Do you have what it takes to Understand the Word of God?

It takes a Library! There is a crying need for Christians to stop admiring God’s Word and talking about it and pledging allegiance to it, and start reading and studying it with heart and soul.

If a majority of Christians would begin to read the Bible in a regular and thoughtful way, it would revolutionize the church and its mission. Think about it... if a substantial number of Christians progressed from just reading to actual study of God’s Word, there is no telling what might result from such personal immersion in the Word.

Bible “study” rather than just reading is how we build a sustainable knowledge of God’s Word. Study is how we gain insight, wisdom and learn to apply Godly principles in our lives. Bible Study requires that you do more than peruse the text; you must dig into it and squeeze out the meaning and power that is there.

To do that, you need to a personal library of study aids and resources that can help you gain a deeper understanding of Scripture.

Listed below are several books worth adding to your library. Some are simple and inexpensive. Others are more substantive and expensive. Choose at least one book in each category and order them through your favorite and trusted online resource such as... Amazon.com, Christianbook.com and others.

Commentaries
France, Richard. Matthew. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1985.

Lewis, Jack P. The Gospel According to Matthew (2 vols). The Living Word Commentary. Austin: Sweet Publishing Co., 1976.

Hurtado, Larry W. Mark. A Good News Commentary. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1983.

Williamson, Lamar Jr. Mark. Interpretation Commentary Series. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1983.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to St. Luke. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1982.

Bruce, F.F. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1983.

Tennery, Merrill C. John: The Gospel of Belief. Grand Rapids: Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1948.

Cottrell, Jack; Chaney, Terry A.: Romans - NIV Commentary. College Press.

There are many more Bible books, OT and NT, in the complete NIV Commentary Series available from College Press Publishing Co.,2005.

Topical Study
The Faith Once For All: Bible Doctrine for Today. Jack Cottrell; College Press. 2007

Baptism: A Biblical Study. Jack Cottrell; College Press Publishing Co. 1989

The Holy Spirit: A Biblical Study. Jack Cottrell; College Press. 2007

Just Great Books for your Library
Lewis, C. S., Mere Christianity (available in paperback)
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters (also available in paperback)
Gardner, Paul D., Editor. The Complete Who's Who in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
Bridges, Jerry. The Pursuit of Holiness and The Practice of Godliness. These two books by Bridges are available in paperback. Published by NAV Press, 2001.

Bible Dictionaries
Any good Bible Dictionary will give you a wealth of information for your study of the gospels. Find one that fits your price range and study level. I can recommend the following three as ones you will greatly benefit from using...

New Bible Dictionary. Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton: 1982.
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, B & H Publishing Group; 2003.
Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Hendrickson Publishers;1998.
The New International Dictionary of the Bible. Douglass, J. D. and Tenney, Merrill C. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1987.

Concordance
There are many good concordances available. Choose one that is based on the translation you like to use (e.g. The NIV Complete Concordance). You can’t go wrong choosing most any of the Strong’s Concordances, as long as you match it to your Study Bible translation, NIV, ESV, NKJV, NASV, etc.

Atlas
New Bible Atlas. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1985. Beitzel, B. J.
The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands. Chicago: Moody Press, 1985.
Then and Now Bible Maps, Deluxe Edition w/CD-ROM, Rose Publishing; ISBN: 1596361638

Study Bible
I would highly recommend the NIV Study Bible, the ESV Study Bible, or the NKJV Chronological Study Bible. STAY clear of any version of the New Living Translation Bibles (NLT).

Computer Software
Wordsearch 9 in any of its reference library versions.  Go to www.wordsearchbible.com for purchase information.  It is available for either PC or Mac.  

The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible Library is an excellent resource for computer based research. It contains 10 Bibles, 10 concordances, and 48 reference works.  

The Teaching Library is another excellent choice. It contains 14 Bibles, 14 concordances, and 75 reference works.  

Bible Explorer 4.0 is a ver inexpensive way to get started. BE contains 14 Bibles, 14 concordances, and 121 reference works.  It also offers an upgrade path to Wordsearch 9.  

There are so many resources for finding good quality reference materials and Bible study aids. Ask your preacher or an elder in your church for additional recommendations. How ever you go about it... the important thing is to get started in building your library.

Growing in your faith starts with being in His Word and understanding what God is telling us. The knowledge of God is of inestimable value. God would not command people to seek that which was worthless or useless. He would not urge us with so much earnestness to seek Him if it were not of inexpressible importance.

