Be it in May or September: Run the race

The last two academic years have been very weird with many restrictions. September is here again and soon it will be October, the month when everybody is back at work or back in school. Once more we faee a new academic and church year. Once more we are reminded we have work to do on this earth. We have our obligations and we have to strive to get some results in what we are supposed to do.

In Belgium, last year, sports were more a thing for one person on his own, because no group events were allowed. Everyone had to stay in isolation and contact sports were not allowed. The text underneath normally was to be published in May, when we had the underneath ‘prayer theme’ for the month, but we got somewhat behind with a lot of work, because other matters, like taking care of people, providing food to isolated people and help for those in need, certainly after the floods, required our attention.

In the Covid period it might not have been easy for many. Now it could well be that this year may be a year of transition, for becoming back to normal.

Jane Edwards has a look at what happened mostly in May. In her country that is the time the sun starts showing herself more and more attention is given to outside sports. She then thinks of the race which we have to finish.

Be it May or September, each day we are confronted with a lot of matters. Every day of the year, we have to get on and continue our way.

°°°

Run the race

When I was at school, the month of May meant only one thing…..
Practicing for Sports day.
Today, children are encouraged to just take part, and they are all winners. Helping others along the way to finish together.

When I was at school, it was all about the winning!
Who could run fastest.
Who could throw furthest.
Who could jump highest.

Winners were winners, and losers were just that – losers.
Winners received prizes, losers were scorned.

There were cheers, and plenty of boos.

I hated Sports day. Whilst I enjoyed hockey and netball – team games, I hated the one against one competition of Athletics – mainly because I was rubbish, and not really built to run!

We are told in the Bible in Hebrews 12 that we need to ‘run the race’ , but we are also told that ‘bodily exercise profits little’ in 1 Timothy 4v8 – which is correct?
Of course we need to exercise.
For our hearts and minds exercise is good, but too much can become an obsession – and take us away from other activities that matter.
So, what race do we need to run?

Of course, this is the race to the Kingdom. This race is much better than the ones I failed miserably at school. This race, (perhaps more apt to call it an Obstacle Course) makes everyone a winner!
It’s about getting to the finish line – some may reach that before others, but everyone has a chance to finish and win… and have help from others along the way.
And the prize – eternal life!
No boos, but cheers from the Heavenly Hosts.
As we watch our children on Sports Day, or think about exercise for ourselves, let us remember the most important race of our lives.

 

 

 

Dear Lord,
Please be with us as we run the race to your Kingdom.
Some of us may be slower through lack of faith, anxiety, and fatigue.
Give us the encouragement and strength needed to make it to the finish.
Please help us to help others to the end,
giving them encouragement as you have to us.
Amen

 

Jane Edwards

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Preceding

Race and Grace

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong

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Additional reading

1. Life is like a ten-speed bike.
2. The high calling of God in Christ Jesus
3. We are redeemed; we are “bought with a price”
4. Followers with deepening
5. Troubles testing your faith and giving you patience and good prospects
6. Matthew 20 Are you willing to work for Jesus?
7. Today’s Thought “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (May 27)
8. Every athlete exercises self control
9. Running the battle
10. A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
11. Run for the Everlasting Cure
12. Atonement and the race been bought
13. Being of good courage running the race

