Author Archives: finishingwithlampsburning
Running Your Journey of Life
To answer the question why I chose “finishingwithlampsburning” as the title for my webpage: and why I always finish my blogs with Hebrews 12:1-2, I share with you the thoughts Jesus Christ has given to me through His written word.
Each of us is saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. But His purpose in saving us is much more than redeeming/saving/forgiving/creating/renewing/freeing/adopting/ translating us so we can enter Heaven. Jesus Christ has laid out a unique racecourse for each of us to run. The race is a marathon lasting our earthly lifetimes. The race is not a sprint. He has prepared specific tasks for each of us to perform while still here on earth. I cannot perform the tasks He prepared for you to accomplish. You cannot perform the tasks He prepared for me to accomplish. The tasks are uniquely assigned and we are uniquely equipped with spiritual gifts, position in His church, personalities and meaningful experiences to accomplish those tasks as we live out our new life in the Lord Jesus over the course of our journey of life.
Look at Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them
What do these words mean to you?
What specific tasks do you know Jesus wants to accomplish with you?
How willing are you to surrender to Jesus Chris in the details of life?
Jesus compares the wise and the foolish at the end of the race -Matthew 25:
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Notice that:
- there is a Bridegroom according to Isaiah 62:5b – and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over
There will be a meeting with the Bridegroom, Revelation 22:3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
- The wise were ready
- The foolish were not ready
The lamp gives light but needs oil,
Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
And also in John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
- The marriage will be evermore together, the Bridegroom & His Bride. 1 Thessalonians 4:
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
- There is a prize according to 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- There is a recommended way to run: with purpose (to obtain)
Running with purpose requires focus on the goal, avoiding distractions, endurance
Your Bridegroom provides instructions for running your race in 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,
Notice that:
- There are witnesses – Hebrews 11 “the faith chapter” provides historical recordings of those who successfully ran their races. Do you desire to run your race successfully? With God, nothing is impossible. Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
- Your race is set
Jesus has a specific end to your race already established according to Jeremiah 29:
- There is weight – we live in a fallen creation with a fallen nature fighting against our new nature, with an inability to see God face to face- we walk by faith not by sight
- Sin besets us – attacks and surrounds us with the intention to best us
- We are instructed to run (continual movement, effort, don’t stop),
- We are instructed how to run
- With patience – knowing our God reigns and enables and will bring justice, our strength comes from Him alone, we endure and await Him– Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith
Jesus began and will continue His work in you, according to Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Jesus endured our punishment because He focused on the joy to come. What an example for us!
Think of stepping across the finish line; leaving behind the fallen nature, fallen creation; coming into His presence; looking on His face; examining the nailprints; touching Him; feeling His touch on your face; thanking Him; loving Him; worshiping Him; never again to be physically separated from Him. …..and hearing His voice. What will His first words to you be?
It Will Be Worth It All by Esther Kerr Rushthoi
- Sometimes the day seems long, Our trials hard to bear.
We´re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair.
But Christ will soon appear to catch his bride away!
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day! - At times the sky seems dark, with not a ray of light;
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight.
But there is One in heaven, Who knows our deepest care;
Let Jesus solve your problems, just go to him in prayer.
- Life’s day will soon be o’re, all storms forever past;
We’ll cross the great divide to Glory, safe at last!
We’ll share the joys of heaven: a harp, a home, a crown;
The tempter will be banished, We’ll lay our burdens down.
CHORUS:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of his dear face, all sorrow will erase.So, bravely run the race till we see Christ.
May the Mind of Christ My Savior by Kate B. Wilkinson b4 1913
May the mind of Christ my Savior Live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling All I do and say.
May the Word of Christ dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph Only through His pow’r.
May the peace of Christ my Savior Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me, As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self-abasing, This is victory.
May I run the race before me, Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him.
When We all get To Heaven-Eliza Hewitt, 1898
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Let us then be true and faithful,Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.
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,
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
Jesus Christ has His reasons for snow
It is winter. The meteorology forecasts are for heavy snow. Why is there snow we ask?
Jesus Christ recorded His reasons in the book of Job. The book of Job is one of the wisdom books; considered to be one of the oldest books of the Bible, although both the penman and the date of writing is unknown.
Job 37: 5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12And 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.
