Press On

We watched him step after step, mile after mile press on and persevere.  We cheered, we high-fived, we prayed.  We listened as they called his name and we watched him cross the finish line.  26.2 miles - he ran the race.  It didn't come easy, much as life doesn't come easy. 

Blessed is the man who perseveres...-James 1:12a

Life is a marathon; each step requires thought, time, energy, strength and the will to persevere.  And there are obstacles at every turn; threatening to pull us down, discourage our steps, make us quit.

...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Perseverance (verb)- to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

There are days I don't want to get out of bed.  But I do.  With my eyes fixed on Jesus, one foot after the other, I press on.  Considering Him and all that he endured, considering His power bottled within me-The Holy Spirit, considering it's Him NOT me, making each step more possible.  I can persevere.

...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

God help me to live in such a way that I can say as Paul did "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).  Help me to throw off everything that hinders me from running the race you have set before me; be it money, time, worldly perspective, or myself.  Keep my feet from the entanglement of sin.  I am far from perfect and I need the guidance and help of my perfecter - Jesus.  Help me, everyday, to press on.  I will not find my crown here on earth, there is no earthly prize set before me, but there will be a heavenly reward for my earthly perseverance in the faith.  I want to finish, I want to fight, I want to keep the faith.  Jesus, help me.

Tears for Jesus

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". - Matthew 19:14

"Mom, when will I get to see Jesus?" - he asked

I'm not sure, buddy - what I do know for sure is if we love Him; when we die we will be with Him in heaven, but if God decides it's time for Jesus to come back it may be sooner. 
Really, only God knows.

His head sunk into cupped hands, and salty tears stained his cheeks. 

Why are you crying sweetheart? - I asked

And from the bottom of his longing heart he replied - "because, that's a long time"

A response of childlike faith, and a heart that truly desires fellowship with our savior. 

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3-4

God, through the working of the Holy Spirit who is living inside of me - convict me of pride and empower me to be humble.  Implant the desire for intimate fellowship with You deep within my heart.  May my heart be full of anticipation, ever ready for Jesus to return.  And in the waiting help me to be faithful and obedient.  Lead me, I lay myself down.

Subtraction

As I walk down the road of life I carry the luggage of me.   Memories of heartache, of regrettable past choices, and of questions unanswered fill these bags weighing down the steps of my journey.  Fear of life's unknowns are heavy shackles which encumber each step.  Dirt from the road clings to my skin, stirred up amidst my struggle for control.

"Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

The gate is narrow and the luggage of me will not fit.  So, I drop the bags - they will not fit through the gate.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18
"We live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 

By faith, not by sight.  So, through faith I face the unknown and each step is lighter as the shackles crumble.

"...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
- Luke 9:23-24

Take up my cross;
Die - everyday,
Deny myself - everyday,
Follow Jesus - everyday.
Save my life by losing it - relinquish control. 

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

And so I take myself away.  Before my arms stretch from beneath the warm sheets, before my feet hit the cool wood floors I pray that it would be You living in me.  You in my words.  You in my actions.  You people see.  You, take away me equaling just you.

Partly cloudy with a Guarantee of Sunshine

The hopelessness of loss casts a grey shadow over life's sky.  The numbness of the monotonous day-to-day, leaving life void, and nagging for purpose. 

There is a light that shines to fill the void and transform the grey skies to blue.

He is not here.  He is risen! - Luke 24:6

Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?  Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57

Feeling hopeless? - God Wins, and His word shines for you (Psalm 119:30)
Numb? - God Wins, and He wants your day-to-day no matter how monotonous (Colossians 3:23)
Desperate to fill the void? - God Wins, and He will fill you with peace and joy (Acts 2:28, Romans15:13)
Searching for purpose? - God Wins, and He has a plan (Philippians 2:13, Jeremiah 29:11)

The grey doesn't last forever. 
Good triumphs over evil. 
In Christ- death is nothing to fear.  
And He's coming back.
The End - God WINS
Are you on His team?

God, thank you for the victory we have in Jesus.  Please continue to work in me to will and act according to your good purpose as I strive to glorify you in this life.  May I walk and live with the knowledge and hope of your victory and your return.  May I be a light to others.

"Good" Friday

Overwhelmed with sorrow, distressed and troubled; He knelt in prayer.  Yet, He found no comfort or support in his friends.

 - "are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." - Mark 14:37b

Betrayed by one who had walked beside Him for all of His ministry.

- Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them; "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said "Rabbi!" and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him. - Mark 14:44-46

Deserted and alone.

