“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIVB Experiencing God is living your life (race) step by step, hand in hand with Jesus! Just like a physical race, you feel every up hill, down hill, desert flats through scorching valleys! It’s talking through the burning feeling you feel with every breath you breathe in the scorching temperatures to the burning feeling in your legs and arms! It’s even when every limb in your body is so frozen that you struggle to keep them moving. It’s the feeling when you are passed up and all alone! It’s struggling when you are overlooked left behind in the dust! There will be times you feel so exhausted like your legs and arms are like jelly! My daughter once said, “my arms are like noodles!” In my spiritual race, I don’t want to miss out on experiencing what God can do through each moment good, hard, or bad and experience what He has for me while running my race home to Him. Each day I look forward to not only seeing but experiencing what God will do as He develop perseverance – strength that only God himself builds in us as He spiritually knits us all together in Unity in Him building us all up for His Glory! “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”” Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV His ways are higher then my ways and so are His thoughts are higher then ours! I want to experience God with every step through all circumstances and trials while in relationship in the Body of Christ!
So let us all follow the Spirit of God by living our lives humbly under God’s mighty hands surrounded in His wonderful light! There is no better place to be! Let us all pray continually together in Unity by focusing on what we have in common while choosing to follow Jesus who is the Author and perfecter of our faith! All of us continually giving God glorious praise for His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! Let us follow Jesus marvelous and wonderful ways by how we live our lives completely humble, and completely surrendered to God’s ways and not the ways of the world! This is so those who are of the world and don’t understand or know God’s love will be drawn into God’s unconditional love for them by how our actions in the body of Christ match what we do. This kind of love that God has for everyone surpasses all human understanding because the world doesn’t love in the same way. Especially when we all come from different places in life yet we have the love of the Father flowing in us and through us as we are led by the Spirit of God! I pray for all of us to have our Fathers heart! Let us slow down to hear His small still voice and be patient while putting up with each other! God promises to finish the good work in me and all of you until the day of Christ Jesus. Can you see it? The finish line the 12 gates with a pearl on each gate and streets made of gold so pure you can see through it. With Jesus arms open wide! Amen!
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6:11-16 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.6.11-16.NIV
“Ands let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.10.24-25.NIV“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:21-27 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rev.21.21-27.NIV“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he 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 sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.12.1-3.NIV
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIVB.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”” Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.10.36-37.NIV
Everyone was having fun and amazing things happening all around us when a beautiful little rainbow appeared in the clouds. It stopped me in my tracks and I thought “WoW” everyone needs to see this awesome 🌈 that appeared in thin air! I told everyone who walked by! To my surprise, it grew stretching out over the river. It was breathtaking! When we least expect something Awesome to happen, It does! It reminds me how we need to be awake and sober minded! We need to keep our lamp full and encourage and support everyone around us.
We can trust God completely because he loves us so deeply! His power holds everything and everyone together! Genesis 1 “Let there be light” And there was light! God parted the Red Sea, Exodus 14:21 and so many more! God took down the wall of Jericho without a single hit! Joshua 6:20. He raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been buried for 4 days! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, whoever believes in Jesus and accepts his free gift is a child of God! We can trust God completely because he loves us so deeply!In Isaiah 40:12, (NIV) “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Proverbs 30:4, (NIV)”Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind?Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?Who has established all the ends of the earth?What is his name, and what is the name of his son?Surely you know!
Isaiah 40:22, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” Isaiah explained in words about God’s awesome power! It is beyond our human understanding! We think we are in control but really God has everything under control! God is the same yesterday today and forever! Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” In Hebrews 13:8, (NIV) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We can have confidence when things like the world shuts down and who knew schools would ever close down too! Yet, God opens the door for so many wonderful opportunities that only he could make possible! We can hear Him in the quiet but very loud everywhere in creation and through our sisters and brothers in Christ! He is in control and moving in a mighty way. Isaiah 40:28-29, (NIV) “Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” I’m so thankful for everything God does for me and my family and the strength he gives me, because I cannot do anything without Him! It is only His strength in me that I can go and do what he has me do!
We can fully depend on God for our strength because He gives us everything we need to accomplish what plans he has for us! The world might not understand how it’s possible but through God everything is possible! Stand firm on Jesus and trust him even when it’s hard and confusing! As the pressures in life sneak in, keep going because through pressure, we grow as he pour into us! I’m not sure if I will see a harvest from my garden we planted, but I will keep planting and watering because I’m confident that God has only good in store for everyone including me and my family. He loves and cares for all of us deeply! I love praying scripture, Ephesians 1:17-21, (NIV) “17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” How high and how deep will we go in Jesus name to be the hands and feet we are called to be for His glory! It’s not easy to step out into the unknown but when you know God has already worked it out, peace comes in like a flood. As we live out what we believe, supporting and encouraging each other to keep going, we are living out the gospel by reaching all people. When leader come together working together as one body, our young generation will do the same! They will be drawn in by our Unity in Jesus! They are our future generation! When we all work together like Jesus taught, doors will be opened when the world tries to shut them! We are loving everyone the way Jesus loves. When we listen to the broken hearts who need to be loved! I’m so thankful! 😊 💗
Isaiah 40:28-29, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”Isaiah 40:22, “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
My family sat around the coffee table while watching a movie! My husband brought out a huge bag of chips for all of us to share. As we ate our chips I grabbed one, and guess what? The chip was licked clean, and I ate it! Everyone else had their own bowl except for me! I wasn’t paying attention because I was busy watching the movie. Every chip my daughter took out of the bag, she licked the salt and put it back in the bag! This reminded me of something that I read in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” We bring God glory when we fellowship with one another! When we come together, our conversations should be Christ-like seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)! If there is just enough salt, then our conversations will be fruitful and rich bringing light in every circumstance! When we bring the best out of each other, God’s goodness overflows and blesses everyone who is near! We are the salt preserving relationship through Jesus!” We glorify God when we Unit together in Him.
