Run for your life

"But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11

Moninda Marube, a professional runner originally from Kenya but now living in Auburn, Maine, left his house early last week for an 18 mile training run. This "long run" quickly turned into a "speedwork session" though, when six miles in he spotted two black bears at the same time they spotted him. "I had to make a quick decision, climb this tree or run back," Marube said. Quickly deciding the best thing to do was run, he turned back (just as the bears began to chase after him) to a vacant house he had passed earlier. Thankfully, he made it before the bears caught up and stayed inside until they were gone.

You know, Moninda's quick thinking and decision to immediately turn and run in the face of danger most likely saved his life. And this same course of action is exactly what Paul advised Timothy to do in the face of danger, or when confronted with sin, saying, "run from all these evil things." And when Paul said "run", you can be sure that he didn't mean at a casual pace but as quickly as Timothy could... as if he was being chased by bears. This same advice goes for you and me too. In the face of sin or temptation, we are to "run" as if our lives depended on it. Because, spiritually speaking, they just might.

So today if you're facing temptation or in danger of sinning, make a 'quick decision' to 'run back', as if your life depended on it, to Jesus and the pursuit of "righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." You'll be forever grateful that you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that serves as a reminder that sin can kill us spiritually and that we are to run as fast as we can in the opposite direction from it. So today, may we run from any sin in our lives and pursue a godly life instead. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Gungor - We will run to you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsGavd1y_Xg

http://running.competitor.com/2017/07/news/kenyan-runner-bears-maine_165942

He provides

"Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith." Luke 12:27,28

While deep in prayer and nearing the end of my early morning run before church Sunday, my eyes became transfixed on a beautiful patch of wildflowers. The black-eyed-susans, with their vibrant yellow leaves and rich brown centers, were just too pretty to pass up-so I picked a handful of them along with a handful of daisies and ran home to present them to my daughter. As she smiled and we placed them in water, she and I took the time to examine them closer and agreed that God indeed makes beautiful things. 

Have you ever taken the time to examine the intricacies of a simple wildflower? Each one is unique in it's beauty and yet the Bible tells us that, "not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." It was exactly the reminder I needed that God is the ultimate Provider. You see, although these flowers "do not labor or spin", they have everything they need to grow.  And if that is how he provides for "the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire," there was no need to worry that he would provide the things that I need too. 

Perhaps you needed that reminder today as well? Maybe you're anxious over a job situation (as I was)? Stressing over a family matter? Or maybe even a recent diagnosis? Whatever the cause of your restlessness may be, my friend, why don't you pick a few flowers, take the time to truly examine them, and then meditate on God's promise to provide what he already knows you need?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that is such a clear reminder that you know exactly the things we need and that you will provide for each one of those needs. Thank you for the unexplainable peace that knowing you will always provide brings. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Your promises - Elevation Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETzlFE5Q98k

Roll the dice

"We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall." Proverbs 16:33 NLT

Runners World Magazine recently asked its readers, "What are your race day rituals or superstitions?" And in response to that question, runners from around the world chimed in listing many of the things they do in hopes of nailing that personal record. One runner keeps the pins from races he runs well and uses them again and again while another runner says that if he yawns before a race, it's going to be a PR day. And yet another runner claims that tapping each mile marker as she passes has magical powers. But regardless of what these runners claim brings them 'luck', you can be sure that superstitions are merely, as its' definition states, "a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event."

In other words, there is no such thing as 'luck' and no justification for believing so. Especially since the Bible tells us time and again that God is sovereign in control over the earth and everything in it-therefore proving that nothing, and I mean nothing, occurs simply by chance. Solomon understood that when he wrote, "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall." You see, in Solomon's day, many decisions were made and God's will deciphered by casting lots, or throwing some type of object like "the dice". But even then, Solomon knew, how the objects landed was never by mere coincidence or luck but by God's divine providence alone. 

Isn't it great to know that nothing is left to chance? That God was, is and always will be in control no matter how "the dice" might land? And while you may still choose to keep a few of your running rituals, I hope you will put your faith in Christ and not in a roll of "the dice" to get you to the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that nothing in this world happens by chance and that You are the Creator and Sustainer of all things and in complete control over everything in this world. Thank you for that knowledge that should bring comfort to all believers. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Our God is in control - Twila Paris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN6v6whg2lk

Look for opportunities

"Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith." Galatians 6:10

Midway through my early morning run yesterday, it began to rain so hard that run-offs and puddles quickly formed. "This must be my lucky day, " I thought to myself (since I love running in the rain) as I smiled and pressed on, traipsing across our local grocery store parking lot. And that's when I saw the car approach. A kind shopper who had left the store had spotted me running in these less than ideal conditions and turned around to see if I needed a ride. Literally soaked from head to toe, I declined her most gracious offer as I appreciatively thanked her for her willingness to help. After all, I thought, how many people would have been willing to come to the aid of a total stranger? Especially one who would most certainly have wreaked havoc on their car interior? 

You know when it comes to helping others, Paul reminds us that, as believers, "whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone." And that opportunities are everywhere, if we will just pay attention, is something I came to realize even more as I continued on my run. Passing by the elementary school with the rain still pouring down, I saw that the safety officer had left his car window down. Knowing that his seat would be drenched, I detoured to the front of the building and informed the janitor on duty who assured me that the officer would be notified. That act may have been small but it was still an opportunity to "do good" to someone, right? And no opportunity to "do good" should ever be overlooked. 

