A winner builds discipline into his or her life. Nobody ever said that rules, regulations, and training were easy or fun all of the time. But they are necessary.
The famous concert pianist, Vladmir Horowitz, once remarked about practicing the piano each day for several hours: "If I go a day without practice, I can tell the difference. If I go two days without practice, my wife can tell the difference. And if I go three days without practice, everybody can tell the difference!"
As the writer in Hebrews states, we must lay aside the things which will entangle or distract us and follow the course with focus and resolve—and we must play by the rules.
Paul tells his young disciple, Timothy:
If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.Jesus declares a similar truth in John 10:
(2 Tim. 2:5)
Most assuredly I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.Jesus warned his disciples that there would come a time when people who were only believers in appearance would find their way into the sheepfold.
(John 10:1)
A Tragic Awakening
These are people who run a race by another set of rules, playing the religious game so well they even fool themselves. Though they believe they are safely inside, they are in for a tragic awakening one day when Jesus will plainly tell them, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."
Remember this important principle: Winning is important, but only if we win according to God's faith principles. If we live by God's principles, then God will cause us to prosper so that we can help others live the life of a Pacesetter.
I remember several years ago when the Lord prompted me to discipline myself and spend my Friday and Saturday nights seeking Him. So every Friday I was seeking the Lord from nine to twelve midnight in the chapel at First Family Church in Whittier, California.
It started out to be discipline but later turned into a delight. Oh, the intimacy that I experienced those early years I spent seeking the Lord!
It may start with discipline, but it will soon turn to joy—praise God!
Excerpt permission granted by WinePress Publishing
Pastor Benny Perez is a dynamic communicator with a passion to see people encounter Jesus. Benny and his wife, Wendy Perez, pastor ChurchLV in Las Vegas, Nevada. ChurchLV is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church that exists to help lead people to encounter new life in Jesus. 
