By faith

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

In every race two things are certain- there will be a definite start line and a definite finish line. What is uncertain, though, is what will happen in between those two lines. If you think about it then, lining up at the start takes faith. By faith we trust that the course is marked and safe. And by faith we believe the course to be stocked with all the provisions we will need along the way. The confidence of that is what compels us to begin.  But why do we do continue even when it gets hard? For what awaits us at the finish line of course, the prize that we are assured of and know for certain is there even though we can't see it.

You know life is like a race too in that we know for certain that there is a definite starting point and a definite finishing point. What we don't known for certain is what will happen between the two points. That thought can be very frightening for some. But it doesn't have to be if we have faith. Scripture defines faith like this, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.", while Webster's Dictionary defines it as "an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence." Faith is trusting in what God has promised, and his will, while fully expecting those promises to be fulfilled no matter what we may see or not see happening in our lives.

The bible tells us that God kept his promise to Abraham who by faith offered his only son as a sacrifice. He kept his promise to Noah who by faith built an ark and saved his family. And he will keep his promises to us too! As we travel from point to point and from start to finish, by faith we can be assured that he will give us comfort in our trials and rest from our burdens. Just as he promised, he will supply all our needs and give us the strength to get through each day. And best of all, he has promised eternal life to all those who believe. Now doesn't that make you want to race to the finish line?

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the God who never changes and who always keeps his promises. Help us to have faith like Abraham and Noah to believe what you say even when we can't see the ending. Help us to trust you in every situation looking to the Word to strengthen our faith. By faith, may we run with confidence and assurance that we will indeed see your face when we cross that finish line. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

By faith - Shekinah Glory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__dVFKXYWE&nohtml5=False

Isn't it ironic?

"When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16.17

I was overwhelmingly blessed to, once again, work the TEAM 413 booth at the St. Louis Marathon Expo last weekend. Talking about and sharing the Lord with runners and their families is most certainly my favorite way to spend any 48 hour period. It was a pleasure to welcome many new people to the ministry as well as catch up with some old friends, many of whom I had run this race with before. So when asked by a long time member whether or not I would be joining him at the start line Sunday, I sadly revealed that I would be sitting this one out due to injury. As he emphatically shook his head, he pointed out the irony in being at a run but not being able to participate.

Did you know that the bible gives us an even greater example of irony when it tells us that the Pharisees were disgruntled and appalled that Jesus would eat a meal "with the sinners and tax collectors"?  But I love the way he responded! Jesus replied to their indignation by saying, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." You see Jesus gladly associated with sinners because he loved them and he knew that they, more than anyone, needed to hear what he had to say. He touched the leper, he held the hand of the poor and he extended his arm to the prostitute. Jesus indeed came to save people like you and me.

And just like Jesus, you and I should be "eating with the sinners" and the lost too. We should be spending time with those needing to hear the words of Jesus. Whether poor, rich, bad, good, dirty or polished, we must seek out those people in need of Christ. I wonder if we are doing that today though? Don't you think it would be exceptionally ironic to call ourselves Christians without ever showing the love of Christ? I certainly do.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the perfect example to follow to love others the way we should. Help us to share the message with everyone regardless of their social standing or their past. Lord please help us to remind ourselves that we too were lost and in need of salvation as we reach out to every person you put in our path. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Jesus friend of sinners - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipwEtvWL_3c

Not my fault

"And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know." Acts 20:25-27

After completing his umpteenth half marathon last weekend, my good friend said to me, "You know it's all your fault that I started running. I was fine until you came along." After I finished laughing I facetiously replied, "You're very welcome." All joking aside though, this goes to show that we can have a great impact on the people around us. By our actions and words you and I have the power to get others to try or do things they normally wouldn't. And while I am certainly grateful that I can motivate people to achieve running goals, it would be worth nothing if I hadn't inspired them to follow Jesus Christ.

Scripture tells us that, as Paul was preparing to leave for Jerusalem (where he was warned by the Holy Spirit that prison and hardships awaited him), he said, "I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault, for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know." Paul was making it very clear that if there was anyone that had not accepted Christ it was most certainly not his fault. Because he had never shied away from preaching the Gospel no matter the consequences, he could boldly and confidently make that statement knowing that he had been steadfast, devoted and obedient to the calling of declaring the Good News. 

Did you know that God has called each and every one of us to do that very same thing? As believers, you and I have the opportunity and obligation to win others to Christ every day. May we do that so boldly that we, like Paul, can declare "I have been faithful... If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault."

Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to give us the gift of eternal life. May we be so grateful for that gift every day that we would want to share it with every single person you put in our path. May we not shrink from declaring all the things you would like others to know. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Somebody tell them - City Harbor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjRTevhYifM&list=RDNjRTevhYifM

No favorites

"Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites." Ephesians 6:9

If you're like me you probably have a favorite running shirt. You know, the that one that fits so well you grab for it time and again (when it's not in the laundry for the third time this week) dreading the day it wears out completely. As runners we have lots of favorite things don't we? A favorite water bottle, a favorite brand of shoe, a favorite race and maybe even a favorite running song. But the Bible tells us that, when it comes to people, God doesn't have any favorites and neither should we.

In Paul's letter to Philemon he wrote, "Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites." He was reminding Philemon that, although he was the master of his slave, Onesimus, they were equal because they were brothers in Christ. It served as a message then and should serve as a message now that we should not "play favorites" by treating people differently based on their level in earthly society. Paul was saying that whether a person was rich or poor, slave or free didn't matter. What mattered was that we had "the same Master"and were no more important than anyone else.

