Hi Brian!

I hope you and Kristine are having a wonderful trip! The word for this week is "race". We'll be looking at two different Greek words from two different verses. The first is 1 Corinthians 9:24:

24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. KJV

This is the Greek word "stadion". Strong's Concordance says: a stade or certain measure of distance; a race-course. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: the one who outstripped the rest, and reached the goal first, receiving the prize. The next verse is Hebrews 12:1:

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, KJV

This one is the Greek word "agon". Strong's Concordance says: a place of assembly, a contest, an effort or anxiety. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a contest, of athletes, runners, charioteers; any struggle with dangers, annoyances, obstacles, standing in the way of faith. Both verses, with the different words, are comparing our "race" of life with an athletic competition because we do have an enemy who is trying at every turn to defeat us or cause us to quit. It takes the same dedication and determination that a winning athlete has to have in order to be successful and to finish our "race". We have the advantage of the Spirit of God as our Helper, the Wisdom of God through the Word, and the gifts and talents He has given us, but without discipline and determination, we will never fully walk in them. It is exciting for me to see the success that you and Kristine have had in your careers. You already operate with determination and discipline, so when you add the supernatural anointing that comes from God, there is no limit to the success that you can have in every area of life! Here is Hillsong with "Running", because that IS what we do in a "race"! :) 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!