calledtobethelight

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In Your Heart, Out of Your Mouth

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”

Matthew 15.18-19 (ESV)

 

What you say reflects what’s in your heart, and what’s in your heart points to what you meditate on. It can be good or it can be evil, but what you believe, think about, and desire in your heart will overflow out of your mouth. Luke 6.45 states, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Your heart is the center of your being. You cannot allow your heart to meditate on evil thoughts and works. This condition of the heart will only produce words out of your mouth that will defile you. You must always be on guard to protect it because it will lead you astray if you leave it unchecked and out of alignment with the Word of God. Proverbs 4.23 states, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

As a born-again believer, you must be watchful of the condition of your heart and the overflow that comes out of your mouth because it matters to God. If you want what you speak and the meditations of your heart to please the Lord, you must align your heart with the Word of God by having a genuine love for it and thinking about it consistently (Psalm 19.14). Psalm 1.2-3 states, a person is blessed when “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all he does, he prospers.”

To align your heart with the Word of God, you must be cautious about what you allow to influence you - what you see, what you hear, and what you think about affects your heart, which will steer the course of your life. When any thought contrary to the Word of God comes to your mind, be vigilant by actively taking it "captive to obey Christ” and think about what is “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy” by reading the Word of God daily (2 Corinthians 10.5, Philippians 4.9).

The confession of your mouth will also impact the trajectory of your life. What you allow your heart to meditate on will lead your mouth in the direction of death or life, good or evil, blessing or cursing. Proverbs 18.20-21 states, “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” The choice is yours, but God advises us to "choose life, that you and your offspring may live" (Deuteronomy 30.19).

Joshua 1.8 states, "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success." The words of your mouth are determined by the condition of your heart, therefore, you must hide the Word of God in your heart for it to never depart from your mouth. When the Word of God is in your mouth, it will produce righteous fruit and make you prosper and succeed. You must determine in your heart to align what you believe and what you speak with the Word of God. Then, the good treasure of your heart will produce good out of your mouth.

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In Your Heart, Out of Your Mouth

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When the Lord Is with You

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1.9 ( AMPC )

In Number 13, 12 spies from the Israelite camp scouted God’s promised land for forty days. On their return, 10 spies spread an evil report among the congregation about the giants and the fortified cities, disregarding the abundance and blessing in the land. However, 2 spies, Joshua and Caleb, believed they could possess the land as the Lord promised them because God would be with them.  In Numbers 14. 8-9, Joshua and Caleb urged the Israelite congregation, stating, “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into the land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.”

When you have faith in God and obey His commandments, the Lord will be with you to sustain you.  Although the Israelite congregation was “not able to enter [into His rest (the promised land)], because of their unwillingness to adhere to and trust in and rely on God [(their) unbelief had shut them out],” Joshua and Caleb were accepted by God and received the inheritance of the promised land because they possessed a different spirit, a spirit of faith, and followed God fully (Hebrews 3.19, Numbers 14.24, Hebrews 4.2).

Years later, in Joshua 1.5-9, the Lord addressed Joshua as the leader to take the next generation of Israelites into the promised land, stating, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart out your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

You must be courageous, firm in faith, steadfast in doing what is right, obedient to the Lord’s commandments, and wholly submitted to God’s will to experience His presence in your life. Don’t let fear, terror, or the condition of your natural circumstances dictate your beliefs and actions – it will only lead to rebellion and disobedience against the Lord. When you trust God and have faith in His Word, He will be with you. Isaiah 41.10 states, “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.”

When the Lord is with you, you have the assurance that you can prevail no matter what obstacle or trial you face. There is divine protection, favor, provision, and victory when the Lord is with you. There is success in doing what the Lord has called you to do when He is with you. There is encouragement, confidence, and supernatural strength when the Lord is with you. God will not fail you. God will not abandon you. Fear not, for the Lord is with you.

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When the Lord Is with You

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You Can Do Well (Part 2)

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?’ Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, ‘Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’”

John 21.17 (AMP)

 

You can do well! But if you have not done well, there’s hope in Jesus Christ for redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. 2 Corinthians 5.17 states, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Your old life – your past mistakes, bad choices, guilt, and regrets – is gone. Your identity is not rooted in your old life and past mistakes, your identity is hidden in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3.3). You are a new person in Christ and you have a new life.

