RUN TO WIN - DAILY DEVOTIONS WITH REV. KEN ESEKHAIGBE

DAILY DEVOTIONS WITH REV. KEN ESEKHAIGBE
TODAYMARCH 16TH 2017
TOPIC: RUN TO WIN.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1Corinthians 9:24.

First of all, it is important to notice that the Christian journey is regarded as a race, and one of the first things you would notice about every race is that those that compete in it are dressed as light and free as possible. In our Christian journey, there are many who have received Christ but have not completely put off the things that pertain to the old life which is contrary to the new life they have received. These things are what the bible called weights. (Heb 12:1) These weights come in different forms; some are wrong belief system, traditional beliefs, wrong relationships, habits and lifestyles, even wrong jobs that are contrary to the new life one has received.  These are just to mention a few. These things reduce your pace in your Christian race.

Another thing you notice about those running in a race is that they have a focus, an end which they are trying to reach. One of the reasons some hold on to the things that pertain to the old life is that their focus and trust is not completely on God, so when little challenges arise, they run back to their old lifestyles which still serve as alternatives for  them.

God speaking to Abraham asked him to leave his home town and his father’s house to an unknown land, and in Hebrews 11:10 the bible records that Abraham journeyed looking for a city whose foundation and builder is God. This was credited to Abraham as faith because he neglected his comfort zone, old relationships, lifestyles and habits to walk with God having the focus of a city whose maker and builder is God. This is what God expects from every believer. In our journey with God, He expects us to keep our focus and attention completely on Him. Jesus said in Luke 9:62 “,….No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

You can’t afford to run a race with so many loads tied to your back, you won’t run well and this is what happens when one gets entangled with so much worldly concerns as a child of God. So Paul says in Hebrews 12:2 “…Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

A vivid example is given us here in Christ; the scripture exposes to us that Jesus also had a focus; it says “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” all Jesus saw was the joy that would come after the cross. So Paul speaking through the Holy Ghost admonishes believers to set their own focus on Jesus and lay aside all weights so that they can run the Christian race well. Refuse to look back. Refuse to have alternatives, let all you see be Jesus, so that you can run well and win the prize. Have a great day.

SCRIPTURAL REF:  Hebrews 12:1-2.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I thank you for your grace that has kept me thus far in this journey. I receive grace to go even further to the end, laying aside every weights and distractions and looking up to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Amen.