THE OLYMPICS

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                THE ORIGINAL OLYMPIC GAMES

Somewhere  I read once that the original Olympic Games were VERY different
than they  are now.   There were no Gold or Silver prizes.  Cheating and
steroids were out of  the  question, for the games were games of Honor (the
honor of Manhood).  

The  contests  were  not so much a matching of abilities among the athletes,
but  an  effort  to produce the VERY BEST demonstration of strength and
ability.

The  athlete who was able to produce the best was given a simple piece of
papyrus,  which  he took  and laid at the feet of the idol Zeus (the sun god).
He was thus offering to his god,  the best that could be achieved by any
participant there that day.

In  some  ways, they put us to shame.  So many times we expend more energy
 and  time  for things which do not pertain to God and His Kingdom than we do
to improve our ability to  do His  Bidding.   There  is  so much of a
competitive attitude, even in  the  ways  in  which  we worship God.

The Word, the Spirit, and Prayer are often robbed of the priority God intended
for them to have in our lives.  Thus our Spiritual growth is stunted, and we
are not what we should be.  We are often Spiritual "runts" instead of men and
women of stature.

I believe Paul had the right idea when he wrote to the Corinthians.

I  Corinthians  9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but
 one  receiveth  the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 

I Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible. 

I Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as
one that beateth the air: 

I  Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection:
lest that  by  any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway. 

I often ask myself the question, "Is that the best you can offer to God?"  Can
I further refine my character, in order to present to Him a better sacrifice
of my self?

Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because---

I Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual
[gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 

fretwell@aol.com

http://members.aol.com/fretwell/private/index.html

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