1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 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. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 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.
I am thankful for Christ coming into my life as Lord and Savior 45 years ago and for Him being with me every day since.
We’re in this race.. It’s a marathon .. 45 years for me…
So for that race, we need to discipline our bodies, our habit, our thoughts. May we grow in spiritual disciplines.
Here are 3 disciplines of prayer we can develop:
Revelation 2:3-5 (NLT) 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first![a] 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
1.We need to remember. Remember what it was like to be lost? To be hopeless?
I too well remember that feeling how I was heading the wrong way and hopeless.
Thank you Jesus that I’m not hopeless but rather with greater discipline to finish, to win this race!
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) 20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2. We need to repent. Which means to turn. To crucify my will, my opinions, my flesh, my desires to turn in the direction for where He wants to take me and allow Him to align me with His directions, His plans and His ideas.
3. Renew it all! Renew our faith! Be filled with the Holy Spirit again and every day. Lord I want all you have for me. Renew my desire for spiritual gifts, but Father, I want more of you. Renew your commitment and availability to God. Renew your zeal and your vigor. God’s not interested in our abilities unless it’s our availability. Renew your disciplines before the Lord!
