THE RACE

ISAIAH 40:30-31 (TCEB)
Even the young will fail,
Collapsed, with nothing left inside.
But if you trust in God
You get a second wind.
You catch a breeze, a lift, and sail on
Like an eagle in the sky.
You run your race with energy.
You walk and you never get tired.

HEBREWS 12:1-2 (TCEB)
   Take a hard look at this crowd. They’re watching us. We’ve got a race to run. Let’s strip down and get going. Take off everything that slows you. Peel away every sin that distracts you. This is a marathon, so get ready for the long run.
   Focus on Jesus. He wrote the book on faith. He’s the one who will refine our faith to perfection. He willingly suffered on the cross. He didn’t care about the shame of it. He knew he was racing toward joy. He’s sitting now beside God’s throne, in the seat of greatest honor.

THE ESSENCE
The stamina we have for running life's race so well comes from keeping our focus on Jesus, who has already finished the race in unbeatable time. 

DAILY FODDER
How do you keep your focus on Jesus, minute by minute, when there is so much demanding your attention? How do you do it? 

PRAYER
Lord who provides, I need you to renew my strength. When the race is long and I rely on my own strength, I fall. With Jesus as my goal, help me persevere, knowing when and how to serve. Guide me to rest in hopeful expectation, trusting that Jesus will make all things right. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ABP)
Our Father in Heaven,
     we hold your name in the highest regard.
Please come and establish your reign here on earth
     so that everything that happens here will align
     with what is happening in heaven.

Give us enough food for today.

Forgive us our wrongdoing,
     and we’ll forgive those who have wronged us.
Shield us from the trials and temptations that come our way.
Lastly, we pray that you will protect us from all forms of evil. Amen.