The Devil is a Liar

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." John 8:44 NKJV

"I woke up this morning, and really just reflected on the past 2 days. I realized that yes, it wasn't just physically taxing, but also mind changing. I expected sore muscles but I was not expecting what God had planned to really work on. This was like a retreat weekend. Every time I hit the track the Lord showed me lies that I had hidden away but was allowing myself to believe. Lies that have held me back from doing things because I was just too afraid to fail. Lies that I believed, that had me hating my body because it wasn't as athletic as I wanted it to be. I walked away from this grateful for the journey, grateful for the trials, grateful for this body that the Lord uses as His temple. I walked away realizing that I have an obligation to this body. To keep it healthy, to keep it moving, and what I put into it matters. Both what I feed it physically and mentally. I am so grateful for the tribe of people who are in my life. People that stand by me, pray for me, challenge me and discipline me. People that see in me things that I couldn't see. When they call Melissa Sharp a wellness coach, don’t take that title lightly. Our whole being is so much more than just a physical shell. Heal your mind, heal your soul, heal your heart. That is what this weekend did for me."

Those were the words written and posted by my dear friend and sister-in-Christ, Tina Zamora (pictured above in front with the black tank top), yesterday upon taking the time to look back on all that had happened over the holiday weekend. To understand her words, consider that Tina took part in the 5th annual 4x4x48 for the Fourth event that took place at our local high school football stadium. The challenge consisted of running (or walking) four miles every four hours for forty eight hours (which equaled 12 rounds). However, she and my husband modified the challenge to two miles every four hours for forty eight hours. And if you think that's easy, think again. One of the biggest challenges she faced was sleep deprivation. On top of that, she battled the July heat and humidity, made worse by the track that made the feel-like temp even hotter. 

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

Throughout the years that I have directed and participated in this event, I will tell you that we have only had about a handful of people every year (this year there were four) who stick it out for the entire time, although we had close to 100 people come by for a portion of it. The challenge is just that hard! But Tina trudged on and not only learned that she was physically capable of more than she thought possible, but came to understand the importance of treating her body like "the temple of the Holy Spirit" that it is. 

You see, because God permanently indwells Christians and purchased them from the slavery of sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our bodies are not our own. Hence the reason, God commanded, through the words of Paul that (since we were bought at a price) we are to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits, which are God's. In other words, believers are to completely yield their personal autonomy to God, viewing themselves as His servants--something that goes directly contrary to the world's view that says "do whatever feels good and makes you happy." 

But here's the deal, the devil is a liar. "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." He's been lying since the garden of Eden. He lied to Tina, he lies to me, and he lies to every single person made in the image of God in an attempt to turn them from their Creator. 

"'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.'" Romans 12:1-2

But here's the deal. As Tina and I discussed throughout the 48 hours we spent together, we weren't created to honor God with certain parts of our lives but with our whole lives. This is the very reason Paul said, "'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." 

That means everything that we do with our bodies matters! Think about it this way... would you arrest the person who went in and spray painted the Church house that you belong to? Of course you would because it's destruction of property! But this is the very thing that we do when we eat processed foods, when we pollute our minds by what we take in with our eyes and with our ears, and when we don't exercise as we should. We destroy our bodies one step at a time. 

Furthermore, this honoring God isn't only about what we do but about how we think. Which is the very reason Paul continued by saying, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Paul was saying, "Don't believe the lies of the world! And definitely do NOT think like the world does by buying the lies of the enemy, but align your thoughts with what the Bible declares to be true, godly, healthy, and holy.”

This means that we are to read God's Word, commit His commands to memory, and then live it out for the world to see. Will we face opposition? Of course! Following the Lord is not easy! Just as it took discipline for Tina to fight her body's desire to sleep and choose to get up and walk instead, it takes discipline to say, "I will not eat, say, think, or do anything that damages the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is me. I will not believe the lies of the enemy but will choose to see myself as God sees me and will choose to use this body to bring Him glory, even if it's hard!" 

"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

Last but not least, honoring God with our bodies means choosing our friends wisely and making time to fellowship with them often—encouraging them to honor God with their own bodies and to hold us accountable to do the same. This is what’s called spiritual sharpening, just as "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." This mutual sharpening is one of the greatest weapons against the lies of the enemy that we could ever take advantage of. 

