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WINNING THE RACE


What does it take to win a race? First of all you have to have the right gear and very comfortable running shoes, make sure they are as light as possible, adequate training and consistency is crucial, you cannot eat anything and everything you want but have to have a strict diet (lean meat, fruit and vegetables), sufficient rest is also obligatory for anyone who wants to win a race. "A true athlete will be disciplined in every respect, practicing constant self-control in order to win a laurel wreath that quickly withers. But we run our race to win a victor’s crown that will last forever.  For that reason, I don’t run just for exercise or box like one throwing aimless punches, 27 but I train like a champion athlete. I subdue my body and get it under my control, so that after preaching the good news to others I myself won’t be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9: 25-27 TPT).

Paul had a clearly defined goal and did not run as those who beat the air while fighting 9; 26. He had to discipline his body, he had to force himself to maintain the strenuous consistent practice needed for success because he was aiming for a prize, an incorruptible one, one not made with human hands. If we are faithful to the calling of God on our lives we will surely receive a reward from the Lord in heaven and even here on earth.

2 Timothy 4:7 Paul accomplished his divine goal here on earth, just like Paul, we need to keep the faith and fight the good fight. We must not run in vain but have clearly defined goals just like Paul did, goals which God himself has set out for us, that is doing that which God has called us to do. Heb 12:1 We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, these are people in heaven who are cheering us on, those who have gone ahead of us letting us know we can do it and that we must not give up. Let us lay down every weight and sin that so ensnares us because we cannot run a race successfully when we are carrying weight, we must keep our eyes focused on Jesus as we run this all important race and we must ensure that we are not distracted so that we can attain that for which we were created.

INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN:  1 Corinthians 9; 24-26, to obtain an incorruptible crown we must have self-control, and we must abide within the directives of biblical faith and doctrine and not operate like the world, else we will lose our reward.

CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: 2Tim 4; 8 we will obtain a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will give to all who have loved his appearing. Those who loved his appearing are those who have done exactly what the master told them to do and have finished the race successfully for they will not be ashamed when the Lord their master appears.

CROWN OF LIFE: James 1:12, Rev 2: 10 we must endure temptation to receive a crown of life which the Lord promised to those who love him. Trials, temptations and persecution will come but we must keep our eyes focused on God which is possible only by the grace of God. Those like our dear Leah who bravely confront persecution for Jesus even to the point of death will receive this crown.

CROWN OF GLORY:  1 Peter 5: 2-4 Pastors, Ministers, Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, and everyone who have been called to oversee the souls of men and to shepherd the flock of God must do it without compulsion but eagerly and lovingly for they will obtain a crown of Glory.

CROWN OF REJOICING: 1 Thess 2: 19 this is the crown for everyone who is saved, it is the crown that every true believer in Jesus Christ will receive in heaven, where God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, where there will be no more death , no more sorrow, no more crying and no more pain Rev 21:4.

No matter what you are going through, keep on the faith so that you may obtain a crown. 2Tim 2:5 if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. In our journey with God the rule is that we cannot race successfully in the flesh but in the Spirit, so we must mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk in the Spirit, else just like athletes get disqualified when they do not adhere to the rules of the race we will get disqualified. This will not be our portion in Jesus mighty name. AMEN

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