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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Sometimes it's hard to understand adversity - but there's a purpose - let's learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. We may not enjoy it, but when all's said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. when we understand there is a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good. We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go. And He knows exactly how to get us there

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

I suppose one of the hardest questions to answer is:

"Why do I have to deal with so much adversity?!"

Quite honestly, one of the best answers I've ever come across was written by C.S. Lewis in his book, Mere Christianity. 

Lewis likened God's use of adversity to walking a dog.

If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. 

Both the dog and the owner are after the same end: forward motion. 

But the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite of the direction that he wants to go. 

The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog's will.

It is in this way that God uses adversity!

We really don't like being pulled and corrected by the Lord.

But when we understand there's a greater purpose involved, then we can pass through adversity with hope, expectation and steadfastness knowing these events are for our greater good!

Let's learn from the trials and tribulations we go through because God has a purpose in them. 

We may not enjoy it, but when all's said and done, enduring trials faithfully will produce perseverance, character, and hope. 

And hope will not disappoint us for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit ... Romans 5:4-5

We truly can trust in the God who loves us with an everlasting love because He knows the direction we need to go.

AND He knows exactly how to get us there!

Worthy Devotions is a daily devotional ministry delivering inspiring, uplifting, and encouraging messages straight from Israel.

worthydevotions.com

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The Trial Of Our Faith - every challenge that comes your way is scrutinized from heaven and only what you can handle is allowed to hit you. The circumstances you face are there to test your faith, to remove the impure and prove the genuine. Just as gold is tried or tested by fire our faith will also be tried and tested. Fire represents adversity or challenges. It separates real faith from what looks like faith. Do not lose heart in the midst of that difficulty. Let the lion in you roar and bring to subjection whatever is challenge to your life in Christ

Embrace your fiery trials - persecution and trials are part of the Christian life, so we must understand how God wants us to respond to them. We learn the following principles that help us in our own fiery trials. Faithfulness to God must prevail over fear. The only things that are lost in the fire are the things that bind you. In a trial we discover new truths about God and ourselves. God is always with you in the fire. Our fiery ordeals benefit us, and God also uses our faithful attitude as a witness to others

Be an Eagle Christian - the eagle doesn't have an identity crisis. He knows what manner of creature he is and what he is able to do. He knows that he can hunt skillfully for prey or simply soar majestically in the sky. We need to become just like "eagle" Christians — fearless and confident in the face of adversity, snatching victory from defeat as we soar to greater heights. We can know who we are in Christ and what we have in Him, where we're going in God, and how we're going to get there. We can live in continual victory as we apply those spiritual truths to our lives

Streams in my desert: Failure That Leads to Godliness - we need to understand that failing does not make us failures. It makes us experienced. It makes us more prepared to be useful in God’s Kingdom if we have learned from it. That is the most important ingredient for what God wants in His children. God uses broken things to accomplish His greatest work. The Hebrews knew that failure was a part of maturing in God. God often uses failure to make us useful

Streams in my desert: If God is good why does He create evil? - God does not create moral evil. Moral evil does not conform to God and His will. God is good, holy and loving - His plans and purposes are good, holy, and loving. As Ruler of the universe, God sometimes creates calamity to accomplish His will. God can make light or darkness and create peace or calamity. God’s sovereign rule over all things good and bad is cause for hope in the lives of believers today

Streams in my desert: If God is good why does He create evil? - God does not create moral evil. Moral evil does not conform to God and His will. God is good, holy and loving - His plans and purposes are good, holy, and loving. As Ruler of the universe, God sometimes creates calamity to accomplish His will. God can make light or darkness and create peace or calamity. God’s sovereign rule over all things good and bad is cause for hope in the lives of believers today       wip