In John chapter 13:33, Jesus had just told His disciples that He is going to a place where the disciples cannot go. It is near the end of His earthly ministry.

Jesus tells them that they had believed God already, now it was time for them to believe Him. He is going to give them some good news about His return.

He indicates that His Father’s house has many mansions. He must leave to make preparation for His bride (the church) to live with Him. In Bible times, it was Jewish custom that the bridegroom make a place ready he and his bride to live, and when it is ready, he will come for her.

Jesus also promises to return to take His Bride away to be with Him in glory. It is definitely a picture of the Rapture. Note that He says that where He is (in Heaven), He will receive us unto Himself.

By way of observation, the Heavenly city (described in Revelation 21) is 1,500 miles square, or 2,250,000 square miles on the first floor. There are 640 square acres in 1 square mile. If each believer received 1 acre with his or her mansion, there is room for 1,440,000,000 lots. If each person received 5 acres, there is still room for 288,000,000 5-acre lots – all on the first floor! And remember – there are 12 floors!

Are you looking for His soon return! What a glorious day it will be for those who have remained faithful to Him – that they receive a full reward (II John 1:8)!

As you read the Scriptures, you will occasionally come across verses and statements such as the one above. Although it is not often taught, it still is a valid New Testament principle for today.

The Apostle Paul beseeches (asks) the readers of this letter, because of the mercy that God has shown to you through Christ, to willingly yield yourself to Him to accomplish the will of God through you. Believers are to offer their bodies to His service and not do what they want with their lives.

To present your body to God means that you must tell God that you are ready to do what He wants every day from now on. You must be willing to live for His glory and not your own. Because of our sinful nature which we will continue to have until we die, this dedication to His service needs to be done daily.

The words “living sacrifice” means that there is no going back on your word. An animal to be offered as a sacrifice in Bible times had no future plans or goals – others made those decisions for it.

Although God will never force you to obey Him, you will find your life more pleasant and blessed if you keep on following Him and His Word. To be faithful, you will need to spend considerable time in the Word every day and in prayer. It is how you learn His will and get power for service. Attendance and service in a local church is also expected.

Are you a “living sacrifice” for the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, will you yield to His will today?

In these verses about running a race for the Lord, Paul lets it be known that he does not live his Christian life to practice. He consistently makes every step count.

He was serious about living for the Lord and he did it every day. His life was not lived haphazardly or carelessly. He intended to win his race and be his best for Christ. He faithfully held “forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Philippians 2:16).

In order to run faithfully every day, he needed to discipline his body. He determined that his body would not tell him what to do, but his mind would – guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word. An Olympic runner does the same. Getting careless with self-discipline could cost you the prize. It could cost you the crown you would like to have in glory. We must bring our bodies into subjection – and our thoughts – with His help.

In II Timothy 4:7,8, Paul declares near the end of his life – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that he won the prize. He says: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

If rewards for faithful service are to be won, Christian, you need to be busy doing His will now. There is no time to lose. We need to run our race for the Lord, and with His help – today. Remember that rewards for past service can be lost and given to someone more faithful: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (II John 8).

It would be a shame to lose what rewards were already gained by growing lax in our love and service for Christ as we get nearer to His coming. Will you be counted faithful when He comes to take us home to be with Him?