By Pastor Krizia Vega | September 15, 2019 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize”. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, NLT) “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified”. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27, NLT) We have a daily challenge as Christians as revealed here by apostle Paul—it is to NOT GET DISQUALIFIED from the race of faith. REVELATION: God said, “The only thing that will disqualify you from this race is when you choose to QUIT NOW”. QUIT. One action. NOW. One opportunity. What will determine if you will still be in the race tomorrow is the choice you will make in your challenges today. What’s your choice today? To apostle Paul, quitting was never an option. “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one”. (2 Corinthians11:23-24, NIV) “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move”. (2 Corinthians 11:25-26, NIV) “I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.” (2 Corinthians 11:26, NIV) “I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:27-28, NIV) To most of us, if we have gone thru even just one of these, we would have EASILY QUIT. To apostle Paul, quitting was never an option no matter how difficult things are. How do you KEEP THE FAITH in the challenge/s you’re facing today? 1. REMAIN in the Race. We leave the race the moment we lose hope in God and give up to defeat. We remain in the race when we:
a. “Let Go and Let GOD” be God
b. Give in to His Perfect Will for your life “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation”. (Psalm 34:1, ESV) “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”. (Galatians 6:9, ESV) 1. RUN to Win. Run to WIN means RUN to get the PRIZE. But our PRIZE is not material (will fade away) but everlasting life (eternal). “The church should switch from SURVIVAL MODE to REVIVAL MODE! The bible says God’s Kingdom is an ever-increasing kingdom. It is not a status quo kingdom or a shrinking kingdom.” – Pastor Allen Gallegos, Pastor of CSB Las Pinas We run to win when we:
a. Run with training and discipline
b. Run with a purpose “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified”. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27, NLT) “You were taught…to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness…And give no opportunity to the devil”. (Ephesians 4:22-24, 27, ESV) When you REMAIN IN THE RACE and you RUN TO WIN, we become like Paul. Quitting is no longer an option. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. (2 Timothy 4:7, ESV) Keep the Faith!