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The Marathon
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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> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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AMEN
Amen Lord
Amen.
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
Amen
Amen
Amen! Father,please allow us to see our own race!
Amen!!
Praise God! Amen
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:).
Praying with you for Josh, Roseanne! May He bless your son with grace, favor, and all of the right answers <3!
Amen.
Joining in the prayers for Josh. I pray he finds the right job quickly. Amen.
Prayed for Josh Roseanne :)
Amen!
Amen,lead us and we will follow.We love and worship you Jesus.
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.
Well said, brother, thank you <3!
Amen, one step at a time. Thank You Pastor Dion!
Made me cry to read this. Please God help us endure and make it. Amen.
Amen, help keep me strong Father in my race and to focus straight ahead.
Please give me strength and endurance for the race, Amen.
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.
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 ❤
We all all winners when running after Christ!
Amen Sister
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!
Lol... endurance is key
Amen!
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.
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!
Amen n amen
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!!
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
No problem, Tom, fixed ya up again :)!
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.
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.
Thank you Sylvia for your prayers:) Josh feels that the interview went well.