| The World Cup, that football or soccer tournament, is | | | | and also in the life to come. |
| full of surprises. It is like life in many ways, because life | | | | In other words, Paul is indicating and showing us and all |
| is so full of surprises, no matter where you are or | | | | of mankind what is really worthwhile. |
| what your circumstances are. | | | | Now, here is a leader who took leadership to a higher |
| Some teams can do very well when they appear in | | | | and deeper dimension. |
| these competitions and others who thought they could | | | | When a man follows Jesus Christ, the risen and living |
| do well find that the reality is quite different. | | | | Son of God, that man is on to a winner. |
| Eight years ago there were many people shocked | | | | I continue to enjoy going out jogging and running and |
| when South Korea managed to defeat Spain, Italy and | | | | exercising but I am also seeking to prepare for when |
| Portugal, to reach the semi-finals. Not people would | | | | this physical life is all over down here. |
| have thought of South Korea as one of the | | | | As we train to be godly through reading the Bible and |
| semi-finalists. | | | | prayer, we begin to reflect something of the character |
| Did they have a secret? There are suggestions that it | | | | of Almighty God in our own lives. God calls us to live |
| was all down to the training! It has been said that the | | | | for Him and to shun and avoid the temptations around |
| South Korea squad spent more time than any other in | | | | us which can lead us astray. Although I value physical |
| training and preparation through various practices | | | | training, this type of training is much more valuable. |
| matches. They knew the secret of hard work as they | | | | The efforts of the South Korean soccer squad are to |
| strived towards their goal of scoring goals. | | | | be admired and appreciated and commended, but |
| The quality of motivating leadership must have been | | | | outside the world of sport and football, their training |
| important in that squad. | | | | really runs out of uses, in a sense. |
| Training and preparation are vital if we want success. | | | | Go for godliness. Be as active as you physically can, |
| The only place where success comes before work is | | | | but choose to be a man or woman who reads and |
| in the dictionary! | | | | studies the bible which is the Word of God, and make |
| If man will put in all this effort for a game, what ought | | | | that determined effort to pray. Prayer is hard work. |
| we be to be investing in as we prepare for the game | | | | Writing is comparatively easy. Reading and studying |
| of life? That most powerful and anointed man of God, | | | | the Bible is comparatively easy. Prayer is hard work, |
| Paul, wrote in his letter to young Pastor Timothy that | | | | but always remember that the rewards of godly living |
| physical training is good but training for godliness is | | | | yield eternal benefits and blessings, as well as a sense |
| much better. That gives the promise not simply of a | | | | of physical well-being at present. |
| mere trophy but indicates various benefits in this life | | | | |