In the beginning of time, Adam and Eve had a face-to-face interactive relationship with God, our Creator. They enjoyed life with Him in the Garden of Eden until disobedience.  What did God do when they disobeyed His command? He called them.

Genesis 3:⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. ⁷And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ⁸And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. ⁹And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

What does God calling them mean to you?

What would you have done if they disobeyed you?

God did not call them because He did not know where they were. God knows everything. God sees everything. As a Father, God calls for reconciliation. God desires relationship with us. But we all inherit from Adam a sinful rebellious nature that wants our own way rather than God’s way.

God calls us

Matthew 11:²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Notice there is no prerequisite in His invitation. Just come.

What burden do you have today? Jesus calls you to come so He can bear it with you.

God calls because He cares for each one of us

2 Peter 3:⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Will you respond to His call?

Do you know this song?

Softly and Tenderly – Will L. Thompson, 1880

1. 1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me;
      See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me.

    

   • Refrain:
     Come home, come home, You who are weary, come home;
     Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home!

    

   2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me?
      Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, Mercies for you and for me?

    

   3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me;
      Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me.

    

   4. Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised, Promised for you and for me!
      Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.

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

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul discusses the issue of our behavior in the midst of a culture that honors false gods. The question was how to address food presented to idols. Of course some Christians would still have unsaved family members and friends. How should they handle accepting gifts of food already presented to idols?

1 Corinthians 8:⁵For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)⁶But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Paul reminds the church at Corinth that we have knowledge of the One true God. We know about Him and we know Him on a personal level. They that honor false gods have no such knowledge.

Remember John 17:¹ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

²As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

³And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

What difference does it mean to you to know about the One true God?

What difference does it mean to you to know personally the One true God?

What difference can be seen in your life because of your knowledge and personal relationship with the One true God?

Paul stressed to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him

we exist in the One true God

What does it mean to you to exist in the One true God?

Paul stressed to us there is but one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him

we exist through the One true God Who is Lord of all – He even conquered death!
What does it mean to you to exist through the One true God Who is Lord of all?

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

We continue our series examining Biblical records contrasting sin and the consequences of sin with two words: But God. Our Creator is love and He concerns Himself with the welfare of His creation. Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds; clothes the lilies of the fields; and numbers the hairs on each of our heads, even though the number changes daily.

We live in a fallen creation, Sin and death have entered the world, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Yet, a holy God chooses to concern Himself with us. The Bible shows many situations where God intervenes.  Let’s examine some reasons God intervenes.

God intervenes because He loves us

Romans 5:⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

⁷For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

⁸But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

¹⁰For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Why do we need to be reconciled to God?

What caused this separation from God?

What does God’s love for you mean to you?

What does Christ’s death for you mean to you?

What do you learn about God from this record?

God intervenes for the glory of the Lord
1 Corinthians 1:²⁶ For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

²⁷But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

²⁸And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

²⁹That no flesh should glory in his presence.

³⁰But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

³¹That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

What do you learn about God from this record?

What does wisdom mean to you?

What does righteousness mean for you?

What does sanctification mean for you?

What does redemption mean for you?

Can you find other records in the Bible where sin and the consequences of sin are contrasted with these two words: But God?

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

 

We continue our series examining Biblical records contrasting sin and the consequences of sin with two words: But God. Our Creator is love and He concerns Himself with the welfare of His creation. Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds; clothes the lilies of the fields; and numbers the hairs on each of our heads, even though the number changes daily.

We live in a fallen creation, Sin and death have entered the world, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Yet, a holy God chooses to concern Himself with us. The Bible shows many situations where God intervenes.  Let’s examine some records of God’s intervention in specific lives.

God intervenes when Jonah chose to disobey

Jonah 1:⁴ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

²Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

³But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

⁴But 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.

Why do you think this record refers to God as LORD?

Why did Jonah disobey God?

Have you ever chosen to disobey God? Why? What happened?

What do you learn about God from this record?

God intervenes when Jonah is angry

Jonah 4:¹ But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

²And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

³Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

⁴Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

⁵So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

⁶And 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.