Isaiah 55:6 says... "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.“

Gift Giving season is Here! Start now... in this Season of the Christ, by giving gifts of lasting value. Build a Library of Tools for Personal Bible Study for you and your family.

Why Should We Pray – For what do we pray?

At this time of year, with Thanksgiving Day approaching we turn our hearts and minds to expressing thankfulness for our many blessings. At least that's what we should be doing.

We do it through prayer to God. Gathered around a festive table filled with turkey and all the trimmings, families will join hands, bow heads and father, grandfather or an honored guest will offer words of thanks for the feast spread before them. That’s a nice way for a family to start the Thanksgiving Day meal. But there is so much more to prayer and the power it can have in our lives.

Prayer is the key to connecting with the heart of God. Prayer is the only way to a real and sustaining personal relationship with God. Since “relationship” is the critical factor here, prayer should be a significant part of our lives, not just an occasional event of thankfulness at holiday celebrations.

There are abundant references to prayer in the Bible. There is nothing we can’t pray about. The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” and “in everything give thanks to the Lord.” When we choose to have a positive attitude about our relationship with God, we begin to realize we have received many rich blessings for which to give God thankful praise.

We find intimacy with God through communicating with Him in prayer. We learn about Him, His purposes and will by reading His Word, the Bible. We go to Him in faith, knowing that He hears and answers all our prayers (1 John 5:14). Be confident that God knows and wants what is best for you... so ask that His will be done in all you seek from Him. Then, thank Him for it, even though it hasn’t happened yet.

Even though we have these assurances from scripture about prayer, many of us are still unclear as to the kinds of things we should be praying about. Hence our reluctance to pray regularly. A very good starting point in learning to pray in the way that God desires, is to examine the prayer life of Jesus while on earth. There is no better model for us to emulate than His example of purpose and the content in His prayers.

If you read just a few of the events and times that the Bible describes Jesus praying to His Father in Heaven, a discernible pattern of content emerges.

Jesus prayed for guidance in places of quiet solitude... “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all believers... “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).

Jesus prayed in praise to God, the Father... “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure’” (Luke 10:21).

Jesus prayed prayers of thanksgiving... “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body’” (Mark 14:22).

Jesus prayed in a posture and with an attitude of reverent submission... “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matthew 26:39).

Jesus prayed in times of anguish... “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

Jesus prayed nearing the end of life... “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46).

Another example of how Jesus prayed is found in “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:5-15. This is the time when Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. In this simple prayer, Jesus taught us a very important element that must be in our prayers.

We are to pray that “God’s will be done on earth” as it is being done in heaven. In this way, we are focused on all the various things that advance God’s will and purpose, including the second coming of Christ. For with His return, comes the “will of God” finally being done on the earth.

Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. He prayed for others to come to know Him as Savior and Lord. He prayed for the twelve disciples, that God would protect them from “the evil one.” Jesus prayed for God to strengthen their ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy.

But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.

Jesus prayed for things that advanced the “Will of the Father,” glorified His name and for the needs, care and keeping of those immersed in doing the work set before them by the Father. He prayed for things of great importance to God.

This should be our goal as believers... Pray that we are in the midst of His Will, doing good works in Kingdom service, growing in wisdom and holiness... always praying as Jesus prayed... for the things important to God.

Think about these things as you pray to God. What in your life is important to you and what of those things are fully synchronized with the Will of God? Those things in harmony with Him, are the things important to Almighty God... the things He blesses.

Jack be Nimble, Jack be Quick... to TRUST in the Lord

A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch,  which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn't hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. Certain death was looming. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something to get him out of his predicament. HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE UP THERE? "HELP!" 

He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. Resigned to his situation... he was about to give up when he heard a voice.....

"Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?"
"Yes, yes! I can hear you. I'm down here!"
"I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?"
"Yes, but who are you, and where are you?
"I am the Lord, Jack. I'm everywhere."
"The Lord? You mean, GOD?"
"That's Me."

"God, please help me! I promise if you'll get me down from here, I'll stop sinning. I'll be a really good person. I'll serve You for the rest of my  life."

"Easy on the promises, Jack. Let's work together to get you out of the situation you’re in there..... then we can talk."

"Now, here's what I want you to do, Jack. Listen very carefully.”
"I'll do anything, Lord... just tell me what to do."

"Okay, are you ready?” “YES I am!” “Let go of the branch, Jack."

"What?" “Could you repeat what you said, I don’t think I heard you clearly.”

"I said... let go of the branch... TRUST Me Jack... just LET go."

There was a long silence. Finally Jack began yelling, "HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE?"

