Do You Try? Just Try.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I Corinthians 9:24-27

 TRIathlons.  Swim.  Bike.  Run.  All three require endurance and perseverance in order to win the prize. 

Training is imperative for one to be successful in a TRIathon.  If I am not willing to put the time and effort into training, I will NOT see the results I am capable of achieving.  My body will remain the same.

In comparison to training for a triathlon, I must also train and put forth the time and effort into receiving a personal relationship with Jesus.   If I do not put the time and effort into training my heart to truly know Jesus, I will never grow spiritually.  My heart will remain the same. 

Try. Try. Try. I declare to never be idle or indifferent, and never allow my life to pass me by because of my fears.  I will always TRY to put God first. I will TRY to take care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I need physical and spiritual endurance to finish the race in all aspects of my life. In ALL that I do, it is my desire to help others reach their goal.  The goal being to reach and accept the prize, which is the crown of salvation and our blessed assurance to meet our Coach "face to face" one day.   

I continuously look up to my Abba for guidance, because I trust His plan for my life.  I know He had my life planned out before earth even began.  The Word says, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10.  God had my training schedule and workout plan already in place.

Training for a triathlon is a healthy reshaping of my body, however, most of the time it hurts.  Most of the time it is painful. My physical endurance will increase with working out, while my spiritual endurance will increase when I allow Jesus to remold me, even as painful as it may be at first.

 I would rather endure the pain of discipline rather than the pain of regret.

I may not fathom everything I have gone through when training here on earth, but I am confident He allows me to go through trials and tribulations to increase my endurance, perseverance, and hope in order to help others do the same.


I am in awe of how Jesus loves me just as I am, but even more, because He doesn't allow me to stay just as I am. He pushes me to live a life woven with integrity. Living a life with integrity is challenging when satan loves to attack me or play pretty little tricks on me. And many times I fall for satan's lies.

However, the Word says, "Therefore submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will FLEE from you." (James 4:7)  The more I submit to God, the more satan has to leave me alone. Falling for satan's lies then become less and less frequent when I fall more in love with Jesus. Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I have ever Tried.


Until I meet Jesus, I will forever TRY to demonstrate by gratitude and become more like Christ. I will worship Him. Praise Him. Love Him. Trust Him. Study His Love.  I look forward to making Him proud and receiving a congratulatory high-five and a hug when my time here is done.



Application:
What hinders your from trying to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
What is ONE goal you can make for the next 30 days?

Memorize Power Verse:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.~Galatians 6:9