Run to Win the Prize

I trust you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend.  I am especially looking forward to tomorrow, as I make my yearly trip to the Penn Relays at Franklin Field.  Athletes from various countries have been competing in various track and field events since Thursday. Those athletes who survived the two-day eliminations in the heats will be on display on Saturday trying to win those coveted medals. Many of us will be in the stands cheering for our favorite athlete hoping that they will take home the gold. There is always so much energy and excitement exuded at the Penn Relays that once you start to attend, you try very hard not to miss a year. 

As I reflect on the Penn relays I Corinthians 9:24 comes to mind: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Many athletes started out running on Thursday, but on the final day (Saturday) several of them will have been eliminated. 

We are also involved in a race, and as we see, not all of us will get the prize.  So in other to get this prize of “Eternal Glory” let us distinguish ourselves.  Let us run this race with a purpose and determination to be a winner.  Just as I will be in the stands tomorrow cheering on my favorite teams, so are those who are cheering you on- the chief cheerleader being Jesus Christ. He is reminding you that “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength”.  He is also letting you know that “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” Can you hear Him telling you to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world and so will you”.  However it will take some elbow grease.

  In essence Paul is saying that Victory is costly.  Here is what we need: A commitment to Excellence- run in such way to get the prize.  Whatever you do, it has to be done with excellence.  Whether it is in how you raise your children, or how you do your work, or your service to others, do so in the best way you can.  Mediocre performance won’t win the prize.  So always ask yourself whenever you have something to do, was this my best effort?

 

In His Service,

 

Vilma

God is still in Control

Friday April 19th 2013

This week has been a very intense one to say the least. First it was the bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday, then we had the explosion at the fertilizer plant in Waco Texas on Wednesday, next it was massive flooding in the mid-west on Thursday and unfolding as I write is the apprehension of the 2nd suspect involved in the Boston marathon bombings on Monday-who was spotted on a boat in a person's backyard -alive!. In 5 short days many lives have been lost, many people have suffered injuries, and many families have been left homeless. People are in mourning, some are anxious, some are angry, some in shock, some numb, and others in utter confusion. The end result is that lives have dramatically changed.

 What can we learn from all that is happening? Let me share with you what I have learnt. Evil is ever present among us but God is still in control. He did not abdicate the throne He remains seated at the right hand of God making intercession for all of us. I cannot explain why these events were allowed to happen, but I do know one thing Satan has not won he is still a defeated foe, he will not get the glory from this, instead God will get the glory. 

I also learnt that as a Christian I need to remain vigilant, abhor what is evil and cleave to that which is good. I learnt that we cannot tell about a person by his appearance, mannerism, or demeanor, but rather by his fruits or his actions. Appearance can be deceiving. Another thing I learnt is that I must more that ever continue to pray for wisdom and understanding and a spirit of discernment. I must continue to pray for those in my household-for my spouse, children and the rest of my family members. I must not cease to pray for my neighbors and friends, and for this great nation of the United States.

Do not allow the events of this week to paralyze you. Enjoy your family this weekend. Try to find  some time to pray together as a family and pray for those who were affected by these events this week. Pray especially for your children that they will not get side-tracked and influenced by Satan.

Turn the news off for a while.  If you must discuss the events of this week with younger children (if they ask), avoid the details and maintain an air of calm.  Whatever you do, remember to give God thanks and praise for all He is and all that he has done.

 In His Service,

 Vilma

Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung, the trees and flowers are starting to bud, and the grass is looking greener, the birds are beginning to chirp.  The evenings are getting longer and I can sense a change in peoples’ moods.  This is the time of year when people talk about doing some spring cleaning- out with the old.  If I had to sum Spring up in one word I would say “newness” To me spring brings with it a new beginning, a freshness that cannot be ignored.  As I walk around and look at the trees and plants and grass my mind goes back to Isaiah 43:18-19   Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

As spring brings newness to your physical environment, remember that God also wants to do something” new” spiritually, physically, and emotionally in your family this season.  Something new will spring forth for you and your family this season.  Some of us have passed through our winter not just the season, but literally.  You may have experienced some cold dark days over these past few months.  You may be feeling like nothing had a chance to grow in your life or your family’s life. It may seem like all the leaves in your life have fallen off and left you bare.  Do not be despaired, spring has sprung, winter is gone forget about it.  He has started to place those leaves back on your tree, not the way you think he is going to do it, but in unexpected ways.  Can you feel the warmth?  Can you see the sun (son)?  Do not allow the winter of yesterday to rob you of springing into your new beginning. Get a fresh new start in your relationship with God, in your relationship with your spouse, or significant other, get a fresh start with your children, your friends, your job, your attitude, your perspective on life.  He promises to make open possibilities in areas of your life that seems impossible (a path in your wilderness).  He promises to provide for you regardless of how bad things have gotten (rivers in your desert). Staying stuck in the past will keep you from that new thing God is trying to do for you. PUSH through into your Spring.

In His Service,

Vilma