*Note: I have been unable to blog due to illness. I hope to be back next week -- but first: Seven Secrets of a Champion by a wonderful pastor and teacher, Pastor Clark Beiler. I know you will enjoy his teaching and learn so much! Thank you Pastor Beiler for allowing me to post your lessons!
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience therace that is set before us... Hebrews 12:1
Seven Secrets of a Champion
-Author Pastor Clark Beiler
1. He is Determined to Win the Race
A champion runner does not enter a race just to run around the course with all the other contestants. He purposes in his heart beforehand that he is going to win! This is what Paul pictured when he wrote, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (I Corinthians 9:24). At the starting line all the runners are at the same place, but at the end of the race the prize will be given to the one who successfully carried out personal disciplines. The joy and rewards that come from winning a race cause all the pain and required disciplines to be remembered with gratefulness.
Anyone who wants to win a championship knows that it is not accomplished without the essential quality of determination. If it was easy, anyone could do it. But the prized goals in this life do not just fall into our laps. Those that do are often the ruin of the recipients. Even athletes who are greatly gifted and talented must focus with great determination to set themselves apart and win the prize.
It has been the characteristic of great Christians throughout history that they had in their hearts the cry, “Is there not a cause?” If Jesus was willing to lay down His life for the “pearl of great price”, should we not also dedicate our lives also to run with patience the race that is set before us? Let purpose in our hearts to choose not just the good things of life, but also purpose to focus on the best things of Christ. My grandmother had a plaque on her wall that read:
Only one life,
Twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ
Will last.
#2 Secret of a Champion - Tomorrow
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience therace that is set before us... Hebrews 12:1
Seven Secrets of a Champion
-Author Pastor Clark Beiler
1. He is Determined to Win the Race
A champion runner does not enter a race just to run around the course with all the other contestants. He purposes in his heart beforehand that he is going to win! This is what Paul pictured when he wrote, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (I Corinthians 9:24). At the starting line all the runners are at the same place, but at the end of the race the prize will be given to the one who successfully carried out personal disciplines. The joy and rewards that come from winning a race cause all the pain and required disciplines to be remembered with gratefulness.
Anyone who wants to win a championship knows that it is not accomplished without the essential quality of determination. If it was easy, anyone could do it. But the prized goals in this life do not just fall into our laps. Those that do are often the ruin of the recipients. Even athletes who are greatly gifted and talented must focus with great determination to set themselves apart and win the prize.
It has been the characteristic of great Christians throughout history that they had in their hearts the cry, “Is there not a cause?” If Jesus was willing to lay down His life for the “pearl of great price”, should we not also dedicate our lives also to run with patience the race that is set before us? Let purpose in our hearts to choose not just the good things of life, but also purpose to focus on the best things of Christ. My grandmother had a plaque on her wall that read:
Only one life,
Twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ
Will last.
#2 Secret of a Champion - Tomorrow
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