Nothing is too hard

"'Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.'" Genesis 18:14 NIV

In an amazing turn of events during the NCAA Track and Field Championships Saturday, USC's Kendall Ellis, who was running the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay and trailing the pack after a bobbled baton exchange, came from behind in the last few seconds to cinch the team's win by .07. The win was so unexpected that ESPN announcer Dwight Stone, who just moments before said "there's no way" that Purdue could lose, shouted, "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! Look what just happened! USC wins the Women's title in the last meter of the 4x4. Unbelievable final leg by Kendall Ellis!"

"There's no way." That very well could have been Sarah's first thought when she overheard an angel saying to her husband, Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." You see, Sarah was way past child bearing age and the thought of being able to conceive was probably unbelievable. But when the promise of the Lord came true and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham, she realized, without a doubt, that there is absolutely nothing "too hard for the Lord."

And just as it was in Sarah's day, it is in ours'. There is absolutely nothing "too hard for the Lord" my friend. There is no problem He can't solve, no disease He can't cure, no heart He can't heal, no mountain He can't move, and no addiction He can't break. Do you believe that today? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that nothing is too hard for you. Help us to truly believe that today that we might step out in faith to attempt great things for You that would lead others to the foot of the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Nothing is impossible - Planetshakers

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

Celebrate adversity

"When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt." Genesis 39:1

Xoloni Nuvuno was one of 20,000 runners who participated in South Africa's Comrades Marathon yesterday. Known as the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon race of approximately 89 km (55 miles), its' primary aim as stated by their constitution is to "celebrate mankind's spirit over adversity." And if adversity is defined as difficulties or misfortune, Nuvuno, who is an amputee that overcame drug and alcohol addiction and survived cancer, most definitely embodied that spirit as he completed the race on crutches and crossed the finish line around 4:30 p.m., after almost 16 hours of running (was allowed to start five hours early).  By refusing to give up, Xoloni and his supporters are now celebrating his victory--not only for completing the race but for conquering the many obstacles and struggles along the way that could have broken his spirit.

And while you and I may never face cancer or battle drug addiction, we will all, at one point or another, face some type of adversity in our Christian walk that will tempt us to give up or break our spirit. Joseph most certainly did. He was sold as a slave by his very own brothers to some Ishamelite traders who took him to Egypt. But as trying as that event might have been for Joseph, it was this very misfortune that put him right in the will of God! You see, it was there that Joseph was "purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer" who was also the "guard for Pharaoh, the King of Egypt." And through the series of events that followed (including many more hardships and difficulties), Joseph was put in a position of leadership that allowed him to save Egypt from famine.

So if you're facing some type of adversity today, consider this. Each and every trial that Joseph endured served a purpose in his life--to place him where he needed to be and to prepare him for what he needed to do. So don't give up and don't give in my friend. God could very well be doing the same with you. Isn't that a reason to celebrate?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our trials serve a purpose and that if we do not give up, we will celebrate the good things You have prepared for us in advance. Give us a tenacious spirit Lord that is so fixed on You that the idea of quitting never even crosses our mind. Oh use us in big ways Lord! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Yes I will - Vertical Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTv39-lG4M

Step out in faith

"Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah." 1 Samuel 23:4,5

In a recent interview with KVAL13 in Eugene, Oregon, Sargent Carrie Carver with the Lane County Sheriff's Department offered some quick safety tips for all of those who plan to hit the streets this summer. First and foremost, she said, it's always safer to run on well lit, well-traveled roads. But if you prefer running at night, make sure to wear reflective clothing to increase your visibility and bring a friend since there's safety in numbers. Carver also advised that runners need to stay alert of their surroundings and always make someone aware of their route. All of these reminders are in an attempt to let avid runners and beginners know that the more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are.

And while "playing it safe," or avoiding risks, is a great idea when it comes to running, "playing it safe" in our spiritual lives could cause us to abandon the plans or mission God has for us. Consider the story of David when he was told that the Philistines were fighting against Keilah. After inquiring of the Lord and being clearly told to go and attack the Philistines, David’s men were afraid and wanted to "play it safe" by staying back. David, however, inquired of the Lord again and, after receiving the same answer, stepped out in faith, "fought the Philistines... and saved the people of Keilah" just as God had commanded.

Perhaps you feel God calling you to do something today too? Something that takes you out of your comfort zone and may even cause you to be afraid? Take heart my friend knowing this. No matter how risky it may appear, if God has called you to step out in faith, He will be with you in the battle.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise to always be with us and to equip us with every good thing to do Your will. Fill us with the knowledge that Your strength is all we need to complete the mission you have placed on our heart. Help us to be brave Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

All in - Matthew West

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

Keep smiling

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17,18

Nearing the end of my long training run yesterday morning, I looked up just in time to see a large dump truck coming towards me followed by an even larger mushroom cloud of dust kicked up from the gravel road we were sharing. Knowing there was no way to avoid the onslaught of dirt that would soon permeate my eyes and stick to my sweat-soaked skin and clothing, I smiled wide at the driver and shrugged my shoulders in an attempt to convey what I was thinking, "Oh well, these things happen." And you know what? The driver's look of horror as the cloud enveloped me turned into a smile as well. 

