The Prize is Worth IT

Who doesn’t want a “Get out of jail free” card in their pocket, just in case? Practical though it may be for the board game Monopoly, it won’t do you a bit of good in real life.

You don’t have the luxury of giving yourself a pass in this life. Freebies don’t exist. Do-overs are a thing of fiction. You go through this life just once. No rewind, no fast forward. Each moment lives as a testament of your faith, raw and unfiltered. If you muff it, repent, pay restitution, and keep going. If your Savior passed through His time here on Earth with wounds and scars who are you to think that you should be exempt from pain and trials? (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Not only are aches and ordeals part and parcel to living in a sin stained world but they serve as a means by which God infuses His wondrous Grace into the darkest of situations for His glory and your gain. Real living means living amidst ugly, fragmented people desperately needing to know that their troubled earthly existence isn’t all there is. And the crazy thing is that God shows up best when we release the life-giving light He has deposited in each one of us who has placed our trust in His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

To live authentically restored and repurposed human lives is the calling of Christ’s followers. You have been bumped and bruised. You’ve endured crushing losses and have been stymied at every turn. BUT you have the Spirit of Christ that dwells within empowering you to hope daily, praise continually, and share His love tangibly. (2 Corinthians 4:5-9)

God doesn’t waste time or resources. Through every moment, each word, and any situation He delights in showing you what He can do if you’d just surrender it all to Him. Repent and forgive. Don’t be bothered about the other guy, God is looking in your heart and soul. He will deal with the other guy so much better than you ever could. Walk in a worthy manner that pleases Him. Run your race to receive your prize: the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)

Embrace the humble day to day living without any fanfare or worldly approval. The only cheer that counts comes from The Man with the nail pierced hands. Look to Jesus when you get turned around and loose perspective. He is your starting point and finishing line.

Persevere! Hang in there! Keep moving forward! Each day is a gift to show off how great God truly is. Bless Him for walking with you as Emmanuel – God with you. He supports strongly those who obey Him and follow His Word; those whose heart wholly belong to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
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And never, never forget that He loves you with an everlasting love.

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