1 Corinthians 9: 24 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”
The Message Translation 1 Corinthians 9:24-24-27 “Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. (PHILIPPIANS 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”) I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
NO LAYING DOWN ON THE JOB – GIRL YOU’VE GOT A JOB TO DO HERE
Philippians 3 The Message Translation
14 “I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. (God is calling us onward. Girl, move on. Let’s go. Move forward now. Refuse the enemy’s invitation to stay stuck here.)
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. (Let’s decide right now we want EVERYTHING God has for us.) If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. (God, if I’m going through life focused on the wrong things with the wrong perspective, help clear my vision. Help me see this right. Romans 12: 2 “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”)
17-19 Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. All they want is easy street. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. (Stop seeking easy and start seeking God’s best. Give your all instead of just what you feel like doing. The truth is, the majority of the time we don’t feel like doing much of anything. Our appetite is for the quick easy fix, immediate gratification, give me what I want now in sacrifice of what I want most.)
20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