So, treat your body like the temple that it is my friend, that you might show yourself set apart from the world, set on glorifying the Lord, and ready and able to tear down the lies of the enemy. It won't be easy, I can promise you that. But it will be worth it! Just ask Tina. The devil told her that she couldn't do it, but her God said, "Oh yes you can." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our bodies are not our own and that we have no right to treat them as we please. Father, give us the desire to read the Word every day, to commit it to memory, and to allow it to transforms our minds, hearts, habits, and lives. Lord, remind us that the devil is a liar so that we won’t fall prey to his tactics but will press on until the end. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Jesus Makes us Clean

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NKJV

As my husband and I have done for the past several years, we showed up at our local high school track Friday afternoon to get set up for the 4x4x48 on the Fourth event that I direct and personally participate in. This is an endurance event where a person runs (or walks) 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours to not only test their limits but to help support local charities.

While unpacking supplies, I remarked to my husband that this was going to be another hot extended weekend. And I was not wrong. It was typical July weather in Missouri… very hot and very humid. 

As you can imagine then, after 48 hours and 48 miles of running around a steamy track and camping onsite with no access to showers, I was more than ready to get home and to get “clean.” “I feel so gross,” I said to my husband more than once. “And I know I probably stink,” to which he replied, “We all stink at this point honey.”

Which was the very reason that, upon finally stepping out of the shower late Sunday afternoon, I smiled and thanked the Lord over and over for the blessing of being clean. The knowledge of that God-given blessing then caused me to say, “Lord, thank You for making me more than just clean on the outside. Thank you for making me clean on the inside as well, by forgiving my sins and cleansing me from all unrighteousness."

But, you know, if I'm honest, I'd have to admit that I haven’t always felt this way. In fact, for most of my life, I carried around guilt and shame for the many things I had done wrong and for all the mistakes I had made—guilt and shame that made me feel so dirty that I felt I could never be made clean. Even though I believed in Jesus, I still couldn’t let it go. And let me tell you, the weight of that guilt was wearing me down. 

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” - Psalm 103:12

“Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah” Psalm 32:5 BSB

Thankfully though, I finally came to understand that the guilt I was carrying around was preventing me from truly believing that “as far as the east is from the west” so far were my transgressions removed from me. It was only then that I asked the Lord to remove the guilt of my sin.

And let me tell you, knowing that God forgave the guilt of my sin changed everything! I began to finally see myself in a different way—a way that Natalie Grant explains perfectly in the song "Clean.” 

I see shattered
You see whole
I see broken
But You see beautiful
And You're helping me to believe
You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
What was dead now lives again
My heart's beating, beating inside my chest
Oh I'm coming alive with joy and destiny
'Cause You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I am clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I'm clean, I'm clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I'm clean
I am clean
I'm clean
Oh You made me
You wash me
Clean
Oh You made me clean

So, if you’re carrying around guilt today, let it go my friend. It has no place in the life of the believer who has turned from their sin and placed their trust in Jesus Christ. Let the reality of your confessed sin, instead, cause you to remember that God is faithful and just to forgive your sins as far as the east is from the west.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who forgives and restores all those who come to You with repentant hearts. Lord, help us to truly understand that our sins are wiped clean so that we would not live with the guilt that will keep us from moving forward and declaring Your power to save and restore to others. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

True Independence is Dependence on Jesus

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

Like many people around our country today, you’re probably making preparations to celebrate Independence Day with a run, barbecue, float trip, fireworks, or all of the above. But, like many other people around our country today, you might not fully understand what it is you’re celebrating. 

Luckily, the Encyclopedia Brittanica gives us the scoop on the 4th of July: It commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This document announced the separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal workers, and in 1938 it became a paid federal holiday. Also called the Fourth of July, the holiday is celebrated across the United States with parades, fireworks, shows, picnics, concerts, and other festivities. Independence Day is also notable for its displays of patriotism, as many Americans commemorate the day by flying the American flag and dressing in the flag’s colors of red, white, and blue.

And, you know, while I was thinking about how grateful I was to live in the greatest country on earth where I have the freedom to openly worship my Creator yesterday, I remembered a Church billboard I once read that said, "TRUE INDEPENDENCE IS DEPENDENCE ON JESUS." Hmmm, I thought then and I thought now. What does that really mean?

