In Order to Succeed, You Must STAY in the RACE !

Calendar March 15, 2010 | Posted by gahomegirl
Running a race requires never giving up no matter how hard the going gets. The following scriptures describe our Christian lives as a race to be run and completed.     And as Longfellow reminds us we need to have perseverance

Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.               — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We also find that same need for perseverance in the book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

“the witnesses” are examples to us of those who have run the race and won.
Paul states that we must throw off hinderances…     What is hindering you from running the Christian race?

Act 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

What task or ministry has the Lord given to you to complete?

Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong…”

We must endure in the race until we reach the goal.

Philippians 2:16 “as you hold on to the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”

Through these scriptures we see that the Christian life might not always be easy. There might be struggles, but what is important is that we keep focused for the long haul and never give up. God intends for us to do our best. We sometimes get weary and tired. We might even think about dropping out of the race. This is the time to think about the reward of finishing well.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

What kind of finish will you have?
No, you do not run the race in vain, because you know the prize that lies ahead…

Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

What kind of reward will you receive?

2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

So the word of Lord is this:

Keep on fighting. Keep on believing. Keep on running.     Stay in the Race!

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“Stay in the Race” was one of my favorite songs to sing when I was in the youth choir … Take a look at this rendition of the gospel classic     Stay in the Race – Terri Hawkins and the NY Gospel Exposition in Brooklyn, NY
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Also take a  moment to check out these  STEPS FOR STAYING IN THE RACE taken from the sermon notebook
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Category Categories: Bible Study, Christian Success, Success  |  Tag Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,