not to forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Paul had no reason to look back at what the world's trash was offering him. Paul was willing to accept human disapproval.

Why? Because he knew having great was found in God's approval. His spiritual training in this race was to reach his goal; the prize was Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14). In this race, there is no time to dwell on your past.

One of Satan's spiritual "Pothole" tricks while you’re running towards Jesus is to throw a "Guilt Grenade" on your course. Guilt can make you look back and slow you down, making the finish line seem further away.

Mature Christians must realize that they are not ethically perfect, but they tirelessly press onward for higher spiritual attainments (Verses 13,14). Paul urged all mature Philippian Christians to hold his attitude.

No one in the body of Christ has arrived spiritually. We are not sanctified yet but are in the changing process through sanctification. To be more like Jesus is a lifelong race. We press on towards maturity from milk to meat.

The church (body of Christ) as a whole must stay like-minded in this race to attain the goal. There are times when the church sets itself off course from the world’s corruption outside and from immature mindsets inside.

Paul was confident that God would reveal their erroneous fleshly thinking to them (Philippians 3:15-20). The body of Christ must not drag the world's system in this race towards the place Jesus has prepared for us.

The weight of the world on your soul only slows you down when running in this race. God is always moving. Jesus is always moving and encouraging you to not give in to the world's empty promises.

Paul instructed Timothy to exercise his spiritual body. Physical exercise has its place behind the spiritual body. What does it profit you to win many earthly trophies and prizes only to lose your soul later? (1 Timothy 4:7-10).

When you focus on the world's training regiment and not on the spiritual training course, (Seeking God first in that days race, prayer, reading your Bible daily, meeting with other believers), you render yourself spiritually ineffective.

That's why Paul gives us the laid-out plan once we enter the race. (Romans 10:8-13). The Holy Spirit helps guide you with nourishing spiritual fruit during your life's course. (Galatians 5:22- You are also given armor to run in. (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Imagine having armor to move as briskly as David did when conquering Goliath, his enemy. Remember what David told Goliath about his brash words. David had all he needed to run against the enemy of Israel.

"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV).

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. (1 Samuel 17:47 KJV).

You see beloved, the Lord is on the racecourse with us. He fights our battles the same way he encouraged David to stand against the giant in his life. Satan will attack the narrow course Christians walk and run on. He doesn't attack unbelievers on the wide course.

Why not? Because he already has control of them. Read the two courses of life Jesus spoke about. (Matthew 7:13-23; Luke 13:24-30). We all come into this world on a wide course. Why? Because we cannot save ourselves.

This is exactly why Jesus came. We are in a race with the devil to still, kill, and destroy us. If your life ends on that wide course your soul is lost. Jesus came to give us a new 180 turn and give us his course to run this race on.

It comes with direct comments from the Apostle Paul. 24} "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25} And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26} I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27} But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV).

 

The word mastery in the Greek is (agōnizomai). This word describes the intense struggle or contest of an athlete striving for victory. It's related to a runner or wrestler exerting every ounce of strength to win a prize.

This isn't about prideful forceful dominance but self-control and spiritual discipline. Paul argues that if earthly athletes endure strict training for a perishable crown, believers should exercise even greater self-mastery.

[Our self-mastery should be for an eternal, imperishable crown. Jesus uses the same root word (agōnizomai) to command his followers to strive or struggle to enter through the narrow door. (Luke 13:24).]


🗣📢 Last words: So, born-again believers on the narrow course, run with vision from God and have purpose. They run to get the prize, Jesus. They plan and discipline themselves along the way. This prize is an eternal prize.

Yes, Satan is on that course bombarding us with all kinds of spiritual land mines, traps, and harmful temptations. But remember and be encouraged today, Jesus is on the course with us. John 16:33).

As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. We train diligently to get to our new home. We are just pilgrims passing through this broken society. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith alongside those in church, Amen?

As we do each week, let's go over our daily recap each week to strengthen our hearts and mind.


🏁 The Posture of the Runner-

Most sporting events involve looking ahead not backwards. Can you imagine looking backwards when you see a 285 lb linebacker zeroed in on you to absolutely crush you? Your eyes are perfectly positioned to see what's ahead.

To win a different prize, you must stop looking backward. You cannot run forward effectively while staring at the past, whether that past is defined by yesterday’s failures or yesterday's trophies. (Luke 9:62).

God is always ready to do a new thing in your life. Stay on his course. Don't become a back-slidden lost sheep. (Isaiah 43:18-19; Psalm 119:76; Jeremiah 50:4-8).

Once our posture is corrected and our eyes are wiped clean of the past, we realize that running this race requires a daily, intentional momentum. We don't just stand at the starting line admiring the view; we have to press forward.


