MY FRIENDS, THE STORMS CONTINUE, THE PAIN IS EXCRUCIATING, BUT REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE FINISH LINE.

Jan 22, 2015

MY FRIENDS, THE STORMS CONTINUE, THE PAIN IS EXCRUCIATING, BUT REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE FINISH LINE.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Cor. 9:24-27

A couple of years ago I ran a half marathon, I practiced for months so I could compete and complete in the race. Race day came, but there was a continual torrential rain coming down, in fact it continue throughout the 3 hours it took me to finish.

As we started things went well until 30 minutes into the race, my achilles became irritated to the point where I thought the heel of both feet were on fire. My goal was to run the race in two hours but the more I ran and the more it rained, the more I would continue to ask, was it worth it?

Why not just stop? The pain is excruciating. But my focus was not on a one mile race, or a six mile race, or even a twelve mile race, but my focus remained on the finish line 13.1 miles and as I came into the final stretch in spite of the rain and pain, I crossed over and received my prize.

My friends the race of life has been very long for some of us with a continual torrential storm, along with excruciating pains, of the death of friends and love ones, sicknesses, money and family problems, or just the fast moving pace of life itself,.

At times we ask ourselves, is Salvation worth it? Why can’t I stop now!! But at this point is not where the race ends, the finish line is still ahead. But If God is all knowing, all powerful and Omnipresence why does He not just stop the Pain? Why does the storms continue?

My friends it is all about our Faith, endurance and staying focus, because we all need to feel from within the high price paid for our salvation so that we will be “safe to save” as Christ prepares our character to live throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in a place no man has the mental capacity to imagine what has been prepared for the redeemed.

Consistent with this, it is all ours if we believe, But we still have to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:14 (KJV) John 1:12 (KJV) tells us “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

So if I understand that text correctly my faith in a Crucified Savior gives me the right to be a Child of God, even a wretched sinner like me “amazing grace how sweet the sound” Psalm 8:4-6. (KJKV) tells us “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.”

My friends, that text tells me in spite of the torrential storms and excruciating pains, God is telling us we are His, So “Be strong and courageous [for the pain will only last for a season]. Do not be afraid or terrified [of the storms], for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” And one day soon His faithful will go and live with him throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY