2 Timothy 2:3-4 ‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier..
DAILY READING Acts 7:1-22; Deuteronomy 29-30; Job 18
One of the best ways Professional boxers train is by fighting with a sparring partner. A sparring partner is someone who helps a boxer practice and train for a fight. Sparring sessions are like the fight before the real fight. Recently in the News, Anthony Joshua who holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight titles highlighted the crucial role his sparring partners played in preparing him to win his fight with Russian challenger Alexander Povetkin on September 22nd 2018. He told the media that during his training camp he sparred with fighters from different countries, to prepare physically and mentally. He hailed these sparring partners for providing him with hard sparring and tough competitive rounds that prepared him to eventually win.
Hard sparring is essential to sharpen skills and develop true fight shape conditioning for fighters. Often people who are used to hard sparring, can endure a hard fight without getting knocked out. Therefore, when a sparring partner is hitting the boxer hard, he knows it is for his own good, he endures it, knowing that it is only preparing him to win in the real fight ahead.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 says ‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’
We must understand that there is a training that precedes our reigning. Preparation must precede manifestation. Many of the things we pass through in life like sparring partners are only training us to reign. And as good soldiers of Christ we must endure, knowing we are being prepared for something better and greater.
Often times, the great and effectual door God opens for you also comes with many adversaries. And you have to be prepared beforehand to overcome. When the door to become king of Israel was opened for David, it came with many adversaries; including Goliath and Saul. However prior to this time God had trained David. Though David had no idea of the future that lay ahead of him, he had been faithful to prepare by fighting the bears and lions.
Like David, sometimes it may feel as if you have been alone in the bush for so long fighting the bears and lions. But be patient, God is training you. God has a plan for you. He is preparing you for where He has preordained for you. No matter the level of success you think you have seen, God still has greater things in store. For eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has entered into the hearts of men the things which God has prepared for those that love Him. Do you love Him? Then get ready, God is set to give you, eye-popping, ear-tingling, mind-blowing blessings.
1 Timothy 6:12 says ‘Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, ‘
Let us be prepared to fight and win every fight of faith that comes our way. Each of these battles are training us for reigning. Some of the things you passed through this year only came to better prepare you to face the coming year, which is the year when God’s glory will be unveiled. Indeed our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us a far more eternal weight of glory. Maybe you had a setback in past years, but 2019 will be your year to see beauty for ashes. There is coming a reaping season. We are therefore encouraged not to become weary in well doing; do not be weary in maintaining a lifestyle of purity, fervent prayers, fasting and study of God’s Word. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. And He has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. Therefore, get ready, for indeed your due season has come!
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always submit to Your training for reigning. Grant me the grace to never be weary in well doing. I thank You because the due season has indeed come for the unveiling of Your glory in my life in Jesus name. .
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God is preparing you for the season He prepared your breakthrough. – WORDBITE 222