Good morning all!
Father, we know that You are the architect of this race in life. We know it is not given to the swift, not given to the faint but only those that will get up each day and run it with endurance. Lord, keep us, guide us and give us the strength today to run with all the passion and conviction so that others would follow, Amen. There are many types of races, from the 50 yard dash to the 26 mile marathon. The goal of course the finish line, the question, will you run?
1 Corinthians 9
1Cor 9:24 KJV – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
You do realize we ALL run in a race, but there’s only one way to receive the prize? So run in such a way that you will get it.
1Cor 9:25 KJV – And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Every person that trains hard to be the best will usually apply themselves. But even then, whatever it is they obtain it will NOT last; but we which run receive what which will last forever
1Cor 9:26 KJV – I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
So I will run, but not as though I’m unsure about God; I will fight, but not as one that uses words:
1Co 9:27 KJV – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
But I will KEEP my life under control, and bring it into obedience to God: lest there be anything I do, that when I declare to know God, folks would cast me away.
Bottom line
Picture it…we all run for that which is our true motivation in this life. Money…jobs…relationships…pleasure…God. We’ll all run out for lunch today because we’re motivated by hunger, that might be considered the 50 yard dash. Then I pray we run after God…yeah, that’s whole lot more than lunch, that’s more like the marathon. When we treat our relationship with God like a 50 yard dash, He gets the hour on Sunday but after that we might not run too hard to please Him.
Psa 63:8 KJV – My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. Okay, now picture this…there is someone that is usually is a pace setter for a race, right? Who do you think is setting the pace for this race? Yea, His name is Jesus Christ. This verse is so beautiful, all that is required of us is the follow after Him as hard as possible…the rest of your life He holds in His right hand. Of course He’s speaking of our heart, when we truly have a heart for God our life will follow His precepts and not ours.
Mat 6:21 KJV – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. When we believe the greatest thing any of us can obtain in life is a real relationship with Christ, we’ll find our heart pursuing Him will all the passion and commitment we have. If He’s not our greatest treasure, our passion and commitment will be directed towards whatever you’ve given preeminence over Him. Paul also warned the Galatians about this, it’s either a life that lives to satisfy our flesh or satisfy our faith.
Gal 5:7 NIV – You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? What keeps us from obeying God’s word?
Gal 5:13 NIV – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. You want to know how to run well? Don’t use the freedom God gave you to exalt your position, instead serve others humbly…that means without manipulation as though they owe you something and do it with LOVE. What keeps us from running a good race? Fear? Worry? Anger? Un-forgiveness? Greed? This is what makes our life
of faith a marathon, when we face these situations in life we gotta keep on running, we should still obey the truth. This is the message of the resurrected life of Christ, less than that isn’t the truth…it’s lie.
Gal 5:24 NIV – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If our flesh was crucified on the cross two thousand years ago and all my natural passions and desires along with it, that means anytime I experience those feelings…fear…doubt…anger…bitterness, it’s a lie. Christ was resurrected
from the dead, NOT all those negative emotions and feelings that get in the way of us living by faith. You feel me? There are three things that should exist in the life of a Christian, three things needed to run this race…this life. It’s our spiritual ready…set…go!
1Th 1:3 NIV – We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Wow, can you see it this morning? What should WE remember? Faith tells me I’m ready always even if I don’t feel like it, love is the course of this race I keep my feet on and I will ENDURE to keep both them always through all difficult circumstances because I’m INSPIRED by OUR Lord Jesus Christ…let’s all run after Him and win!
Point to Ponder
You want a big heart? Psa 119:32 KJV – I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Run hard after His word and He’ll do the rest…go big or go home!
Let’s all run the race with passion, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends
