The Race

Week Two

 God Has a Plan for You - Day Six

The Race

“This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, 

believed all the way.” II Timothy 4:7

The Apostle Paul who wrote much of the Bible while in chains.

A football star, an Olympic champion and a famous Christian cry out to Almighty

God.They all had challenges which kept them  close to the cross of Christ.
They needed God’s strength and grace to run God’s race for their life.

They could not have run  without the Lord and remained on tract, stable and honorable.

Below are their stories—their need for God—their victories.

Photo courtesy Brian Westerholt, Sports on Film

“I realize that football does not define me as a person, but it had become an idol in my life.”  Sterling Lucas

“I am first and foremost a man of God, and football is just one of the many platforms that God has given me to bring Him glory. I am not perfect, and I fall short on many occasions, but I am standing here today by the grace of God, and I am going to do everything I can to fulfill God's will for my life.”

Allyson Felix

“The success that I’ve had is all due to God’s grace and to the gift that He’s given me,”

“I just want to use it to the best of my ability to glorify Him. That’s what keeps me motivated. I stay focused by knowing that I’m running to glorify God. If I keep that in mind, I’ll be fine.”

Billy Graham has carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations more than any other man. He received

God's while still a teenager. When attending Wheaton College to obtain his master’s degree his first girlfriend rejected him. “I want a man who going

places…a man who‘ll be important.” But God had a better plan and Billy fell in love with a starry eyed girl named Ruth. Better...much better...awesome girl she was!

 “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” Billy Graham

You’ve seen a few champions. God had a plan for their lives. They asked God for strength to finish their race. The Lord answered.

God has a plan for your life. Now it’s your turn to run your race! Call to Jesus—He’ll answer!

Dear Lord, I need you. Lead me and I’ll give you glory in all I do.

The Friend

Understanding Your Worth and Value

God Has  Plan for You - Day Five

The Friend

“Just as lotions and fragrance give delight,

 a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

Proverbs 27:9 (The Message)

 

 

“You have a dream to do what? Dream on. It’ll never happen. Someone else

smarter, prettier, classier perhaps… but you…never!”

And you walk away sad. Sad not only because you think your friend is probably right but because one you called friend thought so little of you.

That’s no friend! A true friend sticks closer than a brother—looks out for you. A

good friend dreams along with you.  
This true friend is who you need to hang out with.

Not everyone is going to cheer you on when you share your dream. Don’t spend time with them. Don’t

struggle to get their approval. Move on. Ask God to give you a real friend. And He will!

The devil wants to shoot down God’s plans for your life. How better for him to do this than with someone you call friend. Walk away. It’s not God!

Barnabas – true blue

No one liked Paul or trusted he had really changed. Surely he would agree to the slaughter of more Christians. So they made no effort to meet him and hear of Paul’s wonderful vision of Jesus. They thought, “It’s just a trick to put more of us in prison.”

Barnabas paid them no mind. “I’m going to see for myself.”

And true friendship was born that day. But Barnabas didn’t stop there. He brought Paul to Jerusalem and introduced him to the leaders. Then—they believed.  

Barnabas went with Paul on his first missionary trip

and the two turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ.

Barnabas was nicknamed, “The Son of Encouragement.” He didn’t suck the life out of people. He poured into them.

He was a light and his eyes lit up when he met with others.
God has given you hopes and dreams. Stick with someone like Barnabas. Be

encouraged. One more thing—be—an encourager!

Dear Lord, I need a friend, a real friend. Someone like you. Thank you!