Well, if independence can be defined as the state of showing a desire for freedom, and freedom defined as liberation from slavery, I'd say it means that true independence can only result from being released from the chains of the bondage of sin. And that release can only come from our dependence on--or our putting our complete reliance, confidence and trust in--Jesus. 
You see, it's only when we accept Jesus as our Savior and truly believe that God loves, accepts and forgives us, that we are free from the burden of sin and free to live for Him knowing that, "the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

So let us celebrate our true independence today by singing praises to the Lord my friend. And let us never forget, as William Barclay said, that "Christian freedom does not mean being free to do as we like: it means being free to do as we ought." That's true independence from sin. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that true independence and freedom comes from knowing who we are in You and knowing that You have released us from the chains of sin and condemnation to live as sons and daughters of the King. May this knowledge refresh our hearts today as we celebrate what it truly means to be free. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Pride Goes Before Destruction

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

In a timely story (given the heat wave that we’re in), published by Runner’s World yesterday, it was reported that a major track meet in Paris (a place that’s also experiencing a deadly heat wave) moved forward last weekend only after organizers added extra heat precautions, offering a reminder that even at the highest levels of the sport, athletes are still negotiating what it means to compete safely in dangerous temperatures.

France has been dealing with a historic heat wave, and according to The Washington Post, police authorities had asked organizers to cancel several events, including the Paris Diamond League meet at Stade Charléty. The French athletics federation later confirmed the competition would continue in an adjusted format, with added medical and emergency support, more drinking water stations, shaded areas, and a delayed opening for spectators.

The writer went on to say “Heat changes the math for everyone: marathoners, run clubs, and people who think being fit means they can handle whatever the forecast throws at them. The sport has better systems now, but the risk isn’t new at all. Unfortunately, Francisco Lázaro is one of the earliest reminders of that.

Lázaro was 21 when he started the marathon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, with the official International Olympic Committee reporting that he was representing Portugal in the country’s first Olympic appearance (he’d already cemented his place in history as the winner of the 1910 Lisbon Marathon).

He never made it to the finish in Sweden, collapsing after running just over 19 miles and dying the next day in a Stockholm hospital from what was said to be combined sunstroke and heart trouble. He was identified as the first athlete to die during a modern Olympic competition setting..."

Sadly, Lazaro isn’t the only runner who ever pushed himself or herself to the point of collapsing or even death. Runners are known for their stubbornness and their fear of missing out by dropping out, even when it’s warranted and wise to do it. So they ignore the signs and the advice of experts.

This is the very reason the writer ended the story by saying, “Lázaro’s death belongs to Olympic history, but the warning remains very much current. Running will always celebrate toughness, and it should, but heat is not a normal obstacle to push through. It’s a condition that has to be managed before pride, momentum, or group energy makes the decision for you.”

And, you know, the Bible has a lot to say about pride which can be defined as an attitude of self-sufficiency, arrogance, and rebellion against God. It is condemned as the root of all other sins because it elevates human desires above God's will. This is the exact reason King Solomon wrote “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

This famous proverb written by the wisest man to have ever lived warns that excessive arrogance blinds people to their own weaknesses. By inflating the ego, pride causes people to take unnecessary risks, ignore warnings, and make poor judgments, ultimately triggering their own undoing.

Furthermore, when a person thinks they’re always right (something pride convinces them of), they stop listening to instruction from the Lord and from wiser people, setting themselves up for a severe fall.

So, knowing that pride leads to destruction, refuse to give into it my friend. Remain humble and allow the Lord to direct all your decisions. Remain coachable and teachable, and you will not only avoid disaster but will be counted among the wise yourself. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that excessive arrogance has no place in the life of a believer. Help us to remain humble that we might not fall into the trap of thinking that we don’t need You, that we know better than You or people smarter than us, or that there will be no consequences for our sin. Help us to remember that pride comes in many different forms that we might be on guard against all forms of it. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Celebrate Freedom with a 5k

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let's get started by talking about celebrating your Independence Day the Runner's Way. And of course that's with a 5k. Why the 5k? Well... there are some traditions that simply go together. Thanksgiving has the Turkey Trot. New Year's Day has the first run of the year. And when it comes to America's birthday, the Fourth of July 5K stands proudly as the second greatest running tradition in the country—second only to the legendary Turkey Trot. And just like the Turkey Trot, the Fourth of July 5k inspires family fitness and togetherness. That's why the number of participants at July 4th 3.1 mile runs surpass those of every other holiday except Thanksgiving. 