13He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Certainly we understand the need of the land to rest in winter; the cycles of planting, growing, harvesting then resting.
Certainly we can understand the need of human beings for mercy.
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).
What do we understand of the need for correction?
John 17:1These 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.
Questions for Reflection
What do these verses mean to you?
What do you know about animals hibernating in winter?
What do you know about the planting and harvesting cycles?
Great is Thy faithfulness – Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed Thy hand hath provided; great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
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,
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
Sometimes God’s answers surprise us.
We pray. We ask God for things, for help, for understanding. Sometimes God answers ‘yes’. Sometimes God answers ‘no’. Sometimes God answers ‘wait’.
According to the book of Luke, Zacharias was in the temple at Jerusalem performing his priestly duties when God revealed His prayer answer. It was 400 years since a prophet had spoken for the LORD. The record does not indicate how long Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer. The record does not indicate how frequently Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer.The record does not indicate how recently Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer.
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
What does it matter to you that Zacharias performed his duties while no answer came for his prayer?
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Do you see how much greater was God’s answer than the baby Zacharias requested?
18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Why didn’t Zacharias jump for joy and gratitude?
Why did Zacharias doubt the answer he asked for?
The record does not indicate how often the prayer was prayed nor how recently.
Have you experienced an answer to a prayer prayed some time ago? God is not limited to time.
Paul informs us about Jesus Christ in 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.
When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior He creates you new. He dwells within you. He runs the race of life with you. You are not alone. He is preparing a dwelling place for you to live with Him forever. So tell Him what you feel. Tell Him what hurts. Tell Him what you desire. He loves you and cares about you. He will answer in His time.
Do you know this song?
In His time, In His Time, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord please show me every day As You’re teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say In Your time.
In Your time, In Your Time, You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord my life to You I bring, May each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing In Your time.
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,
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
Your earthly inheritance: spiritual gifts
When you and I receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior He bequeaths to us through His death and resurrection an inheritance. Some of that inheritance is absolute reserved for us in Heaven.
1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Other components are bequeathed for our journey on earth. One of those components that must be claimed are spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given individually to each one who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior. Paul provides information about these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians. Personal talents, such as musical ability and athletic ability, are given at physical birth. Spiritual gifts are given at the new birth when God creates you new. I sometimes find Paul’s writing difficult. He was such a learned man. But let us together examine his writings about the spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12: 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Please note that spiritual gifts are NOT natural talents and abilities. Spiritual gifts are given at spiritual birth
God, through Paul, desires for you and me to have understanding and not ignorance regarding the gifts He gives us. Before you and I received Jesus as Savior, we had our own idol desires that led us. Now it should be Jesus only that motivates us to use the gifts He gives us. What does that mean to you?
The Holy Spirit has a purpose for each gift and the power to fulfill the gift
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Administration = purpose for the gift
Operation = God’s power to fulfill the gift
What do these words mean to you?
Jesus has His own reason for your spiritual gift
7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
What do these words mean to you?
Do you know your spiritual gift? Do you have more than one?
How are you using your spiritual gift(s)?
As members of the body of Christ we are each one important
12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?16And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
What do these words that mean to you?
What is your understanding of your personal importance in the body of Christ?
God places the members of the body of Christ where it pleases Him
18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20But now are they many members, yet but one body.
What do these words mean to you?
You are important in the body of Christ
21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that partwhich lacked: 25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
What do these words mean to you?
God placed you exactly where you are for His purpose
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
In the next chapter Paul highlights love as that more excellent way.
What do these words mean to you?
What do you see as His purpose for your current relationships in the body of Christ?
Part of your earthy inheritance to be claimed are those good works God ordained for you to accomplish with Him
Ephesians 2:8For 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.
What do these words mean to you?
What does it mean to you to be His workmanship?
What do you understand His purpose for you to be?
Paul gave instruction that those spiritual gifts should be stirred up
2 Timothy 1:6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Our focus = Hebrews 12:1Wherefore 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
God has mercy for you!
In this series we are examining God’s mercy.
Mercy is God not giving us what His justice requires and what we deserve for breaking His laws.
In the 7th century B.C., King Manasseh was the 12th king of Judah. Manasseh was the son of King Hezekiah. You remember after King Solomon the kingdom split into Israel (10 tribes) in the north and Judah (2 tribes) in the south.
