In order to run the race of life to get the prize, we must be prepared and intentional. Those two things seem obvious, don’t they. However, this week’s suggestion is a little less obvious; we also need to be SURRENDERED.
Now, that’s not a term I’d expect to hear from a track / running coach, but it does fit the race of life. In a race, there are certain guidelines and rules. For instance, a course is laid out, and runners are expected to stay on the course. There may also be rules concerning certain performance enhancing substances or equipment. Whatever they may be, the rules and guidelines attempt to make it a fair and level playing field for everyone involved.
Back to the race of life, people don’t always play by the rules. In my library, I have a leadership book entitled, “First, Break All The Rules: What The World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently.” I haven’t read it yet, but I’m guessing it deals with challenging assumptions rather than formal rules. But, in the race of life, some people may see rules (or laws) merely as something of a challenge, instead of something that applies to them. People may take “short cuts” that end up having ramifications for themselves or others, when they should have stayed on the course. Furthermore, we often assume that we know best, and are unwilling to listen to what others have to say, not realizing that their perspective could help spare us some long-term grief. Finally, this world seems to be characterized by people who are always trying to get ahead, and at all costs. It doesn’t matter what or who they destroy if they end up “on top.” In the end, people who run the race in these ways will find themselves stripped of the prize.
Instead, we are to run the race surrendered to God. As Romans 12:1-2 says, we are to be “living sacrifices” and not conformed to this world. To run the race as a living sacrifice, we have to follow certain guidelines. We run the race in the following manner: holy—following God’s rules, acceptable—following God’s route, with reasonable worship/service—following God’s plan, and with a renewed mind—as God’s ambassador to those around us. If we run the race in this manner we are striving for a prize that is given by Jesus Himself, and no one can take that away from us. So, keep striving for the prize!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Running the Race—Part 2: Intentional
Last week, I began to develop the theme I will be speaking on for Good News Camp’s Memorial Day family camp: “Without excuse: run in such a way as to get the prize.” I began with the concept of being PREPARED to run the race of life.
Successfully running the race of life also requires us to be INTENTIONAL. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us some advice:
First, we are told to “lay aside every weight.” While a runner may train with ankle weights, he/she would never run the race with that encumbrance. Now, as runners in the “race of life,” we must also remove the baggage that weighs us down. We all have it. But, why keep carrying it? There’s no good reason. Christ has set us free!
Likewise, sin can weigh us down, and it “clings so closely.” But, Christ broke the power of sin. When we confess sin to God, we are forgiven and freed. Though temptation comes all too often, God will help, and we can find victory in Him.
To achieve ultimate victory, we must also recognize that the race has been “set before us.” Jesus laid out the path for us, and has shown us how to run it. Further, the Bible shows us the layout of the course and provides warnings about the pitfalls and hazards we may face along the way. However, when we insist on running it our way, we are running blind or blazing a trail that need not be created. So, stay on course!
Finally, we must keep “looking to Jesus.” He is our encourager and running coach. He will never lead us astray or leave us alone. He is the bread of life and also provides living water that can permanently quench our thirst. If we are looking to Jesus, we can keep running no matter what comes our way.
So, stay on course and keep running!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Successfully running the race of life also requires us to be INTENTIONAL. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us some advice:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
First, we are told to “lay aside every weight.” While a runner may train with ankle weights, he/she would never run the race with that encumbrance. Now, as runners in the “race of life,” we must also remove the baggage that weighs us down. We all have it. But, why keep carrying it? There’s no good reason. Christ has set us free!
Likewise, sin can weigh us down, and it “clings so closely.” But, Christ broke the power of sin. When we confess sin to God, we are forgiven and freed. Though temptation comes all too often, God will help, and we can find victory in Him.
To achieve ultimate victory, we must also recognize that the race has been “set before us.” Jesus laid out the path for us, and has shown us how to run it. Further, the Bible shows us the layout of the course and provides warnings about the pitfalls and hazards we may face along the way. However, when we insist on running it our way, we are running blind or blazing a trail that need not be created. So, stay on course!
Finally, we must keep “looking to Jesus.” He is our encourager and running coach. He will never lead us astray or leave us alone. He is the bread of life and also provides living water that can permanently quench our thirst. If we are looking to Jesus, we can keep running no matter what comes our way.
So, stay on course and keep running!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Monday, May 10, 2010
Running the Race
I have been asked to be the speaker for this year’s Memorial Day family camp at Good News Camp. Their theme for the summer is “Without excuse: run in such a way as to get the prize,” with a focus on 1 Corinthians 9:24. Let me add a few verses for context, and then, over the next few weeks, I’ll give you an overview of where I am going with the Bible teaching time.
As you well know, this isn’t just speaking about a literal race. It’s a metaphor for the Christian life. At times, the race may seem like it’s a sprint, but most have described it as a marathon. Maybe your race feels like a cross-country race — with a lot of ups and downs and a variety of terrain. Or, perhaps, your race feels like it is run on a track—relatively smooth, but sometimes feeling like you’re going in circles. Either way, I hope you feel like you are accomplishing something as you strive for the prize.
No matter the terrain, we need to be prepared ...It would be crazy for a person who has never run to start out with a marathon. Being prepared takes training. Successfully running the race of life also takes training. Our trainer is God. The training manual is the Bible. The training regimen involves regular reading of (or listening to) God’s Word, prayer, and involvement with His Church. As we heed His instruction, we will find ourselves more and more prepared for the “race.” If we do our part, and let God do His part, we will find ourselves prepared. To find out what that looks like, open your Bible and turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
(To be continued …)
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
As you well know, this isn’t just speaking about a literal race. It’s a metaphor for the Christian life. At times, the race may seem like it’s a sprint, but most have described it as a marathon. Maybe your race feels like a cross-country race — with a lot of ups and downs and a variety of terrain. Or, perhaps, your race feels like it is run on a track—relatively smooth, but sometimes feeling like you’re going in circles. Either way, I hope you feel like you are accomplishing something as you strive for the prize.
No matter the terrain, we need to be prepared ...It would be crazy for a person who has never run to start out with a marathon. Being prepared takes training. Successfully running the race of life also takes training. Our trainer is God. The training manual is the Bible. The training regimen involves regular reading of (or listening to) God’s Word, prayer, and involvement with His Church. As we heed His instruction, we will find ourselves more and more prepared for the “race.” If we do our part, and let God do His part, we will find ourselves prepared. To find out what that looks like, open your Bible and turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
(To be continued …)
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
Monday, May 3, 2010
Remembering the Past, But Looking To The Future
Something from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 caught my attention this week. As Jesus anticipated His crucifixion, He told the disciples to “Do this in remembrance of me” twice. In doing so, Jesus made it doubly clear that His followers were to remember this day and this observance.
But, Paul made it clear that we are also to look forward, to the future, at the Lord’s Supper; “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26 Emphasis mine). Both the remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of His return should change how we live and act in this world and carry out the work of the ministry that Christ has entrusted to us.
As we consider how to reach this fallen world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, we need to follow the example from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 … we need to remember the past, but keep looking to the future. We should hold onto meaningful tradition (but not tradition for tradition’s sake alone) and timeless Truth (the Word of God). But, we must also recognize that this world keeps changing. If we fail to recognize this and adapt, we will find that we’ve tailored our ministry to serve only one generation. While we may make efforts (and even see some success) to reach other generations, we will have a hard time keeping them. As Aaron Thomason mentioned at the CEF Banquet, they think and do things differently. If we are not careful, the next generation will find that they don’t fit in to our way of doing things. As the saying goes, it’s awfully hard to fit a square peg into a round hole.
But, how do we minister effectively to multiple generations? Well, that’s the hard part, and I don’t have all the answers. This is something we all must be thinking, praying, and acting on if we want to obey Christ, do the work of the Great Commission, and see this ministry flourish in the years to come. I think we’ve still got some work to do in this area. Will you commit to pray with me about this? Will you be involved in the process (what ever that may be)? Please let me know.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
But, Paul made it clear that we are also to look forward, to the future, at the Lord’s Supper; “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26 Emphasis mine). Both the remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and the hope of His return should change how we live and act in this world and carry out the work of the ministry that Christ has entrusted to us.
As we consider how to reach this fallen world with the Good News of Jesus Christ, we need to follow the example from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 … we need to remember the past, but keep looking to the future. We should hold onto meaningful tradition (but not tradition for tradition’s sake alone) and timeless Truth (the Word of God). But, we must also recognize that this world keeps changing. If we fail to recognize this and adapt, we will find that we’ve tailored our ministry to serve only one generation. While we may make efforts (and even see some success) to reach other generations, we will have a hard time keeping them. As Aaron Thomason mentioned at the CEF Banquet, they think and do things differently. If we are not careful, the next generation will find that they don’t fit in to our way of doing things. As the saying goes, it’s awfully hard to fit a square peg into a round hole.
But, how do we minister effectively to multiple generations? Well, that’s the hard part, and I don’t have all the answers. This is something we all must be thinking, praying, and acting on if we want to obey Christ, do the work of the Great Commission, and see this ministry flourish in the years to come. I think we’ve still got some work to do in this area. Will you commit to pray with me about this? Will you be involved in the process (what ever that may be)? Please let me know.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
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