OUR DAILY BREAD             Wed., March 1, 1995
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READ:  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

                 "BROTHER DONKEY"

    "I discipline my body and bring it into
        subjection, lest...I myself should
               become disqualified."
                                -- 1 Corinthians 9:27

One of the early church leaders referred to his body
as "Brother Donkey."  Like that hardy animal with
a reputation for being stubborn, his body served him
well as long as he placed it under firm discipline.

In today's Scripture reading, the apostle Paul wrote
about this matter of self-discipline.  Using analogies
from athletic competition, he said we must be just as
zealous about our spiritual training as athletes are
when they compete for a prize.  That's a big order
when you consider the hard work and personal discipline
that a world-class athlete endures to become an Olympic
contestant.

Paul said, "I discipline my body" (1 Cor. 9:27).  The
Greek term for "discipline", says the scholar Henry Alford,
means "to strike heavily in the face, to render black and
blue."  The apostle was speaking figuratively, of course,
but his message is clear.  If we want to be winners of
our spiritual marathon, we must discipline ourselves:
reading the Bible, praying, loving self-sacrificially,
forgiving freely, and rejecting every sinful thought and
inclination.

Lord, help me always to do what is right and to reject sin
so that I will never become disqualified in my service for
you.

                                -- Herbert Vander Lugt

        If you'd be a winner, Christian,
                Over every sin,
        You must yield your  mind and body
              To God's discipline.

                                -- Hess
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
-----------------------------------------

            Victory is the fruit
        of dedication and discipline.
-----------------------------------------

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Joshua 7-9

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Our Daily Bread,  Copyright 1995,  used by  permission  of Radio Bible
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