Quote from Forum Archives on November 29, 2010, 4:54 pm

Posted by: edwrather <edwrather@...>

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The Burning Bush Devotional
Welcome to the 2731 new subscribers since January 1, 2010!!
There were 1367 new subscribers during 2009!!
Classic from 2002

11.29.10

Growing Pains

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes
for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus:
not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached
to others, I myself should become disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 9:23-27.

It is amazing what pain people will put themselves through, in order to
approve their appearance, from botox injections to major cosmetic surgery.
The most shocking, and painful thing I have heard of lately, is called the
Ilizarov procedure. The procedure is used to hopefully, add a few inches to
a person's height, by breaking the bones in the thighs, or shins. Special
leg braces, which must be adjusted four times per day, are placed on the
legs to pull the bones apart. This painful process is continued over a
six-month period, and then there is still three months of recovery that are
necessary. The procedure is very popular with younger Chinese men and women
who hope to improve their professional and social situation. One woman said
that after the procedure is completed, "I'll have a better job, a better
boyfriend, and eventually a better husband. It's a long-term investment."

For us to grow as Christians, it is necessary that we too endure some pain.
We must be just as dedicated, and steadfast as a marathon runner. We must
persistently continue on with the Christian disciplines that we know are so
very necessary to our growth. A daily intake of God's Word is essential
(Matthew 4:4), and some things may have to be sacrificed to bring that
about. It may be necessary to wait until the evening to read the morning
newspaper. It may be necessary leave the television off until after we have
completed our morning Bible study. It may be necessary to wait until later
to think about some things at work, so that we will have time for prayer. It
may be necessary to give up some time at the lake fishing or swimming, so
that we will not forsake the assembling with other believers.

There will be some pain involved in the Christian life if we want to be
"temperate in all things" as Paul says. Being temperate is to have
temperance, which is a fruit of the Spirit, and means self-control
(Galatians 5:23). In order to resist temptation, and control our earthly
lusts and desires; bringing our bodies under subjection, we must experience
the pain of discipline. We can run the race, and win the prize, but not
without the pain of discipline.

The apostle Paul had a greater fear of disqualification, than he did of the
pain of discipline, and we should too. The pain of discipline in the
Christian life is the greatest long-term investment that anyone can make.
How large is your investment?

Copyright © 2002-2010. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush
website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email
version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent. Ed Wrather began
writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of these first
devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent to prison
facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

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