Daily Devotional for Friday August 21, 2020

Running for the prize!!!

(Philippians 3:14)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, help me to get through this day and the challenges that I will be facing today. Guide me, strengthen me, and give me wisdom as I make choices throughout this day. Please watch over my family and those I love in this world, and keep them safe. I love You Lord, and depend upon You each moment of each day. Bless me as I go through the day, living my life for Your glory. In the name of Jesus I pray...AMEN!

***THE DAILY LIVEPRAYER TV NUGGET: Kudos to the top Catholic bishops around the country. Many of the top bishops in the Catholic Church have been going on the record in the past few days lambasting the platform of the Democratic Party, as well as the anti-Catholic voting record of Joe Biden over his 47 yrs in public office and the Catholic bigotry of Kamala Harris! This is the first time I can remember where most of the leading bishops in the nation went on the record to renounce the anti-life, anti-God platform of the Democratic Party. They also didn’t hold back in their rebukes of Joe Biden, not just for his anti-life position, but his desire to strip away the Christian liberties of Catholic organizations by forcing them to adopt actions that violate their faith. They also didn’t hold back their disdain for VP nominee Kamala Harris who as the AG of California and US Senator of that state, has consistently gone after Christians and especially Catholics for taking a stand for their faith on the issues of the day. I am praying all Catholics will do their civic duty and vote this November. I am also praying that they will vote their faith and uphold the teachings of God’s Word!!!

*Don’t miss the Liveprayer TV program, airing “LIVE” every Monday thru Friday from 11pm EDT to Midnight! For details on viewing options for the Liveprayer TV program, “LIVE” or “On Demand,” go to: https://liveprayer.com/liveprayer-show-about.cfm

Running for the prize. For those who love football, this is usually a great time of the year. Sadly, this year is different due to the Chinese Flu. Some high school, college, and professional seasons will soon start play. For professional football fans, 32 teams will be playing over the next few months to make the playoffs, where eventually one team will win the Super bowl, the ultimate prize in football.

The normal journey a professional football team starts in training camp, thru the pre-season, the 16 game regular season, and finally the playoffs, is full of ups and downs, it is full of peaks and valleys. Along the way players get injured, teams often change strategies, and many events lead to the ultimate success of the champion. The bottom line is the team that wins the Super Bowl must overcome adversity, work hard, and keep their eye on the prize.

I appreciate you allowing me to talk sports with you, a subject I have loved since I was very young making this a sad fall. However, the spiritual application here is obvious. Our Christian life is a journey, a season if you will. There are many things to overcome along the way. We often have to change our strategy and game plan at times. But through it all we MUST keep our eyes on the prize. We must not let the trials of life slow us down. It is important that even when things don't work out today, we don't give up and stay focused on the prize.

Unlike football, we don't have to live life in our own strength. We have God on our side to give us wisdom, guidance, strength, and love to help us each step of the way. Unlike in a football game, where either team has a chance to win, God has already defeated our foe. Unlike a football game where you have to wait until the game is over to know the final score, we already know that in the end, if we know Christ as savior, WE WIN!!!!! How much easier should it be for us each day to keep focused on the prize when we know that no matter what, in the end, we will be victorious!

I love you, I care deeply about you, and God has placed me in your life to help you along your journey. My prayer for you today is that no matter what may be going on in your life, that you always keep focused on the prize. You can't let the ups and downs of life keep you from your ultimate objective.

I truly believe that the Lord has allowed you to receive these Daily Devotionals to help keep you focused on the prize. It is so easy during the course of a day to lose sight of what we are really trying to accomplish. We get off-track much of the time which ultimately keeps us from the fullness of God's blessings. Never forget that He loves you, and wants you to know and enjoy that love during this life and for eternity. God wants you to stay focused, to stay on track, and to keep your eyes on the prize.

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller