Category: Scriptures

Run the Race with Perseverance

Every one of us has a race to run and we all have days that are easier than others. We cry out to God and ask Him to hear our prayers. But one thing we all need is the right “clothing” to run this race called life. There comes a time when we need to change our clothes in some way. The clothes we wore when we were first saved were right for that time, but today there may be need for our clothing to change and become new, maybe some new equipment or maybe we need to get rid of some things that are holding us back. The scripture below defines what is needed in order for us to finish the race.

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us~ Hebrews 12:1

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Some days we feel like we can conquer anything as this scripture reveals.

For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.~ Psalm 18:29

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Then there are days that are harder to get through which is revealed in this scripture.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.~ Galatians 6:9

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When they shoot a movie, it is has been told that they shoot the last scene of the movie first and that they go back and make the movie in bits and pieces until it reaches that final scene. God does the same thing when He looks at us. He already knows the last scene of our lives. He sees us completed in Him. We make mistakes throughout life and there are times we spend too much time focusing on how we feel and what we see, instead of what we know. We need to see ourselves as God see us as well as seeing others as God sees them. In the scripture below Gideon did not see himself as God saw him ( A Mighty Warrior) and he even questioned God. We have all done that at one time or another and asked God are you sure this what I am supposed to do or where I am supposed to be?

“Now the [a]Angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak (terebinth) at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, and his son Gideon was beating wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage. And Gideon said to him, O sir, if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian. The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you? Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” ~~ Judges 6:11-15

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We as Christian will never excel to the point God would like us to be as long as we just want to exist and most Christians these days are just merely existing. Some are held back by the spirit of fear. Notice what the following scripture says…

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”~~ 2 Timothy 1:7

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God has provided us with the POWER and LOVE as well a sound mind. No one has to live in the spirit of fear. Fear comes as a result of us not seeing ourselves as God sees us. We are afraid to step out in faith and by this I mean radical faith not just rational faith. We have to know that within each one of us is the power of God, His love and that the spirit of fear is something we need to extinguish! We need to quit leaning on how we feel and leaning what we see and start leaning on God and excel to the limits of what He wants us to become in Him!

Sometimes we have days that we are extremely tiring, but being tired is not a sin. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is simply Rest! The pursuit of the promise of God is wrapped up in our cries!

 

Take this moment right now and just talk to your Father!!  He loves you unconditionally no matter what you have done or not done…He WANTS to hear from you!!!

 

 

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God is with you!

In my quiet time this morning I was led to this scripture and message for everyone to meditate on. Do you believe God is watching over you, smiling and delighting in the fact that you are HIS child as a born-again believer? Close your eyes and picture God watching over you at this moment. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, God’s love reaches down to hold you in His arms. Bow your head and tilt your heart to listen to Him whisper, “You are precious in my sight and I love you.” (Isaiah. 43:4,) Now rest in the promise that He loves you, He knows your needs, and He’s constantly by your side. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” ~~Zephaniah 3:17

My friends, our heavenly Father, is watching over you. He calls you His treasured possession, the apple of His eye. There have been times when I have felt as if His hand is upon my head, letting me know that He is watching over me. To be in the loving arms of my ABBA Father is safest place of all. He takes great delight in you, just because you are His son/daughter. When you feel afraid or even a little scared, He will quiet you with His love. He says to you, “Everything is going to be alright. Your ABBA Father is here just for you.” His words are so soothing to me. They bring me peace. He rejoices over us by singing songs of His never-ending love for us. You know, God loves to be with us and watch over us. It’s not because we are doing anything for Him, but simply because we are His. We might have even disappointed Him that day, but it doesn’t change how He feels about us. I sense God wants you to know today that He delights greatly in you my friends. And with His love, He is there today to quiet your fears, concerns, insecurities and doubts. I have a feeling the joy-filled songs He sings over you are written just for you, describing the beautiful person He’s created you to be, while gently leading your heart to know and rely on His love more and more each day.

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What a great reminder for times when nothing’s going right; when we feel like the whole world is against us and nobody understands what we’re going through. I hope the next time you have one of those days you’ll imagine Your Heavenly Father loves and delights in you even more then you can imagine!

Meditate on His Word!

Anything you want to become good at takes practice. If you want to be good at meditating on His Word, you have to practice it. Just like a great coach takes the time to build up his team and get them thinking in the right direction before the big game, you have to take time every morning to “coach” your thought life, too. You can’t just wait to see how the day will unfold; you have to set yourself up for victory.

Winning isn’t just about ability; it’s about attitude, mindset and internal dialogue. Believe that you are created to win because what you believe about yourself affects your future more than anything else. You have to see yourself as a winner before anyone else will. Fill your thoughts with the truth of God’s word which says, “You are more than a conqueror. You are equipped. You are well able to overcome any obstacle you may face.”

Maybe it’s been challenging to see yourself as a winner up until this point. Perhaps some unfair things happened in your past. Maybe you were wrongfully accused, lost your job, or perhaps someone walked out on you. If you hold on to the past and keep those negative memories in your heart, they will weigh you down and prevent you from becoming all that God intends for you to be. Don’t let the words or actions of others stop you from living with purpose and enthusiasm! Nothing from the past can change your value in the eyes of God. Today is a new day, and now is the time to get a fresh, new outlook on life. It’s time to clean out those negative memories and forgive those who have wronged you.

Today, take some time to examine your thought life. Are there any negative mindsets that you need to change? Do you see yourself the way God sees you—as valuable and important? Look past whatever you may be feeling about yourself and focus on what God says about you. Remember, you are not here by accident. You are created in the image of Almighty God, and your life is full of purpose. You are God’s special treasure. No one can keep you from your destiny, and nothing can disqualify you from your purpose!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. ~~Psalm 19:14

 

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