Where's your fishing hole?

"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:18-22

Of all of the people Jesus could have chosen to be his first disciples, did you ever wonder why he chose fishermen? They weren't schooled, wealthy or religious. They certainly weren't the best mannered, dressed or the picture of piety either. In the world's eyes, they really had nothing to offer. But God wasn't looking for any thing they had to offer but what He could offer through them. He was looking for people that knew how to fish. He was looking for those people who were willing to go where the fish are (you can't fish in a dry pond), willing to bait their hook and willing to cast it into a sea that may not accept it. Except these weren't fish Jesus was talking about... they were souls.

The bible says that Simon and Andrew, after being called, "Immediately left their nets and followed Him."  And James and John, after being called, "Immediately left the boat and their father and followed him." What makes a good fisherman and follower is merely a person willing to pursue "the catch" at all costs... even if it means leaving things behind.  Jesus knew that the job would need someone willing to put in long, hard hours with no recognition, very little pay and continue even in bad or dangerous conditions. This is exactly what a good fisherman does. They know that hard work pays off. And a good fisherman knows there are days when you will catch nothing, days you will catch a few and days when your nets won't hold the day's catch. But, they never give up! They sometimes have to change their fishing spot or their bait but they never quit!

God is looking for those people willing to be "fishers of men".   If you are willing, God will use you regardless of who you have been (2 Corinthians 5:17) or where you have been. The fish are biting, are you willing to cast your line? 

Heavenly Father, may we all be willing to be "fishers of men", to go out into a world that may reject us and cast our lines. May we be strong in the face of criticism and bold in the face of obstacles. May we serve you at all costs and go out looking for that perfect "fishing hole" and then the next and the next and the next until your nets overflow. Today we choose to leave our nets and follow You. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Fishers of Men - Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU2N9kWGG-o

Darkest before dawn

"So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

Maybe you've heard the saying, "it's always darkest before the dawn"? Contrary to popular belief, the quote is not in the bible. Thomas Fuller, an English theologian and historian in the late mid 1600's was the first person to commit it to print by saying: It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth. It was his way of encouraging people to have hope in the middle of dreadful circumstances. Regardless of its origin, the point is this - just before the light breaks, you will sometimes experience the greatest darkness of your life. This is particularly true when you are serving the Lord. The devil seldom has need of you when you're sitting at home reading the newspaper and minding your own business, but... plan to go evangelize and life as you know it can and will change in an instant.

Sadly, when this happens and trials come, too many Christians simply give up. Before the dawn breaks, before they experience the "great reward" of putting their "confident trust in the Lord." In my personal experiences (yes, many more than one), the harder the devil is trying to keep you away from something, the greater the reason to be there! The greatest reward for pressing on is seeing someone come to  Christ because of something you have said or done. Psalm 34:19 gives us this promise, "The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time." and 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

I have yet to ever receive a golden invitation to spread God's word and neither will you. Unfortunately the world doesn't want us speaking about Christ. It will not always be easy but God's word assures us of this, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." No matter how dark it may get, the light will always shine through!! What a glorious dawn that will be.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us everything we need to serve You. What a privilege it is to do so. You could have chosen anyone and yet You chose us, sinners deserving of nothing less than death. Thank You for your mercy, grace and your gift of forgiveness. Give us strength, boldness and discernment as we go forth to spread the good news of the gospel. May we bring You glory in all we do. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Pushing back the dark - Josh Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wyockRKo6Q

Life's Seasons

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love this time of year. I love the changing of the leaves, the smell of wood burning in fireplaces and the crispness of the air. There's just something special about the Fall season (not to mention that cooler temps are a blessing to runners).  I have daily been watching God's marvelous and changing kaleidoscope of colors, listening to the sounds of the leaves falling to the ground and the sound they release as my running shoes strike them. With every step, I am keenly aware that the seasons are indeed changing. Life is changing - for me, for you and for all of us. Soloman, the writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to write that that there is indeed a time for everything, "A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace." v.2-8.