Can you imagine if each one of us were to look for opportunities to do good every day? Acts of kindness, whether big or small, would surely add up and spur others on to do the same. And what a difference that could make. So today, look for an opportunity to " do good" and then, like Nike says, just do it. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder today that there are so many opportunities to do good to others. Help us to realize that our actions have more power to bring people to Christ than our words ever will that we might never fail to seize the chance to help someone else, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. 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

I am clean

"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Psalm 32:5

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of participating in a Color Run 5k with my daughter and some dear friends. Designed to be 'fun for the whole family', we took our time walking through the paint stations to ensure we had the most 'fun' we could possibly have - meaning we really wanted to get dirty. And that's exactly what we got. Covered in paint from head to toe, we were soiled, spotted and stained by the end of the race. Thankfully we didn't have to stay that way for long, though, since we all went straight home to wash up. 

And you know, just as a shower cleansed each one of us from the stains of the morning, God has promised to cleanse each one of us from the stains of the sin in our lives (and the guilt that accompanies it)... if we would only confess and believe. David knew that when he wrote, "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." And you forgave me? Oh what joy that knowledge must have brought to David - so much that he didn't just say it but exclaimed it!

Wouldn't you like to have that same joy today too? That unbridled happiness that comes from knowing that you are truly forgiven and no longer have to live with regret and shame? Today can be the day that you claim that my friend! Simply do as David did... stop hiding and admit your transgressions that he might forgive you too. You'll be so glad you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace, love and mercy that you bestow upon even the worst of sinners. Help us to confess any sin that might be keeping us unclean that we might declare with confidence and joy that today, you forgave me! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Clean - Natalie Grant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulf4PXuNV3w

Independence Day

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

With Independence Day upon us, you might be noticing the many flags on display as you head out for your morning run. And if you've chosen, like many other runners, to participate in a fourth of July race, you might even see runners wearing red, white and blue while carrying it. You could safely say then that most Americans are still pretty proud of that 'ole flag'. And with good reason- you see, 'Old Glory' represents the day our country's founders declared independence from Great Britain. Did you know, though, that each part of the flag stands for something? The 50 stars stand for the 50 states and the 13 stripes stand for the 13 British colonies which declared their independence on July 4, 1776. The colors also stand for something. The white vertical stripes signify purity and innocence, the red hardiness and valour and the blue signify vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Did you know that there is another flag that should be displayed with pride too? It's the Christian flag which represents the day we were granted the greatest freedom of all... deliverance from the power of sin. The shade of red on the cross symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. The blue canton represents the waters of baptism as well as the faithfulness of Jesus, and the white represents Jesus' purity. Regardless of their differences in appearance though, both of these flags are symbols of what we stand for, the principles by which this country was formed, and that we are connected to one another as Americans and Christians.

John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in a letter to his wife regarding this special day wrote, "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” May we, as Americans then, join together this holiday to commemorate the day of deliverance by God Almighty. We have so much to celebrate!

Heavenly Father, thank you for setting us free from the yoke of slavery and the bonds of tyranny. My solemn prayer is that this country would raise the white flag of surrender and celebrate our freedom every day with solemn acts of devotion to you, the God Almighty. May we once again be known as"one nation, under God" as we wave our white flags in total surrender. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

White Flag - Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk8ue3qN0hg

Never forget

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Psalm 103:2

"Every medal tells a story. Every medal is wrapped in sentiment". Those were the thoughts expressed to describe the sadness Andrea Able, a 33-year-old resident of San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood, felt when the bin containing more than 100 of her running and triathlon medals was stolen last week. It seems, in the busyness of moving, she set down the rubber bin that contained them by her car to rush back upstairs to retrieve the bin's top, returning only moments later to find that the bin was gone. While several of the medals have been either found or replaced, Andrea is still missing more than 70 saying, "I know that these are "just things" but all of my races are done in memory of my dad so this is a crushing, crushing blow." 

You know, I can empathize with Andrea as I know that every medal indeed has a story to tell. In fact, I often refer to the medals I have been blessed to earn as individual testimonies - tangible things that tell a unique story of God's grace displayed in my life. With each and every one I behold, I can smile as I recall the "good things" he did during that specific time - things so good that I never want to "forget" them. You see, since I have never crossed a finish line without him, each medal is a testimony to his faithfulness and love for me. Through easy races and PRs, he was there giving me the strength to run well and through the difficult and downright impossible races, he was there too... giving me the strength to trust him and press on.  

So in the words of David, "Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." I hope that you will choose to remember and reflect on the amazing things he has done for you today as well, and then join me in praise. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings you have provided to each of us. Help us to recall your goodness daily that we might be encouraged to keep running the race with endurance knowing that you will be by our side. May all that we are praise you as we tell others of the many good things you have done. You are worthy of all glory and honor. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

In Christ alone will I glory - Brian Littrell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfYZgxV3g4w

http://running.competitor.com/2017/06/news/rock-n-roll-marathon-series-replaces-stolen-race-medals_165748