Heaven Bound: Win The Race!

Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."

Nothing is out of reach when you put your heart into it. Think about it. Who sets the boundaries and limits in your life? We tend to define ourselves; establish our own boundaries. With God, there are no boundaries, only greatness. It is easy to forget who we are and why we are here. It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the end reward; however we must always remember to where we are going.

You were chosen by God, created to fulfill His dreams and purpose. Often times so much focus is placed upon ourselves and our own objectives, we forget the reason for which we were created. Just as you dream, He also dreams. Long before you were created, God had a dream and from this dream came your marathon. For His purpose, you were created. Throughout the Bible, God refers to the race and gives a specific training recipe for victory. Are you ready to be a champion for Him?

First, you must go into strict training in preparation for the race:

Do you know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it for a crown that will last forever. Therefore do not run like a man aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

These verses tell us that the race will not be easy. It will take hard work, discipline, sharp focus and sacrifice. Sure, it would be easier to sit on the sidelines and be a cheerleader for others. But, I challenge you to join the race and discover what great things God has dreamed for you.

William James said, "Most people never run far enough on their first wind, to find out what they have on their second." The race will be tough and you will face many difficult challenges. Remain steadfast on your journey. You will tire, but do not give up. You will struggle, but persevere. I challenge you to look inside yourself and find your second wind. Develop yourself and your skills to success. Prayer, study and worship will help you develop stamina and excitement for the race, even when you think your tank is empty.

Second, you must turn all of your strength and energy toward winning the race.

Not that I have already obtained this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Jesus Christ took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-13

Putting God first and living a Christian life is a challenge. It will take all of your focus and energy. Keep your eyes on the prize and do not look back; there will be time for reflection at the finish line. In every aspect of your life, keep your mission in focus. Losing sight of the prize could cost you the race. Consider not only "what would Jesus do" (WWJD) but also "what would Jesus think or say?" Let Him coach you to victory!

Thirdly, you must exercise your muscles of faith. Just as you keep your physical muscles strong, your muscles of faith need strengthening as well. Like an athlete, you too must develop a training regimen for Christ. You will be a stronger Christian and live a more fulfilling life. Make time each day to praise Him. Spend time in the Bible. You could read one passage per day or maybe a Psalm or two. Praise Him through prayer or celebrate Him through song. Find time each day for you and Him. It is the thought that counts. It could be as simple as having a special candle in your home that you light in His honor. Such a life will be an example to others, drawing them and yourself closer to the ultimate prize.

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

In today's world, physical fitness indicates strength and good health. It does not matter how physically fit you are physical death is inevitable. How many times have you heard of perfectly healthy people dying of a heart attack? Through building spiritual muscles, you will press onward through tragedy and stress to achieve God's eternal favor. With God's training program, you are guaranteed victory.

Finally, you must fight the good fight now and to the end.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-not only to me but also to all who have longed for its appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Daily, you will face the challenges of the enemy who is bent on tearing apart your faith. The enemy will focus on your passion, knowing if he can destroy it, you will fall away from God. He will offer you shortcuts for the race. He will offer easy success. I caution you. If you take shortcuts during training, you only fool yourself. When the time comes to perform, the shortcuts will only make you a fool. God's grace is without shortcuts. He offers it freely without an agenda. Luckily for us, He has given us the instructions for success through the Bible. All that is asked is that we follow and serve Him.

God is awesome and His reward unimaginable. He never said that it would be easy. Get in shape. Stay committed to His program and one day in Heaven you will receive His promised gift. Keep your eyes on the prize and look to Him in the winners circle.

Copyright Anthony Mullins

Elite Coaching Alliance 2005

Anthony Mullins is the President and Life Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in personal, leadership, marriage, relationship and family, christian based coaching. He is the author of the upcoming e-book "Finding Fulfillment in and Unfulfilling World". He can be reached by e-mail: anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com or by phone at 770.587.3545. Visit our new website anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com

Alexis limo rentals ..
In The News:

