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!

How's That Relationship Going?

  Many a person will seize the moment and boldly inform someone they L.O.V.E. them.  It is special for those in love, whether those dating or married when they will in some way, reinforce, maintain and turn up the intensity of their emotion and commitment.

To some, the relationship means nothing.  The excitement, emotion and thrill are gone.  They will intentionally never give or receive a gesture of love on Valentine or any other day...  Soon a friend asks; "How's that relationship going?"   To hear the answer; "It's gone."

Throughout the Bible and centuries, it has been the same for God's people. We "fall in and out" of Love with Him, often being unfaithful.

God told Hosea in the Bible to marry a woman that would be unfaithful.  The amazing thing is not that Hosea obeyed but that he did come to love her!  "How could you love someone who is continually unfaithful?  It seems impossible and crazy."  The correct question is "How could a Holy God, love and forgive a people that were always unfaithful to Him?"

Hosea's wife finally left and while he looked and looked for her (as God often looks for you and I), he found her. She had ended up at the slave table.  "Stop. Leave her alone!  That is my wife I shouldn't have to buy her but...How much does she cost?"   Oh God, is that what you did for me? While we were unfaithful and breaking your heart breaking our relationship. We ended up on the Devil's slave table and you paid a great price.

God says in Chapter two; "And it shall be in that day, That you will call me my Husband and no longer call me my master."   At the end of Hosea; "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely......."

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A man from the crowd yelled:  "Hey Jesus, What's the greatest commandment?"  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."

Let today be the day you decide to commit to following and loving Christ!  

Remember GOD IS LOVE!

FACE the BOOK.

  A great avenue of communication, community and College party pictures has been FaceBook. For me I have communicated through pictures, posts and messaging relatives I haven,t see since childhood.  It is both a deep as well as shallow channel for community relationship and conversation.  Face book also opens the door for ministry to scores of people anywhere at the same time.

  God's book is Him, communicating to us. It is His revelation of Himself and His desire for relationship, reconciliation and love!  Through the Holy Spirit the eyes of our hearts are enlightened by the Word as to what God's will is.  Similar to someone commenting just a few minutes ago on Face book, this word written long ago is just as real, personal and fresh today!
 
  As cool as everyone considers Face book (and Twitter), Don't even think, I compare it to the relevance and importance of this Holy Word.

 God said to Joshua and us "You shall not let the law of the Lord depart from your mouth but meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it." 

  No matter your education level, finances or percentage of body fat, we are to face this book and respond to what it is saying.  Let me challenge us both to open its pages, and post back to God:  "What are you trying to say to me?"

  In the New Testament James wrote a post:

  "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing himself in a mirror, and walks away forgetting what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,  and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

  God had Paul post:  "For all  have sinned and fallen short of the glory of  God "
Paul also commented: "The wages or payment of sin is death." But the gift of God is eternal life.."
Jesus said:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."   later Paul wrote; "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"

  After we believe in Him and God miraculously makes us new?  We share it.

   It's time to face the music.

     It's time to face the book!







 

The Whole Armor of God

Be Strong....The Apostle Paul is not saying to stop crying, or big boys/girls don't cry.  He is encouraging us to "Be strong, but in the Lord and in the power of His might."  You can look around and see we are not and cannot build utopia, Some are trying hard, but how's that working for you?  It all seems to be getting worse.

The Christian must not go into hiding or quit, in order to live in a comfort zone.  Yes, we will spend eternity with God, all the while hiding in the safety of our homes, computer or an undemanding church life, full of self. That is living in defeat, not the victory, we are called to.

Therefore, put on the whole armor of God! This is a Spiritual warfare, and He said it was not by our power or might, but by His Spirit.
                     

                  A Spiritual Combat Zone

Who is attacking us?  It is not flesh and blood but the ruler, authorities, powers and wicked Spiritual forces.
They fire the rockets and darts of; worry, doubt, fear, the list goes on. We must spend much time with the Sword of the Spirit (God's Word), in order to have true enemy recognition and stop wounding friendly forces!

