Monthly Archives: December 2015

Run the Race and Finish Strong

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-100354832.jpgA marathon is a type of race that involves long distance running. Athletes participate with the intent to complete what may seem like to outsiders a monumental task. Each participant understands that it isn’t about winning the race or achieving a top position. The ultimate goal is to endure until the end.

As each runner goes forth, they battle through pain, fatigue, and the ever present thoughts of quitting before the race ends. However, the belief in each person’s heart and mind is that they are able to cross the finish line. There are even those who experience injury and complete exhaustion and yet they push forward until the very end. It is the accomplishment of completing a marathon that matters the most.

Spiritually speaking, we all face our own marathon experience throughout life. Both to the believer and unbeliever, life does not conceal or limit its challenges. However the great news is that with Christ anyone can have an opportunity to run their race with endurance and strength. The offer of guidance and faith is available, even to those who are among the godless.

In the book of Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1-2 says the following:

(NLV) “All these many people who have had faith in God are around us like a cloud. Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.”

The author of the book of Hebrews remains unknown to this day, however, some believe that the Apostle Paul may have written this book. This book was written to Christians who were experiencing persecution at which the writing of this epistle took place between 65 to 85 A.D.

In verse 1 of this chapter, the writer makes reference to those who had faith in God who surround those in Christ as a cloud. Other translations say a “great cloud of witnesses.” If you read chapter 11 of Hebrews, you will see the individuals who were noted as those who had faith in God. Individuals such as Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Sarah were known to have been enshrined in what is known as the ‘Hall of Faith.’

However, the admonishment from the writer is to Christians to first, put aside everything that creates an impediment. Some translations use the word ‘sin’ in order to make the point of obedience and surrender unto God. This writer makes this point because if we who are in Christ are going to please God, we must first rid ourselves of the sin in our life.

This means, that we must seek God for forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Believe it or not, sin can be a hindrance to you because it creates a separation between you and God. We are unable to adequately accomplish great things for God as long as we have allowed sin to flourish and have a residence in our life.

In verse 1 the writer continues by saying that we must run in the race that God has planned for us. Other translations say to “run the race with patience.” In any case, all of us have a race or a path that God has carved out for us to run. Your path is different from my path, but God has designed a race specifically for you. The key is that we must run the race and do so with patience.

Sometimes, circumstances arise in life that has the potential to cause you to quit. However, the encouragement is not to quit but to run through the process. The writer also says in verse 2 that we are to look unto to Jesus. This means that when we are facing fiery trials, we must keep our eyes focused on Christ.

Regardless of how difficult a season may be, the key is to look to the Lord because He is your strength even when you have none left. Verse 2 continues when it says, “Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect.” Faith comes when our lives are surrendered to God. Our job is to believe, but it is God who increases our faith if we believe that He is able to accomplish anything we are seeking Him for.

Our faith is also perfected and sharpened as we continue to live in obedience unto Christ. The final part of verse 2 makes note of Jesus Christ and the cross. The writer is essentially saying that Jesus did not give up when he faced shame and even death on the cross. Rather, Jesus understood that the victory would be won if He was obedient even unto death. As the scripture points out in the last portion, now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God.

This essentially means that we who believe and follow Jesus, we too have an opportunity to receive the victory. Anyone can run in a marathon, but to finish and finish strong is what invokes a sense of victory and accomplishment. I have my own race in life that I am running, but I realize that it is through my faith in God and obedience unto Him, that I am able to accomplish all things through Christ as Philippians 4:13 says.

It may be tempting for you to give up, and perhaps you have contemplated it. Maybe you are experiencing a difficult situation in your life and you want to quit. The message is to you, and that message is to look to Jesus for your faith and strength. Jesus Christ is the Rock and He is the one who will give you the endurance to finish and finish strong.

Those who give up, forfeit their inheritance and their blessing. The writer encourages us as Christians to walk in righteousness and to turn to Jesus for our faith. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, then you are running the race without guidance. You too have a race to run, but God wants you to run with Him and on His path.

Accept Christ’s gift of life by acknowledging your sin and by believing that He died on the cross. By accepting Jesus into your life, you are able to run this race with God’s help. All of us must run this race and finish strong. You and I are able to do so only through Jesus Christ.