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Related

1. “Fit In!”
2. Just Keep Going by Bridget A. Thomas
3. A Crown Beyond the Sun
4. Running The Race
5. Running The Race by Tara Randel
6. Running This Race Called Life
7. His Closed Circuit!
8. Life’s race
9. How do you stay strong in the midst of change
10. ending well
11. Leaning On The Father
12. Running the Race of Holiness: DON’T give up
13. Catching up to the Win
14. Old and Heavy
15. The Race
16. It’s Friday…Run With An Eye For Nothing Less
17. Preparing to Fly!
18. First of All!
19. How To Run A Steady Race Right Into Glory
20. One Thing I Know
21. With “Blinders” of Grace!
22. The Surrendered Disciple!
23. The Funneling Effect!
24. With Reverence, Returning…
25. Reawaken the Redeemed!
26. Saved from Self’s Strainings!
27. The Second Hand’s Moment!
28. His “Stone Soup” Creations!
29. Sunday Morning 7/25: Unit 34, Session 4: Running the Race
30. Clear ye the Way!
31. Shaking the Comatose!
32. Eyes on the Goal
33. A Cloud of Witnesses
34. The Fool’s Boundary!
35. Discarding Camouflage!
36. The Piper’s Promised Peace!
37. Keep the Focus
38. Choice Intersections!
39. Faithful to the End
40. Wholeness…in Him!
41. Running the Race
42. Finishing well

Death and rest

Lots of people may fear death and be very unrestful when they think about the dead.

Many long for moments without pain and moment where they can be at ease not having to worry about so many things. They are longing for peace and tranquillity. Many also want some time to recuperate and to get some new enforced energy.

Rest is something that most people desire, but are unable to find. Running from morning until night, seven days a week, people struggle to find rest. {Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest}

There are those who are unable to sleep the following night after they dared to take a nap in the middle of the day. Others do not mind falling asleep in their church whilst the priest gives his sermon. Others find it great to have the Sunday free so that they can have a nap on Sunday afternoons.

Every day we are confronted by the world which demands so many things from us; Having the pressure of society on us we often do not dare to have a rest somewhere in-between.

Rest becomes elusive because of the race that people are in to try and satisfy their soul. They fear rejection, poverty, looking bad, and missing out so they run harder to prevent those things from occurring. When they lie down at night, their minds race in fear for the next day trying to determine how to make something happen or to keep moving forward, thus not getting any rest. {Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest}

Lots of people do think when they do not follow the tred of this fast running world, they shall not be respected or recognized for what they do. They would love to please everybody around them, and by doing so sometimes forget what is really right or appropriate in the eyes of God.

The goals of people are for temporary happiness and enjoyment, but often these are missing in the race. People miss out on life striving to run hard after false things, false hopes and false dreams. {Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest}

Most people do think it are the living beings that can provide them with what they need. They do forget that it is the Most High Divine Creator Who is the Sustainer and Provider of all. They forget that salvation they seek can only be found by God.

Every believer needs to realize that it is God who is the true provider for every need he has. Provision for physical, spiritual and emotional needs. There is nothing that God cannot supply. {Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest}

We should not so much honour the dead when we have the Living God to Whom all honour belongs. In Him, we should trust and not in those who are already death. It is God Who deserves our confidence.

Instead of looking to the temporary things that this world can provide, one must look to God for the eternal things. The things that last are forgiveness, love, peace, joy, kindness, mercy, patience, and God’s presence. When a believer has God at the center of his life, he will know the rest that God provides. This will allow him to lie down at night in peace and sleep knowing God is in control and will save him in the end. {Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest}

Instead of partaking all those festivities for the dead, we should choose for God given feasts and choose for more life than  the life most people see in front of them. Our hopes should not come from those in the graves but from That One Who man can not see. We may be sure of it that He provides the most stable ground under our feet. He is The Rock that shall not be broken in pieces or being destroyed. We can wait calmly for God alone, because our hope and expectations comes from Him. He alone is should be our rock our defence and stronghold.

Trusting in God we shall not be shaken. Him being our high tower we who believe in Him and trust Him shall not be moved.

Are you hoping that those people, called saints, who died a long time ago shall bring peace and salvation for you?

Please do know that our salvation and glory depends on God and not on the dead.