Who needs roads? The WindRunner aircraft was designed specifically to haul massive wind turbine blades, some of which are over 459 feet long.
A Google DeepMind team has developed an artificial intelligence system that can play video games like a human and take native language commands from players.
Four of the largest school boards in Ontario, Canada have launched lawsuits against TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat, claiming that they have impacted students' thinking and behavior.
Finalists for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Nonfiction, aimed at addressing the gender imbalance in nonfiction publishing, were unveiled on Wednesday.
Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson breaks down whether the government is watching citizens and what they can do to protect online privacy.
A benchmarking group for artificial intelligence has released new results evaluating the speed of hardware in running AI applications and responding to users.
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane provides a glimpse into the future of space travel. Traveling to space may become a part of everyday life.
The new European Hyperloop Center in the Netherlands aims bring in a new era of transportation. The center will use a steel tube as a proving ground for testing the new vehicle.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
While it may be incredibly tempting to have a “go with the flow" mindset like the rest of your vacation, your technology definitely should not be compromised while traveling.
Have you ever accidentally deleted an app from your iPhone that you’ve already paid for? Don't worry. We’ve got a trick that will help you get it back without having to buy it again.
Apple's new Journal app has raised privacy concerns among Apple's userbase. Tech expert Kim Komando examines social media rumors and explains what steps to take to protect yourself.
Although Facebook has denied that our phones listen to us, they do have other ways of finding out what we are talking about, listening to and searching for.
With the integration of OpenAI technology, Figure 01 has taken a significant leap forward, showcasing the potential of robots to understand and interact with us on a personal level.
Port Ellen, newly reopened whisky distillery in Scotland, is using SmokeDNAi technology to understand mouth-feel and flavors during the whisky maturation process.
Telly, a smart TV firm, is promising to give out their 4K 55-inch TV for free. What must you give in return? The innovative, yet potentially unsettling, answer might shock you.
The moment a spam invite hits your calendar, it’s like an uninvited guest at a party. So, what do you do? Show it the door.
Identity thieves are now targeting children and are making large sums of money by exploiting children's identities, possibly hurting their financial future.
There's a clever way to change the notification sounds on your Android without having to look at your screen. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.
If your bank accounted has been hacked, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent it from happening again. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The Wave House, a data center in Heidelberg, Germany, is the the largest 3D-printed building in Europe. Its walls were built in about 140 hours.
Some government agencies around the world are struggling to meet their staffing goals when it comes to hiring artificial intelligence experts.
Google Maps' recent upgrades have introduced real-time ETA and turn-by-turn directions to your phone's lock screen while you are traveling.
Kat Cammack says AI could disrupt the 2024 election. A report says shared AI image tools generate election disinformation in 41% of cases and voting disinformation in 59% of cases.

Nurturing Your Spirit

Do you ever wonder about the other "YOU ?"The one... Read More

Simple

It was my intention to explain the word "simple," and... Read More

Spiritual Inspiration Music and The New Age

Spiritual Inspiration Music is about Love, Growth, Spiritual and Personal... Read More

The S Word

We all sin. To avoid using the "s" word, we... Read More

Where is Your Focus?

I have a long-term goal--a life-long goal really--to develop the... Read More

How Long, O Lord? A Meditation on Habakkuk

In Habakkuk, the prophet cries out in a lament complaint... Read More

The Power of Angels -- An Interview With Rose Ann Schwab, Part Two

Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More

To Witness the Life that is God

My wife, our friend and I went to listen to... Read More

Do You Make These 3 Mistakes In Your Christian Life?

You're probably sabotaging your successful Christian life right now if... Read More

God Is Waiting To Bless Me

In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More

Talk About Purpose

What better example than Jesus' life to explain about having... Read More

Faith and Repentance Basics

As I listen with pastors and preachers in the body... Read More

The Lord is My Shepherd

An acrostic prayer poem.The Lord loves me and is gracious... Read More

Why The Fulfillment Of Your Vision Delays

When God first unveils a business or ministry vision that... Read More

Shallow Victories

How many of you out there have ever wondered if... Read More

All One; All Different -- Addressing Spiritual Reductionism

"We're one, but we are not the same."-Bono, U2Once I... Read More

Hold On!

Job was a spiritual man who loved and obeyed God... Read More

Life According to Green Principles: SoulBest

Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More

The Subconscious Mind: A Tool For Success

As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More

CEROMANCY: The Fine Art of Candle Reading

Lately, I have been asked a lot of questions in... Read More

Astrology & The Bible: Age of Aquarius

The normal Aquarian preoccupation with rational science is clearly seen... Read More

A Crash Course In Tarot For Newbies #1 - All About the Cards

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More

Introduction to the Five Powers of Spirit

You are a dual being. Part eternal spirit and part... Read More

What is True Freedom?

Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More

Anam Cara - The Blessing

In Corrogue it is frosty.The ramp into our "acre of... Read More

car service from Midway Alsip ..