“A Winning Mindset Series”
How Are You Running? Part 1.
1 Cor. 9:24 (AMP)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!
Intro
As we enter into the month of September, it represents the start of football season! Now, I must admit, I really don’t know what to expect from a certain team that I root for but I will be optimistic. Even as it relates to our walk with God, we must find ways to be optimistic about our situations. The life of a believer is often challenged with many things such as doubt, challenging life events, culture and social events. How should we respond? Well, we should run our race in a manner that honors God at all times with a mindset that is above our circumstances.
Observation 1: Run With a Renewed Mindset!
1 Cor. 9: 25 Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].
Running with a proper mindset forces you to use your mind. I believe this is one of the reasons why the enemy tries to attack the mind of the believer so hard. Many have been on the sidelines too long! Some have been going through the motions in your mind. God’s reply to you is, what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to get in the race! The enemy tries to oppress us with weights and issues that bring confusion. Learn how to be proactive by filling your mind with spiritual things. The word and spiritual songs that create an atmosphere of worship.
How do we counter the attacks from the enemy?
1 Peter 1: 13-16 (MSG) So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”
Holiness is just not a reformation but it is a lifestyle! Holiness goes contrary to our earthly mindset and it brings conviction. Holiness is dying to selfish desires daily. Our Bishop said many years ago “If you cannot give God thanks for it, you should not be doing it!”
Some have gone into a direction that is contrary to the race you should be running. Running with a proper mindset also means that you are desperately seeking the will of God for your life. It does not come easily but it requires us to be sensitive in the spirit. We can’t do unspiritual things and expect spiritual results.
The enemy is trying to keep the saints off balance and unstable. How do we get back to a stable place? James 1:5-8 (MSG). If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Let God help you navigate your life and allow him to be the first option and not the second.
Observation 2: Run With Discipline!
Running with discipline requires you to exercise the right methods. How’s your method been working? Have you seen measured results, positive or negative? Self-control and discipline affects the decisions that you make. The reason why things are not working in your life is not because of God but it is because of you! The word discipline (paideúo) in Greek means to properly instruct, and a method that trains someone to reach full development (maturity).
This is what God wants for us, that we would reach full maturity. When we become mature in the things of God, we will be less prone to think carnal. What is this? It is about our appetites, urges and temperament. The year of manifestation is all about God bringing us to a place a maturity and perfecting the work that He has called us to.
God is calling for many people to make a 180 degree turn your life. The direction you have been going in, is opposite of God’s best for your life.
God is trying to manifest himself in us but some have refused to let Him fill the space in your heart.
Our daily prayer should be Lord, fill my heart space with your presence and let me walk in the new life you have adopted me into! God is saying to us, if we really want to see change, we have to get our flesh in order. Be careful to not allow your flesh to ruin or delay your purpose in God.
We have run knowing that God has His hand on us and the enemy will try to do everything to stop us! We have to run with passion and conviction. The apostle Paul used the symbolism of running a race because of culture of the Corinthian church. It wasn’t that fact that they were in a race against each other but it was to get them to know that salvation through Jesus Christ was personal.
Your relationship with God is personal in that nothing, or anyone should cause you to stumble in your pursuit of God. Make up your mind that you are going to stay with God and stay in the race! Psalm 84:11 (KJV) For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Eph. 6:11-12 (MSG) And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
You may be saying to yourself that you are tired of running and it does not matter anymore. God told me to tell you that your running is not in vain! It may seem like it is a waste of time and it will be worth it now and when we finish down here. God is equipping you with what you need to make it to the next phase of your life.
God is saying lay a hold of what is ahead and don’t swerve to the left or the right but maintain your pace. While you are running, you have to learn how to pace yourself so you don’t give out to soon. God will give you what you need for the next pace but you have to do what is necessary and required.
I am determined to not go backwards and not repeat past failures. You have to remind yourself that you are not going back to a negative mindset but set your mind on things that are above. You may be coming out of what you deem as a losing season but it was necessary for you to grow in your strategic knowledge. Stick to the plan that God has for you and he will bring you into a new level of thinking that will change your trajectory. Run with the mindset that you are a winner and you are an overcomer!
