March 1, 2026

Winning a race isn’t a one-day thing. We have to train. It isn’t easy. Stretch. Run. Exercise. Build endurance and develop the muscles you will need. It takes weeks, months, even years to become a seasoned athlete, a tested worker in the Kingdom of God. When we tire, when we want to quit, we have to ask God for energy and faith to keep going.

There are proven methods to train our minds and bodies to perform at a level of excellence. Sadly, most people quit or compromise their goals rather than endure the rigid discipline required to become a star. When we see someone standing on an Olympic podium, receiving a gold medal, we are seeing the reward of a lifetime of dedication. Without endurance and the discipline to see a goal all the way to victory, we would not see many doctors, lawyers, doctorate degrees or athletes. These are the people who lead companies, build churches, and win wars. It starts early and builds over time. Always with an understanding the end goal is worthy of the effort. So whether we want to run a church, a corporation or a university, we must surrender our will and do the preparation required.

Lord, I come to You today, asking for the faith to do the hard work needed to reach my goals. I long to serve You, Lord, to work for the Kingdom, to build the church, feed God’s people both literally and figuratively. If we just give people food, we will grow weary. Help me teach the hungry how to plant and harvest, how to preserve and have food for tomorrow. Use me, Father, in the best ways for Your people. If I am to speak, preach, write, sing or feed a nation, let me submit to necessary preparation. Let me cheerfully train until this work becomes routine. Thank You, God, that I am a ready tool for You to use.

I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. Galatians 2:2