Tag: Run

Believe ‘Til The End

Hebrews 4:1-11

No matter how hard life gets for you, don’t give up. Despite daily trials, tribulations, and seemingly unending struggles, strive to endure until the end. This advice goes out to all who are fighting the “good fight of faith”, and continue to boldly represent holiness, in an ever-changing world.

Throughout history, there were many who started out following after righteousness, but grew weary in doing well. While some had ample opportunity to consider the inward struggle between good and evil in their hearts (like Judas Iscariot), and allow their faith in God to supercede the latter, their supposed hope in the Lord was exposed as being fraudulent. Others who followed after Jesus, allowed the negative influence of family or peers to steer them away from doing what’s right, in place of fulfilling carnal desires. How often are you invited by someone close to you, to participate in events or activities that do very little to promote healthy spirituality? Oftentimes, we are tempted to do things that only satisfy our flesh, and does nothing to build or edify our soul. Gone are the days when believers looked forward to prayer and Bible study meetings, where God could be exalted, and hearts could be encouraged. Nowadays, church folk gravitate more toward what the world promotes on social media or television.

The church looks identical to the world in the way they dress, speak, and think. This is very unfortunate, as many who blend in with the world usually get pulled away from their first love (God), and cling to the fads and trends of carnality. The world is indeed a sphere of continual wickedness, masked with the guise of perpetual happiness, but underneath the semblance of peace and hope, is the true evil intent of the adversary of the believer.

Trust God until the end, and don’t let anything or anyone cause you to fall, or turn away from your faith in the Father. The enemy is coming at the church with full force, but the power of God resides in all His children, through His Spirit, and has equipped them to stand against all the wiles of satan. Don’t give up, don’t give in, because you have the victory over wickedness and sin.

To The End

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

At the end of every race is, a finish line. Whether there are cars, people, or even horses aligned at the starting point, races typically produce only one victor. All who are participants in a race, train extensively, and strive relentlessly to overcome those who are placed against them, but to those who finish first, all their labor was proven effective.

The Bible teaches, the life we live on the earth, is comparable to a race. The writer of the book of Hebrews helps us understand the race of life this way: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Heb 12:1). According to this passage, there is a definite end to this life, but to those who endure unto the end (lay aside the weight of sin, while striving to live holy), the Savior will confirm or validate their hearts, and make them blameless before God. What better reward is there on earth, that can compare to an eternity with the Creator of all things?

The apostle Paul was well aware of the importance of living a holy life in the earth, and was pleased to hear that the people he left Timothy to watch over in Thessalonica, were indeed growing and maturing in the things of the Lord. Running the race of life according to God’s standard, involves affliction, distress, and persecution, but Paul and those who accompanied him, gained strength, simply from hearing that the church was prospering. Good news can do a lot to help motivate those who may be going through a hard season, and knowing someone you love has been blessed, can work wonders in your life, as well as theirs. Paul prayed earnestly, to return to those he loved, so that he could fine tune the areas of spirituality they needed help with.

Unlike conventional races, where one competes against the other, the race that the church has been given, involves every member supporting each other, all the way to the finish line.

Why does the living man complain?

Ell

A Good Name

Genesis 39:6-18

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”(Prov. 22:1 KJV) Can you recall a moment in your past, when you failed to consider the consequences of an evil action you were willing to commit? There are times when doing evil seems good, but only when seeking to satisfy the flesh. Therefore, ignoring the fact that God sits high, and monitors our every move, only brings displeasure to the Father. The next time you’re presented with temptation, take a moment to consider the consequences of your action. Will God be pleased by the choice you make? Will your family, friends, and those who trust you, lose the respect they have toward you? Will your action tarnish the good reputation you built up for years?

In our text, Joseph was met with a temptation, that could have possibly ruined his established reputation with God. Aside from being handsome and well-favored, Joseph was a man of integrity, good morals, and walked according to a holy standard. The short version of the life of Joseph goes as such: He was the younger brother of many men, who became jealous of their father’s love for him, so they sold him to slave traders, lied to their father that he died, and moved on with their lives. Fortunately, God protected Joseph, and gave him favor even in his master’s house. The favor of God not only showered upon Joseph, but his master was blessed by God, simply for having Joseph under his watch.

The text reads, “And he left all he had in Joseph’s hand:” Joseph was in charge of all the master’s possessions, and business. From this, one would think that this young man who was previously dissed by his own blood, was now living rather good. Unfortunately, the moment things start going good for a brother, there’s always someone plotting to mess it up. Since being taken in, and given authority over the master’s house, Joseph was being watched closely by the master’s wife. Rather than honor the sanctity of her marriage, the vile woman had intentions to “lie” with God chosen vessel. “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.” In other words, once Joseph knew she was feeling him, he made it his business to avoid her at all costs.

When faced with temptation, do you try hard to avoid it, or do you easily give in? Joseph had a reputation to keep with his master, but most importantly, with God. When the devil knows he can’t get to you with wicked plots and schemes, he’ll always result to tearing down your good name. Think it not strange, when evil men attempt to tarnish your good reputation. Instead, trust that no matter how far men go to bring you down, God will always, and I repeat ALWAYS, make it possible for the truth to reveal who you really are. Don’t allow yourself to get so worked up until you try to fight the enemy in the natural realm, instead take the fight to the spiritual realm, and seek God to fight on your behalf.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell

Strive Until The End

Esther 10:1-3

“Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5:7 KJV). There are many who start out serving God with all their heart, whose lives exemplify the example Jesus left for the church to follow, after He left the scene. These men and women put God’s best interests at heart, and strive to love their neighbors, while doing all they can, to help those in need. They shun the spotlight, and take advantage of opportunities to bless others, without being seen. Rather than make a name for themselves, these bold believers choose to boast in the Lord, and His goodness. Although these individuals seem to be unhindered in their purpose, they are still susceptible to falling short of God’s glory. The devil tries hard to knock the children of God off track, by influencing them to cling to carnal things. If the believer entertains carnal thoughts long enough, they’ll inevitably give in to the enemy’s temptation.

Many have run well for God, and fought hard to keep His name holy, but after being elevated, and getting their heads puffed up, they gave in to the temptation that was so desperately awaiting to pull them down. Men who once preached “holiness is right” from the pulpit, have allowed their stardom to alter their message, only to please itching ears. Others have been hindered by the mighty dollar, and sought to make profit from the church, rather than speak as a prophet, to benefit the people.

It matters not how you start, but how you uphold what you begin. This was proven true in the life of Mordecai. From the beginning, Mordecai sought only to protect the people of God, while serving as an example of righteousness before them. When faced with adversity, the man of God never wavered, nor altered his stance on what was right in the eyes of God. Even when his faithfulness and trust in God, allowed him to be elevated to a high degree throughout the land, he still held true to his initial motive, to keep the people of God safe, to ensure provision for them, and to continue speaking peace to all his seed.

No matter where you are in life, strive to maintain your initial stance in godliness. Whether God allows you to abound, or be abased, don’t change your belief in Him, nor in His power to overcome all evil. If you resist the devil, he will flee from you, but if you don’t keep God’s Spirit in you, the enemy will return with backup, to try and take you down. Run well until the end, and avoid all obstacles thrown in your way.

Keep your chin up… it’s easier to see Heaven that way,

Ell