Olympics for God

                We are currently in the midst of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Top athletes from 204 countries around the world are competing this year. You may ask what the point of the Olympics is. Is it to see which country is the most athletic and get the most medals? No, that’s not quite it. First, I’ll give some insight on the ancient Olympics. The first Olympic Games, in 776 BC, were originally intended to honor Zeus and other deities in Olympia, as well as resolve the constant civil war among the Greek city-states.  Only free born male citizens were eligible to participate. They began training as early as one year before the games and then a month before the games they were required to move to Elis or Olympia for final training. At most, there were only 14 events in four days, compared to the current 36 games in 17 days, which could only be observed by free men. The first day of the games began with a sacrifice to the gods, for the games were meant as religious tributes. What did the winners get? A crown of olive branches and a statue erected in their honor, to each winners likeness. The Greek games eventually were forbidden in the year 393 by the Christian emperor of Rome, Theodosius, due to its Pagan influences. In 1896, a Frenchman re-established the Olympics. Why were the Olympics chosen to be set in August? Because the nights were long so the games could be played well into the night.   

                In 2012, the point of the Olympics is for countries to get together for international cooperation, not religious purposes. Both male and female athletes are eligible to compete and the games continue to be played every four years at different cities around the globe. The competitors win gold, silver, and bronze medals and media attention.

                We’ve recently heard that one of the top American gymnasts, Gabby Douglas, who is just 16, credited her ability to defy gravity to God. How great is it that she was unafraid to declare God’s name to an international audience! According to NBC, Douglas said:

“I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory

goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”

                Seeing the Olympians should remind us that, as Christians, we are running our own Olympics for God. We each have our own special spiritual gifts God gave us. Instead of competing against each other for gold, silver, or bronze medals, we are working together to bring others to Christ. We are fighting this fight, running this marathon, for the reward of everlasting life in Heaven.

“Endure hardships with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian

affairs-he wants to please his commanding

officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive

the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.”

-2 Timothy 2:3-5

                I have two brothers who both served in the military. My older brother was in the Marine Corp. and my twin brother is currently in his third year of an eight year contract with the Army National Guard. What happens when they disobey the rules? They have the possibility of being dishonorably discharged. There have been many Olympians disqualified due to rule breaking. What happens when you disobey God’s rules? You are discharged and kicked out from the kingdom of God, just as Satan was, unless you repent before your death or the second coming of Christ. You won’t retrieve the crown of righteousness unless you play life by God’s commandments and orders.

“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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to

get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I

do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.

No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached

to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

-1 Corinthians 9:24-27

             

               The Olympic athletes only get temporary treasures. Who are the players of the games that Paul is talking about in his letter to the church at Corinth? The players of the Olympic Games. They only get temporary treasures: crowns of olive branches and statues that are destroyed. Today, they receive medals that can rust or be stolen.  They train for months, and even sometimes years, only to earn something that can be destroyed (Matthew 6:19). Paul makes a terrific point that they spend all this time to earn something that does not last. So why don’t we spend our life fighting fleshly desires and earning something worth so much more than a gold medal (Matthew 6:20)? We are in the same type of training spiritually. We are running in the Olympics of God’s Kingdom. We train by reading his word, through prayer, through fellowship and coming together with the body of Christ and his people. We also have to discipline ourselves by not doing things that are unhealthy for our spirit. We too need to train, be around similar spiritual athletes and will be on display in a way that people will admire our love and dedication for God’s Olympics and His Kingdom! Don’t live life without a destination in mind. Strive to be rewarded with a place in Heaven-a prize that lasts for all eternity.

A Lesson Learned From Habakkuk

                 Habakkuk was a prophet in the Old Testament. He was the eighth of the twelve minor prophets collected in the Old Testament. Little is known about him besides what facts we can gather from the book of Habakkuk. It is uncertain about the period of time that he lived but it is assumed that it was around 612 B.C. The book contains five oracles about the Babylonians and this was around the time of their rise in power. Although the book only contains three short chapters it is still important. We should live by his example in our prayer life.

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do

not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’

but you do not save? Why do

you make me look at injustice?”

-Habakkuk 1:1-3

                In the first four verses of the book, Habakkuk is questioning God how He can tolerate the sin and evil that is happening. He tells God there is no justice and great strife. The Lord’s reply is that He has plans for the Babylonians. He tries to console Habakkuk and put peace in his heart.

“Look at the nations and watch- be utterly

amazed. For I am going to do

something in your days that you would no believe,

even if you were told.”

-Habakkuk 1:5

                Habakkuk makes a second complaint. He says that the Lord just looks on at the violence and the strife that is among the people of Jerusalem. Habakkuk compares Babylonians like fishermen and the rest of the world like fish. He says that the Babylonians conquer nations and destroys them as they get rich off of them.

