Not guilty

"My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous." 1 John 2:1 NLT

Sarah Longwell, a marathon runner and former Marine, was in amazing shape and training for a half marathon when she experienced pain so intense she struggled to walk. After being diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis, Sarah underwent three failed surgeries that only left her tired and searching for answers. Taking matters into her own hands, she did her own research and found a pioneer surgeon who performed two more surgeries that had her feeling like herself again. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned, Longwell said, is to advocate for yourself in the medical arena. Through doing her own research and refusing to accept a quality of life she was unhappy with, Longwell was able to triumph over her DVT and gain a new appreciation for her own capabilities.

And while being our own advocate, or person who pleads the cause of another or ourselves, can help us receive the proper care we need, we can’t plead our own case to receive forgiveness. Thankfully though, we don’t have to. You see, the Bible tells us that "we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father" for us. "He is Jesus Christ." That means when you and I stand before the Lord deserving of the death penalty because of our sin, Jesus, having already suffered the penalty for that sin, pleads our case and sets us free.

Isn't that a wonderful thought my friend? Because of the sacrifice of our defender Jesus Christ, you and I will not be condemned for our trespasses but will instead be declared "not guilty." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your Son to pay the penalty that was rightfully ours to pay. Thank You for loving us so much that You would withhold the judgement that we deserve and instead give us eternal life. What a gracious and loving Father you are. Help us to never take that for granted and to share that Good News with everyone. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

My defender - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue_xEDOy7E4 

God surely hears

"But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer." Psalm 66:19 BSB

As I was finishing up my "run" in the pool early yesterday, my heart was anxious. I would be leaving in less than 24 hours for Oklahoma to see my son graduate from basic training and I had just recently read conflicting details on the times and procedures to enter the Army base. "Oh Lord," I prayed. "Please still this Momma's heart and let me know everything will be okay." And guess what? Not even five minutes later a woman walked into the room and, after making small talk with her, revealed that she had a son that was in the same platoon! She was on her way to see him the next day as well and confirmed the details with me. Now what are the chances of that? 

To anyone who doesn't know Christ, the chances of that happening would probably look as slim as finding a needle in a haystack. But if you know the Lord, you know that He hears our prayers and nothing is impossible for Him. In fact, the psalmist was not only confident that God heard his cries but wrote, "He has attended to the sound of my prayer." Do you get that? God heard his prayer and personally "attended to," or took care of, his needs.... just as He does for you and me.  

Is that an amazing thought or what? We have a God that truly loves us my friend! It's no wonder that the psalmist then declared, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Shouldn't that be our response when God hears and attends to the sound of our prayers as well? I sure think so. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You would personally work out the details to still my anxious heart. Lord, if there's anyone that doesn't know You and doesn't have this same peace in their lives, I pray today is the day they turn to You and accept You into their hearts. It will truly be the best decision they will ever make. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Just a prayer away - Jaci Velasquez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCKf5UptyjU

Do everything

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23,24

When Eliud Kipchoge ran a 2:01:39 marathon on September 16, many runners wondered if they could keep up with the new world record holder. So when the "tumbleator", a special treadmill designed by Canning Conveyor, was unveiled at the 2018 Chicago Marathon Expo, many attendees jumped at the chance to see how long they could maintain Eliud's speed. And while a few runners were able to hold the speed for 200 meters, most wiped out and flew backwards onto cushioned mats. One of the runners, Nichol Randal, who was able to complete the 38-second time trial said she gained a whole new respect for Kipchoge, "That was a lot of hard work. I can’t imagine the type of practice he would put in to get that done."

And you know what? While Eliud was no doubt, by God's grace, born a fast and gifted runner, he still had to put in the hard work to refine his talent in the same way the Lord requires each one of us to work hard to improve our God-given talents. You see, God has blessed each and every one of us with gifts and abilities to do great things (that means small things in big ways too) that bring him glory. Your gift be could singing. It could be running. It could also be teaching, parenting, mentoring, motivating others or a thousand other things.  

Just find that "thing" you're good at my friend, and work hard "as for the Lord and not for men..." After all, you and I aren't really working for other people but "serving the Lord Christ," and doing everything we do to bring Him glory. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we should work as serving You and not men. May we then do everything we do to glorify You and work daily to improve those gifts You have given us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Do everything - Steven Curtis Chapman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVTeIMursb8

Thankful for deliverance

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13,14 ESV

Through a series of events, the Lord arranged for me to speak to a group of young women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction about the proven benefits of adding running to their recovery program. And during the weeks that followed, while encouraging them to continue exercising, I grew to dearly love each one of these ladies. So when I was invited to their church, whose motto is "welcome felons, junkies and saints" and the majority of the worshipers are also recovering addicts, I didn't hesitate. And what a glorious service it was! As I joined them in singing the words, "I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah," it was clear, from the tears, shouts and hands lifted high, there were a lot of people overwhelmingly thankful for deliverance Sunday. 