Peter, one of Jesus’s 12 disciples, did not do well. Peter denied knowing Jesus and disowned Him three times because he was afraid. Mark 14.71-72 states, “Then he commenced invoking a curse on himself [should he not be telling the truth] and swearing, I do not know the Man about Whom you are talking! And at once for the second time, a cock crowed. And Peter remembered how Jesus said to him, Before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me [disclaiming all connection with Me] three times. And having put his thought upon it [and remembering], he broke down and wept aloud and lamented.”

Despite Peter’s momentous mistake, Jesus forgave him and restored him. Peter was justified in Christ Jesus – just as if it never happened. Romans 5.1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

What needed to be addressed in Peter for him to be restored and to move forward in a victorious life with Christ? Here’s a deeper look at similar elements addressed in my former blog post, You Can Do Well (Part 1).

 

1.      Humility and Godly Sorrow

When Peter denied Jesus three times, he “wept bitterly [that is, with painfully moving grief]” over his sin (Luke 22.62). Peter’s grief was marked by godly sorrow because it led to his salvation in Christ Jesus. In contrast, Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, experienced worldly sorrow and only repented to man, not God for sinning against innocent blood and hanged himself (Matthew 27.3-5). 2 Corinthians 7.10 states, “For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.”  When you humble yourself and repent of your sins, you receive God’s salvation because you have hope and faith in Him. There is never any hopelessness with God.

1 John 1.9 states, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” God is faithful and true to His nature. When you come to Him with "a broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent],” He will accept you and redeem you because He is merciful and gives grace to the humble (Psalm 51.17, James 4.6). He will forgive your sins and restore you to right standing with Him.

 

2.      Love the Lord and Obey His Commandments

When Jesus restored Peter, Jesus asked Peter three times about the sincerity of his love, and then following Peter’s affirmation gave a commandment for Peter to follow. The first and greatest commandment is “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” but the sincerity of your love for God is proven by your obedience (Matthew 22.37).

John 14.21 states, “The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” Your love for God is the access point to your obedience, and your obedience to God’s commandments is the defining factor in your relationship with God and signifies if you know Him.

You cannot say you love God, and then take actions that contradict His Word or instruction concerning your life. 1 John 3.18 states, “Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].” True love goes beyond words or speech. Love must be exemplified in our actions and sincerely put into practice out of what we believe in our hearts.

1 John 2.5 also states, “But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him.” Your obedience to God shows that His love has been perfected in you and you are united with Him. Love and obedience were vital to Peter’s restoration because they established his relationship and unity with Jesus Christ.

A true relationship with God cannot be absent of love for God or obedience to His Word and direction for your life. When you love God with all your heart, your love is put into action by faith and obedience to God’s commandments.

 

3.      Follow Jesus

Jesus told Peter to follow Him twice – the first time, He told Peter he must be willing to follow Him unto death, and, the second time, He told Peter to follow Him and not be distracted by comparing God's direction for Peter's life with other people.  John 21.21-22 states, “So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, ‘Lord, and what about this man [what is in his future]?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you? You follow Me!’”

You are called to follow Jesus. You cannot look to your left or your right. You cannot compare what God has called you to do with what God has called others to do. You cannot shrink back in fear concerning anything you may endure. You must trust Him with all your heart and follow Him. Matthew 16.24-25 states, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].’”

To follow Jesus, you must be willing to endure whatever may come, deny yourself, and keep your eyes fixed on Him. Hebrews 12.2 says, “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” You must be an imitator of Christ. Jesus endured the cross and willingly laid down His life out of love for you and obedience to the Father (Ephesians 5.1-2).  You must be willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus because you love Him, trust Him, and are obedient to His Word. When you purpose in your heart to follow God above all else, you will not go astray, but you will desire to live following what God wills because you have the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4.1-2).

 

You can do well! God forgives, God restores, God redeems. There is never any hopelessness in Him. Have faith in God and believe He can turn your situation around when you come to Him. Humble yourself, love the Lord, obey His commandments, and follow Jesus – you will do well when you live your life wholly submitted unto Him.  