⁸ Trust him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts in his presence.
God is our refuge {Psalm 62:5-8}

 

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My soul waits calmly for God alone.
    My salvation comes from him.
{Psalm 62:1 GW)

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Preceding

In October-November People often too busy with death and the dead

Looking forward to a year full of Kindness

Tending to develop a genuine confidence in our Higher Power

Confidence…

Pray to thank God

 

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Find also to read

1. Back from gone #2 Aim of godly people
2. The Right One to follow and to worship
3. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
4. God Feeds The Birds
5. When things run differently than expected
6. Today’s thought “That my name might be proclaimed” (January 31)
7. Today’s thought “As wax melts before the fire” (February 5)

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Related

1. Psalm 62:1 Finding Rest
2. Rest Time
3. Message of the Day: Trust and Confidence in God Face of Trouble.
4. June 25, 2019
5. Psalm 62:1: Watching and waiting
6. Waiting Patiently
7. Blessed night
8. Lunch with the Psalms
9. God is my Rock
10. Choosing Far More Life

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong

 

 

“11  I returned, and I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor also riches to men of understanding, neither yet favor to men of knowledge: but time and chance cometh to them all. 12 For neither doth man know his time, but as the fishes which are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare: so are the children of men snared in the evil time when it falleth upon them suddenly.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 GenevaBible)

“24  Know ye not, that they which run in a race, run all, yet one receiveth the price? so run that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that proveth masteries, abstaineth from all things: and they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we for an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 GenevaBible)

“For as the body without ye spirit is dead, even so the faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 GenevaBible)

“For God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 GenevaBible)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto your praise, and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7 GenevaBible)

“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your care on him: for he careth for you. 8  Be sober, and watch: for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world. 10  And the God of all grace, which hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a little, make you perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:6-10 GenevaBible)

“When thou shalt go forth to war against thine enemies, and shalt see horses and chariots, and people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 20:1 GenevaBible)

“And that all this assembly may know, that the Lord saveth not with sword nor with spear (for the battle is the Lords) and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47 GenevaBible)

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: stand still, move not, and behold the salvation of the Lord towards you: O Judah, and Jerusalem, fear ye not, neither be afraid: tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17 GenevaBible)

“If not, go thou on, do it, make thyself strong to the battle, but God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.” (2 Chronicles 25:8 GenevaBible)

“He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle, that was against me: for many were with me.” (Psalms 55:18 GenevaBible)

“O Lord God the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered mine head in the day of battle.” (Psalms 140:7 GenevaBible)

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but salvation is of the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31 GenevaBible)

“And in that day will I make a covenant for them, with the wild beasts, and with the fowls of the heaven, and with that which creepeth upon the earth: and I will break the bow, and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to sleep safely.” (Hosea 2:18 GenevaBible)

“(Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness)” (Revelation 16:15 GenevaBible)

“And shall go out to deceive the people, which are in the four quarters of the earth: even Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is, as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:8 GenevaBible)

“I do not abrogate the grace of God: for if righteousness be by the Law, then Christ died without a cause.” (Galatians 2:21 GenevaBible)

“For the Scripture foreseeing, that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8 GenevaBible)

“And that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11 GenevaBible)

“For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty: only use not your liberty as an occasion unto the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13 GenevaBible)

“21 But now is the righteousness, of God made manifest without the Law, having witness of the Law and of the Prophets, 22 To wit, the righteousness of God by the faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all that believe.” (Romans 3:21-22 GenevaBible)

“For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed, through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13 GenevaBible)

“1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. 2 How shall we, that are dead to sin, live yet therein? 3 Know ye not, that all we which have been baptized into Jesus Christ, have been baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:1-3 GenevaBible)

“For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved:” (Romans 10:9 GenevaBible)

“For he that doubteth, is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.” (Romans 14:23 GenevaBible)

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 GenevaBible)

“For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 GenevaBible)

“I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me can ye do nothing.” (John 15:5 GenevaBible)

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 Preceding article: Salvation and Righteousness

Running – Photo by Nevit Dilmen

 

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Additional reading:

1. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
2. “Unnoticed”
3. We are redeemed; we are “bought with a price”
4. Atonement and the race been bought
5. Running the battle
6. Life is like a ten-speed bike.
7. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
8. Wishing to do the will of God
9. Every athlete exercises self control