My daughter craved the salt on the chip and knew exactly where to find the chips! But, instead of throwing the chip away, she put it back in the bag! Not only did the chip lose its saltiness, it was soggy! There is nothing I can do to make this taste better! The soggy chip experience, Not only tasted horrible, it made me lose my appetite for another chips! As believers who love God and each other, we don’t want to become like a saltless soggy chip who lose their saltiness! In 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building”. We are not only the light but the salt too! When you add just enough salt, it brings out the natural flavors in our food! If you add water, your food is bland and flavorless! Salt is a physical example of what we do for each other by bringing out the best in our relationships with each other!
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Salt is a preservative too! We are to preserve the truth! We can’t add water to God’s word by living your life the opposite of the way Jesus told us to do. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) the opposite of that is death! We need to live the example of how Jesus lived and abide in Him! You are living out being an example when you choose truth! We can’t serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other! When we live your life for Jesus, you will begin to see life differently! Wherever you are in your day, you can be the salt that preserves truth! Instead of saying Yes to something you meant to say No to, you will stand firm in what you know to be true! You will practice daily, not to join in the patterns of this world and allow your mind to filled with the living words of God! Ephesians 4:15, “instead speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” Jesus will transform your thinking! However, if you use to much salt by not sharing the good news in love or water down God’s word by leaving out truth, then we are not loving others the way Jesus loves us. 1 Peter 4:7-10, 7 (NIV) The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
We need to stay contacted to the body of Christ in all seasons of life because a lot can happen in a short amount of time! We need to meditate (think about daily) on God’s word, talk about what you’re learning and your experiences and listen too! We are designed by God to be in relationship because we are made in God’s image! We need to pray together, share life experiences and share what we have learned and experienced along the way, so we can grow! Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Struggles come in life for both believers and unbelievers! The difference in how believers handle each struggle is how we can be the salt and light God called us to be for Him. In my struggles, I reach out to my church family and ask for prayer. We’re not meant to do life alone! I’m so thankful to be able to reach out asking for prayer, when storms in life unexpectedly come. I don’t want my way of handling circumstance! I don’t want to get off track because my feelings get the best of me when decisions have to be made! So, I choose to reach out to my sisters and brothers in Christ! When you reach out, you are choosing to be under the mighty hand of God, trusting He will lift me up! When I lean on Him, thing will work out for good! When we walk with Jesus through our struggles, we are living out being the salt and the light of the world! We are living out what it means to let go all that hinders your relationship with God, and handing our hurts to him knowing he cares for us deeply! All our tears are out in a bottle and not one hits the ground. Choosing not to look to the left or the right takes God’s strength in us through the Holy Spirit!
We grow in relationships with God and others in the process by experiencing life together and sharing our testimonies. We will be stronger when storms come! 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Stand firm, Let nothing move you by not focusing on the storm around you, instead focus on the Jesus who holds everything together! Storms bring rain, fresh air and a rainbow reminding us God keeps All of his promises! Through Jesus you will overflow with living water and you will never thirst! When you give yourself fully to the Work of the Lord, you will be like a flood reaching and helping many more people and it starts from the inside!
The enemy looks for those alone and burdened! I know what could happen when you are all alone! The enemy wants to devour those who are isolated from relationships! Even when it’s hard, I will continue to reach up and out, even if it “seems like” no hands are there to take mine! Because what “seems” is a lie from the enemy! When emotions get the best of us, we are blinded! I don’t trust what I see or my own understanding but trust Jesus. He is the only one who sees everything from a perspective we can’t not comprehend in our own human understanding! I know what “seems like” is a lie, but we need to have accountability in deep abiding real relationships with Jesus and others! Proverbs 3:5-6, trust in the Lord with all of our heart don’t depend on our own understanding, in all of our ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Love, Faith, Hope and Trust are your solid foundation in Jesus for everything you will ever do in your life! When you trust God with All of your heart, then you trust the relationships He put in your life to help direct your path straight! The gate is narrow! In Romans 8:24, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
In all the changes happening all around us, God is still moving! What is unseen is miraculous and wonderful! We are all in His plan for one purpose! He leads us to understanding as He pours into us! When we listen, we are being the salt and the light! Some Testimonies are hard to hear but they need to be heard because God works through our life stories to reach others for Him! He wants no one to be lost! God uses them to reach down deep in the hearts and minds of people who might not know the hurt and struggles they buried deep down inside! Love each other deeply, the way Jesus loves You by choosing to listen! It is so hard to find time, but when you do, you’re living out loving each other deeply! This is what it looks like to wash the dust or mud off your sister or brothers feet so the enemy cannot devour them! This is hard stuff and life is hard! You may think no one sees you but God does and you are blessing someone by listening to them or just spending time, your doing beautiful things! Spending time takes sacrifice and putting someone above yourself is living out deep love! I love the time God sets aside for me, a playdate with a sister in Christ! It blessed me and my kids! We watched our children play, and I know Jesus was playing with them in the backyard! I had a million words to say, but we just watched our kids and spent time with each other! It was like an endless flood of joy and peace! God poured himself out through relationship that day, a priceless gift! We don’t want to lose the saltiness that preserves relationships through Jesus! We need to stay connected to each other so we can be the salt and light and love each other deeply!
All those who believe in Jesus and believe Everything he did for you, will never thirst! We will be the church! Church is not a building, 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building”. I am more than thankful for my family and church family!
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
John 7:37-38, “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”Jesus washes his disciples! John 13:14-17 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.John 7:37-38,
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
1 Peter 4:7-10, 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
