When we hook up to Jesus through sincere, genuine repentance of sin and personally accept and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour a powerful creative work of God takes place in the human heart (spirit). This is known Scripturally as being "Born Again". It's at this that we are, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, taken out of the kingdom of darkness and placed into Jesus Kingdom of light. It's at this time we're given eternal life, now a right relationship with God has been established and a new spiritual journey has begun. This journey is one of progressive change. Little by little God forms Christ-likeness in our life as we allow Him to. The prospects are positive and powerful. Pro 4:18 - The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. What's down the road? 2 Cor. 3:18 - So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

Something else has also begun! Something we need to be alerted of and give diligence to! We're in a race, a spiritual race that requires focus and discipline if we expect to finish well. At the end of the Apostle Paul's journey, or spiritual race he was able to say, 2Ti 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me-the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing. This doesn't just happen! It didn't for him and it won't for you and I. It requires our personal involvement with the Lord Jesus Christ. It requires that we continually allow His lordship in every area of our life. 1Co 9:24-27 - Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. Can you here Jesus encouraging you? Can you picture him beside you as you run to win. Can 6you here Him saying to you, "You can do it, You can win because I'm with you, because it is my strength and not your own that enables you to win."  Ph. 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

There's something basic at all runners must learn. It's not the easiest to learn but it's important to winning and that is to focus on the finish line, no looking around at what the others are doing. We can see this principle of success being applied in Moses life. Heb 11:27 - It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king's anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. This principle must be applied today in our own personal life, in our own personal race. Heb 12:1-4 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.  Jesus is holding the checkered flag as He awaits our completion of the race He has set before us. Let's continue in the race of a life time in faith, and focused determination to run to win and to glorify the Lord in ever stride.
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