Going For The REAL GOLD

Good Morning!! In the Bible, we find encouragement to live our lives as though we were running a race. We are called to run with endurance looking unto Jesus with faith. He is the source of all we need to live. Once we receive Jesus by faith, we must continue in faith. Just as athletes train to win a race, we have to continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus.
 
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.—Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NIV)

Athletes compete against one another but Christians compete with one another. Christians have been equipped with spiritual gifts to strengthen and encourage others in the race. Just as the first athletes ran their races naked, we must lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us. Athletes focus their attention on the marker at the end of the race. We must fasten our eyes on Jesus. 

The more we believe and trust,...the easier it becomes to cast off doubts and overcome temptations.

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Lord Jesus, forgive us when we doubt. We thank You for dying for us while we were a sinner. We are so grateful that You forget our sins, and do not want us to re-live them over and over. Please remove the shame and guilt and help us to focus on You. Train and discipline us to run the race. Show us what we need to do. We're so grateful that You love us, and are faithful. Amen.

" We live in a time when every religious channel seems to be filled with messages about power, success, fame, and fortune,...and God's Word is just another item for sale."