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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International. |
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Run the Race
All athletes
are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade
away, but we do it for an eternal prize.1 Right now, the
World Cup is going on. In this event, many countries compete against each other
for the same prize. All the athletes participating are highly trained professionals
who have endured and are fighting to win. These athletes have to prepare and
train intensely, have unwavering discipline, and have to dedicate themselves to
the game. The race that
athletes have to run is very similar to that of a Christian. As Christians, we
have to endure trials, train, and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to God. We
do not need to train physically for worldly gain, but instead, we train for
godliness (1 Timothy 4:8). 1 Corinthians
9:25 teaches that athletes are disciplined in their training to win a worldly
prize that will fade away, but we are disciplined in our training for the prize
of eternal life. We train by reading the Word, studying the Word, and putting what
we learn into practice. Not only are we called to be disciplined in our training,
but we are also called to win (1 Corinthians 9:24). There is really no point to
run a race without the goal of winning. We need to run our race working towards
the prize, which is eternal life, and run with purpose in every step (1 Corinthians
9:26). So, as Hebrews 12:1-3 says, Let us run with endurance the race God has
set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who
initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured
the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor
beside the throne of God. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you will not become weary and give up. Suggested
prayer: Dear God, thank you for initiating and perfecting my faith. Thank you
for promising eternal life if we are disciplined in our training. This race we
run often gets tiring and makes us want to give up, but we know that if we keep
our eyes on you, we will not grow weary. Please help us endure to the end, Lord.
In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. 1.
1
Corinthians 9:25 (NLT). Today’s
Encounter was written by: Gianna B. |
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