FRIDAY , MAY

16 TH

Outdo Your Past!

PASTOR CHRIS

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a c l o u do fw i t n e s s e s ,l e tu sl a ya s i d ee v e r yw e i g h t ,a n dt h es i n which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (Hebrews 12:1-3). n life, you must never compare yourself with others; rather, run your own race and be the best of you. The Bible talks about the race that is set before you; thus youre not called to run someone elses race. Hence, its needless to engage in any kind of unhealthy rivalry or competition with others. Youre only permitted to compete with yourself and outdo your past. Never allow yourself to be discouraged when it seems as though those around you are making more progress than you are; youre not running the same race. That someone else is succeeding doesnt mean youre failing: it all depends on individual aims and targets, or set out objectives. Success is relative, and is measured at different stages, never forget that. Take for instance, two men who are building their houses. While one lays a not-too-deep foundation and starts erecting a bungalow, the other one takes his time to dig deep because he wants to erect a five-storied building. The former may finish his building and even start living in it, while the latter is yet digging his foundation. Now, the first man may even jeer at his colleague and mockingly ask him, Hey! Are you still digging? Ive finished building my own house! But what he doesnt realize is that they arent aiming for the same thing. The fellow who spent a long time digging knew that his foundation had to be deep enough to accommodate the

tall building he intends to put up, for the higher you want to build, the deeper your foundation ought to be. At the end of the day, when both houses are built, the difference will be clear between the two buildings. If the fellow building the storied house had gotten into unhealthy competition and became discouraged that the other fellow had already moved into his house while he was still digging his foundation, he would never have completed his own masterpiece. So in life, focus on your race! Set your gaze upon the Master and run your race to win, seeking only to outdo your past. Compete only with yourself based on Gods plan for your own life. When you have this consciousness, your life will be full of rest, and youll learn to measure your success through the Word.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for showing me how to run with patience the race that youve set before me. My gaze is on you Lord Jesus, and I focus my energies on fulfilling your plans and purposes for my life, refusing to compare myself with anyone else. I am determined to outdo my past and be the best of me that youve made. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:13 DAILY SCRIPTURE READING 1 Year Bible reading plan Luke 8:22-39 1 Kings 18-19 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 Proverbs 13

2 Year Bible reading plan