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I had the privilege of being invited to attend a team talk with the Harrisonville High School football team held by Tyson Simon last week at the Harrisonville High School football field. God opened the door for Tyson to speak to the players through his role as FCA representative in Fort Smith, Ark. As he shared his testimony and the gospel he said something that really stuck with me. It went something like this, "We have to win the day, if we don't win the day we are not getting better and we are going backwards not forward." That may not be an exact quote but that is how I recall it.

Tyson's statement, "Win the day," struck me because of the truth contained in the statement. It is so easy to allow sin, carnal habits and attitudes to rob us of the victory God has for us each day. I think of what Paul said to the Corinthians who were living it up in lasciviousness. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. Paul was giving the Corinthians the recipe to "winning the day.”

I like the way God presents it in Hebrews 12:1-2. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The laying aside of weight and sin that easily besets us is not a onetime experience but a daily reckoning that we are truly born again, set apart for God's use and called to live a sanctified life. It is not about struggling and straining but acknowledging the grace that has been bestowed upon us and embracing our identity in Christ. It is not in our power but his power to work in and through us. We have to believe what the scripture says about his working in and through us. Like butter the bands and chains that used to bind us fade away as we embrace and realize our walk in faith. This is easy to talk about but the truth is we love our flesh.

Ok, I will speak for myself, but the scripture makes it pretty clear that in our flesh dwelleth no good thing so let's not play nice with our old carcass. (Romans 7:18) The sad truth is all too often side with the flesh and allow it to drive me instead of driving it. Nonetheless we can recoup time lost but embracing the truth that no temptation has taken us but such as is common to man. As we begin to experience the abundant life believing God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, we begin to fly as we sense his yoke is easy and his burden is light. (1 Corinthians 10:13, John 10:10)

We are promised that if we do this -- win the day -- that our godly conversation will be challenged by the adversary. Yea, all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12) Instead of fearing the foe, however, we find amazing grace that causes us to soar above the earthly trial as we place our affection on things above. (Colossians 3:1) As the fruit of the Spirit fills our sails it seems the only thing that matters is pleasing the Father! That indeed is the truth and the we live there until the alarm goes off the next morning and we start all over again with the decision to die to self and put on Christ. To "win the day" happens by stringing together a series of winning decision that drive us to the perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) We all struggle with good decisions and bad decisions, obedience and disobedience. The heart of the matter is our heart. The decision to "win the day" doesn't start with what we do, it starts with what we really and truly believe about God. Will we trust him? Will we serve him? Will exalt him in the decisions we make and the steps we take? It is from there we will respond accordingly. Paul gives us the secret to winning the day and it is found in Philippians.

Philippians 3:7-11 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

"Winning the day" leads us to winning in the Day of Christ. There is a payoff that will only be cashed in if we believe the truth over everything else influencing our mind, will and emotion. The promise and payoff is not immediate but it is HUGE! In the day we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, anything that doesn't burn like dross will be glorify our Lord and Savior in that Day. (Second coming and Millennial reign of Christ)

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Believing that God is good and a rewarder of those who diligently seek him is the faithful motivation that meets us at the alarm clock or the closing bell at work. Truly Winning the Day is all about "winning the day.”