Speaking of thanksgiving, this year the tradition means even more because it’s the semiquincentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. That's why we need to celebrate even more! And what better way to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States than by running a 3.1 mile race with family and friends. This is one of the best ways to begin Independence Day in a way that honors freedom, faith, health, community, and gratitude. Before the fireworks light up the sky, before the backyard barbecues begin, and before the watermelon, homemade ice cream, and apple pie find their way onto our plates, we should make plans to start the party off right by lacing up our running shoes and getting out there early to beat the heat. 
If you're feeling especially motivated this Independence Day, you could always stretch your celebration from 3.1 miles into 17.76 miles as a tribute to 1776.

The good news? That's less than six 5Ks.

The bad news? Somewhere around mile 15, you'll probably start questioning your life choices, your math skills, and whether George Washington intended for anyone to celebrate quite this enthusiastically!

Still, if you finish, you'll certainly have earned that second helping of potato salad.

Speaking of second helpings of potato salad, let's talk about another reason that you should plan on running over the 4th of July long weekend. And I say over the long weekend because you'll need to put in a lot of miles over the three days of celebrating to compensate for the extra calories consumed. With that being said, let's look at the numbers and stats. 

People attending a 4th of July cookout typically consume between 3,000 and 4,400+ calories in a single day, which is up to 3 times the recommended daily caloric allowance. Depending on your normal intake, this can result in a surplus of 1,500 to 3,000 extra calories.

The breakdown below highlights how these extra calories add up across a single holiday cookout:

• Grilled Meats: A single cheeseburger with all the toppings averages 700 calories, while three hot dogs on buns can equal about 945 calories.
• Sides & Snacks: Just a 6-ounce serving of potato chips adds about 900 calories, and a standard cup of potato salad adds 250 to 440 calories.
• Alcohol & Drinks: A single traditional blended margarita can pack 500 calories, and a standard 12 oz can of soda adds 150 to 180 calories.

To burn off the extra calories consumed during a 4th of July cookout, a person weighing 160 pounds (73 kg) would need to run between 15 to 30 miles. That's five to ten 5k runs!!!!!!

For the purpose of this article, keep in mind that running burns roughly 100 calories per mile for an average-weight adult. 

So now let's look at the miles that need to be run to burn off those holiday favorites:

• Three Hot Dogs + Buns (945 cal): Run 9.5 miles.
• One Loaded Cheeseburger (700 cal): Run 7.0 miles.
• One Blended Margarita (500 cal): Run 5.0 miles.
• One Cup Potato Salad (350 cal): Run 3.5 miles.
• One Can of Soda (150 cal): Run 1.5 miles.

Now let's look at the miles that would need to be run for food intake scenarios:

• Moderate Splurge (+1,500 cal): Run 15 miles.
• Heavy Grazing (+2,500 cal): Run 25 miles.
• Extreme Indulgence (+3,000 cal): Run 30 miles.

That's a lot of 5k's right? But here's the deal. Since most people don't eat like this every day, the tradition of overindulging over the Fourth of July weekend most likely won't do much harm to our health. 

That being said, the tradition of running with family and friends every year is one that should continue and one that you should start if you haven't already as it’s so good for our mental and social health. After all, it's been shown that children who grow up running with their parents and friends have greater chances of reuniting annually. Which means, what begins as "just another race" becomes a cherished holiday tradition that can be passed down from one generation to another.

So, knowing that there's no better way to honor America's 250th birthday than by taking one step after another in the greatest country on earth, make plans to get out there with a smile on your face and thanksgiving in your heart. You’ll be so glad you did!

Happy Fourth of July—and Happy Running!

Hone Your Craft

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV

In a story posted by The Australian yesterday, it was reputed that “A young middle-distance runner has just made history as Australia’s fastest man over 1500m following a stunning run in France.”

Cameron Myers, 20, beat the Australian record for the 1500m with a time of 3:28.00 during the Paris Diamond League, surpassing Commonwealth champion Oliver Hoare’s record of 3:29.41 set in 2023.

The Aussie champion won the race easily, with the next fastest runner coming in more than 1.8 seconds later.

“Getting the Australian record means so much because obviously Olli (Hoare) and Stewy (McSweyn) were athletes that I looked up to a lot growing up. It’s just mental,” Myers said.

“It’s nice to finally tick it off. I knew I had something good in my legs, so I’m glad I was able to show it.

“Having that exterior pressure on yourself to get a time takes away from the main part of the race, which is winning. It’s going to be huge for me going forward…”

Myers has been honing his craft under legendary coach Dick Telford since 2021 and has earnt several significant accolades in the middle-distance running space.

