| Every August during my college football days I would participate in an annual ritual called, “American Football 2 Days.” This much dreaded event consisted of two weeks of all out hell on earth, at least it seemed like it. We would rise at 5:00 A.M., and would go through an all out gladiator like battle in 100 degree heat called practice.
Every year we tried to prepare for the event as best we could, but it never seemed like we could prepare enough. Many of us thought we would die during the intense drills all day long. The purpose of these days were to prepare us for game day ahead. Over and over again we heard that games are not won on game day, but on the practice field.
I had one coach who would tell us that we would pass out before we would die. What great words of encouragement. During our two day practices we would deny ourselves the pleasures of the world to achieve a higher goal. Our goal was to be the best American football team in our conference.
In these last days I believe we are currently in, we need to prepare ourselves for the game ahead. It is two a day time. It is by choice that we place ourselves not in a routine of religion, but in a routine of righteousness. We do not come under a discipline without purpose, but we volunteer ourselves to deny the pleasures of the world so that when game day comes we are ready.
Here are some practical ways to get ready spiritually for what’s ahead.
1. Live a fasted lifestyle – Matt. 5
2. Ask the Lord to give you a desire to live a life set apart
3. Pray in the Spirit at least 30 minutes a day
4. Set yourself a regular daily schedule to pray, worship, and read the Word.
Scriptures to read:
1. Matt. 5, 1 Cor. 1-2, 1 Tim. 2:1-26
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