Scripture for Today: Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I highly recommend my friends’ book, Strangers Like Angels! This saga, written by Alec and Jan Forman, follows the first-hand account of their Land-Rover travels in the 70’s. Their year-long adventures took them through the Sahara Desert, tropical rainforests in Africa, Europe, then Nepal and Afghanistan. My book copy is especially valuable as it is signed by the authors!

In today’s verse Jesus is described as an author, the Author of our faith. He is the One who creates and initiates. He is the One who makes faith possible. He is also the perfecter or finisher of our faith, carrying the story through to the very end. He has written the conclusion and I already know the ending to my story. It is not shrouded in mystery but revealed in His Word. It is a triumphal ending where faith becomes sight and I will be with Him forever!

As the Author of my faith, He wrote the introduction. He planned exactly who I am, the family He wanted me to have, and the way I would come to Him in faith for salvation. But right now, I am living the unknown part, the chapters in between. This is the part that can seem so uncertain. Not only that, I want to tell Him what to write! But as the Author of my faith, He is also its perfecter and there is no need to edit anything! I can trust that He knows what He is doing with my life.

Thank you Lord, for authoring my story and my future.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2019)

Scripture for Today:  I Corinthians 9:27 “But I buffet my body and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit.”

The German baths are “wunderbar!” These aquatic centers are in France as well but the closest to our area and the nicest is just over the border into Germany. The indoor pool has strategically placed jets along the walls. Each one is at a different height to pummel a different part of the body. One special jet of water targeted the neck from above and felt like being under a waterfall! Their force is so strong it took the polish right off my toe nails! I felt a bit beat up but in a good way!

As the water buffeted my body, it reminded me of today’s verse. Paul was using an image of something much less pleasant. He likened the self discipline he wanted to beating his body into submission. The context is one of strict training for a race. Without self discipline one can easily disqualify oneself. Paul does not want to run aimlessly but with purpose. He runs in such a way as to win the prize; a crown that will last forever. To do that he must make his body his slave, rather that be enslaved by his body. Paul understood his own weaknesses and the potential to become unfit.

If I am honest with myself, I see that I too could become unfit. So many times I do the very thing I do not want to do! (Rom. 7:15) The struggle never stops to be obedient and submissive to God’s will. The flesh is so strong. Buffeting my body is simply to tell it, “no!”  So much easier said than done!

Lord, help me say “no” to what does not please You.