Running the Race 3

Scripture Reading:

• 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 - So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline

my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

• Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it

day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you

will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

• Luke 5:15-16 - But now even more the report about him (Jesus) went abroad, and great crowds

gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate

places and pray.

Thought:

To be fully successful in playing disc golf, practice is needed. Some people can just pick up a disc

and perform well with no practice. I’m not one of those people. The issue for them is that they will never

reach their full potential until they put in the work to develop their skills. Through field work, endurance

training and proper eating, even players like me can develop their skills to the point they would never be

able to without regular discipline and training.

Paul ends his passage about running the race with encouragement to build ourselves up in our

relationship with the Lord, preventing us from missing our goal of walking eternally with Him. Two

examples of how to do this is Joshua and Jesus. Joshua is about to lead God’s people into the promised

land and is told by the Lord to medicate day and night on the Book of the Law (which today we would call

the Bible). Jesus, who was ministering to many people, would stop from ministering to others and go to

spend time in prayer with God His Father.

There are many was to be intentional in developing our relationship with the Lord, along with

removing things that detract from our growth. Two important ways we build ourselves up in the Lord is

through regularly reading the Bible, and prayer. The Bible is God speaking to us, telling us how we may

fully live the life He created us to live. Through prayer, we further develop that relationship, so we are

encouraged through any trial or struggle we may have. Through these gifts, we can be built up to serve

the Lord and also get to grow in depth of relationship with Him.

Reflection 1: Do I look forward to reading the Bible, and praying? Why or why not?

Reflection 2: How can I improve my time with the Lord through reading the Bible, and prayer?

Prayer: Lord, thank-you for giving me ways to know You better. I pray that through Your Holy Spirit, I

would increase in knowing and relating to You. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen!

Contributed by: Dean Langenhahn | PDGA #208802