The Gift for Every Day – Jesus Christ

26 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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December 25 is a day in which many around the world, celebrate the holiday that is known as ‘Christmas.’ On this day, millions gather to exchange gifts and to spend time with family and friends. This is a day that Christians and non-Christians have set aside time to engage in festivities that involve decorations and consuming a holiday dinner. It is a time that has been marked by togetherness and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

However, there is a much deeper meaning to this day. While the world promotes purchasing material things, the truth of the matter is that at the core of Christmas day, it is not about giving or receiving gifts. While this is a nice gesture and it is most certainly encouraged, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ’s birth marked the beginning of humanity’s opportunity for redemption. It is because of Jesus’ birth, that you and I can be redeemed due to His sacrifice on the cross.

While Christmas day is an important day in the history of our world and all existence, it is paramount that we who are in Christ understand that Christmas day isn’t the only day that we are to celebrate or acknowledge the birth of Christ. Every day is a day that we have the opportunity to commemorate and honor the gift of Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah gives a prophecy that points to the birth of Jesus Christ that would occur many years after the prophecy was given. For example, in Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14, the following prophecy is declared:

(NKJV) “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

This prophecy was made between 701 and 681 BC. It was later fulfilled in 5 BC. 700 years later, the words of the prophet Isaiah came to pass. In chapter 9 of Isaiah and verse 6, another declaration is made:

(ESV) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

It is important to note in the above verse, Isaiah was not only foretelling what would happen, but he was directing his prophecy to King Ahaz and the nation of Judah. At this time period, Judah and its people were afraid of the Northern Kingdom (Jerusalem) and Syria. They were joining together to attack Judah. However, Isaiah prophesies with hope rather than sticking to a gloom and doom perspective.

Essentially, the prophecy of Jesus Christ is one of hope, not only for the people in Isaiah’s day but for future generations. Isaiah said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;” This meant that the prophecy transcended every generation. “To us” meant that the gift of life through Jesus Christ became available to every person regardless of the time they live in.

Even today, the gift of Jesus Christ being born is a gift that is available to you and I. Since the prophecy is toward humanity as a whole, then it includes even those who choose to reject Christ. The fact is that you and I have been given an extraordinary opportunity to be redeemed through the bloodshed of Jesus Christ. While Christmas is a day that many celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is not to be relegated to one day.

Every day should be a day to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection. The key is understanding that Christ being born to die has eternal relevance, especially for those who make the choice to accept this gift of life. Unfortunately, satan has used many distractions through the media to divert the focus of both the believer and non-believer in the attempt to remove the emphasis on Jesus Christ.

If you have seen any advertisements both before, during, and even after Christmas then you may have seen the concerted focus on materialism. We live in a society that does not push the essence of Jesus Christ’s birth, but rather the focus is on what one must have or purchase. However, the key is not the gifts we buy or get for ourselves.

Isaiah makes it clear when he says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;” This suggests that it was God’s plan that Jesus be given for us in order to break the power of sin over humanity. Christmas shouldn’t be solely about the gifts, friends, family, and great food. While these things have their place and are to be cherished, the overwhelming reason for today and every day’s commemoration is to reflect upon the gift that God gave to us through Jesus Christ.

Even to those who adamantly deny God’s existence, or those who choose to live in their sin, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is the gift that is available every single day. His sacrifice on the cross is what closes the chasm between our lives in sin and having a relationship with God. Every Christmas is indeed another reminder that we should be thankful for what we have, but the overarching theme is Jesus Christ.

The world will not elevate the name of Jesus because those who live independently of God are not open to the things of the Holy Spirit. However, when you receive Christ as your Lord & Savior, Christmas and every day begins to take on a new meaning. Christ died for the sinner and the saint. He died for you regardless of what your past or present circumstance is.

However, while the death of Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to be free from our sin, it is the individual choice we must make to be redeemed. Those who choose to remain in darkness are operating out of condemnation, however, redemption is reserved for those who desire to be made whole and set free.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Perhaps you celebrated Christmas with friends, family, and you exchanged gifts – and yet your life was and is missing the most important part and that is Christ. It isn’t too late to receive Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. Many celebrate Christmas with religiosity and tradition, and yet their lives are devoid of the one who can truly give them life and meaning.

Jesus wants to give you life through His sacrifice, but it is up to you. The world continues to prompt us to focus on materialism and aspects of life that are temporal. However, eternal life through Christ is what will last. Choose life today by choosing Jesus. His gift of life is available not just on Christmas day, but every day. God’s gift is available to you if you are willing to accept it.