PUT THE PAST AWAY

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The Past, Behind You Green Road Sign Against Dramatic Sky, Clouds and Sunburst.

A good friend of mine in his eighties said, “If Father Time doesn’t get you, Mother Nature will!” This causes us to reflect upon the brevity of life, and the seriousness of serving God. James asked, “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14 NKJV). Life is brief, our days are few, and the time is evil; therefore, we must seize every opportunity to serve Christ. In the book of Hebrews, we read: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2). Continue reading “PUT THE PAST AWAY”

Marathon Man

By

Shelby G. Floyd

finishing-a-marathon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few years ago the Summer Olympics were held in China. Athletes from all over the world were competing for the top prize—a gold medal of honor and glory. The New Testament abounds with allusions to the ancient games conducted in Greece, Asia and Rome. A few examples will suffice:

• “Run in a way as to get the prize.”—1 Corinthians 9:24
• “…Exercise yourself to be godly…”—1 Timothy 4:7
• “…run with patience the race marked out before us…”—Hebrews 12:1
• “…if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”—2 Timothy 2:5 Continue reading “Marathon Man”