I wonder how many of us can say that we treat people that way though? Equally? As Christians, the best way to share the message is to be the message. And the message is this... Jesus loves you and He loves me, not for anything we did or any status we acquired but because we are his children. If you or I had been the only person on the face of this earth, he would still have taken our place on that cross. And if you and I are that important to him, we should be that important to one another.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us not based on what we have accomplished or acquired in this life but because we are your children. Help us to love others without prejudice or pretense that we might be the Message to them and that we might, by that love shown, prompt them to accept you as Lord of their life. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

How He loves us - David Crowder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfPHnoT0-0

buzzer beater

"Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42,43

Yesterday's Washington Post Headlines read, "Kris Jenkins’s shot for Villanova takes its place among all-time buzzer-beaters" In basketball, a buzzer-beater is a shot taken before the game clock of a quarter expires but does not go in until after the clock expires and the buzzer sounds. In other words, it is the last possible moment that a shot can be counted. The article that followed read, "This will be remembered for quite some time. Villanova didn’t just stun favored North Carolina for the NCAA title Monday, the Wildcats did it on a last-second shot.

The bible tells us of another last-second shot when it relays the story of the penitent thief, that sinner on the cross next to Jesus who, before nearing his final breath, repented and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." While it is indeed true that a person can be forgiven of their sins at the last possible moment, why would anyone chance making the decision to follow Him not knowing how much time is left on the clock?

Maybe today you're planning on living your life as you please, doing what feels good, and then accepting Jesus when the end is near? While you're pondering that thought though, might I remind you that no one is guaranteed tomorrow-not me and not you. And when your time runs out there will be no more shots left to beat the buzzer. Won't you choose to follow Christ today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the God of second chances. Thank you for loving us so much that you would allow us to enter Heaven at the lost possible moment. If there is anyone putting off their decision today, my fervent hope is that they would pray this prayer...  Lord, I confess that I am a sinner in need of grace. I believe that your son, Jesus, was crucified for the forgiveness of my sins and that he rose again on the third day. I accept you as my Lord and Savior at this very moment and pray that you would dwell in my heart. It's in your precious name I pray this. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Remember me - Kutless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr-QlAHqqyc

"thoroughly tested"

"Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much." Psalm 119:140

Every month Runners World Magazine tests the newest shoes on the market and reports their findings. Each pair is worn for a month by over 400 runners evaluating features like fit and comfort. Those same models also undergo a barrage of tests in the RW Shoe Lab where a robot tests them and reports on things like cushioning, flexibility and height and weight. It's only then, after the lab-test results are in, the wear-testers have submitted their evaluations and the experts have pored over the data for each shoe, that they will appear in the shoe guide as having "been thoroughly tested". Sure makes it easier to find a shoe that you will love doesn't it?

In Psalm 119:140, David describes his love for things tried and true when he writes, "Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much." Like you and me, David was a sinner made right by God's forgiveness, one of the many promises He made and kept. And so God's word was what King David clung to in the darkest of times and in the most joyful of them having learned that God's promises would never change and were always trustworthy. Amidst the many trials, battles and betrayals he had faced, God delivered on his promises every single time. How could he not love them then? Those promises of deliverance, forgiveness, protection, victory and comfort were what gave him the strength and courage to get through each day!

We too should love God's Word and his promises of salvation, restoration and refuge in the storm. Think it's too good to be true? Like David did then, test them... and then test them some more. And then when you have thoroughly tested God's promises and found them to be true (and you will), may you be able to declare your love for them as passionately as the Psalmist does. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that time and again proves to be true. It has been "thoroughly tested" throughout the ages and not one promise has ever proved to be wrong. Thank you that, in the midst of this crazy world with its empty promises and lies, that we can know with certainty that your promises are true and that we love it as much as the Psalmist did. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Promises - 7th Time Down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u_f3wIS6v8

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/how-we-test-shoes

"great opportunities"

"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free." Ephesians 6:7,8

This past Saturday I was blessed to serve alongside some fellow members at our TEAM 413 yard sale. Originally scheduled (but unable due to injury) to run a half marathon that day, I was struck at how different these two works of service were-one would be rewarded by a medal and the cheers of onlookers while the other would simply be celebrated amidst our small group. Despite their dissimilarities though, my friends and I discussed how both jobs were equally important and were to be done with the same passion and eagerness. As I pondered that thought all day, I sadly realized that a large number of Christians will choose only the "great opportunities" to serve... doing only those big jobs that come with some form of acknowledgement or a bit of human praise.

Would you agree with me, though, that if we are to be faithful servants of Christ that we should be willing to serve however and wherever God has called us? And when approaching that service, Ephesians 6:7 says that you and I are to, "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the LORD rather than for people." If you and I are waiting for those "great opportunities" to serve, we most assuredly will be missing all the equally important little ways to serve. These acts may come with no earthly recompense but God promises us something much better, "Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do."

So if you're waiting for just the right time or opportunity to serve, today is that time! Wherever you are and however God has called you, in big ways and in little ways, let us serve. Because as Rick Warren writes,  "Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day."

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to serve you each day. Help us to be willing to serve in whatever way you have called us and to do it with eagerness and devotion whether we are running a race, teaching a Sunday school class or working behind the scenes, may we remember that when we are serving others,  we are working for You. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Audience of One - Big Daddy Weave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFxVfAZj5Q0