And, you know, in the same way that God has given everyone unique physical “crafts” or talents to be used to the best of their ability for His glory, He has given every believer unique spiritual gifts to be used in the same way.

 
And you be sure that there are a variety of spiritual gifts (check out this article on spiritual gifts), or divine abilities, given by the Holy Spirit to believers to be used for God’s glory and for the common good and building up of the church. Doing this, as you can imagine though, requires that we hone those gifts in the same way an athlete hones theirs in preparation for a competition. 

 
You see, the gifts we receive from the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit are not given to us fully developed but must be strengthened and matured through use. This is the very reason Paul wrote to Timothy and said “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

The gift that Timothy was to "stir up" or “fan into flames” was most likely the gift of pastoral administration or the gift of preaching--something he needed for the bold proclamation of the gospel to a hostile environment. Paul then, knowing Timothy struggled with a timid personality, said “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

It was as if Paul was saying to the young pastor, "Don't be afraid Timothy. Cowardice and anxiety don't come from God. Always remember that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside you, will equip you with the supernatural strength you’ll need to endure hardships and boldly share the gospel. God will also give you a selfless, Christ-like care for others that will prevent your ministry from becoming harsh or self-serving, and God will give you mental clarity, calmness, and the ability to make wise decisions under pressure."

This was such a great reminder to Timothy then and to us now that we aren’t left to grow or sharpen these gifts on our own but have the Holy Spirit to help us keep the flame lit. Our part is to be brave and follow God’s lead as the Head Coach, to boldly do the work He calls us to do, and to remain steadfast in our mission to fully use our gifts for the good of the church and for the glory of God.

So, no matter what gift(s) you might have, fan it into flames my friend by daily reading the Word and allowing the Lord to stoke the fire. After all, if we are to run the race to the best of our ability as we are called to do, we must each hone our craft! And that takes work!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You have made us all unique with different physical abilities and different spiritual gifts. Help us to find out what our gifts are Lord and to learn to listen to You, our Coach, to instruct us as to how we are to hone those gifts and keep the flames fanned at all times. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your plan by using what You have given us. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Believers Must Rebound

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 2 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV

In an astonishing story published by Runner’s World yesterday, it was reported that Vincent Bouillard was the surprise winner of the Western States 100 on Saturday, winning the 53rd edition of the iconic ultramarathon in a stunning course-record time of 13:46:15. The 32-year-old Frenchman shattered Jim Walmsley’s 2019 course record (14:09:28) by more than 23 minutes, becoming the fastest runner ever to complete the historic 100.2-mile journey from Olympic Valley, California, to the Sierra Nevada foothills town of Auburn in under 14 hours.

Although Bouillard wasn’t talked about as a leading contender heading into the race, his victory added another milestone to an already impressive résumé. After emerging as one of trail running’s brightest stars with his breakthrough Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) victory in Chamonix, France, in 2024, he rebounded from last year’s disappointment at Western States with a patient, calculated effort that showcased both his physical strength and tactical maturity…

And, you know, when it comes to disappointments, there is one thing that a Christian can always count on… it’s not a matter of if they will experience a setback but when they will experience a setback—especially when it comes to completing the ministry the Lord has entrusted them with.

This is the very reason that Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to not give up when they didn’t see immediate success or were met by pushback, persecution, or problems by saying, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.”

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NKJV

This “therefore” takes into account the previous chapter where Paul described the remarkable covenant God made with those who come to Him through faith in Christ—the new covenant that allows human beings to see the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ.

This was important because without Christ, the veil between the sin-hardened minds of humans and the ability to see God's glory would remain. Those forgiven for their sins by God's grace, though, are freed from this veil by God's Spirit. As a result, they can look at God's glory with "unveiled face" and begin to be transformed into the image of Christ as His glory becomes theirs. Is that amazing or what?

What’s even more amazing it is that the mission to carry this priceless message of God was not given to Paul, or to us, because of anything we could do or have done to earn it. It was given by God’s great mercy! This great privilege, then, inspired Paul to press on at all costs. 

So, no matter what happens, refuse to give up my friend. When disappointments and setbacks happen, don't lose heart.  Choose to rebound and get back in the race to share the message that God has entrusted to you and to every other believer. These calculated efforts will showcase the strength of God in the life of a believer.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the awesome privilege of telling the world that there is freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is. Help us to be bold, uncompromising, and steadfast in our mission to sharing this message Lord, that those who do not believe would seek to know You because of our efforts. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!