Strive

1 Corinthians 9:24, 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.

Racing is a very popular thing all over the world. There are marathons, and 4k's, and many different events in which people run. If I were to tell you that you were going to be running in a huge race that lasts a lifetime that you are required to run, what would you do? Watch TV until the time of the race? Would you eat unhealthily and not worry about the race at all until the day of? I sure hope not. You should want to prepare for this race, mentally, and physically. You would be working out, you would be eating right, you would be pushing fluids into your body and buying the right equipment for the run. 

Right now, you and I are getting ready for the big race in life. The race to Glorify God and win the prize of his kingdom in heaven. If you aren't prepared for that race, then you are going to be in sorry shape for it, and you will probably give out in the first stretch of the race. But we have time now to become ready for our race. 

When we get ready we:

Work out.

Proverbs 13:4, The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is supplied richly. 

Drink Water

John 1:14, But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 

Be Prepared

1 Peter 3:15a, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope you have. 

So get prepared if you aren't already. The race is long and the road is tough. Don't be unprepared or you will fall out of the race. 

~Whatsoever things are true

Philippians 4:8

How to Stay Awake

Mark 13:36, Always be ready. Otherwise he might come back and find you sleeping. 

This verse strikes fear into my heart for many people when I read this. I know people who have fallen asleep in their faith, and I don't want Jesus to come back while they are spiritually sleeping. Also, I don't want to be one that's sleeping when the time comes for Jesus to come back. The consequences of sleeping when he returns is Eternity in Hell. Not somewhere ANYONE want's to be.

So how do we keep from falling asleep?

Keep Company
We can surround ourselves with friends who also wish to stay awake. They will do their best to make sure that you don't fall asleep, and you can also do your part to make sure they don't nod off. They will help keep you accountable, and help council you when you feel weary. Hebrews 10: 24-25 says, "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near."  Get Bible studies going. Call your friends and talk about Christ. Do things to stir each other up. The day is drawing near.

Drink Energy Drinks.
Drinking Energy Drinks? Yeah, that's right. Reading the Bible, spending time in the prayer with the Spirit, listening to your pastor and other pastors, reading books with testimonies, these things will help give you that extra boost when you are down. Isaiah 30:41 says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not grow faint." To wait upon the Lord means to have total dependence on Him, and complete obedience in our walk. When a waiter waits upon you, what does he do? He serves you. We should do the same to our father. This will give us the best energy of all.

Keep Busy
It is very difficult to lay back and sleep when you are constantly doing things. Witnessing, praising the Lord, being active in what the Lord wants done is a great way to stay awake. Stay hyped up for Christ. Stay awake in the Lord. If you find yourself drifting into slumber, be quick to slap yourself awake. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." Be a worker that has no need of shame. That does not limit you to just outside your house. By all means, prepare yourself for your future on earth and in heaven by disciplining yourself now. Work in the Lord, stay awake.

Ask the Lord
You can always go to your Father who created you to ask for help. He can see when you are drifting, and he may even let you know about it. Go ask him to jolt you awake. Ask him for help, don't be afraid to. The Bible says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The Lord want's you to ask for his help. He will give you rest, not in the sense of making you fall asleep and therefore be in danger of Hell, but in the sense of the purest rest: Peace. He will give you peace in the midst of a storm, which is the greatest of rests.

So stay awake in him. Use scripture to help you, and just come before the Lord and let him know what's going on in your life. But mostly, never stop trying to serve the Lord.

~Whatsoever Things are True
Philippians 4:8