⁷But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

⁸And 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.

⁹And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

¹⁰Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

¹¹And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Why was Jonah angry?

Have you ever been angry with God? Why? What happened?

What do you learn about God from this record?

Can you find other records in the Bible where sin and the consequences of sin are contrasted with these two words: But God?

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

 

 

 

We continue our series examining Biblical records contrasting sin and the consequences of sin with two words: But God. Our Creator is love and He concerns Himself with the welfare of His creation. Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds; clothes the lilies of the fields; and numbers the hairs on each of our heads, even though the number changes daily.

We live in a fallen creation, Sin and death have entered the world, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Yet, a holy God chooses to concern Himself with us. The Bible shows many situations where God intervenes.  Let’s examine some records of God’s intervention in specific  lives.

Joseph’s brothers were jealous and sold him into slavery and told their father he was dead.

Genesis 50:¹⁵ And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

¹⁶And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

¹⁷So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

¹⁸And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

¹⁹And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

²⁰But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

What do you see in God using their evil to bring good to many?

What do you learn about God from this record?

King Saul with his army sought to kill David

1 Samuel 23:¹⁴ And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

Notice God’s deliverance was not one time but daily!

What does this record tell you about God’s power?

What does this record tell you about God’s attention to the details of life?

What does this record tell you about God’s love for His creation?

What do you learn about God from this record?

David’s confidence in God

Psalm 49:⁵ Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

⁶They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

⁷None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

⁸(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

⁹That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

¹¹Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

¹²Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

¹³This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

¹⁴Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

¹⁵But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

What does it mean to you to be redeemed from the grave and received by God?

What do you learn about God from this record?

David acknowledges his limitations
Psalm 73:²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

²⁶My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

²⁷For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

²⁸But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Why do you think David says God is the strength of his heart?

What is the purpose of the heart?

What do you learn about God from this record?

Can you find other records in the Bible where sin and the consequences of sin are contrasted with these two words: But God?

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

We begin a new series examining Biblical records contrasting sin and the consequences of sin with two words: But God. Our Creator is love and He concerns Himself with the welfare of His creation. Jesus told us that our Heavenly Father feeds the birds; clothes the lilies of the fields; and numbers the hairs on each of our heads, even though the number changes daily.

We live in a fallen creation, Sin and death have entered the world, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Yet, a holy God chooses to concern Himself with us. The Bible shows many situations where God intervenes.  Let’s begin our examination to learn more about the holy God Who rules all yet cares for you and me.

Paul in reviewing the history of the Jews

Acts 13:²⁶Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

²⁷For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

²⁸And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

²⁹And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

³⁰But God raised him from the dead:

What difference does it make that God raised Jesus from the dead?

What difference does it make to you that God raised Jesus from the dead?

Paul in his letter to the church at Ephesus

Ephesians 2:¹And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

²Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴But 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.

What is the difference between dead in trespasses and sin and being quickened?

Knowledge of the One true God

Mercy = not giving us what we deserve

Grace = giving us what we do not deserve

What do you know of God’s mercy?

What do you know of God’s grace?

What mercy and grace from God have you experienced?

Can you find other records in the Bible where sin and the consequences of sin are contrasted with these two words: But God?

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

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born with a rebellious sin nature. No one can see God face-to-face, as Adam and Eve did, and live. Sometimes the storms of life seem overwhelming. We ask ‘where is Jesus’?  Does He really know and care about our hurts? In this study we will examine what the Bible says Jesus is doing, even when life hurts you.

We begin Section #1 with what Jesus is doing for you when life hurts.

Session #1: Serving as the Captain of your Salvation

What is a captain?

Captain = one in authority over others, leader

What are some leadership qualities you would expect in your Captain?

Points in salvation

You and I are saved from the penalty of sin by the death and resurrection of our Captain Jesus Christ. Someday you and I will be saved from the very presence of sin by the death and resurrection of our Captain Jesus Christ. Between these two points in salvation, you and I are being saved from the pattern and habit of sin by our Captain Jesus Christ.

