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Key Bible Verse: Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress (Hebrews 12:1). Bonus Reading: Hebrews 12:1–4

Runner Gil Dodds was once preparing for a race. After a series of stretching exercises, Dodds ran several warmup laps around the track. Just before the race began, he quickly changed into some other track shoes.

One of the onlookers asked why he was changing shoes. Dodds tossed to the inquirer one of his warmup shoes. Then one of his racing shoes.

The man was still puzzled. There was no detectable difference in the two shoes. Both looked the same. Both seemed to weigh the same.

Then Dodds explained. There was indeed a difference. The warmup shoes were slightly heavier than his racing shoes. Though only a small difference, saving even that much weight for the race could spell the difference between victory and defeat.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. No encumbrance, large or small, can be tolerated in our life. Not if we're to win. [Today's Key Bible Verse] says, "strip off every weight that slows us down." Not some, but every. So every impediment must go. Anything that would hold us back must be relinquished.

Men, are you ready to strip down?

—Steven Lawson in Men Who Win

My Response: A "little" weight that I should seriously think about shedding is …

Thought to Apply: There are many activities I must cut out simply because I desire to excel in my pursuit after God and holiness.
—Wendell Price (speaker)

Adapted from: Men Who Win (NavPress, 1992)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, please empower me to resist all that would dilute my commitment to You and Your will for me.

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