Be an example

"Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach. " Titus 2:7

In an effort to celebrate Christmas in July for a good cause, I was blessed to join with several other volunteers to host a six-hour event titled Ultra Sweaty Santa. And you know, not only did the participants of this race give their all in packing shoe boxes and collecting donations to benefit Operation Christmas Child, they gave their all out on the course-with record numbers of the runners stating that they went above and beyond the mileage they thought they could achieve Saturday. And the number one reason they did this I later learned? Because someone out there on the trail, either by words or actions, inspired them to keep going. 

And you know, whether you and I want to believe it or not, our conduct, whether good or bad, could most assuredly influence others to either follow the Lord or go astray from Him. The apostle Paul certainly understood this, urging Titus to "always set a good example for others" and to "be sincere and serious when you teach." He was reminding the overseer of the churches at Crete that he was to live out what he preached so that others would follow his lead and become more like Jesus by doing so. 

So I wonder today... if those around you were imitating your actions, would they be showing Christ-like behavior? I sure hope so my friend. Because you and I, as Christians, should be leading others closer to the Lord and not further away. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our actions and speech have power. Help us to be good examples to those around us of what a good and faithful follower of Jesus Christ is that we might draw them closer to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

All in - Matthew West 

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

Guard your eyes

"'Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" Matthew 6:22,23 NLT

Runner's World Magazine recently reported that our hearts are not the only organ in our bodies that can benefit from regular running. In new research set to be published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, studies found that the more fit and active a person is, the less likely they are to develop glaucoma, a serious eye disease that can lead to blurry vision and even blindness. Running 10 miles per week at a 10-minute pace, they say, is all it takes to rank in the study's fittest, most-active category. That's another great reason to lace up those shoes isn't it? 

And you know, when it comes to healthy eyes and clear vision, the Bible tells us that when our eyes are good or healthy, our "whole body is filled with light" but when they are bad, our "whole body is filled with darkness." In other words, our eyes are a doorway to our minds. Which means that if you and I are going to be pure, or filled with the light of Jesus, we must be vigilant about guarding that doorway by monitoring the things (movies, books, internet sites) we allow our eyes to see. 

So knowing that we are "filled" with the things we view, may we be choose to look upon only those things that will draw us closer to the Lord my friend and pray as David did... "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the things that we put into our minds have the power to make us more like You or less like You. Help us to truly grasp that thought that we might tenaciously guard the things we allow ourselves to look upon that we might be filled with light. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen, 

Happy Running!!!

Turn your eyes on Jesus - Selah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA2VpysAvgk

Extend the invitations

"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests." Matthew 22:9,10

As my friend, Ashley, and I were marking the course and setting out cones before Saturday's early morning color run that I was blessed to be helping with, I was approached by a young boy and his father who were walking in the park. "What's going on? What are you all doing?" the little boy asked. And after I excitedly told him about the fun race that would be going on in less than an hour, I invited them both to join us saying, "The registration table is right over there and I promise you won't regret it." To my delight, they not only ran the race (and had fun), they joined our running group too. 

And when it comes to invitations, do you realize that the greatest offer that you and I could ever extend to anyone is to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? You see, whether we believe it or not, there are many lost people in our world, even in our own backyards, that don't know about Jesus and the celebration that God is preparing for all those who believe. Which is why we are told to "go out to the street corners and invite everyone" we see. This is not a mere suggestion either my friend. It is a command. 

So may you and I be bold in inviting everyone we see "good and bad alike" to the great Wedding Banquet that is to come, so that the "hall" might be "filled with guests." It's one event of which you can most assuredly and excitedy proclaim, "Please join me. I promise you won't regret it." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that everyone who calls upon the name Jesus will spend eternity with You. Please place an urgency inside each of our spirits to boldly invite all we see to the foot of the Cross that no one would perish without having a relationship with You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Come to the table - Sidewalk Prophets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U

A new life

“And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him." Acts 8:38 ESV

50-year old runner Lynda Clark said she was baptized as a baby and has believed in God for as long as she can remember. But for most of her life, until she found a new church that inspired her to rededicate herself to the Lord, she says she felt she was just "going through the motions and doing what I was 'supposed' to do." And upon embracing this new life and relationship with Jesus, she felt it was time to publicly profess her new-found faith. So on Sunday, July 15, Lynda traded her running shoes for sandals to wade into the waters of the Niangua River to be baptized amidst the cheers of her friends and family. 

