Posts from — July 2012

The Summer Olympics are in full swing, and so it is only fitting to see how many “Olympian” quotes we could find in the Bible. Here are some great quotes about races and competition that we find in the Bible.

The Olympics and the Bible - Quotes About Races and Competition

“Let the young men now arise and compete before us.” – 2 Samuel 2:14 NKJV

“And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” – 2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

“Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” – Psalm 127:5 NIV

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

“In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.” - Psalms 119:4 NKJV

“Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.” – Ecclesiastes 6:10 NIV

“The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” – Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.” – Acts 20:24 NKJV

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25 NKJV

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

“I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” – Jude 1:3 NIV

We hope you enjoy the Summer Olympics and equally enjoy our Olympic Bible quotes. There is no better race to run than the race that leads to Heaven. 0:-)

Contentment is like a double-edge sword. In life we need to work hard to achieve and better ourselves, and so if I am content I might not have the drive to do so. But if I am solely focused on my goals and aspirations I may forget to appreciate my current blessings and never be at peace. So true contentment requires a balance to be happy where you are, and to trust in where you are going. The result of such a balance is a crown of peace, or as it is said in today’s quote – you will have a crown called “content”.

“My crown is called content: A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.” – William Shakespeare, King Henry VI

We find this quote in Shakespeare’s King Henry VI, and although it has a sense of wisdom to it, it is not really Biblical. The words in this play were spoken by a deposed King Henry who had an encounter while wandering the countryside. He was simply stating that he was content not being the king, and that such contentment was not afforded a king who invariably has much responsibility and care. So what does the Bible say about contentment?

The Apostle Paul has a famous passage about being content, where he says that he knows how to be exalted and how to be abased, how to be both full and how to be hungry. His point: ”Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”. (Philippians 4:11 NJKV). Yes, Paul had learned the secret of true contentment and how to balance the seeming contradiction that being content presents. And that secret is no secret at all; it is faith.

Like Paul of old, we can walk that same path of contentment today. He has taught us that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and in that he is referring to the small things and the great things. This is how we can be content: have trust that God is with you today in your current circumstance, and that He holds your tomorrow in His hands. In this you can be happy for today and aspire for tomorrow in contentment.

So as we trust in the Lord, today we can wear a crown that is called content, and tomorrow we can wear the crown of eternal life. Be still, that is content, and know that He is God. And if you have the chance, Philippians 4 is a great read.

See more William Shakespeare quotes.

We have read in the Bible that “you reap what you sow” and have even written about it in a post about God and karma, i.e., what comes around goes around. Or in other words, we should expect to receive according to what and how we give. Today’s quote goes along with these lines, but has a slightly different twist – it’s about expectation.

“She who plants weeds cannot expect to pick flowers.” – NCIS  TV Show, 2011

Often times in life we see people unhappy and even angry about their circumstances, and yet when we see their behavior it’s no mystery as to how they got to where they are. If you treat people badly, then why should you expect to have friends? If you eat and drink all of the wrong foods, then why be surprised if you have health problems?

And then there’s the more spiritual side of life – yes we want to be blessed, but if we want to receive blessing, then we should BE a blessing to those around us. And so if we plant righteousness and blessing where ever we go, then we should not be surprised if we are blessed. But if we plant sin, indifference and selfishness, then we should not be surprised if we have no joy in our lives.

If you want flowers, then you must plant flowers. And how do we plant “flowers”? Try this simple exercise: for every person you meet, see how their life could be even just a little bit better because they knew you. And if you’re not planting flowers then don’t be surprised if you end up picking weeds.

There are a lot of crime-oriented programs on TV these days and they tend to use inspirational quotes. Today’s quote was actually found on the wall of a woman’s prison according to information about the NCIS episode.