Have you ever felt like Jack? Maybe you feel like Jack right now.

We say we want to know the will of God. We say we want to live our lives in harmony with His plan for our lives. Bring it on Lord! But when we find out what it is, what’s really involved, how we need to radically change our views, attitudes and actions, we often can't handle it. So we work to craft our own version of the Christian Walk... replete with small compromises, adaptations, alterations, etc., etc., all the while thinking we’re in lock-step with Him. While we would never out loud admit what we do... we “alter the walk” so we don’t feel uncomfortable, pressured to change and fully commit our lives unconditionally to His will and purpose.

The fear and apprehension of commitment to God, comes when we fully understand the details of living our lives as “Christians.” Living His Way sounds too confining.   You may have to give up what you want, letting go of something you think is important to you. You feel lost without the “world’s” stamp of success and definition, without life’s accolades, without your pride and achievement.

So... we decide to look elsewhere for the answers to life’s challenges, to fill the emptiness, that void within our soul that only God can fill. When GOD says, "Let go of the things that stand between you and ME, and trust ME with your life, " it sounds pretty scary.

The Apostle Paul’ understood this apprehension and fear all to well. No doubt he himself experienced the fear of fully surrendering to God’s will for his life. He wrote in the letter to the Romans about what it means to TRUST in the Lord, no matter what happens to you. Romans 8:28-39; a passage that might well be a rhetorical masterpiece, Paul describes the feelings we all have at one time or another .....

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus,
who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“...in all things God works for the good of those who love him...? That verse causes many Christians to assume that God is going to make things go well for them when they become Christians. That’s not what God means at all.

Good things will not always happen to us, nor does it mean that God is always there to fend off the wolves that would do us harm. Paul mentions a number of hardships, struggles and opponents of those who align themselves with Christ. Paul’s point is not that Christians will be protected from these struggles and hardships, but rather these things cannot sever the Christian from God’s love, comfort and presence.

Paul’s statement that “in all things God works for the good” is not a pious slogan. It’s not a Christian version of “Don’t worry, be happy.” Paul does not say that everything is good, or that all the experiences of a Christian are good experiences, or that everything in life is going to turn out all right. Rather, what he says is that God works in all things, that in all the experiences a Christian encounters God is present working in the Christian and through the circumstances, whatever they are. He works in a redemptive way, in a transformative way... for the disciplining, growing and maturing of the Christian.

The ultimate good is nothing less than transformation to the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is God’s purpose for those who “love Him.” This is the ultimate good—that humans be shaped according to the mind and heart of Jesus, our Redeemer. Jesus’ life represented a model of the kind of human being God wants each one of us to be. He was the quintessential human being who showed us what we can be... with God’s help of course... the Holy Spirit working in us... transforming our lives.

When God says “let go” of our treasured things, He really is “for us.” God wants us to flourish and thrive. And the supreme revelation of this is in Jesus, who was “the son of man,” the representative human being, the gateway, our link to all of God’s promises and blessings. And for Paul and the early Christians Jesus’ death, God’s giving up of Jesus to endure death, is evidence of how much God loves and cares for us.

The Apostle Paul and the early Christians were convinced that absolutely nothing, no circumstance or trial or hardship, no enemy or opponent or power, nothing in existence could separate them from God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Today, the question is much the same as it was then... “Do you believe that?” If you can and do, then you never have to fear God. You can “let go” because nothing in your life, even your very life, is more important than your TRUST and relationship in Him.

Its human nature to only think of a Higher Power when we can’t handle our problems. When help does arrive.. we dictate our terms. We have a problem with letting go of our desire to be in control. But unless we learn to let go of our old ways of thinking, we will never progress to a way of living life where God is in control in our lives.

“That's Just the Way I Am”... is NO Excuse with God

People come in all personality types: from passive, relaxed and laid back to aggressive, assertive, high strung and intense. Psychologists categorize, explain and label people based on their personality type along with expected behavioral outcomes based on whether you’re a passive or aggressive person. Thankfully, God does not favor one personality type over another.

The book of Hebrews encourages all humanity... the full spectrum of human personalities that the “race set before us” needs all types running together towards the finish. The race of our lives, the race of all races, might not be finished if we don't grow in vigilance, laying aside not only our sins, but all manner of hindrances, including our own personalities. We must help one another run this race.

All personality types have their weaknesses and strengths. When it comes to “running the race set before us,” all types need to be aware of what can hold them back. Passive people could be in danger of coasting, neglecting and drifting and easily succumb to the many distractions and detours that happen along the way. The aggressive personality types are in danger of being impatience, self-reliant and judgmental about everyone in the race with them. And there are strengths: passive people are less prone to murmur and complain and retaliate...and aggressive people are more likely to inspire, motivate and encourage.

