Good morning Champion.
Run to Win and Get Your Crown from God
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
What a great closing statement to a life well lived, a life lived for the purposes of God and His kingdom. The Apostle Paul puts into words what should be in the heart of each of us. They are words that stir me concerning how I am running my race for God. How about you?
Let us, as Paul did, set our hearts to:
1. Fight the good fight of faith with perseverance, determination, and courage.
2. Finish our individual race because it’s no good running half a race. Set your eyes on the finish line. Like an athlete, pace yourself to get there in style.
3. Keep the faith. Other’s may bail out for lesser races and give their lame excuses, but let us keep to the faith that saves us to the uttermost.
There is an eternal crown!
Paul had confidence concerning the crown of reward that awaited him for the race he had run with his life. When we spend our days on God and His purposes we can know there is a crown that awaits us on the other side of the line. Notice he said the crown is awarded to spiritual athletes by God Himself-- wow.
Finally consider again the crown you are living to receive. So many people are giving their strength to run races to receive temporary crowns that will last a mere moment in the light of eternity. Crowns of fame and man’s applause will disappear like smoke. We run and we fight to receive a crown that is eternal and that will never fade or rust. People give their lives to get crowns that they can see here in this temporary chapter. Let us give our lives to gain our crowns for the bit that has no end- eternity.
What will we do with our crowns? We’ll probably use them for worship and cast them at the feet of Him who is crowned above all others, Jesus.
Run your race well for God Champion. Fight well. Keep the faith!
Andy
A devotional by Pastor Andy Elmes to inspire you with a godly thought to start your day well. God’s word is indeed the breakfast of champions.
Great Big Life
Empowering People
Andy Elmes
Pastor & Leadership Coach
UK Office:
PO BOX 240
Southsea
PO2 7YE.
+ 44 (0) 2392 342592
