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The Marathon

  • For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness' 2 Timothy 4:6 WEB

    While having dinner with some friends of our family who happened to be avid runners, we listened to them talk about the marathons that they had completed across the country. After they told us about their last 26 mile run, I learned how to make him very angry by using only three words: 'Did you win?'

    Apparently you don't ask a marathon runner that question, and the husband took it as a serious insult. He was Chinese, and after uttering some language that I did not understand and probably didn't want to, he explained that finishing a marathon is your win.

    You are competing against your own body, fatigue, the weather, and the clock. Everyone there has different bodies, skills, strengths, and finishing a 26-mile marathon at all is considered a victory. When he finished his thirty-minute speech, I agreed.

    As Christians we are all in a marathon. Some people move faster than others. Some hold a slower pace. It does not matter. It is staying the course, completing 'your' race.

    You are competing against your own body, its desires, weariness, and not against others. Take your time, set goals, and most importantly, if you fall, get back up. No one finishes a marathon by laying on their face. Get up and keep putting one foot in front of the other one, and you will finish this marathon well just as Paul did.

    'Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us' (Hebrews 12:1).

    Prayer: Heavenly Father please strengthen me today and make me steady in this race of life. Help me see the big picture of my life, and the hope that You have for me. Help me finish my race well, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer" (Psalm 17:6) If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network


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40 comments
  • 0
Silvina Potter
Silvina Potter amen....Psalm 27:14-15....
December 2, 2018
  • 0
Maria Mesia
Maria Mesia The word I needed today. Exactly my thoughts: ¿ Is worthy all this I am going through ? Thanks God for His word through you pastor Dion & Silvia, bless you, bless your dauly owesome ministry.
December 2, 2018
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

AMEN 

December 2, 2018
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Stacie Chambers-Franklin
Stacie Chambers-Franklin

Amen. 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles

Prayer: Heavenly Father please strengthen me today and make me steady in this race of life. Help me see the big picture of my life, and the hope that You have for me. Help me finish my race well, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Yes please! Amen ~ Thank you

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Father,please allow us to see our own race!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Ed Frye
Ed Frye

Amen!!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Praise God! Amen 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman

Amen.  And if anyone has a minute this morning, say a little prayer for my son Josh.  He is on his way to a grad school interview  (for Physical Therapist, and I believe it is his calling-I’ve seen him at work) and is a bit nervous, or maybe it’s his momma whose nervous:).

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Praying with you for Josh, Roseanne! May He bless your son with grace, favor, and all of the right answers <3!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen. 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Joining in the prayers for Josh. I pray he finds the right job quickly. Amen.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

Prayed for Josh Roseanne  :)

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Perry Robertson
Perry Robertson

Amen!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Amen,lead us and we will follow.We love and worship you Jesus.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Gene Zackerman
Gene Zackerman

I have used this analogy, most recently this week, when I compare running marathons to my walk with Christ.  Last Saturday, I ran my 50th race.  They certainly haven't all been pretty, but, like Paul, the issue is to continue getting out on the road and doing the work.  As a disciple-maker, it can wear us down, but I have to keep reminding myself that Jesus was frequently rejected by his own people.  If it didn't stop him, then we have an obligation as followers to keep putting one foot in front of the other and simply keep the faith.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Well said, brother, thank you <3!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Greg Hall
Greg Hall

Amen, one step at a time. Thank You Pastor Dion!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Made me cry to read this. Please God help us endure and make it. Amen. 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen, help keep me strong Father in my race and to focus straight ahead.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Please give me strength and endurance for the race, Amen.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the strength to keep going on this race. Keep me strong to get to the finish line,in Jesus name I pray. Amen. 

Thank you Pastor, we always need a reminder. God bless.

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Rose Sicilia
Rose Sicilia

This was a fantastic devotional! It spoke to me you always seem to be doing that to me lol. So true as to we have all different gifts different bodies different goals. Different lives no but different circumstances for each of us. I pray when at my time I have finished my race well! Thank you so much for bringing me the words the way I can understand them. The Holy Spirit speaks through you. I hope you realize how many people you affect with your Honest True Words from the Bible. God has chosen a good man! May God Bless and protect us all Truly Rose Sicilia ❤

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield

We all all winners when running after Christ!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Patty Seckar
Patty Seckar

Amen Sister

November 30, 2018
  • 2
Patty Seckar
Patty Seckar

Thank you pastor and Sylvia for your dedication, you are such a blessing! Sorry for not saying it more. What's at the end of the marathon is what keeps me going!  Have a blessed Christmas and New Year!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy

Lol... endurance is key

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

I fell on my face today but our Lord helped me right back up and I am on my way again.  Praise our Lord for His gracious mercies.  Thank Pastor Dion.

 

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Thank you for another timely this message, Pastor Dion!!!   Prayer: Oh Lord, my God, dear Heavenly Father, please help me to finish the race, the path that You have layed out for me, and when I fall, please pick me up, please give me strength and endurance, in the name of Jesus I ask and pray, Amen!

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

Amen n amen

November 30, 2018
  • 1
Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu

Prayer: Heavenly Father please strengthen me today and make me steady in this race of life. Help me see the big picture of my life, and the hope that You have for me. Help me finish my race well, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Thank you Lord!!

December 1, 2018
  • 1
Tom Cartmell
Tom Cartmell

Pastor Dion and Sylvia,  I didn't get the devotional today 11/1/18. Can you please resend it. Sure do love the devotionals. Love and hugs to all at RHM 

December 1, 2018
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

No problem, Tom, fixed ya up again :)!

December 1, 2018
  • 1
Sandra Colby
Sandra Colby

THE DAY I BECAME A BELIEVER, GOD WONT LET ME QUIT, MAY BE THAT IS THE TIME SATIN TRYES TO  PUT HIS CRAWS IN ME, AS LONG AS THE GOOD LORD GIVES ME STRINGTH I 'M NOT GOING TO QUIT.

December 1, 2018
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Enjoyed processing each word a runner describes for the marathon..all so true.  Both my husband & I are enduring a bug of cough & congestion about two weeks.  Just before TG up to today.  Take as can best be done at one day at a time.  Endurance is a good word for the long road of whatever we walk in & thru.

December 2, 2018
  • 1
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman

Thank you Sylvia for your prayers:)  Josh feels that the interview went well.

December 3, 2018