🏁 🏁 The Pace of the Runner-

Many people are running towards Jesus but are missing the mark. The mark is not religion, church attendance marks, works, human achievements, good deeds, religious rituals, Bible knowledge alone without a living relationship with God.

The prize requires active endurance. It is not about a sprint of emotion, but a steady, resilient press through trials, distractions, and fatigue. You are straining forward because the prize is worth the effort. (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Missing the mark means going back to the beginning. Let me repeat the qualification again. (Romans 10:8-13). This keeps you from hitting these marks and missing the prize. (Galatians 5:19-21; 6:6-9).

Stretching your spiritual muscles and enduring the pace of this life only makes sense if you know exactly what is waiting for you at the end of the track. Paul shows us that the finish line holds something far greater than earthly goods


🏁 🏁 🏁 The Prize of the Runner-

Paul was not focused on the crown as he was the giver of that crown. Most of us are not worthy to tie the laces of all the great patriarchs in the Bible who loved God and Jesus. The crown symbolizes righteousness.

We strive to live righteously as we walk and run on this narrow road. We are imperfect but the Spirit of God sees us as righteous because of the blood Jesus has applied on our behalf. This eternal crown is a reflection of Christ in us.

This ultimate reward is not a life of ease on earth, but the crown of righteousness and the face-to-face presence of Jesus Christ. It is a prize reserved for everyone who longs for his appearing. Do you love Jesus? (James 1:12-16).

A well-named person recently said some very powerful words about America. I will leave the person nameless. "If we want a better America … It starts with better Americans."

"There is no other way. I realized that even believers could be overcome by the exhausting nature of living in a fallen world." But America will fall if they turn completely away from Jesus. Nehemiah saw the brokenness of Israel.

And what did he do? He wept, he mourned, and he fasted, and then he prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:3-11). Yes beloved, the church is in a fight. Our country calls evil good and good evil.

We even have individuals who think a Holy God would make a mistake in their identity, so they now run in races as a different gender. God truly loves them, I truly love them, but a perfect God does not make biological mistakes.

Satan is the enemy of your confusion, not Jesus. Jesus placed you in the womb just as he saw you. (Psalm 119:73; 139:13-18; Jeremiah 1:5; 18:4-6; Isaiah 49:5; Genesis 1:27; 2:7).

Therefore my beloved transgender friends, Our identity is given to us by God. It is not defined by culture, experience, or environment; he has the prior claim to us. Thus, he is Lord of our gender and sexuality.

We are all in a fight and battle for our soul. Satan is the liar behind all our troubles in this world. We (the church) are in race training. Christians fight the good fight and persevere to the end. The Christian life is a f8ght against evil force

This battle is from without and temptation from within. If we stay true to God through it all, he promises an end, a rest, and a crowned victory. Jesus admonished his disciples that in this world they would have tribulation.

He didn’t cover it up or sugarcoat the truth. He is all-powerful to conquer kingdoms of darkness and to bring down strongholds. He lives to love, redeem, restore, and give hope and grace.

Church, tomorrow morning the world will invite you right back onto its treadmill. It will offer you prizes that look shiny but weigh nothing in eternity, which Satan uses to persecute, discourage, and lead you to death.

When you walk out into your community, remember that you are running for a different prize. Stop settling for trophies that stay behind in the dirt. Keep your eyes on the upward call of God, finish your course, keep the faith, and claim the crown that has your name written on it.

Don't keep your eyes on the "Whitehouse," keep your eyes on the "Lighthouse!" (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:1-17). Race for the lover of your soul. This is where our true eternal Commander and King reigns forever!


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray to get in the race of eternal life. "Heavenly Father, thank you for shining your light on my life and on your church. I now know you are the lover of my soul. You are the Savior of my soul.

Lord, you have captured my heart. You have not called me (us) to run an aimless race. Forgive me (us) for the times we have poured our time, energy, and hearts into chasing prizes that do not satisfy and cannot last.

Today, we reset our gaze on you. Lord Jesus, I pray for every person who has searched "Try Jesus" and feels weary, distracted, or tempted to quit the race. Jesus, please pour out your supernatural encouragement upon them right now.

Give them fresh strength to forget what is behind, new endurance to press through the middle of the track, and an unwavering faith to see the eternal crown waiting at the finish line. Help them to be strong in the power of your might.

As we step out and follow you Lord, help us to realize that we are living for a different kingdom and chasing a different prize. Let your peace guard our hearts and your joy be our strength. We carry your armor and sword in victory.

Jesus, we love you, we praise you, and we run hard after you. You told us, "this is the way, walk ye in it." We will not turn to the right or left. You are the lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. Thank you, Lord, we pray, Amen."


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