You and I have a Creator Who loves us, has a specific good plan for our lives and wants fellowship with us. When you and I receive Jesus as Lord and Savior we have 24/7 access to Him. King David in the 10^th century BC identified 3 different ways to access Jesus. Perhaps it is because our circumstances differ and access needs to adapt to the need.

Call

Psalm 55:¹⁶As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

We can call upon Jesus. He is always there. There will be no “hold please”. There will be no “call back later please”. He is always there.

Psalm 145:¹⁸ The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Hebrews 4:¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Call – to ask or request

Cry

Psalm 55¹⁷Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. ²⁰He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. ²¹The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Sometimes the problem is too great, the pain is too much and the difficulty too overwhelming to articulate. We just cry out to Jesus.

Cry – to call loudly; to yelp

Psalms 145: ¹⁹He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Romans 8:¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ¹⁸For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Galatians 4:⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, ⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⁷Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Cast

Psalm 55²²Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Cast – to throw or hurl

1 Peter 5:⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

Sweet Hour of Prayer –William W. Walford, 1845

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care,
   And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known.
   In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief,
   And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

 

2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
   Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return!
   With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face,
   And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

 

3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear
   To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless.
   And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace,
   I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

 

4. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share,
   Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight.
   This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise To seize the everlasting prize,
   And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

 

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

 

In the 10^th century BC, King David identified 11 reasons to trust his God. David had enemies both before he became king and after he became king. David had problems both before he became king and after he became king. David was human, like you and me. David had strengths and limitations like you and me. David made mistakes like you and me. David was not perfect just like you and me. Yet David understood his need for God. David understood his God.

Psalm 18:¹(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,) I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. ²The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ³I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

LORD = Jehovah, the I AM, the Covenant Keeper

David recognized his God as the One who made promises to Abraham; the One Who rescued His people from slavery in Egypt and brought them through the desert to the Promised Land.

Strength = body, mental, moral power

Why is important for God to be strong physically, mentally and morally?

Rock =large and unmovable

Why is important for God to be unmovable?

Fortress =stronghold with exceptional security

Why do you need to feel secure?

Deliverer = one who sets free and liberates

From what do you need to be free?

God =the Supreme Being, Creator and ruler of the universe

Why does it matter that God reigns supreme and created and maintains the universe?

Strength = body, mental, moral power

Why do you suppose David mentions this quality twice?

Buckler =shield

Why do you need a shield?

Horn of my salvation =strength of salvation

Why does it matter that we cannot save ourselves and need a Savior?

High tower =large fortress and stronghold

Why is a high tower important for defense?

Worthy = having great merit, character and value

What has God done for you that shows Him worthy of your praise?

King David identified 3 actions to take

In Whom I will trust

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Do you trust Him?

Do you love Him?

How often do you call upon Him?

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

 

Jesus Christ is the LORD of Hosts – the God of options. He is not limited by what you can see.

One of His Names is the LORD of Hosts – “Yahweh Sabaoth”.  Isaiah 47:⁴ As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus Christ has many armies at His command.

1) frogs – Exodus 8:⁵ And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. ⁶ And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

2) lice Exodus 8: ¹⁶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. ¹⁷ And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

3) flies- Exodus 8:²⁰ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. ²¹ Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. ²² And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. ²³ And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be. ²⁴ And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.

4) hail & fire Exodus 9:²² And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. ²³ And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. ²⁴ So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. ²⁵ And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. ²⁶ Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

5) the earth – Numbers 16:²⁸ And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. ²⁹ If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. ³⁰ But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. ³¹ And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: ³² And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.³³ They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. ³⁴ And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. ³⁵ And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

6) darkness that can be felt – Exodus 10: ²¹ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.²² And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: ²³ They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings

7) serpents – Numbers 21:⁵ And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. ⁶ And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died

Amos 9:³ And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

8) hailstones – Joshua 10: ¹⁰ And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. ¹¹ And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword

9) bears – 2 Kings 2:²³ And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. ²⁴ And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

10) ravens – 1 Kings 17: ² And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,³ Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before rdan.⁴ And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. ⁵ So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. ⁶ And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

11) horses and chariots of fire– 2 Kings 6: ¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

12) Sword – Amos 9: ⁴ And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

13) Angels – Genesis 3:²⁴ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Genesis 32: ¹ And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. ² And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Numbers 22:²² And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. ²³ And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.²⁴ But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.²⁵ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.²⁶ And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.²⁷ And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.²⁸ And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? ²⁹ And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.³⁰ And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.³¹ Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. ³² And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:³³ And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.³⁴ And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Luke 2:⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

14) great fish –Jonah 1:¹⁷ Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:¹⁰ And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

15) lions – 2 Kings 17:²⁵ And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

16) widow – 1 Kings 17:⁸And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,⁹ Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

17) great wind – Jonah 1:⁴ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

18) gourd –Jonah 4:⁶ And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

19) -worm –Jonah 4:⁷But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

20) – vehement east wind –Jonah 4:⁸ And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

21)  hornet – Joshua 24: (note hornets destroy no vegetation)¹² And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.¹³ And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat

Deuteronomy 7:²⁰ Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.

