G.O.L.F.

Golf has been around for many years.

15th Century in Scotland near Edinburgh.

King James the 5th of Scotland (relative of King James 1st who authorised the KJV)

First ever 18hole golf course was built where? Scotland which is the St Andrews Course.

“Golf is an exercise which is much used by a gentleman in Scotland……A man would live 10 years the longer for using this exercise once or twice a week.”
Dr. Benjamin Rush

Now I play golf because it’s challenging. Every time I play there’s always something new to improve on. Abit like our Christian life. Our walk to become more Christlike. Now they say people play golf to get an extra 10 years but what we should be taking part in is for eternity. Our spiritual exercise. We’re not here to talk about that kind of golf. We’re going to talk about spiritual golf. The hardest course you’ll ever take part in. You have to be ready to commit for the Lord and be ready to sacrifice for the rewards in heaven for Gods glory of course. Golf course? Get it anyways…

Reading for our devotion are 

Luke 6:38

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." 

Romans 8.38-39

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, not any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Philippians 1:20-21

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

Psalm 37:4

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." 

Giving

Not about tithes and offering giving I’ll leave that to pastor but are you giving your all? Yes? No? Maybe? If you’re unsure on Luke is says. Now God wants to bless you but there also times where we think the Lord wants to teach here. He wants to show us a lesson. And when times gets tough in life. In golf, you just have to remember and focus on your basics. Grip, stance and swing. As a Christian, that’s faith, prayer and leave it to the Lord. When life’s gets tough on you don’t worry. Remember your basics. And give it all to the Lord. Your service for Him. Giving it all to the Lord! Your best! In song leading, choir practice, track distribution. Give it your best for the Lord. Because however you want to give maybe 25%, 50%, 75%… guess what, the same measure will be given unto you.

Luke 6:38 KJV- Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Overcoming

It’s time to over come your fears brethren. Whatever that is stopping you from giving your best to Lord. Over come it! What’s stopping your spiritual goal,  overcome it. Because the bible says as long as you are persuaded… not by your friends, family or by you’ve seen on fb. As long as you’re fully persuaded with your own thoughts, own choice and that you are 100% aware and at capacity to make your own decision then nothing can separate you from the Love of the Lord. You won’t be alone in facing those trials and tribulations. That hardship you’re facing? That difficult hole in golf? Smile through it all not because other people are watching. But because you know God is with you.

Romans 8:38-39 KJV- [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Living

ohhhh (expression and song)….living on a prayer. Are you? It’s a natural occurrence that we focus more on the materialistic things in life, the best and finest things in life. The big house, the fancy cars the nicest clothes. Some people gets influenced by social media, groups of friends or simply by different motives. But the question is… are you living your spiritual life- your best? Or are you happy just attending every Sunday, singing for the Lord, listening to pastor and then the rest of the week… sometimes you don’t even turn up to Wednesday prayer meeting. What does that say about your spiritual life? And also we should be proud members of IBBC the church of God. We preach Christ. Not only on Sundays. ALL DAY EVERYDAY. Paul said in Philippians. Do live life to the fullest not only your physical but especially your spiritual because for us to be alive is Christ. It’s because of the Lord.

Philippians 1:20-21 KJV -[20] According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Follow your goals

Goals- what’s your goals in life? Now why stop there? We 2 forms right? physical and spiritual. So we are more aware and more in-thought with our physical goals- lose weight, savings, purchase, dream holiday. Spiritual goals- Save a lost soul once a month, increase your own tithes and offering to maybe 10% or 20% for the Lord, or how about… inviting one person to church once a week. What’s your spiritual goal? And actually aim to do it. Don’t just set a goal and pat yourself on the back well done Ry. You can sit down now with your favorite coffee and play games all day. You’ve not actually done anything you’ve just set your goal. Set your spiritual goal with God in your mind and you’ll never go wrong, or left but you’ll be all right.

Psalm 37:4 KJV- Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Conclusion

Before we end the night let’s set some goals let’s spend 2-5 minutes. Set some goals for your self, write it down. Make note of it and have a set date. You don’t need to share it with anyone but make that commitment between you and the Lord. Make it intimate. Just between you and the Lord.

Written by one of our brother in Christ, R. J. Umadhay