The Crowns Of Men

Which crown are we seeking? The crown of glory of this world and the flesh, which passes as we pass from this life and is temporary? Or, the crown that awaits us not of this world or the flesh, which is received after we pass from this life and is eternal. The believer and the athlete both aim for the same thing, the victory and the crown. They both must go through intense training to achieve this. “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.” (1 Corinthians 9:25). The one thing that both have in common is sacrifice. Both go through physical, emotional, and mental pain and loss. Loss by giving up the things temporary for something greater. Putting first that which is greater than the present. How we direct our efforts are similar, but the reward, the ‘crown’, is much different. As believers, we will indeed go through intensive training. These are our trials and tests that our ‘trainer’, the Lord, trains us up in. The athlete is not surprised or in despair because of the intensive training they are going through because the end justifies the means. They accept, and expect, the suffering and loss gladly because of the final reward, and account it with eagerness and joy. Likewise, as believers we should also accept the intensive training, hardships, the tests and trials, with even more eagerness and joy. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12). In the end the athlete rejoices in all the hard training, suffering, sacrificing and loss they went through to obtain that crown of victory. But in the end, it perishes. As believers, the same hardships we faced, and conquered for the crown, the victory, is eternal. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (1 Peter 4:8). The athlete and the believer share the same things. The difference is that the athlete knows and expects all that they must sacrifice, and is thankful for them and thankful for all the training. They have faith and trust in their trainer. The pain and the tears of training to achieve the final goal. As believers, do we share the same feelings? Or do we constantly complain and question our ‘trainer’? Are we thankful to Him for guiding and being beside us in these times. “Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We all must choose the crown that we will pursue. Will it be the crown of seeking and obtaining all the comforts of worldly desires, or the crown for not seeking or obtaining them? We have one promise while in the process of obtaining the eternal crown over the temporal: “Even unto you old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4). Our trainer is always with us through our entire life.














“BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE GOD HAS PROMISED THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” (James 1:12)














As always, your comments are always welcomed and encouraged.

 

[marko]

agree that amen and glory to the allmighty living jesus christ =

 

[LOVERETURNS]

After deep prayer, the Lord spoke through prophet graham cooke that verse of promise to me, i had posted it about three weeks ago. This is confirmation for sure. “Even unto you old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4). The Lord is rising up even Greater Saints. I have been in that training, to be a warrior for his kingdom. I have at times questioned God through prayer, but now i'm praising and him and always thankful. He's good! Much love bro rick.

 

[Rick1]

.

5 hours ago, LOVERETURNS said:




After deep prayer, the Lord spoke through prophet graham cooke that verse of promise to me, i had posted it about three weeks ago. This is confirmation for sure. “Even unto you old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4). The Lord is rising up even Greater Saints. I have been in that training, to be a warrior for his kingdom. I have at times questioned God through prayer, but now i'm praising and him and always thankful. He's good! Much love bro rick.


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Amen brother. God bless you always. The Lord laid that verse on my heart also.

 

[Intercessor]

RIck, As I study through Hebrews from time to time I summarize it as "we have a greater High Priest (Messiah) whose council is between the two offices (Priest and King) and He suffered more than all of us (since He took thefull weight of satan's onslaught because he did like no man ever -- he didn't break. Because of that He is able to be an aide, intercessor and example to those who are suffering common temptations and ailments, since He was tested in every way as we, YET without sin. THEREFORE he is able to come to the aid of those who are suffering, and we are able to draw near the Throne of Grace to One who can sympathize with our weaknesses, and treat others compassionately -- Christians often say, "God will not give you morre than you can handle -- yes, but what we can handle is martyrdom -- the history of the whole Christian church attests to that. I have to read it again... And some good commentary... and a cup of coffee, a highlighter and a .5 mechanical pencil for little margin notes... I guess after May : )

 

[Mary Shedlock]

Thanks I fell sick when I quit smoking. I know I am being tempted to smoke. Some people disagree but a thought keeps coming to me saying 'you were not sick when you smoked so start smoking again" your words are encouraging thanks

 

[Rick1]

1 hour ago, Mary Shedlock said:




Thanks I fell sick when I quit smoking. I know I am being tempted to smoke. Some people disagree but a thought keeps coming to me saying 'you were not sick when you smoked so start smoking again" your words are encouraging thanks


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The enemy will always taunt and tempt us in the areas we are, or have struggled in. Just listen to the Lord and no one else. God bless you. I am praying with you.