Unfortunately, life is filled with moments like this--moments when things happen that are totally out of our control. And while you and I may not have the power to influence people to act, or the course of events to go, in our favor, you and I do have the power to respond to them with joy. You see, for the person who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, joy can be defined as the extreme happiness with which the believer contemplates salvation and the bliss of the afterlife. And nothing that happens in this life can ever change that!

So let us, like the prophet Habakkuk, regardless of the "things" happening around us, smile and then declare, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there is always a reason to rejoice when we keep our eyes focused on You. Thank you also for the reminder that salvation can never be taken away and that, no matter what bad things may happen to us in this life, we will one day experience the sheer bliss of eternal life with You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Grace got you - MercyMe

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

Friend or foe

"You people aren't faithful to God! Don't you know if you love the world, you are God's enemies? And if you decide to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." James 4:4 CEV

In an article published yesterday titled, "Why It’s Essential to Embrace the Heat," running coach David Roche said, "Everyone is affected by heat; it’s inevitable, and you need to embrace it. Because if you don’t make heat your friend, you are doomed to spend some of the most beautiful months each year getting intimate with misery." And while embracing, or willingly accepting, the rising temperatures might make it easier to mentally adapt to summer running, the slower race times and danger of dehydration they bring do not make heat our friend. You see, a friend is one that is on our side, opposite of an enemy, and not opposed to us. 

And while there will still be many runners that love running in the heat, there's one thing that none of us should ever love... the world. You see, James was very clear that if you and I idolize, or pursue the pleasures, possessions or positions of this life rather than seeking to follow Jesus, we are actually opposed to Him and make ourselves “God’s enemies.” Did you get that part? We make ourselves His enemies. There is no middle ground-by our actions we choose to be God's friend or His foe. It's just that simple. 

So if you’re honest, how would you describe your relationship with God at this very moment? Would you say that you are on His side? I sure hope so. Because God truly wants to call you friend today. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are either for You or against You. Help us to fully grasp that there is no middle ground that we might be inspired to renew our pursuit of You. Help us to see that everything the world says is "essential" to enjoying life are just cheap substitutes for the enjoyment only You can provide. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

What a friend I've found - Lincoln Brewster

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

Really listen

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a sentence when you suddenly couldn't remember the next word or the name you wanted to say? Like it was on the tip of your tongue, but you just couldn't get it? As it turns out, new research says these instances are less common for aerobically fit individuals than they are in sedentary people because exercise can help power the areas of your brain that control language processing. Meaning, runners like you are probably quicker to find the words you're trying to say.

And while being able to find our words quickly can certainly be a good thing, saying them too quickly many times is not. You see, when you and I don't take the time to really listen when another person is speaking, and consistently talk more than we allow the other person, we convey the idea that we are not really interested in, or respect, what that person has to say - which could very well discourage them from opening up to us more. James certainly understood that and so cautioned us to "be quick to listen" and "slow to speak." Doing this will not only ensure that we hear the other person's words correctly, but will show that we truly care about them and what they have to say.

So may you and I make the decision today to really take the time to listen to others. Because as Bryant McGill writes, "One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that being quick with our words is not always a good thing. Help us to remember that we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason and to truly take the time to intently listen to others and especially to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

We are listening - Steven Curtis Chapman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5HRGhKAfnY

Somebody tell them

"Though you have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up." Psalm 71:20

After completing the Hospital Hill Half Marathon yesterday morning, I waited for my friends at the highest point of the park overlooking the finish line and after-race festivities. And as I waited, I watched many of the other finishers walk around, snap photos, laugh, talk and recover. In the midst of this, I was suddenly grieved by a thought. Every runner here has a story and a reason why they took that first step - and most every story began with pain. Pain from a divorce, a death, addiction, guilt, abuse, shame or a feeling of worthlessness - which means most of those smiling faces I was looking at were merely masks hiding a deep sadness within. Fighting to keep the tears from flowing, I silently and solemnly prayed, "Lord, if there's anyone here hurting today, may they find their way to You." 

But you know, runners aren't the only ones who are burdened with sorrow or who will face "troubles and misfortunes." - each one of us will experience this at some point in our lives. You may even be in the midst of a battle right now. But cheer up my friend. Because if you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, no matter what difficulty or struggle you are in, you can, like the psalmist, confidently declare, "You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up." 

Did you get that part? Even from the depths? That means that our Everlasting Father will restore and renew you and me from even from the most severe part of an unpleasant time, feeling, or situation. Trust Him... and then tell someone else who needs to hear it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that many of the people that smile the biggest are hiding deep hurt, anxiety and heartache within themselves. Help us to be open to Your promptings to pray for and reach out to them. Mostly Lord, may we be ready to tell them of the hope, grace and forgiveness that only You can provide. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Somebody tell them - City Harbor

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