Give me Jesus

"What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

Have you ever stopped to examine the things in a salvage yard? I mean really looked at what's in there? Well yesterday I did. The rural out and back gravel course that I ran passed by an aging salvage yard. As I slowed down to get a good view of the "junk" that had been sitting there so long that the earth was now growing around it, I saw an old family station wagon, the remnants of a few sports cars, a couple boats and a litany of other abandoned trucks, trailers and automobiles. I wondered to myself how many of these rusty and decaying objects were once viewed so valuable that the owners pursued them rather than Christ? 

When it comes to chasing after the things of this world, namely material possessions, Jesus asked this question, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" He was reminding us that on the day you and I stand before God (and we all will) there will not be even one earthly possession we can hold onto and not one thing we will ever have acquired that can be offered in exchange for Salvation. The only thing that will matter is this... whether we accepted Jesus or rejected him-whether we pursued Christ or the world.  

So you still think that new car or the other belongings you have are worth the hours you put in at work? Maybe even so important that they rival or totally overshadow the time you give to God? I invite you then for a personal tour of that salvage yard to see what happened to the many things others thought were that important. I wonder what they think now? 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the simple lessons that you teach us when we pay attention. Help us to put what we actually need to get by in this world into eternal perspective. Give us discerning hearts to know what is truly important. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Give me Jesus - Jeremy Camp

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

Good morning

"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress." Psalm 59:16

As a runner who has been anticipating fall since the first day of summer, I am loving these first signs of Autumn especially the cooler temperatures and the changing leaves. So happy am I that, yesterday on my morning run, (thinking I was all alone) I began singing... loud. I just couldn't help myself as I thought of the many blessings God had granted me including the beautiful day that was unfolding right before my very eyes. But as I came over the hill on the farm road I was running, I was startled to see an older man out walking apparently enjoying the nice weather as well. "Your singing sounds nice, " he said and smiled big. Red-faced, I smiled back even bigger as I thanked him, wished him a great day and then hurried along. But within seconds, I was singing again. 

You know, God is just that wonderful and deserving of our praise. His blessings are so amazing that we should be unable to hold it in. David agreed when he wrote, "But as for me, I shall sing of your strength: Yes, I shall joyfully sing of your lovingkindness in the morning." Why was he singing? Because, like me, he knew that God had been, and always would be, his fortress and his shelter. God had rescued David time and again from his enemies, forgiven him for his sins and given him the strength to face each day. How could he not praise Him?

In fact, as followers, how can any of us not praise him for the things he has done? Are you forgiven? Praise God. Did you wake up to a brand new day? Praise God. Do you have a home and people to share it with? Praise God again! There are so many blessings to sing about, especially for his lovingkindness that greets us each and every morning. Wow! It's going to be a great day, wouldn't you agree?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Help us not to take even one of them for granted Lord. May we be so grateful that we find ourselves unable to hold it in and just burst out in song praising the Giver of all good things! It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen, 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Good morning - Mandisa

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

The gift

"For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?" 1 Corinthians 4:7

Several weeks ago I reluctantly took my minivan in for an oil change. I say reluctantly since it's something I dread doing because, in all honesty, it stinks. Years of hauling around sweaty runners (including myself) and absentmindedly leaving smelly clothes in it for days at a time have left my van with an aroma resembling that of a locker room. But since it had to be done, I did it. And after I finished my shopping and paid for the service, I headed to the parking lot. Upon opening my door, I was surprised at what the technicians had left. There on the freshly vacuumed floor mat was a paper carpet protector that read "We take pride in your vehicle." Literally laughing out loud, I thought to myself, "well at least someone does." 

You know pride is mentioned 46 times in the King James Version of the Bible. And, contrary to popular belief, pride is not a virtue. Paul knew that when he asked the believers in Corinth two important questions, "What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?" He was reminding them and now us that taking pride in ourselves and our accomplishments, also known as giving ourselves credit for something that God has done, is wrong and has no place in our lives.

You see, there's really nothing that you and I have done, will do or will ever possess that we can or should ever take pride in. Everything we have, including our abilities and talents, is a "gift" from the Father. Knowing that then, what would be your answers to Paul's questions?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that pride can cause a wedge between us. Help all of us to remember that there is no good thing that we could ever achieve apart from you. In our running, our homes and in our work Lord, may we give you the glory for every "gift" and every victory, big and small. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

In Christ Alone-Brian Littrell

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

Friendship defined

"Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." 1 Samuel 18:1

How would you define friendship? Well Google defines it as the state of being friends, with friend defined as a person with whom one has personal affection for. But what if I told you that friendship was designed to be much deeper than that? That it was intended to go beyond merely just liking someone? There is perhaps no greater model of friendship than that of King David and Jonathon. The Bible tells us that they were so close that they let nothing come between them, drawing closer together when their friendship was tested and were friends to the end. In fact, Jonathon loved David so much that it's said he "loved him as himself." But what does that mean exactly?

Last Saturday a group of my closest friends and I were blessed to run the Rise and Shine Half Marathon together. With a 9:00 a.m start, the course got very hot very quickly making for some hard running conditions. As is our custom, no matter how quickly we ourselves cross the finish line, we all remain until the last person finishes. And after more than three hours, with the heat index well over 90, there were still three runners out on the course. As we went looking for them and drove the route, we spotted the threesome-together as they had been from the beginning with one runner struggling but her friends unwilling to leave her side as they helped her along. And that is exactly what it means to be a friend and to love another as "yourself". 

