Only One Race to Run - when we’re running the race of life, our competition is not with each other. The goal is not to outrun someone else but to outrun the wicked influences that could bring us down. We are not to concern ourselves with who is behind or ahead of us. We are to run the race that is set before us. God has called each of us to run our own race. We might be tempted to say, “What about so-and-so? Why have I had this setback in my life, and they haven’t? Why has this tragedy befallen me, and it has not come to them?” That is not your concern. You are to deal with what God has allowed in your life. You are to keep your eyes on Jesus. Circumstances will disappoint and, at times, devastate us. People will let us down and fall short of our expectations. But Jesus always will be there with outstretched arms

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” - Philippians 3:14 

When we’re running the race of life, our competition is not with each other. 

The goal is not to outrun someone else. 

The goal is to outrun the wicked influences that could bring us down.

So, what race should we run? 

The race that is set before us. 

We are not to concern ourselves with who is behind or ahead of us. 

We are to run the race that is set before us.

The apostle Paul, who had walked with the Lord for years, made this statement: 

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection . . . 

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: 

"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” - (Philippians 3:12–14 NLT).

God has called each of us to run our own race. 

An incident from the life of Peter illustrates this truth.

After Peter had been restored following his denial of the Lord, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep” - (John 21:17 NLT). 

Then Jesus went on to tell Peter how his life would end.

As they were talking, Peter noticed someone was behind them: the apostle John.

So, Peter said, “What about him, Lord?” (verse 21 NLT).

In other words, “Lord, You told me to follow You and that I am going to die for the faith. 

"And I am willing to do that. 

"But what about John?”

Jesus told him, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? 

"As for you, follow me” (verse 22 NLT).

Jesus was saying, “Peter, it’s none of your business. You just do what I’ve told you to do.”

Like Peter, we might be tempted to say, “What about so-and-so? 

Why have I had this setback in my life, and they haven’t? 

Why has this tragedy befallen me, and it has not come to them?”

That is not your concern.

You are to deal with what God has allowed in your life.

You are to run your race and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Seeing Jesus gave the young martyr Stephen the ability to run his race and finish it. 

And seeing Jesus gave Simon Peter the ability to step out of the boat and walk on the water.

In fact, the Bible says that Jesus “lives forever to intercede with God on [our] behalf” - (Hebrews 7:25 NLT). 

Circumstances will disappoint and, at times, devastate us. 

People will let us down and fall short of our expectations. 

Feelings will come and go.

But Jesus always will be there with outstretched arms, saying, “Come on, you can do this.

"You can live this life. 

"You can finish this race.

"I am here with you.

"Let’s do it.”

Are you running the race of life as well as you ought to? 

Or are you just offering a half effort?

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship with campuses in California and Hawaii. He began his pastoral ministry at the age of 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people.

The foundation that Harvest began building on 50 years ago is the same foundation it stands on today, and that’s the commitment to knowing God and making Him known.

harvestdirect.org 

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Roaring Adversaries - don’t be surprised if you experience spiritual attacks. Your enemy, “the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” We must realize we’re engaged in a spiritual battle. Our struggle is against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We need to “stand firm therefore, having belted [our] waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on [our] feet the preparation of the gospel of peace.” We must take up “the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Be armed and ready, strong in the Spirit

Spiritual battles are real with roaring adversaries and dark forces - and we must stand firm, fully equipped with God’s armor.

“Your adversaries have roared in the midst of Your meeting place …

"It seems like one bringing up his axe into a forest of trees. 

"And now they break down all its carved work with axe and hammers.” - Psalm 74:4–6 NASB

The enemies of God often carve a reckless path of destruction. 

They’re described in this psalm as men equipped with axes, swinging freely, causing damage and even death. 

They want to undermine our faith and hinder the work of the Gospel.

This is why the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10–17 that we must be “strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” 

We must realize we’re engaged in a spiritual battle, and “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We need to “stand firm therefore, having belted [our] waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on [our] feet the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

We must take up “the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Don’t be surprised if you experience spiritual attacks.

Your enemy, “the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” - (1 Peter 5:8). 

Be armed and ready, strong in the Spirit.

Reflection Question: 

How are you preparing to stand firm against spiritual attacks?

Inspiration Ministries

Our vision is to shine the light of the Gospel on every continent, in every major language group, through every form of technology.

inspiration.org

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