Freedom!: Run the Race - Living Free Every Day - November 15

FREEDOM!: RUN THE RACE

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Today's Scripture
"You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?" (Galatians 5:7 NLT)

Thoughts for Today
In today's scripture, the apostle Paul was addressing Christians who were being led astray by well-meaning but unwise believers. 

Occasionally in a track event, one of the runners will cut in front of another one, tripping him up. Or in a car race, one driver may lose control and ram another—knocking him out of the race. That happens in daily life too. 

Our enemy, Satan, uses any method he can come up with to cut in on our race of life. Maybe we are humming right along, keeping step with the Spirit, when wham! Something throws us off course. Maybe a well-meaning friend giving us bad advice. Or perhaps a not-so-well-meaning person leading us astray. Satan will also play mind games with us if we allow him to. He may cause us to dwell on past rejection. Or turn us away from our family and others who have a good influence on us. Maybe busyness takes control and our priorities turn topsy-turvy.

Whatever it is, we lose our stride. We were running the race so well . . . and something happened.

Consider this …
Time to regroup. Take a step back and look at what has happened. Where did you trip up? When did things begin to change? Ask God to give you insight. Spend more time in the Bible . . . and in prayer. Get godly counsel. Seek forgiveness and get back into the race.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8 NLT)

Refocus on Christ—and he will set you free!

Prayer
Father, I tripped and fell out of step with the Spirit. Forgive me. Help me get back on track and back into the race. Help me focus on Jesus. In his name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …Free to Grow: Overcoming Setbacks and Disappointments by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. The purpose of this group study is to help people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. The group study will help participants understand how to be set free so that they can grow and become all that God has designed them to be. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

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