being in her throat, they told her she wouldn’t be able to talk for a little bit but she’s trying really hard because anybody knows my mom knows she likes to talk.”
The family’s next prayer request focuses on communication. “That’s kind of our next kind of prayer request is that she can start communicating with us because you can tell she’s in a little bit of pain because of the probably from the broken ribs and also being intubated that long really messes with your throat so we’re hoping she can start communicating soon,” Joseph said.
The family is also facing difficult decisions ahead. Joseph asked for prayer as he and Lindsay “are trying to decide when we can go home and so we want to make sure we we have wisdom when it comes to that so it’s always hard you know trying to figure out what’s right so appreciate your prayers.”
Joseph concluded by saying, “This has been a good day.”
We are grateful for this good news! Please continue lifting Leah along with all of her family up in prayer.
Brian Free shared the meaning behind Assurance’s new song, “Behind My Praise.” He explains, “Behind our praise are the valleys we’ve been through, the mountain tops we’ve had to climb, the mountains we had to crawl over, climb over, and the good times, the bad times, and all those things, everything that we experience in our life brings us to the point where we really should, as a Christian, know how to praise him, know how to lift him up, know how to thank him for all that he’s done, because we all have so much to be thankful for. And that’s what the song talks about it, and it does it in such a great way. And I love singing. It’s just a wonderful song.”
Provided to YouTube by Daywind Records Behind My Praise · Brian Free & Assurance Grateful for the Gospel ℗ 2024 Daywind Records Released on: 2024-09-20
This idea is found in the message of James 1:2–4 (NIV): “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Our hard times, the valleys and mountains, shape our praise. They teach us how to worship with real depth and thankfulness.
I hope you’ll pardon me sounding long-winded, but I’d like to give a little more of my understanding of these verses. They teach that believers should view trials and hardships as opportunities for growth rather than reasons for despair. These challenges test one’s faith, and through enduring them with patience and trust in God, a person develops spiritual maturity and strength. The passage emphasizes that perseverance in the face of difficulties leads to completeness and maturity, meaning a well-rounded and steadfast faith that lacks nothing. Ultimately, James encourages believers to see suffering as a refining process that deepens their relationship with God and shapes their character.
The lyrics of “Behind My Praise” speak directly about this experience. They tell us about the struggles that come before praise: valleys God brings us through, mountains we never thought we could move, and wilderness places in bloom.
To be thankful and to praise God fully means to remember where we have been and what He has done for us. “Behind My Praise” is a reminder for believers to lift their voices with gratitude, knowing that every trial has brought them to this moment of thanksgiving.
The song was written by Kristi Ralon Fitzwater, Marcia Henry, and Josiah Palmer. Listen for Behind my Praise throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!
BEHIND MY PRAISE – BRIAN FREE & ASSURANCE (Kristi Ralon Fitzwater, Marcia Henry, and Josiah Palmer) Behind my praise, there’s a valley God has brought me through Behind my praise, there’s a mountain I never thought I’d move Behind my praise is a wilderness in bloom I can’t hold back ’Cause I’ve seen what God can do I’ve seen oceans roll back at my feet I’ve watched giants cower in defeat Because of God and His amazing grace I live to tell the story behind my praise Behind my praise Are the tears He’s wiped from my eyes Behind my praise Are the answers to my desperate cries Behind my praise Is the dawn that broke the night I can’t hold back the joy I have inside ’Cause I’ve seen oceans roll back at my feet I’ve watched giants cower in defeat Because of God and His amazing grace I live to tell the story behind my praise Every story I have lived through Has given me the faith To trust Him as the author Of every future page And I’ve seen oceans roll back at my feet I’ve watched giants cower in defeat Because of God and His amazing grace I live to tell the story behind my praise Because of God and His amazing grace I live to tell the story behind my praise
In 1 John 3:20, we are told that “God is greater than our heart and knows all things.” At first, it may seem unusual that such a reminder is needed, since no one would claim their own heart is stronger than God. Yet the words are written for a reason, and they bring comfort.
Many followers of Christ know what it is like to lose peace and joy because of failure. Sin often leaves us anxious and fearful, much like Paul’s struggle in Romans 7, where he confessed that he could not always do what he desired and often did what he did not want to do. This inner conflict can lead believers into self-condemnation, where they constantly dwell on their shortcomings.
It is right to feel sorrow over sin. It should bring us to repentance. But even in those moments when we feel the weight of guilt, God sees beyond the weakness of our heart. He knows all things, and He is greater than our feelings of failure. He is greater than our heart.
Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.
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