DCLM Higher Everyday 7 December 2022 — Run the heavenly race
DCLM Higher Everyday 7 December 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Run the heavenly race
TOPIC: RUN THE HEAVENLY RACE
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
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.
MEMORY 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:
The 1968 Olympics recorded a dogged Olympian, John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania. He got injured in a fall early in the race. However, an hour after the marathon’s winner crossed the finish line, he also came limping across the finish line. When asked why he didn’t quit, he said, “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish.”
God called us to start and finish the Heavenly race. The race may sometimes be full of pain, dangers and obstacles, but we are to persevere because God wants us to run it and finish strong.
Christianity is a race; so, run to win the prize (eternal rest, incorruptible crown, citizenship and mansions in heaven). There is no other way to get to heaven but by running the race.
The heavenly race requires obeying God’s commandments, self-discipline, endurance, prayerfulness, and saying “Yes” to Christ, and “No” to the flesh. Avoid disqualification by staying away from sin. Starting a race is wonderful, but finishing strong is greater. By the grace of God, you will win.
QUOTE: Run to win the prize.
CHALLENGE: Paul said, “I have finished my course…” What would you say?
PRAYER: Loving Father, help me run this heavenly race till 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)