And you know, it's never too late to establish or reestablish a relationship with Jesus Christ. At any age, it will be the best decision anyone could ever make and one that should be followed by baptism. Why? Because baptism is the outward testimony, or public declaration, of the inward change in a believer’s life and an act of obedience to the Lord after salvation. You see, being submerged in the water represents death to sin and emerging from the water represents the cleansed, holy life that follows salvation. It says to the world, "I have a new life!" 

So if you are a believer but have never been baptized my friend, today is the best day to follow the example of the eunuch who, upon hearing and believing the good news about Jesus, “commanded the chariot to stop" so he could be baptized. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us, sinners deserving of death, to have new lives through You. May we be so appreciative of this that we can't help but make a public profession of our faith and desire to be baptized. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

This I believe - Hillsong

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

Listen to the voice

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

Jamaican runner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a two-time Olympic 100m champion who missed 2017 due to pregnancy, broke 11 seconds for the first time as a mother Saturday to win the 100m race at the London Olympic Stadium. Of her comeback to racing, she said, "I cannot complain because I haven’t raced for ages and I’m happy that the run today was under 11 seconds. It’s hard work racing after having a child, but it’s not as though it’s anything I’m not used to. I’m used to sacrificing and making sure that my path is right. Being a mother is my first priority and to come back and be flexible with my training is wonderful and I’m so excited about next year now.”

An outspoken Christian, I loved how "making sure that my path is right" is a constant and consistent pursuit in her life-as it should be for all believers. How do we make sure that our paths are right though? By following the words of Isaiah who said, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." In other words, before deciding on any path to wander down, you and I should consult the Lord and then carefully listen to and completely obey the Holy Spirit's promptings-not taking even one step that is contrary to His "voice". 

So may we make prayer and Bible study a priority that we might learn to know the Father's voice and discern His perfect will for our lives. It's only then that you and I can be sure to stay on the right path my friend. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would choose to personally direct our every step. Through Bible study and prayer, help us to look to You for guidance in every area of our lives that we might walk in step with You at all times. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Spirit of the Living God - Meredith Andrews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPks3NQwH28

Serve wholeheartedly

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people," Ephesians 6:7 NIV

Finding myself in desperate need of volunteers after a miscommunication Saturday, I scanned the park for people I might know that would be willing to help throw color on the participants of the Color Run taking place that morning. And in answer to prayer, there wasn't just one person that I knew but many! "Oh thank you Lord," I quickly and appreciatively said as I approached them for help. And you know what? Not only was each person more than happy to assist with no notice, they all jumped in to serve "wholeheartedly" with smiles on their faces.

Shouldn't this be the response of every Christian when they see a need though? Paul certainly thought so, urging the the church at Ephesus to, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord" and "not people." You see, whether you and I get paid for a job or do it voluntarily, all of our work should be done as if we were working directly for God and to please Him. That means serving others or our employers enthusiastically, with a cheerful heart and to the very best of our ability (no matter who's watching). 

So let us work together as often as the opportunity allows knowing that we can accomplish much more that way. And in all we do remember that, as Steve Welton writes, "Our work is not ultimately done for the people around us, but for the glory of our heavenly Father."

Heavenly Father, thank You for people who unselfishly step up to serve when they see a need. May they realize how important and appreciated their actions are. May each one of us be those people who can be counted on to work as if working for the Lord and serve others wholeheartedly any time an opportunity arises. May You be glorified in our doing so. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

You're worthy of my praise - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V72nsl4YE4E

The imposter

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." ESV

Runner's World magazine recently reported the story of a Wisconsin man who, upon crashing his car, removed some of his clothing to pass himself off as an "uninvolved jogger" as he fled the scene. It seems the unidentified 19-year-old driver had attempted to change lanes at the same time as another vehicle, overcorrected his car, went into the shoulder and then flipped into the oncoming lane before his car came to rest in a group of trees. And although he got away, the running imposter was later apprehended and ticketed for failure to have control, hit and run, and operating after revocation. 

And you know, as this story shows, an imposter, or a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, will eventually be caught. Just as a person who claims to be a Christian, or someone who loves God, but acts contrary to those claims will be revealed for who they truly are. You see, the Bible tells us that "whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" but "anyone who does not love does not know God." Which means that if we claim to love the Lord but can’t even love our neighbor, there’s something wrong. 

So no matter how much a person may claim to follow the Lord, if they don't love others, they are an imposter. By your actions then, which would people say that you are today?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that if we truly know You that we will love others, even those who have caused us pain or heartache. If we find ourselves unable to love those people Lord, help us to discern the reason and draw closer to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Greatest of these - Hillsong United

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsR2JgsciTQ