August 8 -- YOU Are a Winner -- Budapest

The Olimpic Games are started in Rio. What fun to watch, if one finds time for that.  But, also great fun to let your imagination soar.

Wow, think of it -- you are young and in peak health; you are part of a community of thousands of other prime healthy young people in great health and having the emotional high of a lifetime; both hormones and emotions are running strongly; and you have just won the gold metal ! !

Oh, it was not for all around gymnast or for ice skating.  Those glory sports are watched by everyone all around the world.  But, it was still gold !  And it was because your strength and endurance were matched up with your genius strategy and flawless execution.  You won the GOLD ! !

You are amazing !  Sports clothing manufacturers from all around the world want to pay you to pose with their products.  Your home town wants you to come for a parade and party.  You have already gotten 2 marriage proposals and several other sorts of propositions from other athletes.  YOU are amazing.  Just think about all your feelings as you are flying home from Rio with that GOLD medal in your possession.

ONE MOMENT -- rewind the scene.  This time you go to Rio, on the first day as you arrive, the Head of the Olimpic Committee walks into your room in Olimpic Village.  He asks your room mates to leave. And when the 2 of you are alone, he pulls out your GOLD medal and hangs it around your neck.  He tells you that because your older brother was such a champion, the Olimpic Committee has awarded you the GOLD medal as a gift to you.  Yes, they know you could never have earned it but you get your medal as a gift anyway.  

NOW . . . 

You are amazing !  Sports clothing manufacturers from all around the world want to pay you to pose with their products.  Your home town wants you to come for a parade and party.  You have already gotten 2 marriage proposals and several other sorts of propositions from other athletes.  YOU are amazing.  Just think about all your feelings as you are flying home from Rio with that GOLD medal in your possession.

How different your thoughts when you know the medal was a gift earned by someone else.

In real life, every good thing in you and about you is actually a gift.  Each has been given to you by Papa God.  The only one who earned His gifts was Jesus.

Let's remember and be humble.

His, thus Yours,

  Stuart

James 1: 16 - 18. (NASB)

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

I Peter 4: 7 - 11. (NASB)

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.