DCLM Sincere Milk 15 November 2024 — The Athletes
DCLM Sincere Milk 15 November 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Athletes
Topic: The Athletes
Text: 1Corinthians 9:24-27
24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Key Verse: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24
Message
Apostle Paul uses runners in the Greek games as examples of how we are to live as friends of Jesus. The first thing to notice is the tension, energy and serious effort put in by athletes struggling for the finish line with the hope of winning. To win requires steady, intense concen tration or focus of the runners. They cannot afford to become distracted by anything, if they do, they will miss the mark.
Also Read: DCLM Sincere Milk 14 November 2024 — Gratitude
An athlete religiously follows a rigorous program schedule each day: He rises at a certain hour, eats break fast of certain foods, fills his morning with exercises and works on his technique. After a planned lunch, he continues training, eats a third planned meal and goes to bed at a specified hour. Throughout, the athlete must also abstain from many legitimate things that simply do not fit into his programme. An athlete who is serious about excelling in his chosen sport must live this way. You can be disciplined like the athlete and avoid any obstacle on your way to running the Christian race to the end and also achieving academic success.
Further Reading: 2Timothy 2:1-5
Prayer for today: Lord, help me to run the Christian race to the end.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
