RUN TO WIN!

The Bible says to run the race that is set before us.  The Apostle Paul said all runners run to win. One statement is true; You can't win sitting in the bleachers!

Life has many hurdles that hinder others from running well or even coming out of the blocks.  They watch as a spectator or "from the locker room" hearing the cheers for the other runners. 

                 IT'S NOT JUST SHOWING UP!

 TO WIN AT ANYTHING IT FIRST REQUIRES:

                                                *Technique
                                                *Strength building
                                                *Flexibility
                                                *Training

Winning the prize, promotion, job, class, degree,  takes an intentional effort and preparation.  The Bible writer says:  "Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

                         YOU CAN WIN!
                                                                  

                                                                      (author)

Faith in God!

I have often been told: "You have to have faith." "Faith?"  "Yeah. Faith."  Knowing they do not believe in God, or a Jesus follower... What (in the world) do they have faith in?  Faith in a broken chair is to have your trust in the wrong place.

Throughout the Bible, you can read of times in history, that God proved faithful.  Throughout the present, we see daily, the faithfulness of God.

Whatever the prayer, it says pray believing.  If you have not already, you can place your faith, trust, belief in Christ and His work and righteousness, to be your only hope to spend eternity with God!

"Being justified we have peace with God through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Paul the Apostle.

Stay the course

I believe God's Word encourages/commands us to remain faithful or stay the course.  With the Bible being our map, we might have to do more than glance at it. Some of us should ask ourselves are we on the RIGHT course.  Many times, we say we are sincere in the direction we are headed. We know we can be sincerely wrong as well. Confession and repentance will change our mind as well as our direction.

If you and I are guided by emotions or culture's behavior, we will soon discover, we have slowly gone off course.  The Word of God, prayer and depending on empowerment from His Holy Spirit is what the true Christian will need in order to navigate the "seas of life."

Truth will lead us where we NEED to go. Truth is not what we always want to hear. Paul writes to Timothy that in the last days we'll desire to hear only what we want to hear, having our ears tickled.

It is no secret that this culture and its paradigms are headed for the "rocks of life."  The church in general, is joining the convoy as we veer off course away from God and his Truth.

We have been obsessed about painting the cruise ship, swabbing the deck (mopping?) Some are even down below sleeping in our bunks. We have lost sight of the mission and destination

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

We have been sent (rough waters and all) into all the world with the Gospel. We have chosen rather to dock in safe harbors on every street corner.  We are singing the songs of the sailor while actually being land lovers.  We have counted the cost and we're staying in safe waters. Ships are safer there but are built to handle the stormy seas.

Then there is joy and rest from a job well done.

We have been cruise ships far too long. We must also be rescue boats in the fog shouting "come aboard, come aboard!"  We need all hands-on deck and full speed ahead.

Let's get the map out and read it. In these uncertain waters, we have to get back to the truth and stay the course!

 

Between the Cross and Resurrection

The day after the crucifixion, being a follower of Jesus had to be brutal.  The world wasn't as small as it is today. You could hide and go fishing. (that's what the disciples did). No one would recognize the silhouettes on the lake.

The disciples also were hiding in an upper room with the doors locked, listening for any footsteps coming up the staircase.  Did they hide in embarrassment or was it in fear? Their witness would have to be silenced. Perhaps they were next in silencing/ killing the Jesus revolution.

Around their table questions and debates were whispered, maybe an angry shout from one.  The hopeless notion that the attempt of a war or coupe would ever happen again, had been nailed to a cross and lying in a tomb.

There had been the high of the rally, the shouts of Hosanna. The healing of the sick and His teaching...His teaching may have got Him in trouble with the people with all the love one another, even love your enemies.

He had come to save the world.  What was it all about?  Couldn't the Christ deliver Himself from the pharisees?   The Pharisees and religious leaders were busy having guards and stories in place.  They spoke lies, but that is what seems to prevail on this day.

You can imagine, the disciples looking out the upstair window, seeing small groups talking, some in anger, some in sadness.

What Kingdom was He talking about?  Jesus had been so sure, so powerful, so loving.   They agreed with the cry of Jesus;   "It is Finished."

It was a long day.  Meeting Jesus had seemed like only yesterday.  Yesterday though, seemed to be an eternity away.  They sat around the table, attempting to piece together His actions, Words and teaching.

