Wednesday, December 9 – THE RACE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

What is your goal in life? Do you have long-term and various short-term goals? The goal that God has set for you is eternal life forever with Him. When one measures these few years on earth against eternity, there is just no comparison. If you have received the upward call from the Lord Jesus Christ it is a worthy goal to press on towards. For the Christian this life is a RACE. And anyone who runs it well can win the prize. Not like the laurel wreath with which they crowned the victorious athletes in the ancient Greek races. The prize the Lord gives is priceless. What would a person give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:37) When Jesus lays hold of a person’s life, he can forget about what lay behind him and constantly press on and reach for the goal that Christ has set. His promise to believers is that He will strengthen and encourage them every step of the way. And His way is not cumbersome, for He goes before and behind you. Let the Joy of the Lord be your strength today, dear one. Let Him garrison you about,  to keep you from falling. Fall in step with His Master Plan for your life. Christ’s sufficiency is enough to keep you from stumbling. But even if you do He will pick you up and allow you to go on with the RACE. He infuses His strength for your every weakness. “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 3:20) Have you ever traveled to a far land and gotten homesick? At first the new culture, the new terrain and language and people and sights are exciting. But after a time you long for the better and more familiar ways of your homeland. If you follow Christ your citizenship and homeland is in Heaven and the way you live your life must exemplify that. If you try to get ‘all the gusto’ there is in this life, it would appear that you serve a master other than Christ. That is not to say a Christian should not enjoy this earthly life to its fullest, because Jesus said He wants you to have an abundant life here on earth while serving Him. Examine your heart and see whom you serve and which RACE you are in. There are those who are running and struggling for the top which brings power, prestige and wealth. But what happens when they leave this short life? You can ask the Lord each day to set your priorities straight so that He is the Master Trainer in this RACE. He will supply your every need, so run the RACE single mindedly, not looking behind but always pressing forward each new day. The rewards are great!

TODAY’S PRAYER: Father, thank you that with Jesus at my side and living in me I can press on each day, joyously awaiting the time when He will take me to my heavenly home. In Christ’s name. Amen

Enlist others into the RACE. Always look for an opportunity to witness Jesus’ love. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Someone has called Philippians 4:19 a blank check on the Bank of Faith to be filled in by the believer as need arises.” – H. A. Ironside (1876-1951)