1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Hebrew 12:1
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,
Hebrew12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Race
The Word of God often describes the journey through this life as a race, however a race that requires endurance and being steadfast to the very end. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
.
One of the deceptive tricks of the enemy is to have us believe that once we’ve made a mistake, we can no longer get back in the race and keep going. I’ve seen too many sisters and brothers in Christ mess up and then give up, but I’ve got good news for anybody that has ever felt like they needed to give up trying to live right and give up trying to live for Jesus, just because you’ve stumbled for a moment. We all have setbacks. We all make mistakes. I’ve made many, but… I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
God knows that none of us are perfect and that we will all stumble and so he has already made a provision for us through his grace. Yes, we all have fallen short of his glory, but his Word tells us to keep going; endure; be steadfast and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)… holding forth the word of life; so that (you) may rejoice in the day of Christ, whereby (you can know) that you have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain (Philippians 2:16).
If you’ve realized that you’ve made a mistake, just repent and then lay that weight aside, so that you can keep on moving. If you’ve had a setback, just sit back up and get back up and keep on moving. Don’t just fall down and stay down. Don’t just mess up and keep messing up. Don’t just sin and keep sinning. 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 (Hebrews 12:1)
…so throw that weight down and keep on keeping on in Christ and in righteousness until the end so that when God calls you home, you too can say….I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
So, I encourage you all to run this race with endurance and a relentless determination. I don’t care what happens to you….DON’T YOU GIVE UP! I don’t care how many times you fall….GET BACK UP AND KEEP GOING! Because it is not about how many times you fall or how many times you’re hurt or how many setbacks you have, but rather how many times you get back up and keep going. So, be encouraged and run your race as one running to receive the everlasting prize through Christ Jesus.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Getting a makeover
Getting a makeover
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
Growing up in a culture that celebrates and values outward beauty or perfection instead of inward beauty pressures many of us to focus on attaining unrealistic and unhealthy physical goals for beauty that most of us may never achieve. For many there is the pressure and teaching to ignore the decay and neglect that may be going on inside, due to a never ending pursuit to adhere to an ever changing opinion of what our outer image should be. Yet, it is all too common for our society to influence us to completely forget that the vessel that we see in the mirror contains the most precious part of our being inside; our soul.
Many women as well as men may find it disheartening or down right depressing to see a wrinkle around the eye, strands of grey hair and extra pounds reflected through the scale. While many Americans and those around the world stress and strain to attain a physical image of beauty, there is often the failure to diligently seek to attain beauty for the soul that lives within; the part of us all that never dies.
We see fashion statement after fashion statement; new hair-do’s, make-up galore. We ooh and aaah over make-overs demonstrated on popular shows and television programs that plant the seed that we must engage in a never-ending search to be recreated by man’s standards, made-up by man’s standards and made-over by man’s standards on the outside to be accepted or arrive at the peak of society’s beauty standard, yet in all this, so much of the world fails to seek the make-over of the best kind, which is the divine make-over that only Christ can do on the inside of us.
This make-over that I speak of is where true beauty begins for us all. True beauty is developed when the Father begins a work of art within your heart, mind and soul, ultimately transforming you to the image of his son; the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…True beauty is developed when the Lord does a makeover.
We have all seen some of the most physically attractive people reflect that which was appalling, making them quite unattractive, yet we have also seen those that have not been considered the most attractive by the world’s standard, radiate a beauty from within that was truly magnetic; a beauty that only God could create while they sat in the chair of the greatest artist ever, to lend their soul as a spiritual canvas to undergo a divine make-over; a make-over from the Lord and yes, they were beautiful people in spite of what the world said.
To all, seek the make-over of the best kind and know that your transformation to beauty will begin right there in the chair of the artist that formed the earth, the oceans, the rainbow and the masterpiece of our universe that we get a glimpse of every day. For to attain outward perfection, while destructing inside, is in vain. Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
So for all the women and men that have noticed the extra pounds or the imperfections on the outside, don’t be consumed by it; it’s okay. By whose standard will you live? Smile about it. Of course, take care of yourself, but don’t forget to allow your heart, mind and soul to become the canvas of the Lord, being painted, molded, crafted and transformed to a work of art; a masterpiece on a daily basis; the image of Christ, which is the only type of beauty that truly matters and will last. True beauty comes from God and God’s beauty never fades even when this outward beauty does.
Today, I’m sitting in that chair and I yield to the brush strokes of the Lord and yes, I want to be beautiful……but by the standards of my Lord. Will you join me? Come on and sit down and let HIM work.
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
Growing up in a culture that celebrates and values outward beauty or perfection instead of inward beauty pressures many of us to focus on attaining unrealistic and unhealthy physical goals for beauty that most of us may never achieve. For many there is the pressure and teaching to ignore the decay and neglect that may be going on inside, due to a never ending pursuit to adhere to an ever changing opinion of what our outer image should be. Yet, it is all too common for our society to influence us to completely forget that the vessel that we see in the mirror contains the most precious part of our being inside; our soul.
Many women as well as men may find it disheartening or down right depressing to see a wrinkle around the eye, strands of grey hair and extra pounds reflected through the scale. While many Americans and those around the world stress and strain to attain a physical image of beauty, there is often the failure to diligently seek to attain beauty for the soul that lives within; the part of us all that never dies.
We see fashion statement after fashion statement; new hair-do’s, make-up galore. We ooh and aaah over make-overs demonstrated on popular shows and television programs that plant the seed that we must engage in a never-ending search to be recreated by man’s standards, made-up by man’s standards and made-over by man’s standards on the outside to be accepted or arrive at the peak of society’s beauty standard, yet in all this, so much of the world fails to seek the make-over of the best kind, which is the divine make-over that only Christ can do on the inside of us.
This make-over that I speak of is where true beauty begins for us all. True beauty is developed when the Father begins a work of art within your heart, mind and soul, ultimately transforming you to the image of his son; the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…True beauty is developed when the Lord does a makeover.
We have all seen some of the most physically attractive people reflect that which was appalling, making them quite unattractive, yet we have also seen those that have not been considered the most attractive by the world’s standard, radiate a beauty from within that was truly magnetic; a beauty that only God could create while they sat in the chair of the greatest artist ever, to lend their soul as a spiritual canvas to undergo a divine make-over; a make-over from the Lord and yes, they were beautiful people in spite of what the world said.
To all, seek the make-over of the best kind and know that your transformation to beauty will begin right there in the chair of the artist that formed the earth, the oceans, the rainbow and the masterpiece of our universe that we get a glimpse of every day. For to attain outward perfection, while destructing inside, is in vain. Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
So for all the women and men that have noticed the extra pounds or the imperfections on the outside, don’t be consumed by it; it’s okay. By whose standard will you live? Smile about it. Of course, take care of yourself, but don’t forget to allow your heart, mind and soul to become the canvas of the Lord, being painted, molded, crafted and transformed to a work of art; a masterpiece on a daily basis; the image of Christ, which is the only type of beauty that truly matters and will last. True beauty comes from God and God’s beauty never fades even when this outward beauty does.
Today, I’m sitting in that chair and I yield to the brush strokes of the Lord and yes, I want to be beautiful……but by the standards of my Lord. Will you join me? Come on and sit down and let HIM work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)