Verse of the Day 3/11

1 Corinthians 9:24-25  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  English Standard Version (ESV)

In yesterday's post we considered the "competing loves" that we all face.  Life is a competition, it is a race it is a marathon.  Today's verse came from the read through the New Testament plan that I am following and it fit in well with that thought.  We are running a race, competing all the while the things of this world are competing to draw our attention away from the prize.  That prize is Jesus and life in Him, it is a crown that won't rust, decay or get tossed out when we grow older and don't find room for it when we move.  Jesus will be with us when  we move from this world to eternity.

We've been told by Jesus that to follow Christ requires hard work (Matt. 7:14).  Paul uses athletic images here to paint a picture and remind us that discipleship, following Christ in this marathon, will require a sustained strenuous effort.  But we compete, we run not in our own strength but in the strength that He supplies daily.  We receive His grace and it is our motivation to "keep a go'in" so that we may finish the race and win that eternal gold prize.

My Old Testament reading today finished the book of Genesis where Joseph's life on earth comes to an end.  He looked forward to the prize and also looked  back on how God was with Him, gave Him the  wisdom, strength and ability to follow God in his marathon.  What a marathon it was.  His heart had remained steadfast and he could look back on his trials, beginning with his brothers treatment of him and all the way to Egypt and working under Pharaoh and being in control of the worlds largest economy of the day.

Genesis 50:19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.    The Message (MSG)

In this marathon of life, keep following, keep believing, keep competing for that prize, the upward call of Christ.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Corinthians 9:23-25Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

²³ And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you].

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.

²⁵ Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25The Message (MSG)

^19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

^24-25 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.