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Related articles

• Scripture of the Day, 2/18 (sowegalive.com)
• Resolving Conflicts Biblically (dailybibleplan.com)
  The early Christian church was facing a conflict.  Some of the early Christians believed that the Gentiles needed to adhere to Jewish law (including circumcision) before they could become Christians.  Other early believers did not think it was necessary to become Jewish before becoming a Christian, and therefore thought circumcision was not necessary.  If the conflict was not resolved, the early Christian church could have become split into two sects and therefore would have lost a lot of its momentum along the way.
• New Minds (genesisone.wordpress.com)
  The first step towards freedom is to realise that this is a spiritual battle. As such it cannot be fought and won in our own strength of mind – which is what we so often try to do. What we need is the power of the Lord which He makes available to us.
• To an inheritance (activeinspiration.wordpress.com)
  who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
• A prayer for peace (birdflu666.wordpress.com)
  The destroyers of this world want war, want to devour the vulnerable, the young, want to ruin countries, cultures. The destroyers of this world try to lie to us, try to sell war for peace,  dicatorship for freedom.
• For Those In Christ Jesus (frbekomson.com) > Originally posted on ChristianBlessings:
  For those in Christ Jesus we have forgiveness of sin
  He is the hope that we live our life in
  He provides us grace to walk in His ways
  Studying His Word is where I want…
• It Is Yours, Lord – Everything (fbcpolson.wordpress.com)
  Now, we might hold title as far as men were concerned, but everything we owned would belong to the Lord. If He wanted it, He could have it. If He wanted to use it, if He wanted to destroy it, if He wanted to give it away, if He wanted to give more, that was His business.
• Rule and Reign (activeinspiration.wordpress.com)
  As reported in the news these days we hear Christians are persecuted at all time highs. Maybe its because perfect love from God our Father that we share with the world is seen as weakness to the world of nonbelievers.
• “I Die Daily” (birdchirp.wordpress.com)
  “I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” I Corinthians 15:31 (NASB)
• some random thoughts on birds, blogs, foodie-initiatives, labradoodles, and faith… (derekmaul.wordpress.com)
  There is no other time that matters quite so much as now. Consider the birds at our feeder; consider the community where we live; consider the fun of sharing a creative meal together; consider the philosopher, Scout Labradoodle…

  And… Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 6:23-24

Salvation and Righteousness

Often Christians do think they are saved for ever because they call themselves reborn and got themselves baptised in one or the other Christian denomination. Most often those who think they are saved for ever do belong to a denomination who honour three gods and do not mind bowing down in front of graven images of their god or gods.

Real Christians, meaning followers of Christ, should follow the teachings of the master teacher rabbi Jeshua from Nazareth (Jesus Christ) who prayed and praised only One God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob Who was also the God of the first disciples of Jesus Christ, namely the Adonai Elohim Hashem Jehovah.

Jesus never wanted to do his own will and he asked his followers also not to do their own will but the Will of God. Jesus offered himself totally for the cause for God and ran the race, showing the world he was a true lover of God, keeping to the commandments of the Only One God.

God cannot be tempted but Jesus was more than once. Though he did not fall in the trap, so many people fall into. He always kept to the Law of God, not doing his own will but trying to fulfil the Wishes of his Most High God. Being aware of what his Father wants from man, Jesus tried to explain what we have to do and how we have to prepare ourselves to be able to enter the Kingdom of God.

Though many are mistaken and think they do not have to do anything now they have found Jesus. They think once baptised for ever whitewashed and saved for ever. Nothing so. If we are not careful we lose the possibility of entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave many parables to illustrate this. Lots of Christians do seem to forget or not to understand those illustrations.

The Bible warns us that faith without works is dead. (James 2:26) Christian faith should be solidly build and provides us with the means to try to stay in the right path. But every day we do have to work at ourselves. Everyday we should keep the self-discipline, fighting against temptation and evil.
Every moment we have to try not to sin and in case we do something wrong we shall need to repent, otherwise we shall not find that promised salvation.