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You Can Do Well (Part 2)

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You Can Do Well (Part 1)

“And the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.’”

Genesis 4.6-7 (AMPC)

You can do well! But maybe, you are not doing well. Maybe, you find yourself consistently angry, sad, and depressed. Maybe, you see others getting blessed by God and it bothers you. Maybe, you firmly believe you are doing all the right things, but something is still off. It’s time for a heart check. It’s time to be honest. Here are 3 indicators that you are not doing well and what it signifies.

1.      You lack love for God.

Before Cain even committed murder, his deeds were recognized as evil. 1 John 3.11-12 states, “For this is the message which you [believers] have heard from the beginning [of your relationship with Christ], that we should [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another; and not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother [Abel]. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”

What made Cain so different from Abel? They both offered sacrifices to God. However, Hebrews 11.4 distinguishes that “by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.” By faith, Abel gave an offering that God respected and regarded “for without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11.6). Abel’s faith set him apart from Cain, and faith works and expresses itself through love (Galatians 5.6).

1 Corinthians 13.1-3 states, “If I [can] speak with the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.”

God is love and, when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He abundantly pours out His love into your heart through the Holy Spirit (1 John 4.8, Romans 5.5). Without God’s love in you, your faith means nothing. Without God’s love in you, any external, religious acts you perform unto God ultimately mean nothing. Without God’s love in you, you are nothing.

Matthew 22.37-39 states, “And Jesus replied to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’” Loving God is the greatest commandment and the most important thing you can do.

When you love God willingly and with all your heart, you can live a life defined by faith because you know and trust Him. When you truly love God, you love others. When you love God, you obey His commandments. When you love God, you can give Him the right sacrifice with the right motive. Abel sacrificed the firstborn lamb, a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord (Genesis 4.4). Jesus willingly laid down His life because He “loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance” (Ephesians 5.2). You are called to offer your life as a “living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship” out of sincere love for God (Romans 12.1).

You can only do well when you love God, and then everything you do will be motivated by love for Him.

 

2.      You are proud.

When you are proud, you are unteachable. You refuse to be accountable for your actions. You refuse to admit that you’ve done wrong.  When God reproved Cain, Cain should have humbled himself, repented, and received the correction. However, Cain’s heart was hard and callous from pride and he refused the Lord’s chastisement. Proverbs 16.18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” When Cain refused to humble himself and submit to the Lord’s correction, his pride allowed sin to master him, which led to his destruction.

James 4.6-7 states, “But He gives more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].’ So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.” By the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you can live in obedience to God and in victory over sin. First, you must humble yourself and submit your life wholly to the Lord – loving, trusting, and obeying Him (1 John 5.1-3). Then, through the Holy Spirit, you will have the power to resist the devil, defy sin, and victoriously overcome the world by your faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5.4-5).

You can only do well when you humble yourself and submit your life to the Lord.

 

3.      You compare yourself with others.

Cain’s negative feelings flared up because he knew his deeds were evil and Abel’s were righteous. His comparison led to envy, envy led to hatred, and hatred led to murder. 1 John 3.15 states, “Everyone who hates (works against) his brother (in Christ) is [at heart] a murderer [by God’s standards]; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” God’s correction was a chance for Cain to self-evaluate and change his ways, yet Cain wanted to lash out in anger and kill his brother. 

You can’t compare yourself with others. It can lead to rivalry, dissension, discontentment, envy, and hatred. It can create opportunities to vent negative emotions towards others that you feel inside of yourself. It will never address the underlying issue in your heart or your circumstances.

Galatians 6.4 states, “But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.” When you humble yourself, self-evaluate your behavior, and align your ways to God’s Word, your correction will bring true satisfaction and joy. It will eliminate the source of your negative feelings. It will eliminate the need to compare yourself with others. It will assure you that you have done well and are in the right standing with God.

You can do well! It is possible! Crooked paths can be made straight, the wayward can gain understanding, your old moral and spiritual condition can pass away and all things about your life can be made new! You can do well - Love the Lord with all your heart, humble and submit yourself wholly to Him, and evaluate your behavior and align it with God’s Word. Then, you will be accepted and succeed.