You see, the deepest and closest friendships are those based on a shared commitment to God... a vow to love our brothers and sisters the way Christ loves us, to never leave them or abandon them. This bond is what knits, or draws and holds, us together. Thomas Edison once wrote, "I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world." Thank you Mr. Edison for those wise words but I have so much more... I have friends in running shorts that I wouldn't trade for anything in the universe.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us friends in this life that help us persevere through the most trying times-those days or periods when we feel like giving up or don't think we can take another step. Help us to grow closer to you Lord that we might love others as ourselves and be the model of friendship that you have designed. Thank you for your friendship above all else Father. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

With every act of Love - Jason Gray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bB7BUxBbY

Group photo before the race

My daughter and one my dearest friends and running buddy

As we gathered to pray before the race, we invited those around us to join and look at the circle! We prayed that God would be glorified in our actions on the course and that He would give us the strength we needed to finish. 

 

Nearing the end with one mile left to go. This is the picture of true friendship. This four hour journey was tough but, together, they persevered. 

We gave them the "tunnel of love" to welcome them across the finish line. I can't help but think that others were inspired as they too waited for our friends to finish and joined us in our celebration.  

Upon crossing the finish line, our sweet Sarah collapsed into a chair as we gathered around to pray healing over her and praise God for his faithfulness. 

And here we are! All done, feeling much better and with a new outlook on what friendship really is. I love this group of runners! 

Unplanned delay

"The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night." Psalm 121:5,6

On Saturday, September 17, the Seaside Semper Five 5k race in Seaside Park, New Jersey, was set to begin at 9:00 a.m. But, as sometimes happens, many runners waited until the last minute to sign up for the race causing an unexpected delay to accommodate the influx of registrants. It seems that unplanned delay may have been just the thing that saved scores of people from injury as a homemade bomb exploded at 9:35 a.m. around mile one on the out-and-back course. Reflecting back later, race director Frank Costello said, “As a race director, you don’t ever like to have delays. But in this case, the way it turned out ... I think God was really watching out for us.”

Indeed God was watching out for them. In fact, the Bible tells us that, "The Lord himself" watches over you and me both day and night. Isn't it awesome to know that we have a God who loves us so much that He would personally care to guard and protect us? And those unplanned and unexpected delays? The times when you turn around because you forgot your lunch? Or you are five minutes late because you misplaced your keys? Or accidentally forgot to set your alarm and wake up late? Those "unplanned delays" are many times the very things God uses to keep us in a safe place and away from danger. 

So the next time you're stuck in traffic, running late or running behind, resist the urge to complain or get upset but choose to thank God instead. It could just be that your "unplanned delay" was all in God's plan of watching over you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for these reminders of why some things happen and that you are always watching over us. Help us to remember that you love us so much that you would plan delays, diversions and distractions in our lives to put us where we need to be to stay safe. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

He loves us - Dave Crowder Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

What a view

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" Matthew 4:8-10

Yesterday morning's run took me to a place the locals here like to call "picture window". Located at one of the tallest points in our small town, the view at the top is absolutely amazing-a person can literally see for miles and miles viewing some of the finest Ozark hills and valleys Missouri has to offer. As I stopped for a moment to meditate and take it all in, I couldn't help but think of how much more amazing the view Jesus must have had when the devil made him this offer, "All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me." Oh satan is quite crafty isn't he?

You know the devil is still tempting people with that same offer today saying that if you and I will only exalt him that he will give us all the things of this world-those possessions, power and positions that only money can buy and the world tells us will make us happy. We know that's a lie though right? There is no joy apart from Jesus Christ. So when that happens (and it will), you and I can resist the temptation in the same way that Jesus did by quoting these words, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" And remember, even if you gain all those things and even the whole world, is it worth losing your soul?

In the words of TobyMac, "Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world that fight for our love, and our passion. As our eyes are open wide and on you, grant us the privilege of your world view. And may your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down." Yes, Lord-open our eyes to see your view and what really matters in this life. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that, if we worship the things of this world and follow after the devil and his ways that we forfeit salvation. Knowing that, may we keep our eyes focused on you and off of worldly things that we might not be tempted to do anything other than worship and serve the one and only true God. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Lose my soul - TobyMac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHKdhAZ9hU

Outdo the competition

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10

The final race of the World Triathlon Series in Cozumel, Mexico, ended dramatically Sunday when Jonny Brownlee of Britain, in the lead and with less than half a mile to go, showed signs of serious dehydration. As he staggered over to a water station on the brink of collapse, his brother Alistair, who was right behind him and in a battle for second place against Henri Schoeman of South Africa, saw what happened and ran to help him pulling Jonny's arm over his shoulder as he led them both to the finish line. It's what happened next that's really the best part of the story though. With Schoeman now in first, Alistair could still have claimed second place-but he pushed his brother ahead, across the finish line before him, to claim it instead.

Wow. In this competitive world, I wonder how many of us would have done that same thing? But the Bible tells us that that is just the right attitude that you and I are to have. We are commanded to "Love one another with brotherly affection," and to "Outdo one another in showing honor." In other words, we are to love others so much that we would put them first-showing them that they are more important than ourselves-showing them the highest respect because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, created in God's image. 

So yes, let us compete. But not for a prize or title that will rot, rust or fade away. Let us strive to surpass and outdo one another in displaying love, esteem and honor that we might, in this way, show the love of Christ to others. After all, Jesus was, is and always will be the Champion at this. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example these two brothers have shown of what it truly means to love and honor someone above yourself. In our quest to be the best at home, work or on the race course, may we never lose sight of what we are truly competing for...  a chance to love and honor others the way you have loved and honored us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Brother - Need to breathe

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

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/sports/brownlee-brothers-triathlon-helped-to-finish-alistair-jonny.html?_r=0