Pray for all people

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." 1 Timothy 2:1

As I usually do when I'm not out of town for a race, I joined a group of friends for a run early Saturday morning a few weeks ago. And while many of my running buddies left immediately after the run, two of my dear girlfriends joined me for some stretching. Throughout the course of this cool-down exercise, we discussed the things that were going on in our lives including a concern that was potentially life-changing for one of them. As I listened intently, the urge to pray over this situation right then and right there was overwhelming. "Hey girls," I said, "can I pray with you?" And in the middle of the park, that's exactly what we did.

You know, when it comes to praying for those in need, Paul urges us to "pray for all people" asking "God to help them." He stressed the importance of interceding, or pleading to the Lord on behalf of another person, and giving "thanks for them." And you can bet that he meant anytime and everytime the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. You see, prayer is our direct and constant lifeline to the Lord and it's the way you and I can and should, at any time, lift our brothers and sisters up when they need it most.

So don't be embarrassed or afraid to pray for someone who is hurting, anxious or afraid my friend. Because as Richard J. Foster wrote, "If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit living inside of us that prompts us to pray for others when they are in need. Thank You for the promise that You will turn your ear to us and hear those prayers. Help us to be those people who lift up our friends, family, communities and leaders in prayer that the whole world would come to know You because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

What if His people prayed - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdUogt0H2fk

Nothing goes unseen

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13 NIV

Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of running an 80k race that required completing three 15.5 mile loops and then a 5k loop to complete the 49.6 miles. But after having already run the 46.5 miles and feeling the effects of the rising heat index, I began the last 3.1 mile segment that had no timing mat or official standing by when I heard, "There's no one out here. Who will know that you didn't really run the loop? Just turn around as if you did it already and be done with this race," said the voices in my head. "Oh no!" I shouted out loud, putting the devil in his place. "There's no way I'm doing that!" 

Have you ever heard those things too? The voices of the enemy tempting you to compromise and promising you that no one will ever know? Of course. We all have. And it's at those times that you and I need to call the devil out for the liar he is and declare, "It is written 'Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes to whom we must give account.'" And then, knowing full well how true that statement is, base our actions on the knowledge that nothing, and I mean nothing, that we do goes unnoticed by God. 

So may you and I make every attempt to live a life of integrity my friend-no matter who is watching. Doing anything less than that will not only leave us accountable to the Lord for our shortcomings but could very well compromise our witness and our walk with Christ. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that none of our actions, words or thoughts are hidden from You. Help us to live lives of integrity, determined to be honest, moral and upright in private as well as in public knowing that we are ultimately accountable to You for everything we do and say. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

No compromise - Peter Furler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqZNfWc-8aw

Trust and let it go

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 NLT

In an article published by the Washingtonian recently, Chuck Todd, moderator for "Meet the Press", said that he took up running in 2013 after stress pushed him to nearly 200 pounds. Five years later, 30 pounds lighter and still going strong, he said, "I feel like more and more in my job, Washington is stuck in a cul-de-sac—we’re going in circles. In the never-ending dreariness of what Washington feels like, it’s become an escape."

And speaking of wanting to escape, or break free from the worries of this world, did you know that a recent gallup poll showed that 79% of Americans feel stress sometimes or frequently throughout their day? And if stress can be defined as worry caused by a difficult situation, or something that causes this condition, it's easy to see why, in this fast paced world, so many people are experiencing its' effects. But you know what? You and I weren’t created to live that way - which is why the Bible tells us not to "worry about anything" but to "pray about everything." And to then tell God what we need “and thank him for all he has done." In other words...  you and I need to trust God, pray, and let it go.

Need another reason not to worry? Consider the words of John McArthur my friend, "For some reason, we think of doubt and worry as "small" sins. But when a Christian displays unbelief...or an inability to cope with life, he is saying to the world, "My God cannot be trusted," and that kind of disrespect makes one guilty of a fundamental error, the heinous sin of dishonoring God. That is no small sin."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we have no need to worry about anything when we pray about everything. Knowing that worry is a sign that we don't trust You, help us to dig into your Word every time we feel anxious to remind ourselves that You are the same God yesterday, today and forever that that Your promises are always true. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Right on time - Aaron Cole
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHNPWDZJjhc

Pass it on

"We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders." Psalm 78:4 NLT

Early yesterday morning I had the pleasure of joining some friends for a 24.2 mile relay to celebrate Independence Day and the 242nd birthday of the United States. While proudly holding high and carrying the American flag, the first runner began their journey at 6 am and traveled a mile until they passed it on to the next runner, with the process continuing until the race was over and the flag reached its' final destination in downtown Waynesville, MO at the Pulaski County Courthouse, where it will proudly be displayed on the flagpole out front. 

