Revelation of the Word:
Revelation of the Word 16/08/2024 Admin
THEME: WIN THE PRIZE
Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
INSIGHT
-Paul’s goal is Christ’s goal for him, and Christ supplies the resources for Him to press on towards the goal. Not being sueded into the former sinful nature like Lot’s wife who turned back and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), but focusing on the new that Christ is doing. Isaiah 43:18-19 reads, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!..” Our Lord rewards those who believe and wait on Him with the prize of everlasting glory. As we run the race, let us endure to win the prize by focusing on Christ, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
SUMMARY
The origin of the Olympics is shrouded in mystery and legend, one of the most popular myths identifies Heracles and his father Zeus as the progenitors of the Games. According to legend, it was Heracles who first called the Games “Olympic” and established the custom of holding them every four years. The myth continues that after Heracles completed his twelve labor’s, he built the Olympic Stadium as an honor to Zeus. Following its completion, he walked in a straight line for 200 steps and called this distance a “stadion” (Ancient Greek), which later became a unit of distance. The most widely accepted inception date for the Ancient Olympics is 776 BC, this is based on inscriptions, found at Olympia, listing the winners of a footrace held every four years starting in 776 BC. Based on this foundation, apostle Paul sensitized the Corinthian brethren to run their own race with discipline having hope of winning an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Further, a letter to Timothy, in 2 Timothy 2:1-7 saying that if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. He gives an analogy of a hardworking farmer who must receive a harvest. Later he wrote a letter to the Hebrew brethren that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and should lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, as we run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). When we focus of Jesus, Who finished His Race and did the will of the Father, we too remain victorious in Him. The purpose of running is to win the race. If we therefore pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness, and fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life, to which we were called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:10-12), we will triumph. We are also called to trust in the Lord, have confidence in Him and not be afraid, for He goes with us and fights for us against our enemies, to save us (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).
PRAYER
Almighty Heavenly Father how great are You Lord in all the heavens and the earth. You are great and greatly to be praised, there is none like You. Like a deer pants for brooks of water, our souls long for You our Lord and God. How we pray that we shall dwell in Your house praising Your name for all the days of our lives. You are our Strength and our great Reward, we have no other God but You. May You go ahead of us and fight for us every battle for the battle belongs to You dear Lord Jesus. We thank You for this far You have brought us and we repent for where we have not, please You and done Your holy will that You may forgive us. May You forgive us and cleanse us for all our sins and iniquities with Your precious blood dear Jesus and help us to always do Your will. May You enable each one of us to run our race in honor and reverence to You oh Lord our God. We pray that we shall walk this walk and fight the good fight of faith in a way that will please You and that we shall attain our crown of glory at the end of time. May Your favor Lord our God rest on us and establish the work of our hands for us, yes establish the work of our hands. May You bless us and keep us. May You shine Your face towards us and be gracious unto us. May You show Your countenance unto us and give us peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen.
Further Reading: Matthew 24:12-13, Psalms 84:2-5
Blessed Weekend