-Then everyone deserted him and fled. - Mark 14:50

Seated in a court of liars, spouting falsities, ruled by unjust judges plotting his death

- The chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him... - Mark 14:55-56

Spit on, blindfolded, punched, mocked, and beaten.

- Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, stuck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. - Mark 14:65

Disowned by his friend.

- He [Peter] began to all down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I do not know this man you are talking about." - Mark 14:71

Flogged, struck, and mocked.

-He [Pilate] had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified....They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him "Hail, king of the Jews!"  Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his clothes on him.  Then they lead him out to crucify him. - Mark 15:15-20

Nails pounded through his wrist and feet, Hung on a tree- shaped as a cross, crucified with thieves.

-And they crucified him...They crucified two robbers with him -Mark 15:24,26

Death.

-With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. - Mark 15:37

I find little no "good" in the above events.  I can not imagine a day so full of pain, desertion, embarrassment, turmoil, and temptation.  And yet he endured it.  There is a hopelessness and a void that comes with death; the broken heart of his mother, the despair of his friends and disciples who did not understand his words spoken only hours ago- predicting that death would not be the end.  -"In a little while you will see me no more, and then in a little while you will see me..I tell you the truth you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but your grief will turn to joy...I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - John 16:17,20,22 

And there in lies the good.  A promise of hope, a guarantee of victory, everlasting joy.

Father this day I remember the death of Jesus, your atoning sacrifice, who made a way for me.  Me, a sinner; I am a member of the crowd screaming "crucify him," I am a soldier who spit on him, I am a witness who lied about him.  I am unworthy.  May the words of his pain, and his endurance pierce my heart.  I am humbled, and I am grateful.  Your love for me is unfathomable. 

Today, Tomorrow and Water

The wind blows sweetly, budding flowers push through the dirt to face the sunshine, the bird's song fills-up the background, trees awaken from their winter drab with buds of green and red.

Spring has sprung.
It's a time when we are motivated to plant, to play and break the cycle of our winter hibernation.
To live.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.  

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. - Psalm 1:1-3

This is your season, this is my season.  The moments, the days, the years; they will slip away if we let them.  Leaves without water - wither.  

...Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 

- John 4:14

Do you know the One who gives living water?  Do you want to - because He wants to know you.  

And if you know Him; are your leaves full?  Is your life fruitful?

Are you living for today or for eternity?  

Take every moment

You know that you own them

It's all up to you

To do whatever you choose

Live like your dying

And never stop trying

It's all you can do

Use what's been given to you

Live like your dying....

God, you have not promised me tomorrow - but you've given me today.  And I praise you.  

You've not promised me a life of ease, but you've given me grace, forgiveness, love and guidance.  You're promises of peace that surpasses understanding, rest when I come to you, a Spirit of power of love and of self-discipline are made real in my life daily.  May my words be full of grace seasoned with salt, guide my feet in the path of righteousness and forgive my sins.  

The heart of the matter

It's a fast-paced, provocative, self-centered culture we live in.  Our minds and hearts are bombarded daily with temptations of entitlement, bigger, newer, more, happier, easier.  Unconsciously they seep in.  The billboard display, the junk-mail, the neighbors, the catalogue, the TV show, the car-dealership, the advertisement, the song on the radio.  Almost unknowingly we start to believe the lie, we allow the seed of discontentment to take root and it begins to grows.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  - Proverbs 4:23
 
How's your heart?  Is it bleeding from the tares of division?  Do you believe the lies?  Have you heard the truth, do you believe it?  When you walk is your guard up?  Are you filtering the lies from the truth? 

Teach me your way O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. - Psalm 86:11

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:10-11

...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.  And in on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. -Philippians 3:13b-15

They will be my people and I will be their God.  I will give them a singleness of heart and action... - Jeremiah 32:38-39a

Verse after verse; conviction, after encouragement, after promise.  The heart of the matter is our heart.  A heart, full of God's word, seeks to know more.  A heart reverently fearing the creator is undivided for Him.  A heart that knows the way of the Lord leads the feet in truth.  The heart is our wellspring, our "continual supply" of life. 


God as I wade through this world give me a singleness of heart and action.  I want to be a mature Christian who holds your views and has your heart.  Make clear to me the areas of my life I need to surrender to you, forgive the sin in my life and do not let me stray from your commands.  Make my life abundant -full of love, grace, forgiveness, peace, joy, contentment and truth.  Thank you God for your provision and love, I trust in your promises and lean on your mercy.