In the process of salvation from the pattern and habit of sin, Jesus Christ stands as your Captain.

Hebrews 2:⁶ But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

⁷ Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

⁸ Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

¹¹ For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

¹² Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

¹³ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

Salvation is offered to everyone but always received by choice

Jesus Christ is your personal Captain of Salvation that means relationship; intimate knowledge of you, your circumstances, your strengths, your limitations, your talents, your spiritual gifts,  your frame of reference, your history, your self-image and self-awareness, your understanding of and ability to control your emotions, your dreams and aspirations, your knowledge of scripture

Your Captain of Salvation

• Your Captain has already crossed His finish line and received the glory and honor of victory. He is experienced in living on the earth and He is successful

Your Captain is ordained; i.e. predestined by God-Galatians 4:⁴But 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.

• Your Captain is fully equipped because of His suffering: He understands, He won the victory
• Your Captain will bring you to glory; i.e. home and victory-  Matthew 16:¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

• Your Captain makes all arrangements for your march: provisions, strategy, route

He will not be surprised nor out-maneuvered

What does your Captain have to know about you to make provisions for your life?

• Your Captain gives commands

Matthew 11:²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light

Matthew 28:¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Mark 4:³⁹ And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

⁴⁰ And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

• Your Captain gives encouragement -Hebrews 13:⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Your tasks

• Wait on your Captain- Isaiah 64:⁴For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
• Rely on your Captain-Hebrews 13:⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
• Cast yourself on your Captain’s care-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.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

• Focus on your Captain-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.

Questions for reflection

• What type of circumstances pressure you to act rather than wait and rely on your Captain?
• What do you understand the joy of Jesus to be?
• How well do you know yourself?

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

Are you looking at the past with its failures and disappointments?

Are you looking at circumstances you cannot control?

Are you looking at your limitations and conflicts?

Are you looking at others?

Are you looking at the possibilities?

David’s advice

Psalm 8:¹ (To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.) O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

²Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

³When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

⁴What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

⁵For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

⁶Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

⁷All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

⁸The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

⁹O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Paul’s advice

Philippians 4:⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Helen Lemmel, 1922

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
   There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

2. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
   O’er us sin no more hath dominion—For more than conqu’rors we are!

3. His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well:
   Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

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

It was the Sabbath. Jesus Christ had been crucified, died and buried.  What were they doing on that next day Sabbath?

The Jewish law included this commandment:

Exodus 20:⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

⁹Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

¹⁰But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

¹¹For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

They buried Him before the Sabbath

John 19:³⁸And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

³⁹And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

⁴⁰Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

⁴¹Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

⁴²There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

What did the Chief Priests and Pharisees do?

Matthew 27:⁶² Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

⁶³Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

⁶⁴Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

⁶⁵Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

⁶⁶So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

What did the Women do?

Luke 23:⁵⁴And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

⁵⁵And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

⁵⁶And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

What differences in attitude do you see in these accounts?

What is the most meaningful to you about Joseph’s attitude?

What is the most meaningful to you about Nicodemus’ attitude?

What is the most meaningful to you about Chief Priests and Pharisees’ attitude?

What is the most meaningful to you about the women’s attitude?

What is your attitude toward Jesus Christ?

Do you know this song?

Low in the Grave He Lay – Robert Lowery, 1874

1. Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior,
   Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!

Refrain:
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior;
   Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord!

3. Death cannot keep his Prey, Jesus, my Savior;
   He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!

 

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

Jesus paid it all

Words to ponder as you and I reflect on that last week of Jesus Christ’s life on the earth.

From Palm Sunday to the Last Supper to the Crucifixion to the Resurrection, what does it mean to you? What does it mean for you?

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.

Do you know these songs?

Jesus Paid it All, Alvina Hall, 1865

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.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus- Helen Lemmel, 1922

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
   There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!

• Refrain:
  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

2. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
   O’er us sin no more hath dominion—For more than conqu’rors we are!

3. His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well:
   Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

Jesus paid it all! There remains nothing left for you and I to owe on our sin debt to God!

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