Running the Race

The New Testament has three portions. The first portion was given to the twelve apostles. We can say that they started the course. Our Christian life is also a course that we need to begin. The Lord initially gave this course to the twelve apostles, and the key word that the Lord gave to the apostles was “propagation”. “Go therefore and disciple all the nations, baptizing (…) and teaching (…)” (Matt. 28:19-20). “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14).

The first twelve apostles were given the commission to go out, to propagate the gospel. But what they began, they did not complete. Therefore God had to raise Paul up to go further as if he were running a marathon. A marathon is about 42 kilometers in distance. We can say that the first 5 kilometers are the beginning of the marathon. We need to have a good beginning. In a marathon you need to overcome many obstacles and cannot fall behind; you must be in the front. The ones who are at the back are not interested in winning. They are only interested in showing up. If one wants to win, he cannot be at the back nor even in the middle. The ones in the middle are those who run because they like to run; but those in the front are those who want to win. What do you want from this course? Those who want to win say, “Amen!” So you need to be one that comes forward. In reading this message we hope that you will come forward! Maybe you are behind, but you need to run forward. The ones who are in the middle are still going through the motions because of habit. It is a long marathon, but these ones are beginning to take it easy.

The words of the Apostle Paul show us a vision; a tent maker is showing us the way. We need to receive the portion that the Lord gave to him, especially the great mystery. If you don’t know what the great mystery is then you are behind in this course. The great mystery is Christ and the Church. It is not only Christ and the Church, but also Christ and the Church and the Lord’s coming! If we don’t have this burden to bring the Lord back, we will be those running in the middle of the pack. We want to be those that go forward, those that cooperate with the Lord, those that hasten His coming. This is God’s heart desire for this generation. This is His heart’s desire for you!

We need a good tempo, a good pace, a rhythm. This rhythm comes from living the normal church life. Do you want to enter into the rhythm? You need the young people’s conferences. The young people’s conferences are the best moments to introduce a young one into the rhythm of the Spirit. What is your rhythm? Maybe you say my rhythm is parties. If your rhythm is a party, you are way at the back of the race. What do you enjoy? If you say, “I like rock”, if your rhythm is rock, you are behind. Our rhythm is the rhythm of the Spirit, the rhythm of the word, the rhythm of life. Without any doubt, if you as a young person want to finish this race well, you need to participate in all the young people’s conferences.

If you want to get into a healthy rhythm, also participate in all the church meetings. Every week, you will receive nourishment and encouragement to continue this race. Therefore, the progression from the 5th kilometer to the 40th kilometer is rhythm. Rhythm received from the young people’s conferences, the church meetings, and Daily Food. It is also received by calling on the name of the Lord. Jesus is Lord! However, when we are arriving at the 40th kilometer mark we have only two more kilometers to go. Now is the time to give all or nothing. This signifies that our generation is the generation of all or nothing! When you arrive at the 40 kilometer mark, now you can no longer look back. We are never going back! Were going forward! Were going forward! This is the generation which will not turn back! This is the generation, which will not look back!

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