Recent Blog Entries

  • The Blessing of Abraham from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. God knows how to help people who are going through a hard time, for He is a delivering God. Even when our own actions have landed us there, He can bring us back from the brink of destruction. He always tells the enemy, "Let My peop...
  • Mar 17
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. Galatians 6:1 WEB.We all make mistakes. Not one of us on Earth has lived a perfect life except Jesus. Yet we tend to compare ...
  • Mar 16
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 WEB.The Apostle Paul learned to be content in whatever situation that he found himself. He saw beyond his physical circum...
View All
  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This is a group for RHM sponsored events like corporate fasts. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in things currently going on in the ministry. We love you and thank you for being a part of Refreshing Hope!
View All

The Prize Fighter

  • The Prize Fighter from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

    While on his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul spent 18 months in a town called Corinth. It was one of the wealthiest and the most immoral of the ancient cities, and Paul's letters contain several stern corrections to them, including one church member who was "having" his father's wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). 

    Paul established a church there and later wrote them two lengthy letters, 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Corinth was a large and significant city on the tip of Southern Greece, right near Athens. When the Romans conquered the area, they made it the new capital of Greece.

    The Olympic Games and sporting events were as big in Paul's day as they are now. Corinth was the center of the Isthmian Games, which were second in prestige behind the Olympics. The Isthmian games were held every six months and drew huge crowds from across Greece. 

    The Apostle Paul took inspiration from the culture around him. He uses examples taken from arena competitions at least twelve times in his letters and includes examples of runners, boxers, gladiators, chariot racing, and trophies. 

    There were dozens of pagan temples there, including the temple of Apollo at the center of the city and temples to Athena and Aphrodite. There were fountains, a theater, and a thriving marketplace. It was a beautiful city and a hotbed of immorality. Corinth had a reputation. In ancient Greek, to "act like a Corinthian" meant to practice fornication, and a Corinthian Companion meant prostitute. Aphrodite, aka Venus, was the goddess of sex and fertility and was widely popular with the Corinthians! 

    The Apostle Paul saw it as a great place to set up shop, and he worked there as a leatherworker and tentmaker, probably in the marketplace, along with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:3). So when Paul wrote this to the Corinthians, he used language they were sure to understand:

    (1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NASB)  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

    Athletes competing in the games had to train for months to join the competition. They had to exercise moderation and say no to some things which were fine for everyone else. They had a higher calling, and if they did not take their training seriously, they would have no chance of winning the prize. 

    (1 Corinthians 9:26–27 NASB)  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

    Paul now switches from running to boxing. He said he disciplined his body and made it his slave. Disciplined is a weak translation, as the original Greek text means to "give a black eye." Paul taught his body that "No means no!" Paul's body was the servant, and his spirit was the master. 

    Paul didn't mean to punish your body like some through the centuries who would whip, beat, and torture themselves to pay for their sins. Jesus Christ paid for our sins, but we need to be led by the Spirit, not our fleshly desires. The lusts of the flesh have to be brought under control. 

    Being disqualified probably does not mean losing one's salvation because a Greek's citizenship wasn't revoked if they lost the game. They just didn't receive the prize they could have. 

    Paul goes on to share the story of the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt. They all left Egypt, passed through the Red Sea, ate manna, and drank the same water, and they followed the cloud. Yet, the Lord was not happy with most of them. Then Paul says they were an example for us today.

    (1 Corinthians 10:6-7 NASB)  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”

    Eat, drink, and play was the focus of the day, and by play, it means drunken orgies. So even though the Israelites had all these spiritual privileges, they still didn't please God, for they loved the creature more than the Creator. They were not even thankful for what He had done for them, even bringing them out of slavery. They murmured and complained and wanted to go back to Egypt. 

    (1 Corinthians 10:8–9 NASB)  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.

    (1 Corinthians 10:10–11 NASB)  Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

    Fight the good fight. Forget what is behind and focus on the road ahead. The past cannot be changed, but today is the first day of the rest of your life. Pull yourself together and build yourself up in the Lord as David did. Focus on the prize. Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). 

    (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NKJV)  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

    Too many try and make the Bible toothless and remove or ignore any offensive reference. But Jesus Christ was crucified by religious people who hated Him because He told them the truth, and all His apostles except John were martyred because people were offended. The Apostle Paul was beheaded in Rome. 

    (Acts 20:29–31 NKJV)  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

    We should remember Paul and not ignore his warning:

    “If it happened to Israel, it can happen to you.”

    You can pray this with me if you like: 

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the things I have done wrong. Teach me, lead me, guide me today into all that You have for me to do while I am here. I want to be a part of what You are doing on Earth today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

16 comments
  • 3
David Krull
David Krull

Amen

January 29, 2023
  • 3
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

((h5)

January 29, 2023
  • 5
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

AMEN and AMEN, Pastor!!! You put so much into your inspired sermon today, a lesson in history, interpreting the word of God so that we can understand it, encouraging us to move forward and run the race that is set before us by our Lord God and Heavenly Father, and finally with a warning "It happened to Israel, it can happen to you"!  I'm so very grateful and thankful to be part of our RHM family! May the Lord bless you, keep His protective arms round about you and Sylvia, and provide and meet all the many needs that is my prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen!!! (h5)

January 29, 2023
  • 3
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen❣️

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

PRAISE THE LORD.  AMEN

January 30, 2023
  • 3
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!! Amen!! Amen!!

January 29, 2023
  • 3
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

January 30, 2023
  • 3
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen.

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen ❣️❣️❣️

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Father forgive me for my sins of omission and commission. Amen!

January 30, 2023
  • 3
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

AMEN. Heavenly Father, We need more of You.  Thank you for blessings always. AMEN

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette York

Father Please Forgive Me For All Of My Sins Good Morning Everyone 

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Please Lord Jesus forgive me for all that I have done wrong.  I want to follow you and do things on this earth for Your glory. Amen 

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Father, I repent of all my sins. Please guide me to Your will for my life, Amen!

January 30, 2023
  • 2
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

January 30, 2023
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Father Yahweh I want to fulfill the purpose that You created my very being (soul and flesh) for before my days here end. In Lord Christ Yeshua's name I pray this, Amen. 

January 31, 2023