GOD Morning! August 27 / Hobbies

GOD Morning! August 27

Hobbies

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 AMP

¹⁹ For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.

²¹ To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

²² To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and overscrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].

²³ And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you].

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

²⁵ Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

²⁶ Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.

²⁷ But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].

Let’s take a look at the Message version of this passage.

^19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

What a cool idea! Hang out with all types of people in order to lead them to Jesus.  The possibilities are endless.

What do you enjoy doing for a hobby? (Other than watching movies, of course) Something that involves other people. Maybe you haven’t done it lately.

Brittney, my co-worker, is on a softball team. She has met a ton of people through this hobby.

My pastor’s hobby is trains. He has become great friends with fellow train lovers. They are shocked to find out that he is a pastor of a large congregation.

I have friends in Montana who run races. They meet and become friends with people they might never come in contact with otherwise.

I attend classes at a health club five days a week. I am surrounded by people I would most likely never meet anywhere else. I am the only one who wears a knee length skirt over my yoga pants. I have been asked if I am a dancer. I have been asked if I am from another country.  

I am tempted to say, “Why yes! I am from a kingdom you know not of!”

But that would be weird. =)

^24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

^26-27 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (1 Cor. 9:19-27, the Message)

Yes! I am running hard to the finish line. And I am enjoying the journey.

^“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

“Thank You, Jesus for this confirmation that as I try to whip my body into shape at the health club, I am shining a light in a dark world. Everyone knows me there as the lady who wears a skirt to weight training class. What a privilege and a pleasure to represent You. I am honored beyond words. How I love You. I will do anything for You, Jesus! You did EVERYTHING for me. I love You, AMEN.”