July 25-26

“The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise and wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all! - Ecclesiastes 9:11

Yesterday we sprinted from the starting blocks as we set off on our spiritual race. Throughout training sessions our Coach assured us, from His perspective, winning the race is not based on speed, strength, or intelligence, but on our willingness and desire to do His will. With Jesus there is no losing, but without Him there can be no victory. Athletes have practised and prepared in line with the rules set down. Now, in the Christian race we run according to the rules set in God's Word – come what my, to final victory.

So, what characteristics does it take to be a champion? In an article titled “What it Takes to be a Champion,” Tom Venuto lists (among others) eleven qualities. Winners are positive thinkers – no matter what the obstacles they think positive thoughts and look for good in every situation, and mentally rehearse every detail of the race, over and over again. It is important too to be surrounded with positive people and avoid negative influences - goal setters, with long-term objectives. Because they have a burning desire to succeed, both athletes and Christians are committed and disciplined; they know success rarely comes overnight, it is the work of a lifetime.  (Richard A. Daly (2012), “The Christian Race.”

The Apostle Paul describing his own Christian race writes, “Therefore I run thus; not with uncertainty. Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection....” - 1 Corinthians 9:26,27(NKJV).

Losses along the way are not failures, we learn from them. Thomas Edison conducted 10,000 experiments before finding a filament for an electric light bulb. Asked how it felt to fail 10,000 times, Thomas replied “I didn't fail; I learned 9,999 ways that wouldn't work.” Winners haven't failed until they quit. There is a lesson to be learned in every set-back that will make us stronger for the road ahead. “....let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” - Hebrews 12:1,2 NIV. Stay focused.

Click on the picture at the bottom of the page to hear today's choice of music - “Time Has Made a Change” - Selah

     Housekeeping details for you

     The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.

     A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here