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You Can Do Well (Part 1)

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Run to Win

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

 – 1 Corinthians 9.24-25 (NLT)

As Christians, we all have a race to run. There’s an appointed course set before each one of us.  We must be determined to win our race and keep the faith to lay hold of our heavenly prize – the inheritance of eternal salvation and the victor’s crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4.7-8).

This does not contradict the fact that we are saved by grace through faith, for the Bible says in Romans 6.23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” However, it is the responsibility of the believer to “work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) one’s salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ) (Philippians 2.12).” Although it is not in our own strength that we must work out our salvation for God empowers us, we still must be diligent in keeping the faith to ensure we will not be disqualified as Paul warns (Philippians 2.13, 1 Corinthians 9.27, 2 Corinthians 13.5, Galatians 5.7).

But how can we run our race effectively? How can we run to win? Here are 7 essential keys to run your race.

1.      Keep your eyes on Jesus

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we maintain focus. Everything in this world is a distraction that can take us off course, but when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we stay spiritually minded. Colossians 3.1-2 states, “Keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” We gravitate towards the things we focus on. If we keep our eyes on the things of this world, we will only value temporary things. However, if we keep our eyes on Jesus – the Author and the Finisher of our faith, He will perfect our faith in Him and by this faith, we have the victory over the world (Hebrews 12.2, 1 John 5.4-5).

Jesus is also our example. When we look to Christ and see how He endured the cross “for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him” and triumphed, we can take courage to persevere in our trials and not become faint in our minds because Jesus has overcome the world and He lives on the inside of us (Hebrews 12.2-3, 1 John 5.4-5). John 16.33 states, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

We are victorious when we keep our eyes on Jesus!

 

2.      Strip off sin and every unnecessary weight

In a race where “endurance and active persistence” are vital, any burden or weight in the race would slow the runner down or make them stop progressing altogether (Hebrews 12.1). It is easier to run free. Galatians 5.1 says, “It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].” Sin is bondage. It is a weight that will keep us from going forward by easily entangling and tripping us up.

But in Christ Jesus, we are free. In Christ, we have the power to overcome sin and temptation. In Christ, we have the victory. We must strip off sin and anything hindering our effectiveness in the race so we can endure and succeed (Hebrews 12.1).

 

3.      Let go of the past

You can’t move forward while looking backward or you’ll remain stuck. Stuck in a mindset. Stuck in guilt. Stuck in regret for your past mistakes. When you look back, it won’t change your past. It will only keep you from moving forward. Philippians 3.13-14 states, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Forget your past. Forgive yourself. Fix your eyes forward so you can move forward.

2 Corinthians 5.17 states, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” In Christ, who you used to be is gone and passed away. Take courage. You are not defined by your past anymore. You are a new creature. You have a new life. All things concerning you are made new because of Christ Jesus. Run your race in the freedom of this truth!

 

4.      Follow the rules

We must be doers of the Word of God to excel in our race.  2 Timothy 2.5 states, “And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules.” The only way to win a game is to know how to play. Likewise, we cannot be ignorant of the instructions and commandments in the Bible if we want to win our race or we will never succeed. We must obey God and His commandments.

Psalm 119.32 states, “I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.” We must know, understand, and rightly apply God's Word to our lives. Once we do, we won’t take tentative steps but run purposefully in our race.

 

5.      Be zealous

When a person walks for the duration of their race, it doesn’t express urgency, passion, or a desire to win. When you run, it communicates love and a zeal for the things of God. Your running is the exclamation point on what you believe! Romans 12.1 states, “Don’t be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Keep your zeal for God and love Him with all of your heart. We must not be cold or even lukewarm, we must hotly pursue the Lord with all our hearts to attain our eternal prize (Revelations 3.15-16).

 

6.      Have a vision

There must be a vision to stay on the appointed course set before you. Vision sets your eyes above your current circumstances to the destiny God has planned for you. Proverbs 29.17 states, “Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.” When people have no vision, they die because there is no direction and no revelation from God for their lives.

Psalm 32.8 says, “The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'” When you trust God and surrender to His plans and purposes for your life, He will guide you and direct you to the best pathway. Once you allow God to lead and guide you, you can run into your destiny without fear of a misstep. Habakkuk 2.2 states, “Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Write the vision and engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets so that the one who reads it will run.” You are not aimless or uncertain when you have vision. You are confident in your success because God directs your steps.

