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All athletes"); document.writeln("are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade"); document.writeln("away, but we do it for an eternal prize.¹

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Right now, the"); document.writeln("World Cup is going on. In this event, many countries compete against each other"); document.writeln("for the same prize. All the athletes participating are highly trained professionals"); document.writeln("who have endured and are fighting to win. These athletes have to prepare and"); document.writeln("train intensely, have unwavering discipline, and have to dedicate themselves to"); document.writeln("the game.

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The race that"); document.writeln("athletes have to run is very similar to that of a Christian. As Christians, we"); document.writeln("have to endure trials, train, and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to God. We"); document.writeln("do not need to train physically for worldly gain, but instead, we train for"); document.writeln("godliness (1 Timothy 4:8).

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1 Corinthians"); document.writeln("9:25 teaches that athletes are disciplined in their training to win a worldly"); document.writeln("prize that will fade away, but we are disciplined in our training for the prize"); document.writeln("of eternal life. We train by reading the Word, studying the Word, and putting what"); document.writeln("we learn into practice. Not only are we called to be disciplined in our training,"); document.writeln("but we are also called to win (1 Corinthians 9:24). There is really no point to"); document.writeln("run a race without the goal of winning. We need to run our race working towards"); document.writeln("the prize, which is eternal life, and run with purpose in every step (1 Corinthians"); document.writeln("9:26). So, as Hebrews 12:1-3 says, Let us run with endurance the race God has"); document.writeln("set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who"); document.writeln("initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured"); document.writeln("the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor"); document.writeln("beside the throne of God. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you will not become weary and give up.

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Suggested"); document.writeln("prayer: Dear God, thank you for initiating and perfecting my faith. Thank you"); document.writeln("for promising eternal life if we are disciplined in our training. This race we"); document.writeln("run often gets tiring and makes us want to give up, but we know that if we keep"); document.writeln("our eyes on you, we will not grow weary. Please help us endure to the end, Lord."); document.writeln("In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

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1. "); document.writeln("1"); document.writeln("Corinthians 9:25 (NLT).

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Today\'��s"); document.writeln("Encounter was written by: Gianna B.

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