I'm sure you'll agree that change can be a wonderful thing when things are changing for the better. But it's how we get through those other times that really define us. When the changes are not so pleasant. Are we willing to trust Him in our times of crying, grieving and tearing (and all the others) so we can then praise Him when it's our time to laugh, dance and mend (and all the others)? God never said that this life would be easy but He did provide us with instructions on getting through it. And, better yet, He promised that He would always be there, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10.

We will all go through the seasons of life. The young will grow old, the strong will become weak, the fast will slow down and that's just the way life works. Seasons are constantly changing. Thank God there is One who never changes and neither do His promises. Embrace the time and season you're in. Serve God to the best of your abilities as you look forward to the day when God will welcome you home and say,"Well done, good and faithful servant! " Matthew 25:21

Heavenly Father, help us to accept whatever season in our life we are in. Remind us that things will always change and we have no control over that. I pray that we will serve You now and until our last breath in every season and time we go through.  Thank You for promising to be there with us through it all... guiding our steps, lighting our path and raising us up to "more than I can be" . In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

You raise me up - Selah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DorNUsi5LE

Something in the water

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

When it comes to water, there are two things every runner knows. You need it on long runs and it won't magically appear out of nowhere. It's no wonder then that there are so many water carriers available to fit every preference. From hand held bottles and fuel belts to camelbaks and hydration vests... keeping hydrated is serious business. While we know the importance of a constant supply of water to avoid physical dehydration, the same principle applies to avoiding spiritual dehydration - keep a continuous supply of living water (prayer and the Word of God).

Did you know that weakness and increased thirst are telltale signs that your body needs water? It's true. The same can be said of our hearts and spirits. Too much time away from the Lord leaves us weak and longing for Him. Judges 15:18-19 tells the story of Samson who, after a long and hard battle, became both physically and spiritually exhausted, "Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord...Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he was revived." There must have been something in that water!

Living water has the power to not only keep us strong but to change our lives and it's something He has offered to all of us - "Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds,“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!" John 7:37. If you're feeling weak or in need of refreshing today, He is waiting with the only water that promises we will "never be thirsty again."

Heavenly Father, thank You for refreshing us when we lose strength and don't feel we can go on. Remind us of all the times You have been there before and that you are faithful through it all. I pray that anyone hurting would turn to You, surrender their lives and let You guide them today and every day. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Something in the Water - Carrie Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ2kdx4zZUY

Shine before all men

"may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen." Hebrews 13:21

Samuel Kosgei crosses the finish line as the first male finisher in Sunday’s Marine Corps Marathon. (Alex Brandon/AP) 



This was yesterday's headline at the Marine Corps Marathon: Army Spec. Samuel Kosgei took first place with a time of 2:22:12. Even more amazing is to find out that this is only his third marathon. After seeing his finish line photo, I had to find out more about him. Was he merely raising his fingers in acknowledgement that he was the first to cross the finish line? Or was he acknowledging the One who gave him the strength to do so? While there's not a whole lot of information listed about him yet, I do believe there will be. He is originally from Uganda and ran track at Lamar University in Texas. He hopes to compete in the 2016 Olympics and I wish him well. I was more than happy to find that, in every one of his finish photos (see below), he was indeed giving praise to the Lord. Oh, how I love to see a bold Christian!

The bible tells us that, "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32. There's a key word there... publicly. It's not good enough to simply believe and keep it to ourselves. What good is that anyway? Matthew 5:16 instructs us to let our "light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Every "good thing" we have is produced "through the power of Jesus Christ". Plain and simple - God gives us our abilities, gifts and talents (they are different for everyone) and we use them to bring Him glory.What a wonderful arrangement.

Revelation 3:5 gives us this promise, "The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels." Being a follower of Christ is not a "secret club". Are you treating it like one? Make today the day that you boldly proclaim your faith and achieve the triumph through Christ Jesus. Talk about a victory we can all achieve!

