Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish."¹

In an article in Leadership magazine, J. David Bianchin used the analogy of a basketball game. In "the 1987 NCAA Regional Finals, Louisiana State University was leading Indiana by eight points with only a few minutes left in the game. As is often the case with a team in the lead, LSU began playing a different ball game. The television announcer pointed out that the LSU players were beginning to watch the clock rather than wholeheartedly play the game. As a result of this shift in focus, Indiana closed the gap, won the game by one point, and eventually went on to become NCAA champions."

As Christian's, we know that we are constantly under attack. As God's Word says, "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith."² "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms."³

May we, Like the Apostle Paul, say, "I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."⁴

This, by the grace of God, we can do because, as David the Psalmist wrote, "The LORD is my light and my salvationâ€"whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my lifeâ€"of whom shall I be afraid?"⁵

Suggested prayer, "Gracious God, thank You for Your great salvation in the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and for all the unfathomable blessings You have in store for Your children, both in the here-and-now and in the hereafter. However, help me not to rest on my laurels, but to keep my eye on the goal and serve You faithfully all the days of my life. So help me God. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT).
2. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT).
3. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT).
4. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV).
5. Psalm 27:1 (NIV).

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