Three Lessons to Keep You in the Race - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - April 3, 2025

Audio By Carbonatix

Three Lessons to Keep You in the Race
By Rick Warren

“An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB)

Did you know that you’re in a race? 

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, “In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win” (TLB).

While you’re running your race, I don’t want you to get sidelined or run off into a ditch. I want you to make it to the finish line and win the prize.

Just like the soldier, the athlete has three things to teach us about being our best.

1. You must intend to win.

This is the difference in being a casual Christian and a committed Christian. Is there a difference between a competitive golfer and a casual golfer? Oh yeah. The committed golfer is playing to win. The casual golfer is just having fun during his time off. The difference is the degree of seriousness.

If you’re going to win in life, it’s not going to happen by accident or without effort. How serious are you about being who God made you to be? 

2. You must discipline yourself.

No athlete becomes a professional athlete without training. There are no shortcuts to maturity. There are no shortcuts to greatness. 

What are some things you can do without so you can spend more time with God, give more, serve more, and be more of what God wants you to be?

3. You must stay focused on the reward.

You can handle enormous pain and discipline in your life if you realize there’s a purpose for it and a payoff at the end.

The Message paraphrase says in Hebrews 12:2, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”

Stay focused on the prize: eternity with Jesus Christ!

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Your Gift Brings Hope to the World

Discover the tools you need to live with purpose.

Real success isn’t about trying harder—it’s about living smarter, God’s way.

That’s why Pastor Rick created the "Toolbox for Life Study Kit"—to help you develop four essential, Bible-based skills that equip you to thrive in your relationships, work, and daily decisions.

Request your copy today as thanks for your generous gift below to help take the hope of Jesus further through Daily Hope!

*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.

*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.

This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.