22) Sun and moon –Joshua 10:¹² Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.¹³ And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. ¹⁴ And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

23) Forest – 2 Samuel 18:⁶ So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim;⁷ Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.⁸ For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the forest  devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

24) Pharaoh’s Daughter – Exodus 2:² And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.³ And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.⁴ And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.⁵ And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.⁶ And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.⁷ Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?⁸ And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. ⁹ And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.¹⁰ And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

25) Weather – Job 37:¹ At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.² Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.³ He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.⁴ After it a voice roareth: he hundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.⁵ God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.⁶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.⁷ He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.⁸ Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.⁹ Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.¹⁰ By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.¹¹ Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:¹² And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.¹³ He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

26) Noise – 2 Kings 6:⁶ For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. ⁷ Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

27) Locusts – Joel 2:²⁵And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

Jesus Christ is the strongest. Nothing and no one can stop Him.

Isaiah 14: 26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Psalms 84:¹² O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Zechariah 4:⁶ Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

His Hosts

1) frogs – Exodus 8:5-6

2) lice Exodus 8: 16-17

3) flies- Exodus 8, 20-24

4) hail & fire Exodus 9:22-26

5) the earth – Numbers 16:

6) darkness that can be felt – Exodus 10:21-23

7) serpents – Numbers 21:3-6/Amos 9:3

8) hailstones – Joshua 10:10-11

9) bears – 2 Kings 2:23-24

10) ravens – 1 Kings 17: 2-6

11) horses and chariots of fire– 2 Kings 6:17

12) Sword – Amos 9:4

13) Angels – Genesis 3:24; 32:1-2;Numbers 22;22-24; Luke 2:8-14

14) great fish – Jonah 1:17; 2:10

15) lions – 2 Kings 17:25

16) widow -1 Kings 17:8-9

17) a great wind -Jonah 1:4

18) gourd-Jonah 4:6

19) worm –Jonah 4:7

20) vehement east wind –Jonah 4:8

21) hornet –Joshua 24:12-13; Deuteronomy 7:20

22) sun and moon –Joshua 10:12-14

23) forest- 2 Samuel 18:8

24) Pharaoh’s daughter – Exodus 2:

25) weather –Job 37

26) noise- 2 Kings 6:7-8

27) locusts – Joel 2:25

Ephesians 3:²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

Jesus gives grace and the gift of righteousness for you to reign in life

Where are you today? Do you feel overwhelmed? Anxious? Perplexed? Defeated? Discouraged?

You and I live in a fallen creation. Everyone is born with a sinful, rebellious nature. Sin and death have entered our world. No man can see God face-to-face and live. Jesus wants you and me to walk by faith not by sight. When you and I receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes our enemy. Your enemy wants to steal your joy and your testimony, prevent you from claiming your earthly inheritance, destroy your witness and take down many others with you.

However, Jesus came that you and I might have abundant life

John 10: ¹¹The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus wants you and me to reign in life with victory over the wiles of our enemy. In contrasting death/life; judgment/justification for the Romans, Paul provides these amazing truths.

Romans 5:¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. ¹⁵But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ¹⁶And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. ¹⁷For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. ¹⁹For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. ²⁰Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: ²¹That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Major points

By one man’s offense death reigns

By the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness you and I can reign in life by Jesus Christ!

By Adam’s disobedience you and I became sinners

By Jesus’ obedience you and I can become righteous!

Sin reigns unto death

Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord!

What does it mean to reign? Some definitions of reign

To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority

To have control, rule, influence

Questions for Reflection

1) No matter what accusations others throw at you, Jesus’ gift of righteousness enables you to exercise sovereign power over your sin nature. What does that mean to you? How is that significant in your current circumstances?

2) How can you exercise your authority over your sin nature?

3) Which wiles of your enemy are most affecting you now?  How can you use the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness to reign in life over sin?

In Christ Alone

“In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”

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, 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. 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, 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 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

In the 10^th century BC, King David messed up! King David made mistakes. King David wanted  forgiveness. King David received God’s forgiveness. King David’s sin had consequences.

King David messed up

2 Samuel 11:1And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

What do these verses tell you about David’s choice?

Should the King lead his army or remain in safety?

