Keeping Pace CLICK on the Scripture above to link into your daily reading plan.
December 31, 2013
By reading the scripture above each day you will read the Old Testament through in one year and the New Testament through twice in a year. This will change your life. Start Today! |
| TODAY'S SCRIPTURE "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. . . " (Philippians 3:14)
TODAY'S WORD , I heard about one man who made some New Year's resolutions. In 2010 he said, "I will not get upset when Sam and Charlie make jokes about my baldness." In 2011 it was, "I won't get annoyed when Charlie and Sam kid me about my hairpiece." Then in 2012, "I will not speak anymore to Charlie and Sam." As the years passed, he changed his resolutions.
We adjust our resolutions as time passes because we are unable to keep them. But we don't need a New Year's resolution. We need a spiritual solution, and it is found in the pages of Scripture. In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul helps us understand what our priorities should be. On more than one occasion, he used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life. In this passage, he compares it to running a race. But we need to understand that it is not a 50-yard dash. It is a long-distance run. That is why we must pace ourselves.
It is not all that significant if you have held first place in a race for nine out of 10 laps. What matters is the 10th lap. Whoever crosses the finish line first is the winner. The problem is that a lot of people have a yo-yo relationship with God: up and down. Either they are experiencing the ultimate spiritual high or they are down in the dumps. We need spiritual consistency. And we need God's help to stay with it. If we want to win in the race of life, then we need to learn to pace ourselves.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Lord, into your hands and into the hands of Son and Holy Spirit, this day I entrust my soul, my relatives, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all who confess your holy name. O Lord, by the merits and prayers of your son, Jesus Christ, keep me today from all evil and unruly desires, from all sins and temptations of the devil, from a sudden and unprovided death, and from the pains of hell. Enlighten my heart with the grace of your Holy Spirit. Grant that I may ever be obedient to your commandments. Let me never be separated from you, O God, who lives and reigns forever, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name. Amen |
| , my your life be full of His blessings.
Pastor Eric & Rita
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