They knew His mission was of God, but they assumed (like most did) that it was mostly political or militarily. There are many today that incorrectly feel the same way. The purpose was the salvation of souls from the power of sin and death!

Maybe you have been there, or there now. In between Friday and Sunday and the only sound you hear...crickets and the beating of your heart.  Sadness, fear and hopelessness is the future you see.

Fear not! As He enters into the room of your heart and mind saying; "Peace to you."  Meet Him there.
He is Alive. He is Alive!
Receive that peace. Allow your sadness, hopelessness and fear to be resurrected to joy, courage and peace!

Receive peace with God, followed by the peace of God, through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. Receiving a new heart and new hope!

I pray you and I, from this day forward, will be like the apostles on Sunday. On Saturday they hid, by Sunday and beyond, many believed (John 3:16).  

Following the feast of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, you could not stop them by threatening them with jail or even threatening to kill them. 

Allow it to be the same today, during this Jesus revolution of the 21st century.  Let it spread from the church house to your house. Be witnesses, making disciples, teaching those whatever Jesus has taught us!

Go to the Bible, read John followed by the book of Acts. Moving throughout the letter to the Ephesians and beyond.

                                                                                                                                       -Tim

How did I get here?

You ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, you will get a list of careers, some you never heard of.  We might be surprised in fifteen years when that young boy or girl has created that business, service or ministry we didn't have the imagination to achieve.

The young girl wasn't born a Doctor, or have all the needed.skills and knowledge at three years old.  There would be daycare, she would attend elementary school.  The parents had to drop her off at High school. She might be top of the class, yet not be ready to do surgery in the local operating room.

Policemen, lawyer, doctor, Pastor, soldier, CEO, fireman, truck driver, NBA/NFL star. all require steps of growth and training.

"Yeah, we know that!" 

 Then why do some students have to be class clown or sleep in class. (that only works for comedians).

No matter the age of a person, you will become tomorrow, what you are making of yourself today! Some men and women even during prosperous times, sat in unemployment offices with their head in their hands. Why?!
That is what they trained themselves to do while in school, as they sat their looking at the clock with their head in their hands.

Teenager to senior citizen if you wish to accomplish some dream or career, begin now to develop yourself.  Those in school, have a great time!  Also study and  receive an education, not just a letter grade.  

We might be an adult.  Read, read, read and get those Cd's maybe those old cassettes, take a leadership course and teach and motivate yourself.  You and I might be surprised at the dreams and accomplishments!  Others will be surprised at your business, service or ministry they didn't have the faith and imagination to achieve.

"Lord, You are the Potter.  I am the clay." -Amen

Your Moment of Truth.

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."  You would think we would all be straining to acquire the truth.  Paul wrote to Timothy:  "There will come a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, they will turn their ears away from the truth."  It appears this is that time, our moment of truth, yet we are turning away.

Some reject the truth.  Judas in his "moment of truth" decided to betray Jesus. Even the Apostle Peter denied knowing Him.  Later we know that Peter got it and proclaimed the truth!  Talking about Jesus he said; "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

                       HOW ABOUT YOU?

Will you receive the truth?  Will we be guided by our emotions, bad theology, or the guidance and truth in God's Word?
Let us believe and follow the truth for an eternity spent with God and for our day-to-day life here and now.

               YOUR MOMENT OF TRUTH

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

   The Christian is in a spiritual warfare.  The enemy is not people, and the weapons are not missiles and rocket launchers.  

   Since the fall of man, it has been an internal conflict. Old Satan loses in the end, so the believer must fight with the knowledge of through faith in Christ we win. 

   The Bible says the follower of Christ is seated in Heaven as we speak. HOW? In Christ, who is seated there.  But the ultimate terrorist, The devil himself. with his army of sneaky demons, is harassing and fighting guerilla warfare in the spirit arena, and in the minds of people everywhere.

                 WE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE

   As in every battle there are casualties.  The partner disciples are to come along side and help the other. No one left behind!

   We do not look the other way or put our head in the sand and ignore the bad guy who is trying to destroy the glory God gets, as well as our influence in the community.  

WE WILL PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND!

   We will fight the enemy by going into the neighborhoods with the good news of Jesus Christ, in the power of Gods Spirit and the Word of God. This is not defending but proclaiming:

         GOD'S TRUTH IS UNSTOPPABLE!