Losers Pay the Price
Strict Training
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:12-18
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:25
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 to get a crown that will last forever.
If we are going to achieve the prize that God is preparing for us, today’s scripture tells us that we must go into strict training! Again, the Apostle Paul refers to the Olympic competitions. He points to the fact that they go into strict training to win a prize that won’t last; a trophy that collects dust. But Christ followers go into strict training to get a crown that will last forever.
Are you preparing for strict training today? What does that mean for you? I would suggest that it would mean being strict about your prayer time. Too many seem to think that prayer time is a non-essential to their life. I would suggest that prayer is our daily exercise that prepares us for a focused life and victory over temptations. In Luke 18:1 Jesus told His disciples a parable. The parable’s single purpose was that His followers would always pray and not give up!
Another aspect of strict training is reading our Bibles with the understanding that it is God’s voice to us. Prayer is mainly us speaking to God. Bible reading is mainly God speaking to us! Being strict about reading will prepare us for coming challenges and struggles that demand God’s wisdom. We have a crown to win. Let’s keep training!
Father, thank you for the rewards you are preparing for me. Today I give myself to training hard in order to be found faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.
January 18 – The Day of Fasting for our Ministries
Please use some of your prayer time to pray for the following ministries in our church: Small Groups, Congregational Care, Children’s Department, Youth Ministries, Skate Park, Celebrate Recovery, and our Missions Department.
We will break the day of fasting at 6:00 pm. If you put your reservation in this past weekend, join us for the Wednesday meal in the gym.