Aug 2, 2014
MY FRIENDS, WILL YOU FINISH THIS RACE, THE END IS IN SIGHT?
Webster defines a race “as a contest of speed” but if you are a Child of God and your desire is life eternal then speed or physical strength is not a factor, only the preparation and being able to endure to the end with the torch of faith still in hand.
In addition this race resembles more of a journey because of the length of time it will take to finish. At the beginning, along with the torch of faith a belt of truth is placed around our waist which our sponsor has given us with the word GRACE engraved into the special leather.
A breastplate of “integrity and rectitude” covers the upper part of our body to break our fall at various times along the way, because at any given moment along the route the road changes from a smooth surface, to a hilly and rocky road. Our sponsor also provides us with a special foot wear made from the moral fortitude and stability that will never tear or wear out during such a long encounter, with the words the good news of the gospel across both shoes in visible sight for all to see.
My friends the ultimate prize will be given to many for John tells us “and, lo, a great multitude, [who had finished the course] which
no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Rev. 7:9 (KJV)
On the mount of Olivet it was our savior’s humanity that recognized the difficulty of his Journey he would have to finish, it was his humanity that knew the height and treacherous road he was about to take, and He knew their would be times on our Journey when it would seem impossible for us to finish, so our Salvation rested on our Savior So He stayed focused and prayed more earnestly than ever before, until his sweat, was like drops of blood, falling to the ground.
Here in the garden, humanity took its toil as the whole weight of the world rested on his shoulders. but his faith, endurance, and prayer’s while staying focused as he conquered each obstacle along the way from the betrayal of Judas to the court of the high priest as He is spat upon and beat.
Then before Pilate, Herod, then back to Pilate where He was scourged, beat, stripped of His dignity and a crown of thorns placed on His head and a cross on His back as He is then lead to Calvary to die for each of us who He knew would have our own crosses to bear one day on our Journey to the promise land.
My friends this is why we must finish this race. Paul says in Phil. 3:7-8 (NKJV) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things [on this journey].
[But]I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Nothing else in this race matters, for Christ our pace setter stands at the finish line with nail scared hands held out to embrace each runner as we cross and He says, My father awaits along with your friends and love one’s at the banquet table that has been prepared for all who crossed over.
In addition, many you have read about in my Word are there, to name a few; Moses and David who were both 
murderers but they finish the race, Peter who denied Christ He also finished, Abraham and Jacob were big time liar’s, but they finished, Judah was a Whoremonger, John was self-righteous, Mark was a scary cat, and was rejected by Paul who also was a murderer.
But all finished the race and will be there my friends along with many others who stayed focused and“laid aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [them while on this earth], and [ran] with patience [and endurance] the race that [was] set before [them never given up] Heb 12:1 (KJV) SO NOW MY FRIENDS WILL YOU FINISH THIS RACE, THE END IS IN SIGHT.
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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