Running the race

 

Hebrews 12:1 AMP

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us

Life is a journey that is not ran as a sprint, but rather a marathon.  It might appear difficult, but we don’t run it alone. We have proof that it is worth it for we serve a faithful God. 

 To run this race we have strip away sin and unnecessary weights like anxiety because God cares for us( 1 Peter 5:6-7)  We have to let go the cares of this world and keep our eyes on the prize( Philippians 3:14). 

Sin keeps impedes our stride.  Sin of pride, jealousy, strife, bitterness and unforgiveness entangles us.  It’s like trying to run with legs tied together at the ankles.  We have to confess our sins to a loving Father who will forgive us (1 John 1:9) and run the race before us.  Not our neighbors race, but the one God has set before us.

We have to let go the love of this world and exchange is for the love of God.

We have to run with active persistence.  This means we run with intent.  We gather our breathes from the Spirit and we inhale and exhale with each step.  We persist through trials and storms.  We trust God to get us to the finish line.  We run with faith. We run to Him.  We endure.

Lord, the prize is eternal life with You.  You enable us to run the race.  You breathe life into our bodies.  Let us cast aside those things that would have run in quicksand and let us run with abandonment to You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

God is my salvation

 

Isaiah 12:2 NIV

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

Surely, without doubt, God is my deliverance.  He is preservation and my protector.  So no matter what comes my way I will trust in Him and not be afraid.  

My youngest son is a senior this year and we will face many changes and challenges.  My son has a disability called Asperger’s. It affects his ability to connect and communicate, but he knows what he wants to do in life-be an animator.  I think about all the obstacles and then I look to God.  I remember who He is.  He is my God.  He is my son’s God.  He is our salvation and defense.

So I will not let fear overwhelm me.  I will trust in God.  I know that He will lead the way.  He will be my strength.  My son will be okay.  He will have a good life because God is in control.

Lord thank You for being my Savior.  Thank You for saving my soul, for redeeming me.  I thank You for being my deliver and strength.  Thank You for being my defense against the attacks of the enemy. Thank You for Your Son and my son.  I thank You for being my God.  I love You Lord. In Jesus name. Amen

The Goodness of the Lord

 

Psalm 27:13-14 KJV

I had fainted, Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

The news can be quite depressing and disturbing as it reports on the turbulence in life.  It highlights the sin sick world that we live in, but thanks be to God we do not have to lose hope.  We know that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  

We will see how neighbors come together to rebuild communities.  We will see how God moves mountains to make provisions for the sick and the poor.  How He is there for the needy.  We will see Him comfort us when loved ones are lost.  We will see and feel the balm to our souls.  

We can take heart and be strengthened because our God lives and is mighty. He will not tarry.  He is with us and He is good.  We just have to trust in Him and have hope. We have to believe that His promises are true.  No matter what we are going through God sees, cares, and will fix it.  We will see His goodness.

Lord thank You for being my hope and strength.  Thank you for always being present.  Thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me.  Thank You for being God.  Keep my heart safely in Your hands.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen 

He’s on our side

 

Romans 8:34 NIV

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

I am studying the book of Job and I am reading where his friends continue to condemn him.  Job is suffering and they can only assume it’s because Job has sinned.  They keep telling him to confess and Job holds onto his innocence.  Job is confused as to why he suffering as well.  We know the back story of how God allowed the enemy to test Job.  To attack his possession, family, and even his health.  Job got to the point of despair, he wondered where God was and his friends who had initially come to lament with him stand as his accusers.

The enemy would like to stand as our accuser. He taunts us with our mistakes, our missteps.  He would have us despair. But the enemy has no power and we don’t stand condemned because Jesus lives and He intercedes to the Father for us.  Jesus is on our side. 

Romans 8:34 NIV

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Christ died for our sins and took the punishment for us and He arose and lives, conquering death.  When God sees us He sees Jesus’ righteousness.  He hears Jesus telling Him that we are His. Job did not stand condemned either, he was going through a testing of his faith.  A test that God knew he would pass because was on Job’s side just as Jesus is on ours.

So rebuke the enemy’s attempt to condemn you and remember that it is Jesus who intercedes on your behalf.

Lord, I thank You for being on my side.  Help me to remember that You are always with me.  Through every test and even when I falter.  You are there Jesus interceding on my behalf bring me great hope.  I thank You for love.  In Jesus name.  Amen