It is true that any liar, thief, child molester, fornicator, rapist, murderer can receive salvation. To every human being it is given freely. But! A great But, if we do not live up to this salvation we shall not earn it or loose it. Those who think because they are reborn, they can walk freely, are mistaken and could miss the boat.

If we are not citizens of another world, but want to stay of this world we missed the Bible message and shall miss the gift of Grace.

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Additional reading:

1. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
2. “Unnoticed”
3. We are redeemed; we are “bought with a price”
4. Atonement and the race been bought
5. Running the battle
6. Life is like a ten-speed bike.
7. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
8. Wishing to do the will of God
9. Every athlete exercises self control

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Related articles

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  True Christians are pilgrims and strangers in a strange land. Not only is our citizenship in heaven, but positionally we are now seated in Christ Jesus in the heavenlies.
• Suffering Persecution for Jesus Christ is Glory (endtimesprophecyreport.com)
  the Bible tellsbelieversto be victorious in the end times. Anyone who tells the reader any differently is not their friend.Anyone who says differently, who tries to get the reader focused on this life, is speaking for the dragon.Fear is a tool of the dragon.

  Instead of teaching what the Bible says to believers about persecution, the apostate churches promote fear with their lurid tales of being “Left Behind” and facing persecution.

  The churches speak with a forked tongue.

• The Journey of Love and Commitment (vineandbranchworldministries.com)
  When we wonder about in life, do we ponder the meaning of the many gifts before us and offer praise and thanksgiving or do we literally take life for-granted.  Sanctification sets us apart and instills our hearts and spirit with the desire to follow the pattern Jesus gave.
• Historical Evidence That Proves “Jesus Christ” Never Existed & Was Created By The Romans (Constantine) (tarnews.co.za)
  Christians, do your research. There may have been aman that walked the earth in the land known as Nazareth that attempted to guide the people back to righteousness, but, this man was not Jesus Christ. You see no mention of any man in Nazareth named JESUS mentioned during the meetings in Rome, or of a woman named Mary (the virgin) giving birth to a child named Jesus.This would explain why there is so much emphasis put on Jesus Christ in the bible, which further explains why God all of a sudden had to have a “son” (sun of God was turned to the son of God by Europeans, which is why every picture of Jesus has the sun behind his head. (Sun Ra, Sun of Ra (God)). The man you acknowledge as Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born in 4 BC; all of the above took place before that date.
• Christianity teaches that no one deserves to go to Heaven (gunnyg.wordpress.com)
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• What is Christianity? (aboriginalwriter.wordpress.com)
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• A Prayer for Ash Wednesday and The Lenten Journey (taken from the Book of Order of The Church of Scotland) (christisvictorious.typepad.com)
• Jesus Christ Wants His Church to Speak With One Voice!!! (releaseofspiritualknowledge.wordpress.com)
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• Those Blasted Bishops (insightscoop.typepad.com)
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• For Those In Christ Jesus (frbekomson.com) > Originally posted on ChristianBlessings:
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• 2-17-2015 Mardi Gras (fellowshiproom.org)
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A journey into the Scriptures with Seth Gogo and more . . .

No one is saved by the law. Salvation is by faith through Grace. But the Grace of God is not a license to sin (Galatians 5:13; Romans 6:1-3), but rather an opportunity to please God through faith, (Hebrews 11:6). Righteousness is obtained without the law, (Romans 3:21-22).

Now, there is righteousness by the law and righteousness by faith. We are encouraged to seek the righteousness which is by faith, because as James said, if you obey the whole law and yet offend in one, you’re guilty of all, which means you’re no longer righteous, (James 2:10). So Paul in writing to the Galatians said, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain“, (Galatians 2:21). How clearer do people want the Scriptures to be?

The Spirit of God is the One who empowers us to do…

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