Let’s look at the recorded story.
2 Chronicles 33:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:
What action did King Manasseh take?
2But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
4Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.
5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
What did King Manasseh do with his children?
6And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
What did King Manasseh do with the Temple?
7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
8Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.
What did King Manasseh do with the Jewish people?
9So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
What did the LORD do?
10And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
11Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
How did Manasseh respond?
12And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
13And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
What do these verses tell you about God’s mercy?
What do these verses tell you about God’s care?
What do these verses tell you about God’s love?
What do these verses tell you about God’s grace?
What do these verses tell you about God’s righteousness?
What did King Manasseh do?
14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
15And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
16And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.
What did the Jewish people do?
17Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
Remember the words of Jeremiah 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been thou forever will be.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
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,
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
How much mercy do you need?
Mercy is God not giving us what His justice requires and what we deserve for breaking His laws.
You and I live in a fallen creation, which is no longer perfect and not even good. Everyone is born in the likeness of Adam with a sinful, rebellious nature. But Jesus Christ loves us so much that He took God’s judgment for our sins and died on the cross. However, He did not stay dead but conquered death and rose again from the grave with a glorified body.
So when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord there is mercy for us.
When God gave instructions for building the tabernacle He expressed the requirement for the mercy seat as the place where He would meet with the Israelites and commune with the Israelites.
Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
18And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
19And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
20And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
21And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
Definitions
Meet = to encounter; to come into the presence
Commune = intimate communication or rapport
1 cubit = 18 inches
What do God’s words mean to you?
How much mercy do you need?
King David knew God’s mercy.
King David ordered the murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. (2 Samuel 11)
King David mishandled the rape of his daughter Tamar by his son Amnon. (2 Samuel 13-14)
King David did not reconcile well with his son Absalom who killed Amnon for raping Tamar.
Yet King David said in Psalms 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
34 of the 66 books of the Bible mention mercy. Why do you think mercy is so often mentioned in God’s word to us?
What have you done? Did you know at the time you were breaking God’s law? Jesus does not want you to struggle with guilt. He stands ready to forgive and provide mercy. God’s word says in 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
At Calvary, William Newell, 1895
- Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary.- Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary.
- Refrain:
- By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary. - Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary! - Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!
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,
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
What is Jesus Christ’s plan to help you claim your inheritance?
You and I have an enemy. When you receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy.
Your enemy wants to defeat you, steal your inheritance, destroy your testimony and take others down with you.
John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed
Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty
Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health
Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you
In this series we have examined the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal. But the Bible is certain that Jesus Christ has a plan to help you claim and maintain the earthly components of your inheritance.
True, Jesus Christ does not want puppets but grants you free choice.
True, Jesus Christ stands ready to assist you. He is a very present help in time of trouble.
1) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because the LORD chose it!
Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah
What does that mean to you?
2) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because it comes from God, who makes no mistakes and never changes!
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
What does that mean to you?
3) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because God has given an earnest
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Earnest = serious intention or purpose
4) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because the Father has fit you to partake and made you His heir
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What does that mean to you?
5) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because the Father provides ministering spirits to help
Hebrews 1:God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
What does that mean to you?
6) Even when you do not claim your inheritance, it remains because the Father has promised you the kingdom
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
What does that mean to you?
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,
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
Claiming your earthly inheritance
By His death and resurrection Jesus Christ bequeaths to everyone who will receive Him as Lord and Savior an inheritance. Some of the inheritance components are absolute and reserved for us in Heaven. Other components are for your journey of life and must be received.
So far in this series we have examined these components of your inheritance for your journey of life:
Rest = Hebrews 4:9-10
Relationship with the Father = John 1:10-13
Residence of the triune God – Ephesians 4:6; Ephesians 3:14-19; Ephesians 1:12-17
Abundant living = John 10: 7-10
Victory and freedom from sin = 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Armor of the Lord =Ephesians 6:10-17
Knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent= John 17:3
So how do you and I claim that earthly inheritance that equips us to run successfully this journey of life? Let us consider the LORD’s instructions to Joshua when the Israelites were ready to claim the promised-land, their earthly inheritance. You remember there were 600,000 foot men freed from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:37). When Moses sent the 12 spies into the land only Joshua and Caleb came back with a good report that the LORD was able (Numbers 14:6-9). Forty years passed until all those unbelievers died, even Moses and Aaron. Only Joshua and Caleb remained of those men rescued from Egypt (Joshua 5:6). So what did the LORD instruct Joshua regarding claiming the promised-land?
