Ready for the Game

   This week Fairmount Christian Church is having Vacation Bible School and even the adults have their own time of learning. The topic is how God prepared David to face Goliath taken from 1st Samuel, chapter 17.
   Our lesson uses sports to illustrate how practice, practice and more practice is used to build strength, stamina and endurance to ingrain within the athletes the tools they need to win the game.
   Much like preparing for winning a championship or Olympic game, God wants us to be prepared to "win the crown of life," James 1: v.12. Unlike the athlete though our playing field is in the spiritual realm. It cannot be fought and won accept through the study and practice in God's word.
   David didn't realize that God was preparing him ahead of time to face Goliath. As David watched, walked and sometimes ran to protect the sheep each day, God was building David's physical strength. The more David used his slingshot against the lions and bears, the more accurate his aim became.   David also had faith in God that became deeper as he studied and prayed daily.
   God also uses our life circumstances to prepare us for the work and the battles we face or will be facing. He will often use our trials and the hardships we go through to prepare us for something ahead. I have often wondered why God allowed something in my life, then to only look back and think, "Wow! I now see why."
   God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. We have to be willing to put into practice His word daily to "...press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: v. 4 KJV

Romans 5: vs. 3-4 KJV
3. "And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience,
4. "And patience, experience, and experience, hope."