And you know, when it became my turn and I accepted the flag, carried it for a while and then passed it on, I couldn't help but think how our faith works the same way. You see, in a sense, every believer is in a relay race, carrying the baton of faith and the knowledge of the Lord and of his Word until it's time to pass it on the next generation-and they in turn to the next, and the next and so on until we all reach our final destination. The psalmist clearly understood this and so wrote, "we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and mighty wonders." 

So I wonder, are you in the race today? Are you actively pursing a close relationship with the Lord, living a life worthy of being called a follower, so that one day you can pass the baton of faith on to your children and/or the next generation? I certainly hope so my friend. Because it is the job of each and every Christian to do so.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the things we do today affect future generations and that as Christians we have an obligation to do everything in our power to ensure those people we leave behind know of Your goodness, grace and mercy. Help us to be faithful in passing on our faith Lord that the cycle might never end. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

For future generation - 4Him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_T9d9vqbZY

True Independence

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

While driving home from work yesterday evening, I was doing what many other runners around our great nation were doing, I was thinking about the run I had planned in the morning with friends to celebrate Independence Day. And while lost in thought, I glanced to the side just in time to read a Church billboard that said, "TRUE INDEPENDENCE IS DEPENDENCE ON JESUS." Hmmm, I thought. 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 bondage. And that release can only come from our dependence, or our putting our complete reliance, confidence and trust in Jesus. You see, it's only when you and I 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, you and I, celebrate our true independence today by singing praises to the Lord my friend. Praises arising from grateful hearts that can't help but declare, "Free at last, He has ransomed me. His grace runs deep. While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me. Yes He died for me. Who the Son sets free, oh is free indeed. I’m a child of God, yes I am."

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!!!

Who You Say I am - Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6HBSIaEZ5o

Follow Me

"“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4:19,20 BSB

Have you ever wanted to be in a major movie? Well now's your chance. The producers of the upcoming Wonder Woman 2 film are looking for runners, men and women of all ethnicities, in the Arlington, Virginia, area to play joggers. No previous acting experience is required, they say, but to qualify you must be able to "jog over and over multiple times" and be available for costume fitting and filming on Saturday, July 7. 

You know, when it comes to finding people to serve, did you know that Jesus doesn't always call those who are qualified, or those who are fitted (as by training or experience) for a given purpose? Consider Peter and Andrew. They were two fishermen simply going about their work, casting a net into the lake, when they heard the words, "Come follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." They weren't qualified for ministry in the eyes of the world. They had no formal training and were laborers by trade. But Jesus could use them! Why? Because they were obedient and, "at once" and without hesitation, "left their nets and followed Him."

So if you think you can't be used my friend, consider the words of Max Lucado, "God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. God stampeded the first-century society with swaybacks, not thoroughbreds! Their collars were blue, their hands were calloused, and there is no evidence that Jesus chose them because they were smarter or nicer than the guy next door. The one thing they had going for them was a willingness to take a step when Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You don't call the qualified but the obedient and that you then equip them with every tool needed to fulfill that calling. Help us to be so confident of that, that we dare to step out to do great things and be the fishers of men You have called each and every one of us to be. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Confidence - Sanctus Real

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuZPOVFcFJ4

Volunteers needed

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37,38

On Saturday, John Dell of the Winston-Salem Journal wrote, "The beauty of the Ultimate Runner is the wide range of ages competing at Hanes Park. It’s not every day that in the same heat an 8-year-old and a 71-year-old can battle back and forth in the various events." And with 114 runners participating in the 32nd year of this competition, it appeared that fun was had by all. But you know what? This event, and many more like it, could never have taken place without the help of volunteers. Warren Allen, one of the longtime Twin City Track and Field Club volunteers who helped to make the event a success said, "It’s great to see the number of volunteers out here helping."

And you know, just as a sporting event cannot operate without volunteers, or people who voluntarily offer themselves for a service or undertaking, the Church cannot reach the lost without people who are willing to offer themselves to do the work. Jesus clearly explained that to the disciples when He said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." You see, many people are in need of Christ and ready to give their lives to Him right now if only someone would show them how. Which is why Jesus gave us the command to "ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

And while you and I should most definitely be praying that Christians everywhere would heed the call to step up to evangelize, we should also be asking ourselves these questions. “Where does God want me to go and what does God want me to do?"

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the fields are ripe with people that are searching for You. Help us to be those followers that would freely go out into the "harvest field" to share the Good News with others. Help us to feel a sense of urgency to reach the lost Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Send me - Planetshakers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN-tdsHejB0