Live long, live focused on winning the prize.

Introducing Nk Maduforo who is guest blogging today on 'finishing well'

The article was written around the time of the Rio Olympics but it's message is still relevant and true for all times. 

Enjoy 😀

So I watched Usain Bolt win the 100m finals in the ongoing Rio Olympics and I'm like 'wow'; the amount of training that goes into being a winner of race that averages 10 seconds.
How much more the race of life which we are running . Or should I say the race of eternal life! Are you giving it your all or is it business as usual but hoping that somehow, the win will just happen? Be encouraged by the following scriptures to take a more active stance.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9v 25-27)

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2 v5)

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4v8)

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3 v 14 )

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9v 24)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.(2 Timothy 4 v 7-8)

This race has a prize! Are you running, trekking, jogging, crawling or sitting this one out?

Live long, live focused on winning the prize!

NK Maduforo

Mercy is love actualised

On being my brother's keeper and showing empathy

I wish to share some thoughts about practical  steps we can make to reach out to people in the body of Christ in the context of being our 'brothers keeper.'

I was struggling with dealing with the chronic condition I am living with and told various brethren to stand with me in prayer because I was feeling overwhelmed with the  difficulties of various challenging symptoms. I know that it is in the nature of chronic conditions that there are flare ups, but I had been experiencing more than what is usual for me, more or less back to back with short breaks in between. This had an impact on my being able to get on with normal life. 

I had prayed , my husband had laid hands on me and prayed but I was still struggling. I got to a place of feeling tired of fighting . I asked various brethren to pray for me after telling them my plight and every single one threw scripture at me and asked me to declare them and to stand on them. This is absolutely good advice, but I was not short of standing and declaring, I was just tired, and my strength was flagging. 

It took a while before I realized I needed to be specific about what and how the brethren should pray. It took me a while to remember what I have learnt through my lifelong journey with health challenges, that the prayer I need is for 'grace to endure.' For I have come to learn that if the Lord will not miraculously take away the challenge immediately, what I need is 'grace to endure' 

On my part , I have decided on a lifestyle of endurance and using every tool available to ensure that I look after this amazing 'temple' body God has given me. My belief is that I need it to operate in this earthly realm , to do God's work and I am often led by the spirit to take on various lifestyle strategies. First, to preserve it well and thus allow it to work at as optimum performance as possible. This has meant that apart from prayer and reading the word, I have payed attention to diet, excercise, my thought life and choosing carefully my everyday tasks and activities as well as noting any changes that show up. 

Every prayer I received from well meaning brethren, was very much appreciated but I  just want to share that it is not always that we should be declaring scripture at someone suffering. We should also try to be like Christ who always in the first instance 'showed compassion'. Sometimes, the best way of 'being our brothers keeper' is to show 'empathy' Sometimes, it is enough to say something simple  like 'I am sorry you are suffering like this, it must be difficult to deal with.' Sometimes, it is valuable to the person to connect with your humanity. 

So,  by all means pray scriptural prayers for the person, but also show your love by using plain and simple empathetic words . Sometimes these simple words can be encouragement for the soul and a booster to help the person rise up and stand again. 

Lenten thoughts 1-An ever present help

Do you really know how present our God is?
How much he cares for every little detail concerning you?

Can you allow Him to reach you;
And bring to you riches in character?
Things of eternal value that will never perish ?

What will you change?
How will you allow your will to choose something different?

Will you let God finish His work: 
Of Renewal in you?
Will you?

Or will you hold fast
to what must go,
what must perish, 
what must die?

So that the righteousness of God,
Which He has already bought for you,
Will be allowed to spring up and live? 

Spread abroad mightily within me Lord
A new heart, a new perspective 
A changed nature that I may embrace my path with joy

So that the utmost glory is given to your name Jesus!
Our heaven sent ace.

Lara Cookey

01 March 2017