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 Test - Great People Give God Glory

Week Five - Great People Give God Glory

The Test

Maria winced at her dreadful score on the state board college entrance exam. She didn’t make the mark. Her score was too low. I’m a failure…a

looser…definitely dumb…not smart.

Her only hope was--no one would ever know!

Maria's classmates in the accelerated section were riding high. This select group was quite impressed with their off the chart scores.

Relief hit Maria when the bell sounded for the last period of the day. Soon she could go home and escape prying minds. Soon she could collapse on her own bed and cry, be left alone. Her home was always a refuge.

But it didn’t happen that way. Things took a dovetail when one of the admired and rather smug leaders of the class piped up. “Mr. Clark, can we take a tally of everyone’s scores and see what our average is on the state exam?”

He was full of pride for his own soaring score and to Maria's horror all were in favor and Mr. Clark willingly complied. After all, they were the accelerated group—the elite of the high school graduating class!

Maria's heart filled with terror. What can I do? How do I escape this great embarrassment?

“Mr. Clark, may I be excused to the restroom?”

A nod of his head gave the needed permission. And Maria walked out.

Relief flooded her soul. Now to remain long enough to evade inquiring minds. Maria returned as the students were leaving—heading homeward. Sigh. It's over. I escaped. Almost home!

“Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness:

 but a faithful man who can find ?”

Proverbs 20:6

A young girl was terrorized by her seeming failure. A girl with promise was a target for Satan’s demise. And actions of prideful classmates were contemptible in the sight of their Creator.

Theirs was not a record heaven could applaud. They were young, immature. Hopefully they would learn that self- seeking is the antitheses of greatness.
P. S. Four years later, Maria took hold of God's plan for her life and  graduated from a reputable university. The Lord looked on this humble one and enabled her to reach her dream.  

"For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; But the proud, he knows from afar."

Psalm 138:6