But when it comes to the Book of Hebrews, chapter 12 in particular, it is a great mistake for any of us to say... this command (12:1-2) “to run” is not for me. This command to lay aside entangling sins just isn’t possible for me. Or... this command to lay aside weights and encumbrances is just not the way I am wired. Rather, all of us should listen and obey the serious message expressed in these verses.

If you feel like the race is not for you, or it’s going to be too hard, then you need to start sorting out how to remove the many “excuses” that ensnare you, and build a plan that will get you motivated to run your race with endurance.

Here's what I would suggest you consider doing. Pick a day, or at least a half day and get away by yourself. Go somewhere alone – away from the house, the cell phone, the computer, the TV, remove yourself from all distractions including other people. Take your Bible and a notebook and plan how you’re going to “run the race set before you.” Your mission is to write out a game plan that will layout all the things you need to do to run your marathon.

START by honestly noting and writing down on paper your entangling sins. Note the seemingly innocent weights and encumbrances that are not condemned explicitly in the Bible, but which you know are holding you back in your race for faith and love and strength and holiness and courage and true freedom in Christ. Write them done... stare at them and own them.

Note the ways you subtly make provision for these hindrances in your life (Romans 13:14). Get detailed in this phase of the exercise... write down everything that pulls at you, including hidden alcohol, cravings, time with television, video games, the obsession with lottery tickets, magazines, novels... everything that occupies your time and mental energy. In addition, note the people that weaken you. Try and calculate how much precious time you are wasting in trivial pursuits each day.

When you have honestly made all the notations, calculate totals if appropriate and read through the “picture of your life” as it appears on paper. Be honest with yourself... is it the type of life Jesus would design for you? Probably not.

Begin to pray your way through each of these personal admissions intent on coming to a disciplined resolve to begin dismantling the encumbrances, resisting the sins, and breaking old and unproductive habits. You will be overwhelmed by what you’ve written down and your first instinct will be to resist and say... "I can't change." Remember this, it is an affront to God if you know what Hebrews 12:1 commands and you go away saying... "It can't happen with me. Hindrances can't be removed. Sins can't be laid aside."

God has not spoken His commands for our selective choosing. The entire book of Hebrews is written to make the seemingly impossible...possible and the impractical...practical. We can all do it! So go back and read the book and ask God to take all the glorious truth that is written for our edification and encouragement... about the superiority of Christ, the power of his death and resurrection, and the effectiveness of his intercession for you, and make these truths explosive in your life.. for they contain life-changing power.

NEXT... be bold, confident in God’s power working in you and courageous before men... carry some of your story to your small group and get them to pray for you and with you. I think we should all call this “guts in action.” It won’t be easy, that’s why courage is required. Trust God. You have His strength to call on for just such a noble purpose. NOW... find someone you trust and ask them to check in with you and support you regularly.

Accountability partnerships are essential in running the race of our lives... we can’t run or hope to finish well without each other. That’s what Hebrews 3:12-13 says we should do, so do it.

OKAY, you’ve just read about a really practical and helpful idea to begin serious preparation for the race of your life. What are you going to do about it? Drift from your illuminating moment into inaction? Some will do just that, because the challenges seem insurmountable.

Before this day is over... choose a day or a half-day and get away to plan your run with the Lord, Jesus Christ. Make your plan to run with endurance and finish well.

Cooperate with the Trainer

Serious marathon runners know that they need a personal trainer to compete at the highest level.  Trainer’s have knowledge that is critical to a marathoner's success.  They know what physical strength is needed, they know the runner’s body, running form, limitations, and they know how to devise a training plan to strengthen the runner for the grueling race. 

The training regimen is usually painful, and it often seems unconnected to running the race. For example, you might not fully appreciate why you need to be in a weight lifting program for building upper body strength. Why on earth am I running wind-sprints, when I am in training to run a marathon?  Sometimes it feels like the trainer is just hammering you because he can, and really doesn’t care about the stress and strain he’s putting you through.  But you have to cooperate with the trainer if you want to endure the race and finish well.