“You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures

that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he

catches them in his net, he gathers them up in

his dragnet; and so rejoices and is glad.”

-Habakkuk 1:15

                God, in return, says that Babylon will eventually be judged and destroyed. The Babylonians work in vain and will be judged for gaining unearned wealth. The Babylonians worship idols and cause others to fall into sin. This won’t last long though according to 2:3. The end will not come right away but it will happen at its appointed time. In the third and final chapter, Habakkuk realizes that everything happens according to God’s will.

“Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity

to come on the nation invading us.”

-Habakkuk 3:16

                We can relate this story to the leadership of our country or the terrorist attacks that happened on 2001. We can even relate it to bullies in our schools and workplace. We can pray and pray that God will change their hearts or punish them. Sometimes we might feel God is taking too long and we never cease to encounter conflict. We lose hope and question how God can let these people bring harm to His people. God will take care of them in due time. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that there is a time for everything.

                At first, Habakkuk complained and tried to move the hand of God. In the end, however, he came to realize the truth and reality that we should all recognize. If our prayers aren’t answered right away, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t hear us. He will answer them if and when He sees fit. It doesn’t mean He loves us any less; after all, He gave His one and only begotten son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Although from the Old Testament, the testimonies throughout this part of the Bible can be related to our everyday lives in 2012 and beyond.

“Consider what God has done:

Who can make straight what God has made crooked?”

-Ecclesiastes 7:13

The Bible and Politics

              The presidential elections are being held this year in November and the candidates are going on their campaigns. Everyone is starting to decide who to vote for and others are choosing to remain loyal to their registered party. But for a moment, let’s forget about political parties. What’s really important is what the person stands for and what their moral values are. Who is going to bring God back into our country? Is there anyone at all? What needs to happen is for the voters and citizens of our country to listen to what the candidates have to say and what’s important to them.

                Who should Christian voters vote for in 2012? All of the candidates profess faith in Christ, but faith does not equate to a calling to be President, nor does profession of faith equate to faith. In the past, many have touted their relationship with Jesus to draw support and votes from Christians during the primaries, only to turn their backs on us during and/or after the general election. America does need a righteous leader, one who is wise and capable and experienced, one with strong leadership ability. Ultimately, elected officials remain responsible under God for their actions and decisions, and we need to pray for whoever ends up in office.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,

intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings

and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives

in all godliness and holiness.”

-1 Timothy 2:1-2

                The issue is not whether we want a God-fearing president who will lead America well. Of course we do. The issue is that a church leadership or church body might back one candidate over all the others, as though the voice of God had spoken. One pastor may support the candidacy of Rick Perry and another pastor might support Barack Obama. The fact that a church leader backs a particular candidate does not necessarily give God’s view on the matter. Voters need to do their homework.

                First, we must recognize that God ordains who should lead.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,

for there is no authority except that which God has

established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

-Romans 13:1

                The bible constantly states that leadership is a position given by God. That does not mean that those who became leaders obeyed God or served Him well. There are plenty of kings and rulers in Israel who turned away from God and followed their own desires. Yet, God still gave them the position for His purposes.

                The United States is a representative form of government, which means that the people of America have far more control and responsibility over what happens in their government than do the citizens of a dictatorship or a kingdom. The United States was formed as a government of, by, and for the people, and Christians have the same civic duties as all citizens. However, it seems that the leaders of our country, whether in the judicial, legislative, or executive branch, are becoming more tyrannical. Wicked leaders cause a country to fail, and that is what is starting to happen to America.

“By justice a king gives a country stability, but one

who is greedy for bribes tears it down.”

-Proverbs 29:4

“A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving

rain that leaves no crops.”

-Proverbs 28:3

“Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked

man ruling over a helpless people.”

-Proverbs 28:15

“When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”

-Proverbs 28:28

                Also, our nation’s government should not be so large. A smaller government is better for the country as a whole. Once one man becomes wicked, he poisons the whole system (Proverbs 29:12).

“When a county is rebellious, it has many rulers,

but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.”

-Proverbs 28:2

                Regardless of how leaders conduct themselves, either in their personal lives or in carrying out their official duties, they must be obeyed. But their ungodly examples are not to be copied. By respecting those who hold offices through the authority and permission of God, we actually show respect to God Himself. While their personal conduct may be far from praiseworthy, even to the point where some corrupt the very government that they represent, they are still appointed by God to preserve order and punish law-breakers and wrongdoers.

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must

obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what

they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up

heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are

not willing to lift a finger to move them.”

-Matthew 23:2-4

                However, the salvation of the world ultimately lies in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, not the messy thing we call politics. Government decisions are important but only the blood of Jesus can save us.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.”

-John 14:6

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given

among men, whereby we must be saved.”

-Acts 4:12