Joshua 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Notice the LORD gives the inheritance. The Israelites do not have to earn the inheritance. Notice the giving is in past tense. The LORD sees the inheritance as accomplished. He is not limited to time. So why do the Israelites not possess the promised-land today?
How does the Israelites’ failure to act in faith correlate to you and me in our claiming our earthly inheritance?
5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
The Bible does not record any failure on the part of the LORD.
The Bible does not record anytime the LORD forsook the Israelites.
How can the words of Hebrews 13:5Let 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.6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.help you and me?
6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Notice the instruction is about personal being, not about circumstances or what others are doing. We are to be strong. Remember what Paul records about His verbal exchange with Jesus in 2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
How can you and I keep our focus on Jesus and who-we-are-in-Him?
How can you and I rely on Jesus alone for strength?
Why do you and I need courage to observe all His laws?
Why sometimes do circumstances dismay you? Is it because we sometimes trust in our own judgment rather than the true wisdom of God?
Notice the instruction is to have good courage. What courage do you suppose would not be good? Perhaps courage that relies on the wrong thing or person. How can you and I depend on Jesus rather than self to claim our earthly inheritance?
What does it mean to you that you and I are able to rely on the LORD our God in every situation?
Do you know this song?
O Worship the King– The words from Edward Bickersteth, 1833, rewording of the words of William Kethe, 1561.
O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.
O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
The earth with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree, And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.
Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
O measureless might! Ineffable love! While angels delight to worship Thee above,
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays, With true adoration shall all sing Thy praise.
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,
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
Our LORD God is a sun
Written in the 10th century B.C. Psalms 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Functions
Sun overcomes darkness with light and warmth; provides vitamin D; melts what is frozen
You and I live in a fallen creation that is no longer perfect and not even good. Everyone is born in the likeness of Adam with a sinful, rebellious nature.
Our LORD God is a sun to provide light in the darkness
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
What do these words mean to you?
How much time do you spend in His Word?
What steps are you taking to follow Jesus?
What from His Word has given you light recently?
Our LORD God is a sun to provide warmth from the cold
Would you agree the world is cold with indifference and unconcern for you? One of God’s questions to Job concerned the ability of God alone to warm us.
Job 37:16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
What do these words mean to you?
Our LORD God provides nourishment
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
What do these words mean to you?
Our LORD God can melt feelings and hearts that are cold and frozen
Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
20That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
I agree these passages taken in context are about what God will do in the future for the Jews, His chosen people. But these words show forth the goodness and love of God and His power to change one’s heart. Is your heart cold? Have you been hurt in the past by circumstances or people important to you? Do you have unresolved issues that weigh you down? Are you disappointed with God? Jesus cares and knows all about you. Will you come to Jesus? He said in Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
What do these words mean to you?
What about your circumstances today causes you to desire His sun?
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,
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
What is your knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent?
By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ bequeaths an inheritance to everyone who will receive Him as Lord and Savior. This inheritance has some absolute components. 1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
This inheritance has some components that must be claimed because they pertain only to our journey on earth.You and I have an enemy who wants to steal our earthly inheritance, kill our joy and destroy our lives. Jesus said in John 10:10 The 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.
One of those components that must be claimed is knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent. On the night He was betrayed Jesus had a private conversation with the Father recorded in the book of John.
John 17:1These 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.
How do you get to know someone? Do you prefer to spend time together? Do you talk with them? Do you do things together? or do you just observe them?
What is your knowledge of the only true God?
What is your knowledge of Jesus Christ Whom He has sent?
The Bible gives the reader much information about the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent. What have you read?
What have you learned about the only true God and His Jesus Christ Whom He has sent?
Peter admonishes us to grow in our knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent. 1 Peter 3:17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
What steps can you take to grow in your knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent?
Why should you want to grow in your knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent?
Paul determined to count his personal achievements as loss so he can grow in knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent. Philippians 3:4Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Why do you think your knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent will grow when you consider what He has done and is doing rather than what you have done and are doing?
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,
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
Finishing With Lamps Burning 