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising us eternal life if we follow You and proclaim that we are your followers. May we use the gifts you have given us, whatever ours may be, to bring You glory, serve others and be a light to the lost in this dark world. May we be bold in our faith and willing to share the reason for the joy in our hearts. Thank You Lord for equipping us with everything we need to do this. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Shine - Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=givCI1M9Rh0

Run from your problems

"Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69

I've often heard it said that you can't run from your problems. While that may be true, I think running from your problems can be a great thing... for at least an hour that is. Sometimes, in the midst of a trial or test, we can get so overwhelmed that we are unable to focus on anything but "the problem". We can't even begin to fix the problem unless, and until, we focus on the "solution". The solution is, and always will be, Jesus. Psalm 121:1-2 says, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Yesterday morning, I was awakened (an hour early) by my husband telling me to hurry and get up. Either the house was on fire or this man has gone crazy I thought! I groggily walked into the kitchen to find a flood of water and a husband desperately trying to clean it up. A water line under the sink had decided to spew water everywhere. Not a great way to start the day! After spending a few hours mopping, sopping and vacuuming up the water, it was time for my hero (after calling in to work) to head to Lowe's for parts. And that meant time for me to go for a run. I needed the time away from the situation to focus on God and reclaim some of the joy this "problem" was stealing from my morning. I spent the hour being grateful for the things that didn't go wrong rather than on the problem itself. Running along, I thanked the Lord for my husband being there when the leak happened, thanked Him that we had a shop-vac, thanked Him that we had enough money to repair the leak, thanked Him for a husband who could do it himself, thanked Him.... and the list went on. In the midst of my gratefulness, the problem really didn't seem to be a problem at all - it was simply an inconvenience that, through the gift of gratitude, reminded me that I got to spend a day with my hero.

By running (or walking) away from your problems for a while to focus on God, recapture your joy and to focus on the Word, you might just return with really no problem at all. Funny how that works isn't it?  In the words of Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Run away from the problem and go to the Solution.

Heavenly Father, thank You for always giving us the answers we need. Help us to remember that problems can sometimes bring us blessings if we refuse to let them steal our joy. May we always be grateful for the good things You have given us rather than being focused on the things we have no control over. I pray we remember that running away from our problems for a while to spend time with You is the key to overcoming them. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

I found You - Anthony Evans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAY_qM09-hQ

A friend makes the difference

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

What's the greatest part about having a training partner? Besides companionship, it's accountability. A friend that helps you stick to your goals and training can be the key to crossing the finish line. When running alone, it's easy to succumb to the temptation of running fast on a slow day or running slow on a hard training day. Having one or two running buddies is a blessing - find one fast friend to run speedwork with and one slower friend for recovery or slow days - or better yet, one who will stick with you through it all.

While friends can be beneficial in helping us train for a race, they are crucial for holding us accountable so we don't slip into temptation. 1 Peter 5:8-9 warns us to, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." and reminds us to, "Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." Every day we are faced with temptation. Eve was tempted in the garden while she was alone, David was alone when tempted into sin by Bathsheba and Jesus was alone when tempted by Satan as well. See the pattern here? We can't help being alone but we can fight back with the help of our friends. "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

The next time you're tempted to skip out on your training, or worse yet, tempted to do, think or say something you know is not God's will, call a friend. A true friend will cry with you, counsel you, pray with you and for you and hold you accountable to stay on the right path. Choose your friends wisely and they will serve you well. It's been said that a true friend is the greatest of all blessings.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendship. Thank You for those people in our lives that will pick us up and set us on the right track when we stumble or fall. I pray that those in need of a true friend would find one, and that those capable of being a true friend would look for ways to fill that role. Let us follow your example of friendship and love, listen and serve at all times. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Prayer for a friend - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN3D0Carn3U