Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 1
Tuesday


RUNNING A
MARATHON

READ:
Philippians 3:12-21
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I press toward the
goal for the prize of
the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus.
__Philippians 3:14
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The Comrades Marathon, which began in 1921, is the oldest ultra-marathon. Covering 90 km (56 miles), it is held annually in South Africa. Bruce Fordyce completely dominated this marathon in the 1980s, winning it nine times between 1981 and 1990. His 1986 record of 5 hours 24 minutes and 7 seconds stood for 21 years before it was finally broken in 2007. It's amazing to me that he has continued to run in this race every year.

In a sense, we as Christians are all in a marathon. It takes endurance to run and finish the race of life. When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he spoke of how he was "reaching forward to those things which are ahead" (3:13) and pressing on "toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (v.14).

Our Lord Jesus has set an example of how to run life's marathon. The bible tells us that Jesus "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). Despite "hostility from sinners," He completed His race (v.3).

The secret to finishing well is to look forward to the joy that awaits us after life's race--eternal life with Him. __C. P. Hia
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`````````````I ran to meet Him when I heard His call--``````````````
`````````````The Savior's arms were open to receive;``````````````
``````````````And I'm still running since I gave my all ,`````````````
`````````````Inviting others also to believe. __Hess````````````````
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The Christian's race is not a competitive event
but an endurance run.

**********Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 3:12-21*************

12 Not that I have already
attained, or am already
perfected; but I press on, that
I may lay hold of that for
which Christ Jesus has also
laid hold of me. 13 brethren,
I do not count myself to
have apprehended; but one
thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and
reaching forward to those
things which are ahead, 14 I
press toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of
God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many
as are mature, have this
mind; and if in anything you
think otherwise, God will
reveal even this to you.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree
that we have already
attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us be of the
same mind.

17 Brethren, join in
following my example, and
note those who so walk, as
you have us for a pattern.

18 For many walk, of whom I
have told you often, and now
tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: 19 whose end
is destruction, whose god is
their belly, and whose glory
is in their shame--who set
their mind on earthly things.

20 For our citizenship is in
heaven, from which we also
eagerly wait for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who
will transform our lowly
body that it may be
conformed to His glorious
body according to the
working by which He is able
even to subdue all things to
Himself.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Philippians 3, Paul expresses his great hope. While acknowledging
how far he has to go in his spiritual growth (vv.12-13), he
nevertheless anticipates his ultimate spiritual transformation (vv.20-
21). It is this hope that encourages us in our daily challenges as
well. __BILL CROWDE