Winning the Race (1 of 2)

Have you ever seen athletes preparing for a marathon race?  What do they do to make themselves fit and win the competition?  Of course they undergo regular rigid training, observe self discipline and they conform with  the regulations set by the athletic association.  A marathon race is comparable to our Christian walk in the sense that we have to abide also to God’s rules and standards if we want to finish the course He has begun in us.

This was the subject matter tackled by Ptr. Joe Rivera in the 6th Thanksgiving Anniversary of JIL Torino Chapter last June 8, 2008.  Its theme, “Winning the Race”  has been derived from Hebrew 12:1 which says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Bro. Gil Gualberto and his coordinators, was supported by the JIL Milan key leaders and workers in the Preliminaries. JIL Cuneo under Sis. Emma Credito were also present, so with  Pastor Edward Arca and his wife Tina.  The couple came from “The Assemblea di Dio Missione Evangelica Filippine” (Torino).

Our host prepared a drama  entitled “Ganito Kami Noon, Ito Kami Ngayon” and   before the sharing of the Word of God, some slides taken from the PASSION OF CHRIST were shown to motivate the congregation.  This is   to give them the  toughest touch  on how Jesus accomplished the will of His Father.  I could not explain why the film has been viewed for so many times, but still it draws that strongest emotion among viewers. What an impact!