Today I continue my series of running devotions for My TEA CUPP for Athletes & Runners Book & Journal. I pray these will be a blessing to you and you will be encouraged to PRESS ON! Hope you are inspired as you exercise your faith!
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 to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
Training. Strict Training. Those are tough words. Tough athletes know what this means: Getting up early each morning to do a workout, even before the sun comes up. Eating healthy meals and avoiding sweets. Skipping late night events so we have a good night’s sleep and are ready to do it all again the next day. Over and over again. Persevering. Never giving up. It’s not the race that’s the hard part, it’s the training.
That’s how an athlete trains, but what about a Christian? How do we train to be Christians? The verse above from 1 Corinthians 9:25 tells us we do the same thing. We go into strict training to receive a crown that will last forever in heaven.
What does this Christian training look like? Much the same as an athlete…Strict training.
Getting up early each morning to seek the Lord, spending time in God’s Word, reading our Bibles and praying even before the sun comes up. Then when it’s light we can go out to exercise.
I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:47 (NKJV)
Living a healthy lifestyle, giving thanks to God for the food He provides.
…be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience. Titus 2:2 (NKJV)
Skipping activities that don’t glorify the Lord in favor of ones that do…time with family, worshiping our Lord, serving others.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Getting a good night’s sleep so we can do it all again the next day…
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NKJV)
And asking others to pray for us...
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NKJV)
The Runner’s TEA CUPP: How are you doing in your athletic training? How are you doing in your Christian training? Pick one area to work on this week and keep pressing on each day to glorify Jesus, the Son of God. You can do it, dear friend! He is helping you!
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NKJV)
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011