But you know, each one of us should show this same uninhibited and overwhelmingly grateful attitude of worship for God's presence in our lives too - because we have all been delivered. We may not have been from delivered from addiction, prostitution, homelessness or prison, but we have all been "delivered" from "the domain of darkness" and the power of sin. And because of this, you and I aren't condemned to die but "have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." 

I don't know about you my friend, but the thought of that makes me want to shout for joy! So may you and I remember that we always have something to be thankful for and always a have a reason to lift our hands and sing, "You have been so, so good to me."

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us when we are so undeserving. To think that You would leave the 99 for the one that has strayed is a thought beyond comprehension and a realization that should bring each one of us to our knees in worship and appreciation. Help us Lord to realize that we are all sinners and to love and forgive one another in the same way You have done for us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Reckless Love - Cory Asbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE

Avoid burnout

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 NIV

Women's Running Magazine recently published an article titled, "How To Climb Out Of A Running Rut" in which they asked the question, "If we used to run and love it but now find ourselves unable to lace up our shoes and make the time, what is happening?" What's happening, they went on to say, is that when we no longer savor the activity that was once so important to us, we have most likely experienced a case of burnout. And the best cure for burnout? Remembering why we started running in the first place and how good it made us feel - and then ditching the recording of our running stats to just enjoy the run again.

And you know, it's just as easy to experience spiritual burnout or times in our lives when the love that once burned bright for Jesus and his people turns into a flicker. When the thought of serving brings dread, hymns no longer emit joy, and we’re just not feeling close to God. While most Christians will experience this at one time or another, getting out of this rut is as easy as following the example of Jesus who regularly "very early in the morning... went off to a solitary place" where he could pray.

Did you notice Mark wrote "while it was still dark, Jesus got up" and "left the house?" He was reminding us that spending time with the Lord was our absolute first priority and required action and intentional planning on our part. Action and planning that even requires leaving our homes, if need be, to have that one-on-one time. You see, meeting with God daily my friend is the key to avoiding burnout in the first place and keeping that flame burning bright.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we run the risk of spiritual burnout when we don't put You first in our lives or daily put forth the effort to find alone time with You. Help us to seek You above everything else that our flame might never dim or die out. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

First - Lauren Daigle

https://youtu.be/RbWQV3OiRqA

He binds our wounds

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 NIV

If you've been running for a while or have ever played sports, there's a good chance you've experienced a strain or sprain for which you've been prescribed RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) therapy. And while there are benefits to each of these treatments, I couldn't help but marvel yesterday how beneficial compression was. In fact, I recalled how the first thing the doctor did five weeks ago when I arrived at his office in pain from a hamstring strain was to snugly bind my upper leg. I had instant relief! I then wore a compression sleeve to help the muscle heal and was now applying the sleeve again (before returning to running) to give the muscle added support. Interesting how that works isn't it?

What's even more interesting or amazing is that this is exactly what the Great Physician does to heal our hurting hearts. He lovingly takes our wounds - our hurts, our disappointments, our despair, and our brokenness - and binds them. He encloses, covers and personally bandages and wraps our injuries and emotional bruises and scars to free us from our pain, suffering, distress and sadness. And He never leaves us but continues to offer us support through the Holy Spirit.

Isn't it comforting to know that we have such a personal God? A God that made the infinite universe and yet cares about our smallest worries and heartaches. Oh I sure think so. So if you're in need of healing today my friend, won't you call out to Him? He truly cares.

Heavenly Father, thank You for today's reminder of how much You love me. I pray that others would turn to You that they too might have healing and experience this great love as well. Thank You for the promise of healing our broken hearts if we would only give them to You to mend. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Come as you are - Crowder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zhf2mqEMI

Total dependence

"Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

As I stepped out into the quiet darkness and deeply inhaled the smells of the early morning air yesterday, the smells of nature I had been missing since a hamstring strain had necessitated the need to simulate my runs in a pool for four weeks, I was totally overcome with emotion knowing that, timewise, the injury should have healed but I was still fearful. "Oh Lord," I pleaded out loud as the tears began to flow. "Please allow me to run today. Forgive me if I have been prideful in any way or have not given You glory where glory is due. I humbly confess that I am nothing without you and I can do nothing on my own."

And you know, as hard as it is to endure times of trial or suffering, those times are necessary to draw us closer to God. In fact, the Bible tells us that hardships happen "that we might not rely on ourselves but on God." They teach us that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. That sense of powerlessness then drives us into the Father's arms with a humble dependence on Him like nothing else could. Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. It drives us to pray, "Lord, I can't make it through today without You. I can't make it through the next minute without You. Lord, I need You!"

So if you're experiencing heartache, hurt or pain today that you have absolutely no control over, take heart my friend. Realizing that we have no control over much of our lives sends us running to the very place we need to be... the Father's arms.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the adversities and afflictions in our lives that draw us closer to You and make us stronger. Help us to endure these times with patience knowing that we will be better for it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Better for it - Riley Clemmons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9n_65BLM3A