I want to live my life with God placed front and center. My darling friend I hope you do too.
When I made the decision to go all in with God several years ago, I had no idea that I would be running a race, one that He had clearly marked out for me. At the time I was just excited to surrender my life to Him. It didn’t take long for me to realize that if I wanted to run a good race, I would have to commit to training, discipline, and perseverance.
The Bible Says:
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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
My Thoughts:
Training, discipline, and perseverance are so important to living a successful Christian life. A life that is filled with the Fruit of the Spirit, and blessed abundantly by God. I want to live the life God has planned for me, seeing all His promises come to pass.
BUT IT’S NOT EASY. IN FACT SOMETIMES IT’S REALLY HARD!
We may not always feel like training, we may not always want to be obedient, and honestly we may become discouraged and tired. It is in these exact moments that we need to dig our heels in, and NOT give up, not even for a second. If we do give up, we abandon our blessings, we abandon the promises God has given us, and forfeit our inheritance. This is exactly what the enemy wants us to do.
I’ve learned to develop a training plan, one that works with my life. I place effort into keeping on tract, applying self-discipline even when I really don’t want to, and I’ve learned to persevere through the distractions of life and stay on course. How?
#1- I Study God’s Word Daily:
We should view this as daily training for our spiritual muscles. There is no better way to fix our eyes on Jesus that reading God’s Word. When you let God’s Word become the standard of excellence you strive to achieve, He will give you the strength needed to endure the race. You may only have a few minutes a day, and that’s okay. Just make sure you connect with God through His Word. Let God’s Word guide your life.
Helpful Resource:
Scripture Reading, Memorizing, & Reflecting
How To Develop An Awesome Bible Reading Habit!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
-Psalm 119:105
#2- I Live Out God’s Word:
Don’t just be a hearer of God’s Word on Sunday’s and an occasional Wednesday, but live it out in your life. Practice becoming disciplined and obedient by applying God’s Word to your life, every single day. This will help us renew our minds, throw away the things that hinder us, and help us avoid sin. Soon you will find you are running with power and strength, because God blesses those who live a life obedient to His instructions.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
James 1:22
#3- I Pray-Constantly!
Prayer helps you establish a deep personal relationship with God. There is no right or wrong way to pray, just talk to Him. He is always listening! Remember that we can lean on God, and ask Him for the strength needed to run a good race. Never hesitate to connect with God, He will help you become more disciplined and persevere through life struggles.
Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:16
Helpful Resources:
8 Spiritual Disciplines: Two: Prayer
Prayers, Petitions, & Intercessions
How To Pray & Fast for your Family & Top Priorities
#4- I Serve Others:
I find when I feel the weakest in my race, if I do one good thing for someone else I am immediately strengthened and refreshed. Look for ways to do good and show love to others often if you want to run a good race.
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
-James 2:17
Helpful Resources:
8 Spiritual Disciplines: Five-Service
#5- I Get My Praise and Worship On:
Praise God on the good days and the hard days. Worship Him through your struggles. I keep a play list of songs ready like Surrounded (Fight My Battles) and Build My Life ready. I know that praise and worship can change an atmosphere and my mind-set. There is strength and power in taking a moment to praise God for His goodness! It reminds us that He is faithful! He is good! And He loves us! The race may be challenging at the moment, but His promises are good! It is worth overcoming the challenges to gain the prize!
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Helpful Resources:
5 Areas to Bring Worship Music into Your Day, Worship
We are running a marathon, not a sprint, so we must view these things as more important than other worldly distractions in our lives. They are necessary, not optional. The enemy will do his best to distract us from doing the things that he knows will help us win the race. If we are lacking in proper training, discipline, and perseverance we become easy prey, and our race becomes more challenging, like an up hill battle in 90 degree weather carrying a bolder.
Thankfully we can lean on God with each step we take forward, and thankfully He will give us His grace on the hard days. We must train hard, be disciplined, and have perseverance in the above five areas of our lives. When we do we will not only be running the race in which God has planned for us, but we will be able to shine He’s light through us, setting the example for others!
A PRAYER FOR YOU:
Father,
Allow my life to be a testimony to Your faithfulness, goodness, and grace. Father, show me through training how to lay aside all my burdens, and through discipline help me abstain from all sin. Help me renew my thoughts and keep them set on the ways of Christ, not of this world. Father, I desire to run the race you have set before me with willingness, readiness, and cheerfulness. I know that if I train hard, keep my self disciplined, and run with perseverance, you will provide the patience, strength, and courage necessary to win. Father, I desire with all my heart to run a good race, because I know the prize, and I want to inherit all the promises you have for me!
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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