God Keeps His Promises

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” John 14:16-17 NLT

In a story published by CBS News Sunday, the writer said, “The Life Time Miami Marathon brought tens of thousands of runners from around the world this weekend and each participant had their own unique story to why they ran on Sunday.” One of those shared was that of Farouk Gomati who recovered from Guilin-Barre syndrome, a condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness that can affect most of your body. It happens when your immune system attacks your nervous system. He spent months in the hospital and he was wheelchair-bound. "I had to re-learn how to walk, how to speak, how to breathe," Gomati said. He ran in the Miami Marathon for the first time, which was his goal after he recovered. "I was active but never a runner," Gomati said. "This is a promise I made to myself when I was in a wheelchair."

And, you know, when it comes to promises that have been kept, one of the greatest guarantees Jesus left with the disciples before He left them was that He would ask the Father and the Father would send anther Advocate that would never leave them. And not only would the Holy Spirit never leave them but would abide in them—a promise that God kept (as He does all His promises) and fulfilled at Pentecost. What a beautiful reminder that God doesn’t abandon us to navigate life on our own or to endure trials such as Gomati experienced alone. Instead, the Holy Spirit guides, comforts, and intercedes for every believer. 

So, if you are a believer and reaping the priceless benefits of this promise, rejoice my friend! God is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. But if you are not a believer, won’t you choose to follow Jesus today so that you will never have to walk alone? I promise you that it will be the best decision that you will ever make.

Heavenly Father, thank You for having a tried and true track record of keeping Your promises. Throughout history, You have never failed to keep your promises and because of that, we know that You will continue to keep your promises. Thank you for the confidence that gives us both in this world and in the next. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Take the Time to Share Your Testimony

“At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!’” Acts 26:24 BSB

In a story titled “Hoka Has Unleashed Its Most Unhinged Shoe Yet: Meet the 'Speed Loafer'” published last week, the reporter said: God bless Hoka. The shoe company may have outdone itself with the introduction of its latest clomper—that must be seen to be believed—the Speed Loafer… The Speed Loafer is basically a cross between a leather dress loafer and a gritty trail shoe built for performance… When the sneaker-loafer was first pitched, “There was definitely a lot of excitement, but then also a lot of inquisitive frowns,” said Travis Wiseman, Hoka’s director of lifestyle product, in an interview with Highsnobiety. “That some people were uncomfortable and other people were super excited was a sign that we were headed in the right direction,” he continued, “but it definitely took some [time to] win folks over.”

And, you know, when it comes to being unhinged or mentally disturbed or unstable, the apostle Paul was called “insane” after giving a persuasive defense before King Agrippa II and the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima that detailed why he was being persecuted by the Jewish leaders, how he was converted to Christianity, and why Jesus was the Messiah. And while we aren’t told whether anyone that heard Paul’s plea came to accept Jesus as their Savior, we do know that Paul never missed an opportunity “to win folks over” no matter how crazy they might think he was. Paul was more concerned with winning souls than with winning the favor of man.

So, follow the example of Paul my friend and share your testimony at every opportunity. You might be called unhinged or crazy for doing so, but that’s okay! Take the ‘time to win folks over’ by telling them about who you were before encountering Jesus Christ and who you are now after accepting Him as your Savior. You may not win over everyone you meet but you will plant seeds that, God willing, will grow later.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that every believer has a story because every believer was once a sinner saved by grace and was once lost but now found. Help us to see every opportunity to share our testimony and then to be ready to follow it up with the Good News of the Gospel no matter how unhinged or crazy we might appear, counting ourselves blessed to be so set apart and bold. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!