Category Archives: Devotion

RUNNING WITH ENDURANCE

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”       James 1:2,3 NIV

 

Nobody wakes up on the morning of the Comrades Marathon and suddenly decides, “I think I’ll run the race today!” Long-distance running requires training, a LOT of training. The typical marathon runner spends months preparing for a race. They pull themselves out of bed every day and get on with their preparation. Focusing on their goal, they push through physical and mental exhaustion. They watch their diet, get plenty of sleep, and run every single day. The goal of all this training is to build endurance. The discipline isn’t easy, but it’s essential to running a marathon. God’s Word often depicts the Christian life as a race. If this is true, then we can be sure endurance is critical to our success. What builds endurance in our spiritual lives? Take note of today’s verses. Endurance is an inner strength that enables us to face any difficulty without quitting. The runner needs endurance to finish the race. They condition their body for success, even though it hurts. As believers, we’re called to do the exact same thing. Our “training” comes through trials. As we face different challenges, the Holy Spirit builds us up more and more. This is God’s “training camp.” If we’re facing a hardship today, we need to ask ourselves this question: Are we willing to go through this intense workout today in order to win the race tomorrow?

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, may our endurance produce in us stronger faith.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, as we endure hardships, may it produce in us a stronger faith in You, to the glory and honour of Your name. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 11:1-19

 

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RUN THE RACE

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”           Hebrews 12:1 NIV

 

Throughout a gruelling marathon, such as the Comrades Marathon, in this country, a runner’s body goes through changes. They must fight any desire to run too fast early in the race. They must overcome muscle cramps and blisters. They must ignore the whispering voice mid-way through the race that says, “You’ve already done a great job. Everyone is impressed that you even got this far. Why don’t you just quit now?” With every step, the runner reaffirms their decision to keep going and move closer to the finish line. Their eyes are on the goal. They will not be distracted or denied. This is endurance. To endure doesn’t mean to sit back, take it easy, or look for a way out. Endurance also doesn’t mean casually accepting a setback and quitting the race early. Instead, it implies “staying power.” This involves the commitment to do whatever it takes to win. It involves pushing through obstacles and overcoming hindrances, one step at a time, as we keep moving. Endurance means you won’t quit until you have achieved victory. We should keep this image in mind as we read the challenge of today’s text. One who endures says, “Whatever it takes, Lord, I’m going to get there. I will not give up. I will not step off Your path until You’ve brought me to the finish line.” Do you believe the goals God has given you are worth the effort? Then run toward them with endurance.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, we choose to run toward Your goals with endurance.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, we believe the goals You have given us are worth the effort. So, we choose to run toward them with endurance. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 10:24-42

 

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