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GROW UP INTO HIM

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." (1 John 3:2,3).   Scripture declares that we are now the sons of God.   Sonship is not a state that we must earn, wait for, or work toward.   When a male child is born or adopted into a family, he becomes a son immediately.   He does not become more "son-ish," or more "sonny," over time; he is already 100% a son from the beginning.   What is not clear, however, is what that son will become.   It does not yet appear what he shall be once he is fully mature.   It is apparent then that as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we must grow up and mature.   It is natural for every living thing to go through a state of growth; and when this does not occur, then we know something is...
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THE PRISONER OF THE LORD

It could well be said that the apostle Paul knew the inside of a prison very well.  Commentators generally agree that he spent two years in prison in Caesarea between 58 - 60 AD, was imprisoned in Rome between 61 - 63 AD, spent time in a maritime dungeon in 68 AD, and was jailed in Rome again that same year.  He also saw the inside of a Philippian jail.  Altogether, Paul spent seven years of his life in various prisons.  Rather than being bitter about his lot, he instead seemed to take pride in being the "prisoner of the Lord."  He firmly believed that whatever his lot, God had a plan and a purpose for everything that came into his life as a Christian.  In Romans 8:28, he acknowledges that, "…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose."   Paul expanded on the theme of God's providence in all things in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians when he wrote, "Blessed be God, even the Father...
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RUNNING THE RACE

Anticipating the seemingly super-human effort of the athletes at the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, I have to think about the preparation and training that these men and women go through for such accomplishments to be possible.  They all start their training at an early age, and all commit their lives to becoming the best at his/her sport.  The hours and years that they each spend perfecting their technique and strengthening their body, as well as the personal sacrifices that each has made, have paid off in making them the best athletes in the world.    Thinking about the dedication and sacrifice of all the great athletes that will compete, I’m reminded of Saint Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians where he writes, “ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8).   Fur...
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