Recently I was speaking with William Bloodworth, the camp director at Camp Anderson; William said something that has stuck with me. We were discussing that there are many good kids that come to camp and yet they have never been truly born-again. William said, “it takes 500 miles of steps to get a man lost, but then it is only a few steps for them to get saved.” Meaning, the greatest difficulty we have is to convince people that they are lost but if they finally get there (lost) it only takes a little to see them saved. Jesus said, only sick people need a physician. Until a person knows that he is sick, he does not seek medical help. Until we know our soul is sick we do not seek a Savior.
I want to share a recent testimony of one of our members, Laura Harms, that speaks to this point. Laura recently ran a marathon, which you can only imagine, is a tremendous feat but also a great strain on the body both physically and mentally. Laura is also a church member who recently came to saving faith in Christ. When a church member realizes they are lost and need to be saved, for many that is a difficult thing to admit that they need to do.
My closing illustration in my Easter message was comparing those who fly stand by vs. those who have a confirmed ticket. One is confident that they have a seat on the plane the other is nervous not knowing for sure they have a seat. When a person is uncertain of their salvation they are always nervous because they do not know for sure they have a seat and headed to Heaven. Laura shared with me a beautiful insight and testimony on this and I felt led to share it with you all, with her permission in hopes that it will help others. I love Laura and her husband Daniel, and trust that her words will be a blessing to you.
Happy Easter Pastor Mack,
I just felt compelled to communicate a few of my thoughts after this morning's sermon:
During lunch today I spoke to my family about the comparison of running a marathon and walking 30 yards to the front of the church. After a grueling description of my marathon experience, I explained that taking the step into the aisle on February 5th and walking the 30 or so yards to the front was the harder of the journeys. I think I believed that running a marathon would give me more self worth or an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but as I told my family the reward I felt during the invitation this morning was without a doubt a 1000 times greater than the way I felt when I crossed the finish line during my marathon.
I've come to realize how much joy I continue to feel after being saved. It's like you said during the sermon, that feeling just doesn't stop. God spoke to me for many months about turning my life over to him. I heard it loud and clear, but continued to make excuse after excuse. I can't describe the feeling I have now knowing that I have a seat on the plane instead of flying stand by. I know that only a few short months ago, I was the one flying stand by.
I am so grateful to you and April. You are truly a great blessing to my life and I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Laura Harms
Friday, April 13, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Why Do We Run?
At our church we recently started a new ministry called The Kingdom Runners. The following is a devotion brought by one of our members, David Strickland, before one of our recent runs. It personifies the Mission of the Kingdom Runners Ministry:
When I was asked to do a devotion for our running team I asked myself, “Why do we run?”
Exercise, Fitness/Health, Fun/Competition, Balanced Life/Stress Relief. Some of us are like chickens, we run to get to the other side of the road.
The first Marathon was run to announce a victory. Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran the 26 miles, 385 yards from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly and exclaimed “We have won” before collapsing and dying.
At the start of the Olympics a flame is lit to announce the opening of the ceremonies. In modern times a torch is carried throughout the world to bring the nations together.
Why do we run and whose torch do we carry?
John 1:14 For us the light of the world came when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
John 1:4-5 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Like John the Baptist we are sent to bear witness to the light.
1 Thessalonians 5:5. We are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
Knowing that we are all sons of light, God has tasked us to be the light of men and shine like the sun.
John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
How many people see the light of Jesus in you? Do you walk in Jesus’ light? Do you carry His torch?
Galatians 5:25. Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk with the Spirit.
Jesus told us to shine our light.
Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
God wants us to carry the torch of the Lord. He wants us to deliver others from the darkness. Like Pheidippides he wants us to go that extra mile.
Ephesians 5:8-10. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
What pleases the Lord?
Philippians 2:14-16. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that you may boast on the day of Christ that you did not run or labor for nothing.
God asks us to be untiring in our efforts to share the Word of Life and he will restore us when we are in need.
Isaiah 40:31. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
An opportunity has been given to us to do His will and minister to others. As Kingdom Runners we can touch more people than we may think. We are being noticed. People have been impressed with our church running team. We have opportunities to share our light.
Many of you may be like me and are uncomfortable with sharing the gift of eternity our Father in heaven gave us.
Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Again many of you may feel like me and be too timid or unsure of the words to say in an investment opportunity.
I pray and reflect on the following verses.
