DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  I CORINTHIANS 9:24

(24)  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.

DO NOT GIVE UP!

Brethren, we are all running races in this world;  we start running our races on the day when we come out of our mother's womb, our birthdays are registered, and counting of our days on earth begins;  firstly, we have to learn how to suck milk either from our mother's breast or from feeding bottles, that is our first lesson we have to learn, and the list goes on and on; we keep learning one lesson after another until our last days expires on earth; we are in races everyday and at all times, there are never dull moments when there are absolutely nothing to do;  from birth to adolescence, we go through all kinds of mood changes, first we want to grow up so fast, be an adult so we can be our own selves, when in college, we want can't wait to graduate from school, so we can get jobs, make money and buy whatever we desires; then final moments comes around, we graduate from college, find ourselves jobs, make the money we always wanted to make, but find out that there are bills waiting to consume our hard earnings; we tell ourselves, if I get married, things will get better; therefore, we get married, only to find out that there are more responsibilities involved, and we do not have the peace and quiet we used to have any longer; some will stick to marriage lives, while others out of frustrations will get divorce;  when we have our own children, we find out that we have more burdens and responsibilities to make sure that they do well in life, and the struggle continues until we grow old and sleep in death; therefore, from our birth to death, knowingly or unknowingly; we are running races of life;  however, let us ask ourselves this question; at the end of our races in life, what proofs do we have to show to Jesus Christ, that we run our races well, and what types of rewards do we expect to receive from him?;  these are points to ponder!

Brethren, whether we like it or not, we are all running races in life; and someday, our races will end, however, days, hours and moments when our races will end on earth cannot be determined by our own human thought processes, but Jesus Christ has the time tables for our lives; therefore, in our races, let us make sure that we include him into our schedules, do his will, persevere with spirits of endurance to finish lines of our races on earth; during our races, there will be testing moments, let us not get disappointed after testings moments are completed and we receive unfavorable results; for there are rewards or punishments awaiting at the end of our lives;  Apostle Paul said in the book of Philippians 3:14;"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." therefore, let us not run our races on earth in vain, but press on, fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith; because of the reward set before him, he suffered and died on the cross of Calvary; took our shame and sat down on the throne of our Father, as an advocate of all humanity; therefore, as believers, let us use him as an example of how he endured sufferings from evil people, and let us be encouraged to persevere and forbear no matter what prevails against us and keep our eyes on our rewards of golden crowns and life everlasting.

CONCLUSION:

Dearly beloved, we are all running races of life everyday; our spirits are striving to attain the best of everything life has to offer, some do strive to prove themselves to the world that they are successful in what they do; others strive to keep up with the Jones; regardless, we are all striving for one thing or another;  but as believers, let us seek first the kingdom of our Father, and his righteousness, and all other things will be added unto us by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;  let us do all things with mindsets of Christ, and run our races in faith of his righteousness, to know that all things are given by grace and be thankful for being able to receive salvation by his sufferings, death and resurrection, and life forever and evermore.  Amen and Amen!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

(KJV.)  Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,