Let us run to obtain the reward; let us run to win!

 Let us run to obtain the reward; let us run to win!
 We do not run the race set before us to win our salvation or get to heaven, that is a free gift of grace. We participate in the Christian race to win a promised reward and gain the approval of our Father in heaven.
 We are not to live our Christian life in a half-hearted manner, but rather we are to give it our all. We should run the race with single-minded resoluteness of purpose, determined to do our very best to the glory of God. We are to run so that we may obtain the prize.
 We can run the race in a bed of sickness or at the kitchen sink. We can run to win at the office or at the supermarket, the promised prize is for all who live godly in Christ Jesus and who conduct their Christian life in spirit and in truth.
 We are to be faithful to the point of death, and stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are to be disciplined in our lives, exercise self-control, and consider the needs of others before our own.
 We are to endure patiently through our trials, rejoicing in the Lord always, praying continually, and in everything giving thanks, this is the will of God for all who are running the Christian race.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray that we will run the race that is set before us, to Your praise and glory. May we conduct our Christian lives in the power of Your Holy Spirit. May we exercise self-control and consider the needs of others before our own. May we endure patiently in the trials of life. Lord, we want to run the race to win, to Your honor and glory. In Jesus' name we Pray, AMEN.