God is our Trainer. He is committed to training us, getting us in optimal physical condition to run our race.  To that end, He has a personalized training program designed for each one of us.  He knows exactly what kind of race we’ll experience and how long our race will be. He knows exactly what qualities are lacking in our lives which we will need in order to finish the race well. He knows exactly the right amount of stress and strain to put on us to develop and hone those qualities.  He calls this training program “discipline” (the Greek word for discipline, paideuo, is used 9 times in Hebrews 12:5-11). God is constantly disciplining all of us through all sorts of suffering which He sovereignly allows us to experience for the purpose of building us up for enduring the hardest parts in the race of our lives.

If you want to run this race with endurance, you have to cooperate with the Trainer.  You can’t stop God from training you, but you can prevent yourself from reaping the benefit of His training by not cooperating.  What does it look like to cooperate with the Trainer?  It involves trusting Him in two counter-intuitive ways as described in Hebrews 12:5-10... 

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

The writer of Hebrews switches temporarily to the parenting metaphor probably because of the Proverb quoted.  The first thing to trust about the Trainer is that His training is motivated by His love, not by His anger or neglect.  Contrary to our humanistic, therapeutic culture, which has virtually no category for constructive-positive suffering ,God says we have a lot of pride and foolishness bound up in our hearts.  And only sharp, sometimes painful discipline will teach us humility and wisdom. Although this discipline often seems counter-intuitive, especially when the training is severe, we usually don’t see a clear connection to how it can possibly help us in our race.

Most of us have a framework for trusting that God’s discipline is motivated by His love for us. As children growing up, we’ve experienced an imperfect but helpful example of this through human trainers, our parents.  Parents are certainly not perfect in raising their children and make a lot of mistakes in the way they discipline.  But, for the most part when you become an adult looking back, you appreciate what they did in disciplining you and you know it was all out of their love for you. The parent-child-teen relationship is much the same with us and God. Although there is one big difference... God is perfect in His discipline.

Even knowing that on a conscious level, doesn’t make it any easier to accept when God is training and disciplining us.  We tend to focus only on the circumstantial or human source of our adversity, instead of remembering that God has allowed whatever it is causing us pain and suffering to happen for our spiritual growth.  We tend to immediately complain that “the thing” is hindering our freedom, instead of remembering that it is advancing our spiritual growth and maturity. We almost never spend time in prayer thanking him for the adversities that impact our lives.  We tend to ask only, “Why did this happen to me?” or “How can I get out of this situation?” instead of “What are you (God) trying to teach me through this?”  We tend to forget that those whom God loves, He disciplines... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11. 

The second thing to trust about the Trainer is that the benefit comes later, not now.  Contrary to our culture, which places a premium on instant gratification and places no value on patience or perseverance, God says that the most important thing we can gain is character development.  And you have to be willing to wait for these attributes to develop. Rewards will most likely not come until you have crossed the finish in “the race of your life.”

This is the Biblical version of the athletic slogan: “No Pain, No Gain.”  The benefit of training and discipline is experienced later, not during the training and running of the race.  Those who want to celebrate a Super Bowl victory in February begin their training the previous February, in the weight room, running miles, practicing in the heat of summer, etc.  In fact, they usually do this for several seasons before they even get to the Super Bowl. 

The same principle holds true with God’s training.  If you don’t trust His promise on this today, you won’t get to experience the far superior rewards and benefits later.  Why submit to His correction when it hurts your pride, especially when it almost certainly comes at you through imperfect people, wherein you can justify your sins and blame someone else?  Why keep sacrificially serving people when by “dropping out of the race” you would have more time to live selfishly?  Why put thousands of hours into learning God’s Word and sharing it with others when you can entertain yourself with things that require no real skill or effort?  Why endure the pain of disappointment and interrupted plans when you can numb yourself through distractions and immediate pleasures?  Why indeed? Because if you patiently submit to God’s training, you will eventually reap “a harvest of righteousness and peace.”  But, you’ll have to “wait” until you finish your race for the glory and adulation you desire.

Working with the Trainer, submitting to His program for your development will bring guaranteed results.  Submitting to Him, increasingly enables you to manifest His character to those around you. People notice the “race you’re running” and the strength you have to run it. You become increasingly confident that God will take care of you.  James calls it “becoming mature and lacking in nothing” in your service to God (James 1:4).  Paul calls it “proven character and hope” (Romans 5:5).  This is what makes your life stable and satisfying and without regret. This is what attracts others to come to Christ and inspires them to run their race along side you! 

ASK yourself...  Are you weary and thinking about quitting the race?  Don’t... Stay in!  Are you thinking about taking a detour?  Keep going straight ahead!  Have you dropped out of the race?  Get back in... it’s not too late!  For your own sake, and for the sake of those who will come after you, run the race set before you... focus on Jesus... and finish well!