(Journal 5/29/07)
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.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” .
Philippians 3:13, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”
2 Timothy 2:3, “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 5 Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. 6 Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will give you understanding in all these things”.
Hebrews 11:40 says, “For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race”.
It’s been a long journey as I run the race towards the goal of claiming the prize. One thing I have learned from this section of my life's journey is, in a race, there are many who will ran with the same goal. Yet, it’s all up to me whether to pursue and finish it to reach a place of destination, a place I call, “spiritual land of inheritance.”
For three years, I have been running in a unique kind of race, like an athlete hurdling between being a wife, mother, student and worker. Most often than not, the road has been rocky. Each lap requires tedious work, focus and discipline. It takes a lot of hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. Along the way are sufferings and falls but His grace has been sufficient that I am able to endure.
It all started with a dream then it built up into a desire. That desire sprouted a vision. A place of destination requires godly vision which shows us the path to take. In a vision, we see God’s direction and based on that same vision, we hear God’s instructions.
Genesis 15:1, “Afterward the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
Genesis 46:2, “During the night God spoke to him in a vision.”
Numbers 24:4, “who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with eyes wide open.”
Numbers 12:6, “And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to me! Even with prophets, I the Lord communicate by visions and dreams.
I also realize that I cannot arrive at my destination without complete obedience and unconditional faith. And with faith comes His provision of spiritual power, physical strength and material sustenance. Matthew 9:29 says, "According to your faith, be it unto you".
From the devotional, "Come away, by beloved", it says:
"My promises are of no avail to you except as you apply and appropriate them by faith. In your daily walk you shall be victorious only to the degree that you trust Me. I can help you only as you ask. I will meet you at every point where you put action alongside your prayers. Only as you walk will the waters of adversity be parted before you. Overburdened as the world is with trouble and sickness, I need those who proved My sufficiency in everyday, personal experience to lead the suffering to the fountain of life. I need those who have found Me as burden bearer to help bring deliverance to the oppressed. Never begrudge time given to chronic complainers, but recognize in each encounter the opportunity to speak a word that may lead to their liberation. No case is too hard for Me. Never be taken by surprise when I use you to change a pattern. Do not judge a man by what he appears to be, but see him as what he can be if he gives himself unreservedly to Me.
Luke 7:1- 10, “When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went back to Capernaum. 2 Now the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4So they earnestly begged Jesus to come with them and help the man. "If anyone deserves your help, it is he," they said, 5"for he loves the Jews and even built a synagogue for us."
6So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8I know because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this or that,' they do it."
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!" 10And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.
That's real faith in action.
Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. Oftentimes, we give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded at the end. Let us not give up in our efforts to seek God. Let us continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to us graciously.
As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of corporate prayer and support, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. We must work extremely hard and be patient. It’s never easy but we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him.
I may have not arrived at my place of destination as of yet but in faith, I am already a winner, though I continue to run the race, for I believe in my heart, I have arrived at my “spiritual land of inheritance.”
So be it.
1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.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” .Philippians 3:13, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”
2 Timothy 2:3, “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 5 Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. 6 Hardworking farmers are the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will give you understanding in all these things”.
Hebrews 11:40 says, “For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race”.
It’s been a long journey as I run the race towards the goal of claiming the prize. One thing I have learned from this section of my life's journey is, in a race, there are many who will ran with the same goal. Yet, it’s all up to me whether to pursue and finish it to reach a place of destination, a place I call, “spiritual land of inheritance.”
For three years, I have been running in a unique kind of race, like an athlete hurdling between being a wife, mother, student and worker. Most often than not, the road has been rocky. Each lap requires tedious work, focus and discipline. It takes a lot of hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation. Along the way are sufferings and falls but His grace has been sufficient that I am able to endure.
It all started with a dream then it built up into a desire. That desire sprouted a vision. A place of destination requires godly vision which shows us the path to take. In a vision, we see God’s direction and based on that same vision, we hear God’s instructions.
Genesis 15:1, “Afterward the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
Genesis 46:2, “During the night God spoke to him in a vision.”
Numbers 24:4, “who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls down with eyes wide open.”
Numbers 12:6, “And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to me! Even with prophets, I the Lord communicate by visions and dreams.
I also realize that I cannot arrive at my destination without complete obedience and unconditional faith. And with faith comes His provision of spiritual power, physical strength and material sustenance. Matthew 9:29 says, "According to your faith, be it unto you".
From the devotional, "Come away, by beloved", it says:
"My promises are of no avail to you except as you apply and appropriate them by faith. In your daily walk you shall be victorious only to the degree that you trust Me. I can help you only as you ask. I will meet you at every point where you put action alongside your prayers. Only as you walk will the waters of adversity be parted before you. Overburdened as the world is with trouble and sickness, I need those who proved My sufficiency in everyday, personal experience to lead the suffering to the fountain of life. I need those who have found Me as burden bearer to help bring deliverance to the oppressed. Never begrudge time given to chronic complainers, but recognize in each encounter the opportunity to speak a word that may lead to their liberation. No case is too hard for Me. Never be taken by surprise when I use you to change a pattern. Do not judge a man by what he appears to be, but see him as what he can be if he gives himself unreservedly to Me.
Luke 7:1- 10, “When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went back to Capernaum. 2 Now the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish leaders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4So they earnestly begged Jesus to come with them and help the man. "If anyone deserves your help, it is he," they said, 5"for he loves the Jews and even built a synagogue for us."
6So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8I know because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this or that,' they do it."
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!" 10And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.
That's real faith in action.
Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. Oftentimes, we give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded at the end. Let us not give up in our efforts to seek God. Let us continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to us graciously.
As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential disciplines of corporate prayer and support, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. We must work extremely hard and be patient. It’s never easy but we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him.
I may have not arrived at my place of destination as of yet but in faith, I am already a winner, though I continue to run the race, for I believe in my heart, I have arrived at my “spiritual land of inheritance.”
So be it.
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