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Next week when some countries are celebrating Thanksgiving Day, it will be a different kind of celebration at the New Life AG Church, Kompally Campus. B-20 - The Ultimate Sporting Fest - is being organized at our Kompally grounds for all NLAG families - First Time Ever! We’ve packaged it with loads of fun and excitement; A DUATHLOAN of long distance running and cycling will kick off the events; followed by competitions in Cricket; Football; Women’s Throwball; Volleyball and Kabaddi. And that’s not all! There are fun races for Children of all ages. We are so excited about this. Trust me, you will not want to be anywhere else on that day!

The objective of the B-20 Sports Fest isn’t just fun and enjoyment but rather it’s enveloped in the cause of the last leg of completing our CHURCH BUILDING Project! Yes, you heard me right. Work is progressing on a war footing, and we aim to raise a significant amount of money through the events on 25^th November. Your presence and involvement will add great strength to the whole movement. The NLAG Carecells all over the city are busy gearing up and preparing their teams to compete! GAME ON! They want to give it their best, you see!

This reminds me of a race that Paul spoke of in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Paul, the leader, challenges his readers to run the Christian life with:

1. Focus (I Cor 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.

Now, when Paul says this, he doesn’t mean to imply only one of us will win the prize. Instead, what Paul wants us to do is run the race of the Christian life in such a way that we all win the prize. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

2. Train (I Cor 9:25)

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Those who ran in these games were kept on a strict diet. They conditioned themselves to hardships. They practiced their exercises. To pursue the interests of our souls, we must fight hard against fleshly lusts. The body must not be allowed to rule.

3. Compete with passion (I Cor 9:26) 

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; How does the winner run? He runs hard. He gives the race everything he has. In another place Paul says, “Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, and serve the Lord” (Rom 12:10). This is the way we are to run in our service for Christ: with zeal and fervency of Spirit. One must not be lazy, idle, sluggish or unconcerned.

4. Fight with purpose (I Cor 9:26)

I do not fight like a boxer beating the air… The illustration is changed from running to boxing, both being included in the word "contending" used in 1 Corinthians 9:25. We have an adversary to contend with, and we must strike him, not wildly and impotently, but with body blows. We all fight a real adversary, who is Satan.

5. Master the flesh (I Cor 9:27)

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Now if athletes are willing to undergo this type of discipline and self-control, how much more should we as servants of Jesus Christ?

Here are some key questions a Christian ought to ask himself while running this race…,

• What will make me most useful in the kingdom?
• What will stir up my zeal for God most?
•  What will intensify my earnestness in prayer?
• What will trigger more hunger for God’s word?
• What will strengthen my longing to love?
• What will fan the flames of my passion for holiness?

 When you find the answers to these and follow them you have proved yourself.

A real winner endures to the end and finishes well. Are you a real Winner???