As we round the corner for the last lap of this 2015, let me encourage you today! How has the past year been going for you? Has it been stressful, disappointing, and discouraging? Have you taken a step forward to only go five steps backward? Has it been joyful, surprising, and encouraging? Have you grown in your walk with the Lord? All of us, I repeat of all of us, are located in between these two descriptions! Do you remember the ABC Sports show "Wide Sports" airing on Saturdays and was hosted by Jim McKay. The opening narration included these famous words, "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". That is were we live! Let me encourage you with the words found in the Epistle of Hebrew. In Hebrew 12:1-3, the author of Hebrews, whom I believe to be Paul the Apostle, uses the metaphor of a race to describe the Christian life. Throughout the Bible, many metaphors are used to describe our new life in Christ and I find this one most helpful. We are runners! Here are a few applications of the truth of these verses for you and I. First, the race is a GREAT PURSUIT - Like the "cloud of Witness", the Old Testament saints listed in the "Hall of Faith" in chapter 11, who pursued the Lord's will for their lives, we are to pursue - apprehend, chase, rundown, track down - God's purpose for us with the determination of a runner who enters a contest (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:7-17), What is your great pursuit? Now is our time! The baton has been handed to us to finish this part of the course in God's will in history. Second, the race requires GREAT PREPARATION - Athletes are dedicated, determined and disciplined. A runner will train many long hours and give attention to every detail of daily life in order to win. We are encouraged to " lay aside every weight and besetting sins which does hinder us". Are you running with weights? What is weighing you down? Do you need to shed somethings like making excuses, blaming others or comparing yourself self to others? What is slowing you down? What sin is tripping you up? Anger, lust, greed, bitterness, or something else, or should I say many things? No need to go through the whole catalogue. We all have battles with particular sins and your battle may not be with the same sin that I battle. "Besetting Sins" are the sins that easily trip you. In the context of the Book of Hebrews, I think the besetting sin is unbelief. It much like the condition of de-hydration for athletes which cause a multitude of other problems. Unbelief leads to all other sins! Unbelief will tangle your feet! Third, a race includes a GREAT PLAN. All athletes have a strategy, a battle plan. Paul gives a three spiritual running strategies. They are reflected in the live of Old Testament champions - 1. The Pace - "Run with Patience"- this not a sprint but a marathon! Many times have we sprinted to only run out of gas! The marathon will last until you cross the finish line at the gates of glory. Don't fizzle out or drop out! Don't give up because do not understand what the Lord is doing! Joseph would tell us, "God is not in an hurry " 2. The Path - "the race set before us" - your course is different from mine, although we may cross paths. When we cross paths, it is very important that we encourage one another! "Keep running", "you are making a difference" and "the Lord is faithful" should be some of the inspiring cheers we give to each other! We are not competing against each other!! Our course is determined by the will of God as revealed in our particular circumstances such were we live, work, and as well as many other specific and unique details about us. Each day the course is laid out for us! Like a cross country runner, we will encounter hills, valleys, creeks, and twists! Remember Romans 8:28! Moses would tell us," If God brought you to it, He will lead you through it! 3.The Point of Focus - All runners agree that focus is key. We are reminded to be "looking unto Jesus". He is our focus, example and source of strength. As a matter of fact, the phrase actually means to "look away toward Jesus"! We are to take our eyes off anything thing that distracts us and we are to look toward Jesus! How? We are look to Jesus primarily by coming to the "Throne of Grace"(Hebrews 4:16) in prayer and study of the Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us. We are to consider all the Lord endured for us in order that we might be saved! He is the "author" of our faith," trailblazer, pathfinder" who has opened way for us to follow and He is the "finisher" of our faith insuring we will finish the race! Philippians 1:6 gives a glimpse into this truth! Don't let Satan devastate you with one of his powerful weapons, distraction! The devil wants you to doubt God's provision If distracted, you will become deceived, depressed, and distressed about the course! Abraham would tell us, "Do go down to Egypt, stay focused". So, run! Run! If you have dropped out, get back in! Failure is not final! Lace-up the running shoes and run! If you are tired, need a second wind and unmotivated, ask the Holy Spirit for fresh wind and fresh fire! Run! If you have hit "the wall", look away to Jesus! Run !2016 is full of opportunities ready to be revealed on the continuing course! Run! I hope to "run into you" in the New Year! Happy New Year!
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Doug MillerEvangelist Archives
May 2021
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