King David made mistakes

²And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. ³And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? ⁴And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. ⁵And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. ⁶And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. ⁷And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. ⁸And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. ⁹But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. ¹⁰And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. ¹²And David said to Uriah, Tarry here today also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. ¹³And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. ¹⁴And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. ¹⁵And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

What do these verses tell you about choices?

King David has consequences

2 Samuel 12:¹ And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

⁸And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. ⁹Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. ¹⁰Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. ¹¹Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. ¹²For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

What do these verses tell you about God?

King David wanted forgiveness

¹³And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. ¹⁴Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

What do these verses tell you about God?

What do these verses tell you about sin?

What do these verses tell you about acknowledging your mistakes and messes?

Paul explains why this story was documented for us

Romans 15:⁴ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Patience = ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; quiet and steady perseverance

Comfort =a feeling of relief or consolation

Hope =feeling that events will turn out for the best

What do you learn about God from this story?

What do you learn about choices from this story?

What do you learn about sin from this story?

Hebrews 11:¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

You messed up. You screwed up. You are a failure! How often have you and I had those words thrown at us? How often have you and I thought those words about ourselves? Those words can steal our joy and defeat our ministry. Jesus Christ has a solution! Jesus Christ gives you and me the victory!

Jesus has a good purpose for you and me. He designed our physical attributes, developed our personalities, orchestrated our meaningful experiences and called us to Himself. He placed us in a specific family, in a specific geographical location and He calls us unto Himself. Jesus makes no mistakes.

Paul’s information about Jesus

Ephesians 1:⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ⁸Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ¹²That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

What does it mean to you to have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins?

How rich is Jesus’grace?

What does it mean to you that He works all things after the counsel of His own will?

Jesus makes no mistakes. He is our Shepherd. He protects us, provides for us, directs us and corrects us.

So let’s learn from each experience He gives us and resolve to keep on keeping on!

Paul provides an answer for our accusers

Romans 8:²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ³¹What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ³²He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? ³³Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. ³⁴Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Can you believe God is able to work your mistakes for good?

How can you and I condemn ourselves when God justifies us?

What does it mean to you that absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God?

Let’s look at your most recent mistake.

What did you do wrong?

Why did you do wrong?

What role did your emotions play in your mistake?

What role did interaction with others play in your mistake?

What did you learn about Jesus from your mistake?

What do you resolve to do about your mistake?

Do you know this song?

HE’S STILL WORKING ON ME By: Joel Hemphill

CHORUS:

He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.

 

1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
   Don’t judge her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
   But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
   Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.

CHORUS:

2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
   Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
   He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
   Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay.

CHORUS:

 

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

Some people have no worry or concern about going to hell as God’s punishment for sin. They talk about wanting to be with their friends and partying there.   How does the Bible describe hell?

Punishment with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord

2 Thessalonians 1:⁷ And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, ⁸In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁹Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Outer darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth

Matthew 8:⁸ The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. ⁹For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. ¹⁰When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. ¹¹And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. ¹²But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Darkness is the absence of light. Currently God shines His sun on the evil and the good.

Matthew 5:⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

What does that mean to you?

The Egyptians experienced darkness that could be felt – Exodus 10:²¹ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. ²²And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: ²³They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

The Bible predicts there will be darkness causing pain – Revelation 16:¹⁰ And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, ¹¹And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

What does that mean to you?

Torment without rest

Revelation 14:¹¹ And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, ¹⁰The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ¹¹And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Jesus provided an escape from the judgement of hell

John 3:¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Why would anyone choose to be away from the Lord, Who gives light and life; punishment with everlasting destruction; outer darkness, weeping, gnashing of teeth; torment without rest?

Who is going to hell?

John 3: ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Do you know this song?

Jesus saves- Priscilla Owes, 1882

1. We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Bear the news to every land, Climb the mountains, cross the waves;
   Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

 

2. Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Sing, you islands of the sea; Echo back, you ocean caves;
   Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

 

3. Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Shout it brightly through the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves;
   Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

 

4. Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
   Shout salvation full and free; Highest hills and deepest caves;
   This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

In the 1^st century AD, Paul wrote to the church at Rome, reminding them that the return of Jesus to remove them from the very presence of sin was closer than when they first believed in Him.

Our Savior is coming! Get ready!

Romans 13:¹⁰ Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ¹¹And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. ¹²The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. ¹³Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. ¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Where is your focus?

Are you watching = focus on Jesus

Are you wanting = focus on wants

Are you worrying = focus on needs

Are you ready?

Do you know these songs?

Coming Again – John Peterson, 1957

Marvelous message we bring, Glorious carol we sing,
Wonderful word of the King, Jesus is coming again!

