NOVEMBER 14, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

NOVEMBER 14 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul uses the analogy of a race to describe our lives and the need to continue on until the race is won. It is the Lord who sets the perimeters of our race. He decides the course. He sets the length. He determines how victory is obtained. This is not a race in the classic athletic competition sense, in that we are not competing with other believers to see who can outdo who. This is the kind of race that we are all involved in and that we are all cheering each other through. At times we will need help as our course has obstacles and at times we will need to give help to a brother or sister who is struggling through a difficult portion of their race. We are not in this race alone, yet we each decide if we are going to continue in the race as it is set out by God, or try to cheat and take another course. Cheating is silly in the race, because the Judge sees everything!

At the end of our race, we all want to have won...we all want to receive the crown of victory. How can we be assured of this? First, if we try to run this race in Your own power, we will lose...only Jesus in us gives us the ability to run this race and achieve victory. Second, as we run Your race, we must stay on course-no deviation, for that always will cause we to miss something vital on the course. If we do deviate, there might be a penalty, but the Judge is there to help make it right for He is very gracious and forgiving. As a matter of fact, the Judge is really pulling for us and wants us to finish unto victory. Finally, in this race we must have perseverance. This race is rarely a sprint, but more like a marathon. Don't worry though as we do the first two things I mentioned the Lord will be there to make sure we finish and that we finish well. And He will be there at the Bema Seat ready to give es a crown of victory...and it is there we will hear, "Well done My good and faithful servant, enter into your reward." The great thing about that day and place, it is the One who gives us the award that enabled us to earn it in the first place!  

Please share your thoughts.