Philippians 1:20. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.
Psalm 143:10. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, may your good spirit lead me on level ground.
As in running, sharing the gospel takes preparation. One cannot just show up and run a marathon, training and planning are required. We must prepare to share the gospel.
Some preparation steps.
1. Pray First
2. Study God’s word
3. Be committed
4. Devote yourself
5. Walk in the Light
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last. We need to do it to get the crown that will last forever. We need not run like a man running aimlessly. We need to beat our bodies in shape and make them slaves so that after we have preached the gospel to others we will not be disqualified for the prize.
Pastor Mack told us last Sunday to live in the moment with our eye on the prize.
Philippians 3:14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
James 1:12. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
As you prepare to run a race, you must continue to train and be committed. You must also continue to train and be committed to be a successful disciple.
1 Peter 5:8. Be self-controlled and alert.
1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray Continually.
Have Faith. God will be with you.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
We need to be faithful to run his race so that we can get the prize.
Revelation 2:10b. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Hebrews 12:1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Whose torch do you carry?
For what prize do you run?
Devote yourself in all you do to Jesus Christ.
As a footnote, when I was preparing and practicing for the devotion the Lord directed me to following verse.
Luke 17:10. When you have done everything you were told to do, say “We are ordinary servants, we have only done our duty.”
When I was asked to do a devotion for our running team I asked myself, “Why do we run?”
Exercise, Fitness/Health, Fun/Competition, Balanced Life/Stress Relief. Some of us are like chickens, we run to get to the other side of the road.
The first Marathon was run to announce a victory. Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran the 26 miles, 385 yards from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly and exclaimed “We have won” before collapsing and dying.
At the start of the Olympics a flame is lit to announce the opening of the ceremonies. In modern times a torch is carried throughout the world to bring the nations together.
Why do we run and whose torch do we carry?
John 1:14 For us the light of the world came when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
John 1:4-5 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Like John the Baptist we are sent to bear witness to the light.
1 Thessalonians 5:5. We are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
Knowing that we are all sons of light, God has tasked us to be the light of men and shine like the sun.
John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
How many people see the light of Jesus in you? Do you walk in Jesus’ light? Do you carry His torch?
Galatians 5:25. Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk with the Spirit.
Jesus told us to shine our light.
Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
God wants us to carry the torch of the Lord. He wants us to deliver others from the darkness. Like Pheidippides he wants us to go that extra mile.
Ephesians 5:8-10. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
What pleases the Lord?
Philippians 2:14-16. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that you may boast on the day of Christ that you did not run or labor for nothing.
God asks us to be untiring in our efforts to share the Word of Life and he will restore us when we are in need.
Isaiah 40:31. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
An opportunity has been given to us to do His will and minister to others. As Kingdom Runners we can touch more people than we may think. We are being noticed. People have been impressed with our church running team. We have opportunities to share our light.
Many of you may be like me and are uncomfortable with sharing the gift of eternity our Father in heaven gave us.
Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Again many of you may feel like me and be too timid or unsure of the words to say in an investment opportunity.
I pray and reflect on the following verses.
Philippians 1:20. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.
Psalm 143:10. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, may your good spirit lead me on level ground.
As in running, sharing the gospel takes preparation. One cannot just show up and run a marathon, training and planning are required. We must prepare to share the gospel.
Some preparation steps.
1. Pray First
2. Study God’s word
3. Be committed
4. Devote yourself
5. Walk in the Light
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last. We need to do it to get the crown that will last forever. We need not run like a man running aimlessly. We need to beat our bodies in shape and make them slaves so that after we have preached the gospel to others we will not be disqualified for the prize.
Pastor Mack told us last Sunday to live in the moment with our eye on the prize.
Philippians 3:14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
James 1:12. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
As you prepare to run a race, you must continue to train and be committed. You must also continue to train and be committed to be a successful disciple.
1 Peter 5:8. Be self-controlled and alert.
1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray Continually.
Have Faith. God will be with you.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
We need to be faithful to run his race so that we can get the prize.
Revelation 2:10b. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Hebrews 12:1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Whose torch do you carry?
For what prize do you run?
Devote yourself in all you do to Jesus Christ.
As a footnote, when I was preparing and practicing for the devotion the Lord directed me to following verse.
Luke 17:10. When you have done everything you were told to do, say “We are ordinary servants, we have only done our duty.”
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