Chorus
Coming again, Coming again, May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon! Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -Jesus is coming again!

Forest and flower exclaim, Mountain and meadow the same,
All earth and heaven proclaim, Jesus is coming again!

Standing before Him at last, Trial and trouble all past,
Crowns at His feet we will cast, Jesus is coming again!

 

O the King is Coming by Charles Millhuff, Gloria Gaither, Willam J. Gaither

The marketplace is empty, No more traffic in the streets,
All the builders’ tools are silent, No more time to harvest wheat,
Busy housewives cease their labors, In the courtroom no debate,
Work on earth is all suspended As the King comes thro’ the gate.

O the King is coming, The King is coming!
I just heard the trumpets sounding, And now His face I see,
O the King is coming, The King is coming! Praise God, He’s coming for me!

Happy faces line the hallways, Those whose lives have been redeemed,
Broken homes that He has mended, Those from prison He has freed,
Little children and the aged Hand in hand stand all aglow,
Who were crippled, broken, ruined, Clad in garments white as snow.

O the King is coming, The King is coming!
I just heard the trumpets sounding, And now His face I see,

O the King is coming, The King is coming!
Praise God, He’s coming for me!

I can hear the chariots rumble, I can see the marching throng,
The flurry of God’s trumpets Spells the end of sin and wrong:
Regal robes are now unfolding, Heaven’s grandstand’s all in place,
Heaven’s choir now assembled, Start to sing “Amazing Grace!”

O the King is coming, The King is coming!
I just heard the trumpets sounding, And now His face I see,
O the King is coming, The King is coming!
Praise God, He’s coming for me!

John said it best in Revelation 22:²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. ²¹The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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, 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.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, 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 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

In the 1^st century AD, Paul wrote a letter to the church in Rome. He explained the problem of sin and God’s solution through Jesus to them.

What is the world’s condition?

Romans 3:¹⁹Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

God’s judgment-you and I get what we deserve-Romans 6:²³For the wages of sin is death

God’s mercy – you and I do not get what we deserve-Romans 6:²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s grace –you and I get what we do not deserve

In his 1^st century AD letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul explained we are saved from God’s judgment by grace because Jesus already took upon Himself our judgment and paid our penalty.

Ephesians 2:⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Romans 15:¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

God does not have any problems only plans!

 

Do you know this song? Jesus Paid it All, Alvina Hall, 1865

6. 1. I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;
      Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

    

   • Refrain:
     Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
     Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

    

   2. For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim;
      I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

    

   3. And now complete in Him, My robe, His righteousness,
      Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest.

    

   4. Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
      Can change the *leper’s spots [*leopard’s] And melt the heart of stone.

    

   5. When from my dying bed My ransomed soul shall rise,
      “Jesus died my soul to save,” Shall rend the vaulted skies.

    

   6. And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
      I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.

   I’ll lay my trophies down, All down at Jesus’ feet.

 

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, 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

 

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 being yoked to Emmanuel!

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 together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone! Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti

Paul was an educated, very learned Pharisee. He was a citizen of Rome in the 1^st century AD. He understood Old Testament law and the Pharisee laws well. Before he met the risen Jesus Christ, he was called Saul. The level of his education makes the book of Romans hard for me to understand. Oh, Paul, why couldn’t you speak more plainly?

Paul’s credentials

Acts 22:³I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Who was Gamaliel?

Acts 5:³⁴Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Paul identifies his wretchedness and struggle with the law of sin

Romans 7:²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.²²For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

Why does Paul call himself wretched?

This ‘body of death’ could be a medifor for a dead body strapped to one’s back. This was a common form of punishment under Roman law. So ta s that dead body decayed it would eventually cause sickness and a slow death to the one on whose back it was strapped.

Paul gives thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do you know how Jesus saves us from the penalty and habit of sin?

Is there a specific type of sin you keep repeating and need freed from? Tell it to Jesus

Paul affirms believers face no condemnation

Romans 8:¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Notice the absence of condemnation for all those who are in Christ Jesus is now! What does that mean to you?

Does the Spirit of God dwell in you?

What does Paul’s struggle mean to you?

Do you know this song?

And Can It Be? Charles Wesley, pub.1738

1. And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
   Died He for me, who caused His pain—For me, who Him to death pursued?
   Amazing love! How can it be,
   That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
   • Refrain:
     Amazing love! How can it be,
     That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

2. ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design?
   In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine.
   ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

3. He left His Father’s throne above—So free, so infinite His grace—
   Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
   ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me!

 

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
   Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
   My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

5. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
   Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine,
   Bold I approach th’ eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 

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, 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

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 being yoked to Emmanuel!

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 together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone! Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti