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We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)
I’ll admit it. I’m not a runner. Not that I have anything gainst people that run. I have several friends that are runners and they seem nice enough. Actually I rather admire their commitment to the sport. I have one friend in particular that lives about ten miles outside of town. One night I saw him running on the local High School running track. An hour later he was still running. As I headed home I saw him running along the highway. It was then I realized he’d run into town to run on the track and then ran home.
He talked to me one time and said he was really hurting. He’d run two marathons in one weekend. “I won’t do that again.” I thought: “Neither would I because I’d be dead after the first one!”
I prefer walking myself. When you walk you can take your time. People who walk smile and say hi to people they meet. Runners grimace and rarely great you as they glide past you. So, even though I know there are many valid points to running, I still prefer to walk.
Having said all that, the Apostle Paul likens the Christian walk to more of a run. The writer to the Hebrews implores us to run the race and never give up. The word ‘run’ in Greek is the word ‘agon’. It’s the same word we get the word agony from.
Living for Christ was never meant to be easy. Although I’m not a runner (did I mention that already?) I know that to be a runner you need to start slow, working up your distance, speed and endurance. I know that you need to pay attention to the signals your body is sending you; pay attention to your limitations; know what you can do and what you can’t do to your body; learn to pace yourself and not take on more than you can handle; learn to push through the tough stuff. In short, running is hard work, but the benefits far outweigh the pain.
One more thing I know about running (actually walking too) is that it’s far easier to quit running habits than it is to establish running habits. Habits take a long time to develop, but they are well worth it. That’s true in our physical lives, but it’s also true in our spiritual lives.
Too often we don’t establish good habits in our lives because we give up too soon. We don’t have the commitment to push on. We can accomplish most anything in our lives (exercise, Spiritual disciplines, eating habits, etc.) if are truly committed to it.
If you truly believe your Spiritual life is important to you and that you want to grow closer to God, then you need to make it a priority. Work hard at it. Never give up. Know your limitations and what keeps you from meeting with God and avoid those pitfalls. Runners in a marathon come to a place they call ‘hitting a wall’. It’s that point where the body tells you that you can’t go on. It’s lying to you. You CAN go on. You just need to push through it.
The same goes for our spiritual lives. You may be hitting a wall right now in your walk with God. You may hear the voices telling you that you can’t do this anymore, that walking with God isn’t worth it. Don’t listen. Push on! Finish the race and finish strong! It’s well worth the agony.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you showed in your life how important it is to keep focused on a goal. I struggle daily to meet the demands of my life. I give up too easily and then fight the guilt I have for quitting. Empower me with your Spirit to push on when the going gets tough. Amen.
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. Romans 8:37 (CEV)
I’ve learned a lot of important lessons in life. Far too many to put in this short post. But here are some that come to mind.
- I learned early in life that there is safety in my father’s arms. Growing up I was afraid of storms. I was afraid of water and, when we took rides in my grandfather’s boat was certain we would die. But when daddy was there, my fear was gone.
- I learned to walk, and then run. The freedom of independence was exhilarating to say the least! But in the midst of that freedom, I learned that falling was sometimes inevitable, but that even though the fall hurt a bit, I could get up and try again.
- I learned that scary things often aren’t really that scary after all and that if I put my mind to it, I could overcome my fears. I still watch the clouds. I still am cautious around water. But I know that I can handle many things if I just take the time to evaluate the situation.
- I learned that I can take care of myself. First it was simple things like pulling up my pants all by myself, then it was learning to tie my shoes, then all too soon I learned I could take care of my family and my kids.
- I learned, the hard way, that things aren’t always as they appear. Friends don’t always keep their promises. God isn’t always easy to understand. Just ‘living on love’ doesn’t really work. Being a superstar is hard work.
- I learned that I can be me without your approval. You may not like my taste in clothes. You may not like my taste in music. You may question my actions from time to time. But even though I’ll make mistakes and errors in judgment, your opinion of me doesn’t affect who I am. Frankly, I refuse to let you take the right of ‘me’ away; you won’t spoil my day.
- But maybe the most important thing I’ve learned is this: “God works more powerfully through me when I am at my weakest.”
I’ve gone through divorce. I’ve gone through rejection. I’ve made some really stupid mistakes in my life. I found out that I couldn’t live the life I wanted to live in my own power. I have stopped living the lie. It’s not about me after all. It’s all about Jesus.
So now, I believe what Jesus says about me. If he says I’m forgiven, I AM. If he says he’ll be with me through the rough stuff; HE WILL; If he says my needs (not my wants) will be taken care of; THEY WILL. If he says he loves me; HE DOES.
It’s so easy to listen to what others say about you. It’s easy to believe you have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make life go by yourself. But those are lies and are simply not true. Jesus says it’s by his strength, not ours, and it is. Going according to his strength is the key to success.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus. I’ve learned many things in my life, but the best thing I’ve learned is that your love and promises are true. Thank you for making me, me! Amen.
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16 (NLT)
I like how Max Lucado describes God’s love in his book “The Eye of the Storm”.
“Water must be wet. A fire must be hot. You can’t take the wet out of water and still have water. You can’t take the heat out of fires and still have fire. In the same way, you can’t take the love out of [‘God’]…and still have him exist. For he was…and is…Love.”
God is our ultimate example of what love is. How we view love is how we view God. How we define God is ultimately how we define love.
If God is truly love, how does he respond to those who struggle with addiction? If God is love how does he respond to someone in an adulterous relationship? If God is love how does he respond to you during those times you are feeling lonely, depressed, overwhelmed or frustrated?
We need only look at Jesus to know that answers to that question. Jesus said, if you what to see what the father looks like, look at me. See how I treat people who reject me. See how I treat people caught in the trap of sin, of abandonment, of disease. See me. See God. See love.
There are some who prefer to see God’s love in the light of his wrath. They live their lives in fear of what God will do. They pattern their lives according to the world’s standard of love, a standard that says, “My love for you is based on your performance. If you do as I say, I’ll love you. If you don’t meet my expectations, my love for you will die”.
That’s not Gods love. God’s love for you says that even though you aren’t the richest, or the most beautiful, or the strongest. I love you. Even though you struggle with life, can’t be trusted, put things off far too long and too often. I love you. Even though you may be going through the consequences of poor decisions, even that doesn’t take away the fact that God loves you more than ever.
Don’t allow the worlds view of God’s love to take away from the facts about God’s love. God’s love doesn’t spew hatred for anyone. God’s love doesn’t dwell on fear. God’s love doesn’t seek revenge. God’s love seeks what is best for you. Our human form of love can die, but God’s love will never die. You can trust him to always be there for you regardless of how bad life gets.
PRAYER: Father God, I’m so undeserving of so great a love. It’s so hard to fathom what your love is like because we humans have diluted it so much with performance, fear and demands. Empower me to live in the light of your love without distraction from the world. Amen.
From this time on we do not think of anyone as the world does. In the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks, but we no longer think of him in that way. 2 Corinthians 5:16 (NCV)
When Jesus walked on earth he didn’t see men or women, he saw his very own creations. He showed everyone his unconditional love. He invited all to be healed, to be filled, to have their wounds anointed with the healing oil of his touch.
When Jesus walked among us he was, no doubt, uncomfortable with our sin. He, and only he, had the unique ability to look at our sin as God does, yet fully understand the frustration of living as God wanted us to live.
When Jesus walked the dusty roads ofPalestinehe was tempted. Tempted just like you and I. Tempted to worry. Tempted to be full of lust. Tempted to be angry or offended. Tempted to have the respect and status he deserved. We may not like the thought of it, but Jesus may even have looked at a young couple in love and wished he could have that. Remember. He was human as well as God.
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are to see others as Jesus saw them. One of the hard truths of Scripture! To see others as Jesus did? To look past how they have hurt you? To look beyond how they have desecrated the faith you hold so dear? To turn the other cheek when they offend you. To work towards restoration when you would prefer revenge.
In essence, Jesus calls us to look at people as he did. Jesus sees Jesus sees people who are one breath away from eternity with him or one breath away from eternity separated from him. One breath away from eternal bliss and contentment or one breath away from eternal torment and anguish. One breath from being perfected in Christ or one breath away from being rejected by Christ.
There are really only two kinds of people in the world. Those we need to pray for so they will find Christ, and those we need to pray for that they will continue to grow in their faith.
The world judges according to gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, status, race, beauty, wealth and a whole list of other requirements. Jesus uses two, those that know him and those that don’t. Both groups are one breath away from eternity.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me for judging others as the world does. Give me your eyes to see others as you do. Give me the urgency to pray for those who need you as lord and savior. Empower me to show them the way.
Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead! James 2:26 (CEV)
When the idea of praising God comes to your mind what do you see? A worship service where people are gathered together singing songs of praise? People with raised hands proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ? Praise has been tied into worship in many of our church circles.
“Okay,” we say to ourselves, “the band is out, the worship leader is starting to sing. It’s time to praise Jesus and all his wonderful works.”
Some view worship as quiet, reserved with hymns and scripture and testimonies. Others say worship has to be loud. “It’s a celebration of all that Jesus has done,” they’ll tell you. They may even quote a few instances in the Bible where the angels are singing praises to God constantly.
But the best praise we can give to God doesn’t involve a single note. Not a single drumbeat or a raised hand. Not a single word being spoken to God. The best praise and worship to God is action. It’s not confined to the walls of some worship center, it’s found in the soup kitchens of the inner city. It’s not played by skilled musicians it’s carried out by people who stop to help a motorist in distress, or a crying child who is lost in the store, or a total stranger that spends their spare time in a hospital or Seniors center or jail ministry.
James tells us that active faith is just as important to the believer as breath is to our body. Without some action on our part our faith is as good as dead. The Apostle Paul gives us another idea of what faith really is: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)
Did you see that? A pleasing aroma. An aroma that smells so good that you know it must be Jesus. One of the things I love about riding my motorcycle is the aromas. Granted, riding through the country, some of those aromas aren’t so good. But the good ones are great! You can smell the neighbors grilling. You can smell the sweet aroma of campfires or mom’s home cooking. Pleasant to the nose. Enjoyable. Comforting. Peaceful.
What aroma can you praise God with today? Maybe you can finally forgive that person who wronged you. Not for their benefit. Not just for your benefit. But as an act of praise to your heavenly Father.
Maybe you can call an old friend; send a note of encouragement to a teenager in your church; visit a senior citizen center and listen to stories of their past; stop in at the local jail; give the server that just messed up your order a bigger tip.
Songs of worship? Not really. More like acts of praise. Acts of praise that are a sweet aroma to the Father and the very breath of our faith.
Good worship songs are important, but good worship action is what changes lives. Touch someone’s soul with your faith today. Make your thoughts and actions an act of praise to Jesus. It just may bring eternal rewards.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me make my life a life of praise by the way I live among those who need a breath of fresh air in their lives. May the actions I take today be a sweet aroma to you. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 