Boxer

​Pound for pound Manny Pacquiao may be the best boxer ever.  Born December 17, 1978, Manny is not just a Filipino fighter; he is also a politician, musician and actor.   Given his popularity, he may be his country’s president someday.  Manny is the first boxer to become an eight-division world champion.  He won six world titles and is the first man to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes—an astounding accomplishment.  The Boxing Writers Association of America named Manny the “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s.[1]  

​For a long time, life was difficult for this Filipino hero.  The fourth of six children, Manny watched his mother divorce her husband after discovering he was living with another woman.  At the age of 14 he dropped out of high school and moved to Manila where for a brief period he lived on the streets.  Today he is married to Maria Geraldine “Jinkee” Jamora, and they have four children.  Not surprising, “Pacquiao is also a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army.”[2]

Boxing fans love watching Pacquiao because he gives his all when he competes.  His professional record is 53-3-2.  When asked the key to his success, this humble man gives all the glory to God.  A devout Roman Catholic, every time he returns from a successful fight abroad, he attends a thanksgiving Mass in Quiapo, Manila to kneel and pray.[3]   
 
Meditation
1 Corinthians 9:25-27—Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air.  Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
 
Four times I fought in a ring and three times I lost. One time I faced a leftie and the referee had to stop the fight I was getting beat so bad.   If I had to make my living boxing, my family would starve.   But in the ring of life, I don’t ever want to be disqualified. When I live in such a way that I know God is displeased it hurts.  My goal is to receive an imperishable crown.  So I train hard by disciplining my body, my mind, and my spirit to serve Jesus, the Savior of the world.  Like the Apostle Paul and like Manny, I give Him all the credit for my being and doing. The One who gave His Son for me deserves full allegiance and respect.  He is the One who makes life worth living!  
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How about you?  What are you competing for and what kind of crown will you receive?  Let’s pray that what we are and do is a tribute to the One before whom we will bow! 
 
©2011 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 
 


[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manny_Pacquiao
[2]Ibid
[3]Ibid