There is a finishing line that must be crossed for the believer to receive the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Unlike the earthly, the heavenly race is not a competition, therefore everyone that crosses the finishing line wins the race. Runners in the heavenly race encounter a lot of hindrances and distracting circumstances occasioned by the devil. Therefore, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

Mary Magdalene was the first to discover the empty tomb and she promptly informed Peter and John that the Lord had been removed from the tomb. When these two disciples ran to the tomb and confirmed that the Lord was not there, they returned to their own home. But Mary stayed back at the tomb weeping, until she eventually saw two angels in the tomb and Jesus standing behind her. Mary's persistence paid off in the end.

God's will for everyone is that they get saved and make it through to heaven. Unfortunately, Satan is deceiving many people to remain in their sins by rejecting the offer of salvation which comes by grace through faith. Even those who eventually get saved are always opposed and attacked by the devil, making it difficult for them to sustain their salvation experience. But by the grace of God, we are more than conquerors.

Whatever God does not do remains undone. If God does not help you, nobody can help you. Your help can only come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He alone can save the sinner, deliver the oppressed, restore the backslider, heal the sick, help the helpless, provide for the needy, and turn their situations around for the best. He is the all-sufficient God - seek him.

Jesus rebuked two of his disciples who sought for His permission to call down fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village that did not receive him. He told James and John that they did not know the kind of spirit they had and reminded them that he did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. Although his disciples, they were quite unlike Christ, looking unto Elijah instead of the author and finisher of their faith.