Let's move forward in our circle of life that God has placed us in, sharing and showing the Gospel, armed with the mind of Christ.

1John 2:15-17

James 1:12-17

John 8:32-37 

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Romans 10:9-15

1 John 5:1-5

WE ARE TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

TRUTH
RIGHTEOUSNESS
GOSPEL OF PEACE
FAITH
SALVATION
WORD OF GOD
PRAYER

Be alert, watching as if we are on guard duty. Watching also for what God is going to do.  Then having done all to stand, stand.

Remember we are the Church/Army of God we need His relationship and also the unity of others. Remember the idea; 

NO SOLDIER LEFT BEHIND.

Let us be a one another, body of believers! Standing fast, and strong in the power of His night.

EPHESIAN 6: 10-20.

 

Man You Were Dead!

Can you imagine the readers of the Apostle Paul's letter, being read when it first arrived in Ephesus?  I can imagine the cocked heads or looks of relief.  He wrote they were once spiritually dead.  How could that be? Some of them might have been Doctors keeping people alive or even Jewish; Children of God!

By the time the reader completed reading to the group, there might have been tears of joy.  Some men may have shouted "Amen" or Praise the Lord!"  They had once again heard the gospel from the quill of Paul.   They might have been experiencing persecution, false teaching, even temptation to return to religion. When they heard the phrase "Having done all, to stand..." they may have broken out in singing about "Victory IN JESUS."

Paul wrote: " And you He made alive, who were dead in sins..." and later... "even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit in the heavenly places.. In Christ"

Remember when he wrote this?  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any should boast."
   ............................................................................................................................................................
Don't forget when ol' Lazarus died.  Jesus said to Martha; "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this."

Well do you believe?   We would hopefully answer like some of those at the Columbine school shooting did: "Yes I believe."  How then shall I live?  We hear later about some of those at Columbine had died to this world long before that day.  How's that?

"Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord". -Romans chapter 6:11.

Response time;

Would you pray or begin to talk to God this very minute.

Stagnant

Most of us have seen water that has never flowed or has stopped flowing turn green.  We have to occasionally drain and clean out a water fountain when it hasn't been used for a while, as the bottom tends to get slimy.

That's not a good picture of a body of water.  You and I don't look so inviting, when it describes our lifestyle. 

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Stagnant:  Characterized by a lack of development, or useful activity; as in water/ economy.
Stagnate:   To stop developing or advancing or usefully active.

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What if we drained and cleaned ourselves and filled ourselves up with a flow of say; "Living water", that continually ran and overflowed to others.  We could accompany that with; Gods Word, a good book, informative videos, making informative videos, getting out more and smiling at people, even sparking up a conversation.  Attend Church, stay in prayer and renewing that relationship with God and man.
 Text, post and tweet encouragements!  

Let's be the warm running living current of God's healing water.

Moses, Give up!

Moses, give up. Can't you see?
Pharaoh will never set you free.
Give up? No, I've seen the burning bush.

Moses, give up.  The seas to large. You'll never get around.
Quiet, and follow me we're going through on dry ground!
Don't lose heart. 

God will tear this sea apart.

Moses, give up.  You could have had pleasure.
You could've taken part in Pharaoh's treasure.
This calling of yours is impossible.
Give up? No! I've seen Him who is invisible.

Has God given you, something good to do?
Never give up! Stand on The Word, that is true.

What Jesus wanted for Christmas

Another blog of lists?!  Sorry.

What Did Jesus Want for Christmas?

1. You to become a follower.
2. Our Worship.
3. Your Trust.
4. Your Life.
5. Your Love
6. Us to love others.
7. your "Dirty Laundry".
8. Our Broken hearts.
9. Us to tell others the good news about Him
10. A relationship with You!

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as children. Galatians 4:4,5.

                                                                    MERRY CHRISTMAS!