1 Corinthians 3:8-9; 9:23-27
Do you ever feel like you're just plodding on and going through the motions, thinking things like What exactly is it that I'm doing for You Lord? Or Am I accomplishing things and making headway? Well I've certainly been there and I still find myself in this frame of mind from time to time. So Paul's words from 1 Corinthians 9:23-27 gave me a good reminder, plus a little prod to refocus, that I am in fact in a race and as such, I need to be making the most of my efforts.
So what do these passages tell us about the importance/significance of the race we are in? What can we do to make sure we're running with focus, purpose and intent? Tami W.
Fellow christiians i need your advice. My main problem is whenever i try to pray, i end up loosing my concentration and thinking of earthly challenges. I need advices on how i could do this so that i will be able to talk to my God, listen to him whenever he want to guide me... Sometimes after praying i will have night mares but usual i wake up and pray, asking for God's protection even though i dont feel what i am doing is enough for our father.
What am I doing for You, Lord? I have found that it's learning to see the neighbor in need and in being a neighbor to them. In the Good Samaritan story, we think of the poor, beaten-up man as the neighbor
and in a sense he is. However, Jesus asked who of the 3 had BEEN a neighbor to the 'least of these'.
It is wise to evaluate the things in our lives that take up our time, money and talents in light of eternity.
When we visualize ourselves before God, will he write a "well done" on those things? This self-examination needs to be done over and over again until we've switched our focus from ourselves and not
only see the service we can do for those in need, but actually do it.
The fact that we run the race and fight the fight for an eternal prize and for the benefit of the gospel helps me focus on what I need to do and should be doing. I often wonder what it must be like for an Olympic-level athlete to train for years and then fall down during the race or the skate or the run during the Olympics, and not win anything. But with God, we don't have to worry about failing or losing. We can't fail and we can't lose if we just run the race. We can and will receive a medal!
When I think of a race, there is the beginning that is easy, then pacing, then the struggling begins and last awhile, then towards the end of the race the finish line and a "second wind" begins. Salvations is the first step in our race, then LIFE sometimes easy and sometimes difficult, then the "blessed hope" of His return is in sight and keeps me focused. The focus all along is to not forget who is guiding, dwelling in us the whole lenght of the RACE, The Holy Spirit Himself.
I think staying in His word and doing it will help us to achieve the goal. Lord, I pray that You will be with us, gently teach us to race for the goal with understanding and hope let us seek the prize of salvation. Thank You Jesus Amen
Dear Anonymous, I just read an artical about just that. As it says to pray constantly I fear not many people do do that. I included. In the artical he spoke of setting a time to pray and praying the prayers he knew. "Our Father", "Now I lay me down to sleep" etc. Saying those prayers over and over. Then God blessed him to come to a place were he talks to Him like a friend would. And how wonderful it is for him now. Thank you for reminding me of that letter. I want to try it myself! God bless!
Dear Anonymous
I too sometimes stray when trying to pray, now I first ask God to not only hear my words but listen to my thoughts, and help me to pray. Take your time and start out with short prayers through out the day, and thank God for the work He is doing through you
God bless
Anonymous,
I too often have the same [problem with focus and concentration in prayer. Thanks be to God that He sees us and loves us as His children and helps us in our weakness. Do not be wracked with guilt. I find I pray more meaningfully as I am walking, or even driving.
Try praying through the Psalms. Pray them intently, intentionally, as prayers, which indeed they are. As you are praying them, a prayer of your own may enter your mind. Pray that too, then return to the Psalm.
Above all, remember that you are not on your own in your Christian walk. You do not act or pray in your own strength. Only by the Holy Spirit can we do anything pleasing to Him, and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
Peace,
John K
My comment is for the person above. God loves you very much. You keep on turning to God. Stop questioning yourself. God has made you, He loves you just how you are. Rely on God. God will bring you through. I will be praying for you.
When I think of a race, I think of it being "fast"- like the 100 meter dash. But I think when it comes to the race that Paul is talking about, it is more like a long steady walk with the Lord- sometimes into valleys, sometimes it is over mountains, and sometimes it is into deserts, by refreshing streams, etc. etc. Also there is a lot of 'waiting" ( trusting)- did you ever notice there are a lot of "wait upon the Lord" passages in scripture!? :o) I like what Paul says about not running around "aimlessly"- our eyes should be set on things of eternal value, things of the Lord- not the things of this world which are empty and meaningless and which can distract us from Him. He is our goal- He is our reward.
Anonymous,
I sometimes write my prayers( if they are going to be lengthly) in a prayer journal( this really helped when I had young children and there were many distractions). I have years of prayers written down- and it is wonderful to go back and see how the Lord has answered so many! In my prayer journal, I also write scripture that is meaningful, and praise and thankyou's" to the Lord. It is my time with Him and it has been a very blessed and precious time.
hi,
Thank you very much my fellow christians, i will use advice to get through all these coz this has been troubling me alot, i sometimes feel guilty like why is it happening to me, but what i know for sure is the devil will be trying to stop me from communicating with my God, and i thank God for giving me the strength and patience so that i wont give up on him because i know that one day i will be able to pray to me..
From now on i will read atleast a verse or 2 from the Psalm before i sleep even whe i woke up or during the day, prayer should be my daily bread, whenever and where ever i will be, and no matter what.
My God is my saviour, he is the way, the truth and the light.