7.      Be consistent

Consistency is necessary to endure your race. 1 Corinthians 9.25, “Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things.” A runner benefits from the consistency of training, exercising self-control, and buffeting their body to win the race (1 Corinthians 9.27). Likewise, we must exercise spiritual disciplines to endure the race, such as reading the bible daily and praying in the Spirit. We must buffet our body by crucifying our flesh and we must “walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled by and guided by the Spirit]” (Galatians 5.16, 24-25). When we are consistent in our spiritual discipline and training, we can endure the length of the race set before us because we have equipped ourselves to persevere. When we are consistent in our spiritual discipline and training, we are setting ourselves up to win!

Each of these keys is necessary to win the race. Therefore, we must not be neglectful to do what is required of us. Finish strong! Keep the faith! Run to win and you will receive the eternal prize!

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Run to Win

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Come to the Light

“For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right – morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are – accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”

– John 3.20 – 21 (AMP)

As Christians, our lives should always testify to what God has done and is perpetually doing in and through us. Whatever He calls us to do, wherever He tells us to go, whatever He wants us to say openly in faith – when we obey Him and practice the truth of the Word of God, our works testify that everything we did was only done with God’s help, His direction, and in complete reliance on Him and Him alone.

When we practice the truth of the Word of God and live by it, we produce the good fruit that identifies us as doers of the Word, which sets us apart from people living in the world.

1 Peter 2.9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” When God transferred us out of darkness into His marvelous light, we were given the opportunity to declare His excellencies to the world about all that the Lord has done for us. He saved us. He changed our identities. He called us His very own. We have been transformed from who we used to be and that spiritual transformation bears a divine testimony to the glory of God.

Likewise, when we live as doers of the Word and obey God’s divine instruction, our works declare God’s presence in our lives. James 1.25 says, “But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].” The blessing and favor of God are evident in the lives of His obedient children who practice the truth. It is a recognizable sign to the world, just like a shining light, that God is present in our lives when we are faithful in our moral excellence and good deeds. It is so irrefutable that when people see our works, they give all the honor and glory to God alone (Matthew 5.16).

Therefore, come to the Light for there is no reason to be ashamed, condemned, or afraid! Come and step out openly into the Light so that your works, as a doer of the Word of God, would be visible to all and bring God glory for all He has done!

 

 

Scriptures to Reflect On:

·         John 3.20-21

·         1 Peter 2.9

·         James 1.22-25

·         Matthew 5.16

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Come to the Light

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Be the Light

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Be the Light

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” -Matthew 5.14 – 16 (NLT)

What does it mean to be the light of the world?

You are called to shine! As a Christian, you are called to live a life so in contrast to the world that you should be like an unobstructed, bright light shining for all to see in a world full of spiritual darkness. What you say and what you do matters because it testifies to the world about who God is and how He makes us visibly different.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and He lives on the inside of you. Therefore, we are called to a higher standard of living because we are God’s chosen representatives and the light of Christ shines forth from within our hearts to make known who He is to the world (Colossians 3.12, 2 Corinthians 4.6-7). So, everything you say and do should illuminate sin and the evil deeds of this world, display the goodness of God, and bring glory to His name. Ephesians 5.8-9 says, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light. For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”

As the world gets darker in these last days, the righteous are called to “shine ever brighter until the full light of day” (Proverbs 4.18). Do not hide your light in an attempt to be similar with the darkness. Do not be afraid or ashamed to share the Source of your light with the world. Instead, be strong and courageous as the Word of God commissions us. Be unwilling to compromise and adulterate the Word of God, be unashamed of the Gospel (the good news of Christ), and be unashamed to live a clean, innocent life as a child of God (Romans 1.16, Philippians 2.15).

Arise and shine in everything you do because God has set you apart. And when you do what pleases the Lord and obey His Word, your good deeds will be seen and ultimately give glory to God!

Scriptures to Reflect On:

*Matthew 5.14-16

*Ephesians 5.8-14

*Proverbs 4.18

*Philippians 2.15

*John 3.20-21

*1 Peter 2.9

*Isaiah 60.1