Spirituality Information |
Heaven Bound: Win The Race!
Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ." Nothing is out of reach when you put your heart into it. Think about it. Who sets the boundaries and limits in your life? We tend to define ourselves; establish our own boundaries. With God, there are no boundaries, only greatness. It is easy to forget who we are and why we are here. It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the end reward; however we must always remember to where we are going. You were chosen by God, created to fulfill His dreams and purpose. Often times so much focus is placed upon ourselves and our own objectives, we forget the reason for which we were created. Just as you dream, He also dreams. Long before you were created, God had a dream and from this dream came your marathon. For His purpose, you were created. Throughout the Bible, God refers to the race and gives a specific training recipe for victory. Are you ready to be a champion for Him? First, you must go into strict training in preparation for the race: Do you know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it for a crown that will last forever. Therefore do not run like a man aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 These verses tell us that the race will not be easy. It will take hard work, discipline, sharp focus and sacrifice. Sure, it would be easier to sit on the sidelines and be a cheerleader for others. But, I challenge you to join the race and discover what great things God has dreamed for you. William James said, "Most people never run far enough on their first wind, to find out what they have on their second." The race will be tough and you will face many difficult challenges. Remain steadfast on your journey. You will tire, but do not give up. You will struggle, but persevere. I challenge you to look inside yourself and find your second wind. Develop yourself and your skills to success. Prayer, study and worship will help you develop stamina and excitement for the race, even when you think your tank is empty. Second, you must turn all of your strength and energy toward winning the race. Not that I have already obtained this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-13 Putting God first and living a Christian life is a challenge. It will take all of your focus and energy. Keep your eyes on the prize and do not look back; there will be time for reflection at the finish line. In every aspect of your life, keep your mission in focus. Losing sight of the prize could cost you the race. Consider not only "what would Jesus do" (WWJD) but also "what would Jesus think or say?" Let Him coach you to victory! Thirdly, you must exercise your muscles of faith. Just as you keep your physical muscles strong, your muscles of faith need strengthening as well. Like an athlete, you too must develop a training regimen for Christ. You will be a stronger Christian and live a more fulfilling life. Make time each day to praise Him. Spend time in the Bible. You could read one passage per day or maybe a Psalm or two. Praise Him through prayer or celebrate Him through song. Find time each day for you and Him. It is the thought that counts. It could be as simple as having a special candle in your home that you light in His honor. Such a life will be an example to others, drawing them and yourself closer to the ultimate prize. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 In today's world, physical fitness indicates strength and good health. It does not matter how physically fit you are physical death is inevitable. How many times have you heard of perfectly healthy people dying of a heart attack? Through building spiritual muscles, you will press onward through tragedy and stress to achieve God's eternal favor. With God's training program, you are guaranteed victory. Finally, you must fight the good fight now and to the end. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-not only to me but also to all who have longed for its appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Daily, you will face the challenges of the enemy who is bent on tearing apart your faith. The enemy will focus on your passion, knowing if he can destroy it, you will fall away from God. He will offer you shortcuts for the race. He will offer easy success. I caution you. If you take shortcuts during training, you only fool yourself. When the time comes to perform, the shortcuts will only make you a fool. God's grace is without shortcuts. He offers it freely without an agenda. Luckily for us, He has given us the instructions for success through the Bible. All that is asked is that we follow and serve Him. God is awesome and His reward unimaginable. He never said that it would be easy. Get in shape. Stay committed to His program and one day in Heaven you will receive His promised gift. Keep your eyes on the prize and look to Him in the winners circle. Copyright Anthony Mullins Elite Coaching Alliance 2005 Anthony Mullins is the President and Life Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in personal, leadership, marriage, relationship and family, christian based coaching. He is the author of the upcoming e-book "Finding Fulfillment in and Unfulfilling World". He can be reached by e-mail: anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com or by phone at 770.587.3545. Visit our new website http://www.elitecoachingalliance.com
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Building the Bridge of LOVE - Dont You Think Its time? One of the saddest times in any child's life iswhen for some reason they think one or both ortheir parents are going to be taken from them. Inthe mid-nineties on one of their tours Naomi Juddannounced to the world that she had hepatitis andwould retire from the country music business. The Mystery of Purpose Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" -George Bernard ShawThat was the moment that changed his life! Michael would never be the same again. That Sunday morning in church, Michael had a revelation. Evangelical Skepticism: Pursuing Your Right To Be Wrong Michael Shermer speaks with the energy and passion of an evangelist, so it's not too surprising to learn that he used to be one. What is surprising is that he has made a 180-degree turn in his approach to belief. Keeping The Faith Well I had a website that I was posting on but have since decided my writing works should be meant for friends and family .I have been writing articles on and off for awhile now. The Power of Angels -- An Interview With Rose Ann Schwab, Part Two Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional clairvoyant psychic medium. Her gifts are finely tuned and have high credibility with 95% accuracy. Spirituality: Impersonating Jed McKenna "No man is a prophet in his own country."That line keeps running through my mind as I sit over lunch with my sister who I haven't seen in several years. Ego - Why Do We Have One? Why do we have an Ego?Almost all spiritual guides say that we must eliminate or dispose of our ego before we can reach enlightenment. If this is true, then why did our creator burden us with an ego to start with? Would it not have saved considerable struggle just to let us be born with only a spiritual side and not have an ego to fight with all the time? A fight that most people seen to loose. Gods Name... Creation and Undoing! Over the past number of years, while going through my studies and research, information and answers come to the surface that are most astounding. I have come to understand things differently than I was taught in years of Catholic schooling. True Will Some may ask what is the true will of God and how do I obtain it? Well let's see what the Bible says. Look at Psalms 40:6 it says Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Willing to Walk with Jesus? Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? - Amos 3:3 What does it mean to "Walk with Jesus?" One paraphrased version of this verse from Amos says, "How can we walk together with your sins between us?" A. W. Praying To Overcome Invisible Entry Barriers Recently, I received a frantic midnightcall from one of my readers in Atlanta.A member of his was facing a foreclosure on their home in just a matter of days. Be Aware of the Supreme Deceiver (Part 1) One cannot read the account of Benhadad and Hazael in God's word not be overcome by a certain sense of sadness. You recall Benhadad was ill and sent Hazael to the prophet Elisha to make inquiries regarding his recovery. Life is like Golf In the golfing world, yesterday may have been oneof the most exciting and long awaited days in thesports history. "The Masters" golf tournament isthe most prestigious championships in all of golf,but no more important than to the man that won it. Becoming Enlightened Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is an experience of regaining our perfection in God or Christ consciousness, and words alone cannot express the joyfulness and peace in that discovery. God energy is perfect energy, and because we are God's offspring, so are we perfect. Jesus Christ: One Can Reach God Only Through Him - Is this Statement Correct? Catch the express or the super fast bullet train. If we are able to reach our goal the purpose is served. No Other gods Before Me The passenger had to be carried onto the plane and carefully strapped into a first-class seat. She said nothing. Spirituality: Enlightening Cinema "Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. Lance Armstrong had it Right-- Every Second Does Counts! I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency and nutrition for over twenty years. Every time I go to the gym I observe people, their training tactics and their workout habits. Seeing the Big Picture Sometimes, in traveling a path, we discover a short-cut, and we reach our destination in less time-and with less effort than we thought, when we began the journey, would be required of us. On the path to self-awareness, however, there are no short-cuts. A Mothers Battle The tongue is such a tiny little organ. Yet, it can be one of the most powerful weapons. |
home | site map | contact us |