Wednesday, November 10, 2010

1 Cor 9:24 (Run to Win) by Dr. Allen Unruh


Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (archive, Facebook).

"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." 1 Cor 9:24

Allen's Reflections: The apostle Paul compared life to a race. Are you determined to endure to the end – to cross the finish line of life – and to never quit? Matt 24:13. This commands us to take charge of our lives. By their fruits ye shall know them. And what are the fruits of the Spirit? Gal 5:22-23. "They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control." Can one person make a difference? In 1768, a 45 year old Scottish preacher took charge of a tiny, poor, rural school for teenage boys. He found the boys to be unprepared and unruly, and the conditions of the school’s only building to be deplorable. Because there were so few students, the preacher had to do all of the teaching himself until he was able to convince some tutors to help him. Yet, in faithfully mentoring his few charges, this preacher started down a path that changed the world. The preacher’s name is John Witherspoon. The small, dilapidated school he took charge of is now Princeton University. And what happened to the 450 students Witherspoon trained during his 26 years [marathon] as college president forms one of the most astounding facts in American history: 114 ministers, 49 U.S. Representatives, 28 U.S. Senators, 26 state judges, 17 members of their state constitutional conventions, 14 delegates to the state conventions that ratified the Constitution, 12 members of the Continental Congress, 8 U.S. district judges, 5 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, 3 Attorneys Generals, 1 Secretary of State, 1 Vice President, and 1 President (James Madison). It’s better to light one candle than curse the darkness. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. We are commanded to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16), not sugar. Too many Christians need the faith of a mountain to move a mustard seed. When in reality, when you read what one man did who had the courage of his convictions, you realize what you believe really makes a difference. Everything you think, say and do makes a difference in the lives of the people you meet and mentor. Decide now to make your mark. As Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or it’s nothing." You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Phil 4:13.
* Dr. Allen Unruh is married to Leslee, and they have five grown children. Allen and Leslee co-founded the awesome Sioux Falls Alpha Center 26 years ago (ProLife 'marathoners'), saving hundreds of babies (and families)!

Faith Challenge: Everything you think, say and do makes a difference in the lives of the people you meet and mentor. Decide now to make your mark...[for ProLife!].

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton cancer), Jamie Simpson (special intention), Rob Rysavy (Adam Rogers mission trip to Thailand), Angi Castle (for Nicole's cancer)

Feast Day: St. Leo the Great.

Faith Quote: "The bottom line: Only what's done for Christ will last." ~ Dr. Allen Unruh

Through Christ Our Lord,
Allen

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