In our recent Bible study, a couple shared about their yet-unborn grandchild. Technology shows that the baby has Down’s Syndrome. This baby will have difficulties throughout life. Struggling with this news and the excitement of another grandchild, they came upon this verse in daily devotions.

James 1:¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

What do these words matter to you?

Good = morally excellent, righteous, virtuous

Perfect =excellent or complete beyond practical or theorectical impprovement

Gift =something given voluntarily without payment in return

Variableness =changeable, alterable

Shadow of turning = the Father of lights is always the same. He does not change and cast a  shadow of the light

What does it matter to you that these gifts come from the Father of lights?

Can you name some good and perfect gift God has given you?

Do you see application for these words in your life?

Our focus – Hebrews 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, ²Looking 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. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed  and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti