Victory Found

Victory Found

2 Timothy 4: ⁶ As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. ⁷ I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. ⁸ And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

 

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Looking for a “win”, I joined various groups, followed certain sports teams and even competed. Sometimes my team won, which made me feel better as a human for some reason, and sometimes my team lost. When I won a bowling trophy, I wanted another. After a while, I wanted more and more trophies and awards in life.

 

• I wanted to feel like I was getting ahead.
• I guess I just wanted to feel special for a moment.
• I wanted to have a bright shiny moment in my life that was sometimes filled with hurt, and pain.

 

Paul tells Timothy this is the end of his life. He mentions that he has participated in the greatest competition, namely the fight against evil. He also mentions that he is on the winning side and has a “victory prize” waiting for him in heaven.

 

My Observations

• Friendly human competitions are alright BUT GOD wants me to join the competition against the evil one.
• JESUS has already won the victory, so HE wants me to join the side that already won so I can receive my prize.
• GOD wants me to “wait with love’ until the Day JESUS returns.

 

Waiting on JESUS is hard, especially during times when it seems like evil is rampant. I mean, the world seems to have lost its mind! BUT GOD sees all the violence, hurt and pain. Instead of competing with one another HE wants something different.

 

Waiting with love is different than being nervous that my moment here on earth has not happened yet. It means I will keep showing love to those HE sends me to or who HE sends to me. It also means that even though life can be hard, GOD still wants me to join in on HIS victorious side and do my part with love. I gladly join GOD and know my victory has already happened.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer feels satisfied?
• Are you disappointed with your accomplishments?
• Instead of looking at your situation, will you love someone who GOD wants you to show love to and keep pressing forward in the “race” of life by seeking HIS Kingdom today?

Train Like an Olympian

Train Like an Olympian

1 Corinthians 9: ²³ All this I do for the gospel's sake, in order to share in its blessings. ²⁴ Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. ²⁵ Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. ²⁶ That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. ²⁷ I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.

 

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“Practice is after school” the coach said. Having no idea what that meant, I was excited. “After you finish stretching, follow the leader in a two mile run.” I was exhausted when I finished, but glad that It was done. I was ready to go home when the coach said “That’s it for the warm up, now let’s get to the practice.” “You have got to be kidding me!” I thought to myself.

 

• There have been many things I have practiced for.
• There have been plays, sporting events and presentations I have practiced for.
• There have been many times that I have competed and sometimes I won the prize.

 

Paul compares spreading the Gospel to that of training for the Olympics. He mentions track runners and boxers in his comparison. He says “they submit to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last” But what crown will last?

 

• GOD wants me to treat my life as though I were practicing for the most difficult competition.
• GOD wants me to treat the Gospel as if it were an Olympic event.
• GOD wants me to treat my mind body and soul as an athlete does, with complete self-control.

 

Quite honestly I still get amazed at the timing of the scripture. I mean, the Olympics are going on right now and I get excited watching those who have spent their entire lives dedicated to discipline for a shot at winning the highest prize, a gold medal. But this prize will not last. The next Olympics will come and their name will be forgotten.

 

BUT GOD does not forget my name. When I stay in the race of life and dedicate it to spreading the Gospel, I win an eternal crown. GOD’s rewards are far greater than any I could ever imagine. I gladly train so I can finish the race and hear GOD say “Well done.”

 

• Do you admire people who win contests?
• Do you get excited when a person or a team wins?
• Will you put the same type of excitement into winning people for CHRIST today?

Being on the winning side

Revelation 17: ¹⁴ Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

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After a semester of confusion I sat praying for a miracle. I just didn’t understand the material and I hoped GOD would zap some clarity in my mind. I failed the course and got mad at GOD for a minute. I interviewed for a position that I really wanted. I prayed about it in hopes to get this “life-changing” job. I didn’t get the position and got mad at GOD. Wait, is there a pattern?

• When I don’t get my way I get mad at GOD
• When I get mad at GOD I don’t feel like serving.
• When I don’t feel like serving, sin looks like a good option.
• When I sin, my faith in GOD diminishes.

It seems like I’m at war with GOD to get my way.  When things go a little rough I get nervous, worried, frightened, let’s call it what it is, I lose faith. Fortunately for me GOD took care of every situation for me.

• When JESUS said “It is finished” my salvation was sealed forever.
• When JESUS rose with all power every situation I face has to bow to HIM.
• When JESUS returned to HIS throne all of humanity had to recognize HIS authority to rule over the past, present and future.

When I complain about the present, I’m complaining about the ordained. When I complain about people I may be complaining about HIS people. JESUS won and it’s up to me to choose HIS ways over mine.

• Are you fighting against GOD?
• Do you think you can continue in your ways and be on HIS side?
• Won’t you place your attention on building HIS kingdom instead of fighting?

Winning the argument loses the battle

2 Timothy 2: ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

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When I know someone is lying, I feel compelled to expose them even if I have nothing to do with the conversation. I mean they are lying! I would ride my horse around, you know, the high one? I would jump in places I thought my two cents would be worth to add.

In other words I would stick my nose in a conversation I did not have all of the facts in and look for tiny fights. My goal was to “win” and my opponent, well they may not have even known they were an opponent, but I still “won” right?

• When I look for something to be wrong I will find it.
• When I look for someone to fight I will find them.
• When I look for an argument I will start it.

My trigger is short for some and long for others.  I mean some people know just the right buttons to press and I automatically go into boxing stance! GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to kind instead of quarrelsome so my life will draw people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to teach people so my argument is not as important as the lesson GOD wants to teach.
• GOD wants me to be respectful to people not resentful because ultimately GOD will win them over.

I love “winning” an argument but that is not the goal. I also dislike when my kindness is mistake for weakness. It takes tremendous strength to treat others the way GOD wants me to treat them even though I feel like fighting. GOD wants me to hope they will one day come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap.

• Are you ready to argue with someone?
• Do you have irreconcilable differences?
• Are you the person spreading slander and picking fights?
• Can you be the first to drop your guards for GOD’s purpose?