Return to the Homepage Home
 Worship Schedules, Education, Fellowship, Outreach Worship & Service
 Sermon Archive Sermons
 A copy of the Sunday Prayers of Intercession Prayers
 Pastor Lynne's monthly newsletter Pastor's Page
 Articles and tidbits from the monthly newsletter Newsletter
 This month's events as well as the monthly calendar Current Events
 Read the Sunday School News Letter! Sunday School News
 Events for grades 7 to 12 Youth
 Other websites of interest Links
  
 Login to Administer this site Admin Login

St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church
2903 McPhillips Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA R2P 0H3
http://www.stlukeszion.ca

Phone: (204) 339-0412
Fax: (204) 339-0412
E-mail: stlukeszionchurch@gmail.com
site design by clayton rumley

 

February - The Spiritual Olympics
Monday, February 1st, 2010

click here for past entries

 

The Spiritual Olympics
            A number of years ago, I took a course on the history of athletics in ancient Greece. One of the sources that was quoted was (of all people) the apostle Paul. As he wrote to the church at Corinth, Paul was speaking to people who were quite familiar with the various “Games” that were held in the region. And so, he writes the following:
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one (1 Cor. 9:24-25).
Paul continues by talking about disciplining himself in such a way that he will not be disqualified.
            In other words, Paul is saying, “Look at all of the time and effort and discipline that athletes put into trying to win the prize. Isn’t eternal life worth so much more time and effort and discipline?” It seems a timely question with the Winter Olympics looming.
            I am always amazed by what athletes are able to do after weeks and months and years of training. Their skill and strength can be absolutely amazing to watch. Yet, I am also aware of how much time and effort and discipline it takes to be able to perform at such a high level. While some have natural ability, it doesn’t happen all on its own.
            Well, as Paul recognizes, spiritual maturity and strength don’t happen all on their own, either. In fact, there are even things known as “spiritual disciplines” that help us to develop our spiritual muscles. Here are some of the things that help us to “get into shape,” spiritually speaking:
1.        Prayer – Spending time in God’s presence, both speaking and listening, is imperative if we are to grow in our relationship with God. Prayer includes silence, thanksgiving, confession, praise and intercession (asking for what is needed).
2.        Reading and studying the Scriptures – We grow in our knowledge of God through Jesus as we grow in our knowledge of the Scriptures. We also hear the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts through God’s Word.
3.        Observing the Sabbath – We all need a weekly day of rest as well as regular worship times to nourish and sustain our souls.
4.        Generous Giving – In giving for the good of others, we grow in our thankfulness, our trust in God, and in spiritual maturity.
5.        Fasting – Many have discovered over the years that fasting can set the mind free to focus on spiritual matters and on prayer.
6.        Meditation – A form of silent prayer, meditation that focuses on Jesus Christ can help keep us centered and renew our spirits.
7.        Putting our Faith into Action – As with our muscles, faith doesn’t grow stronger unless it is used. In fact, it shrivels up when it is not exercised. Stepping out in faith is never easy, but it helps us to learn that God is faithful and will work through us if we allow it.
Certainly, spiritual disciplines take time and effort. Yet, aren’t eternal life and salvation and spiritual health worth it?
 
  In Christ,

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

 
           

 


Previous Pastor's Page
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
July 2021
June 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
December 2001
June 0217