When you choose to receive the free gift of salvation, you are given automatically at least seven more free gifts. The free gift of salvation is the only one you must choose. All the others are given freely to you when you choose salvation.

Gift #2 Justification (Just as if I never sinned)

After you and I receive the free gift of salvation, justification is our present standing in Jesus Christ and we are robed in His righteousness. Imagine! When our Father looks at you and me He does not see our sin, our pettiness, our rebellious nature. When our Father looks at us, He sees the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ!

This is a judicial result. You and I have been found guilty of rebellion against God but Jesus Christ took our punishment on the cross. What does that mean to you?

Here is what King Hezekiah said in the 8^th century B.C.

Isaiah 38:¹⁷Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

What does it mean to you that God loves you so much He delivered you from corruption and put all your sins (past, present and future) behind His back? He will never look at your sins because the penalty for that rebellion has been paid in full by Jesus Christ.

Does this mean that you and I will never sin again? No. We still have our sin nature. But Jesus Christ provides a solution and remedy when we do sin.

1 John 10:⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

⁸If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us oursins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

¹⁰If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Paul explains it this way in Romans 5:¹⁴Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

¹⁵But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

¹⁶And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

¹⁸Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of onethe free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

¹⁹For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

²⁰Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

What does that mean to you?

Jesus paid it all – Elvena Hall, 1865

1. I can 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.

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

Gift #1 – salvation

What does history tell us?

Adam and Eve rebelled against God and ate fruit from the forbidden tree. Consequently, their spirit – ability to know God – died; they lost their innocence; they now had knowledge of good and evil; they knew they were naked; they lied to God about what happened; and they were cast out from the Garden of Eden and made to work in order to eat.

You and I were born in Adam’s likeness, with a sinful rebellious nature and a dead spirit -an inability to see God. But God is so rich in love and grace and mercy that He made a way for you and me to be saved from the penalty of sin.

What does God’s Word say about the human condition?

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here is what John says Jesus Christ did for you and me – John 3:¹⁴And 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.¹⁹And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

You can choose whether or not to receive this free gift from Jesus Christ.

Will you receive salvation from the One, Who paid the penalty for your rebellion against God?

Jesus Christ’s free gift of salvation has three phases

• As soon as you ask Jesus Christ to give you His free gift of salvation and save you from sin’s penalty, He wipes away your sin and considers your debt to God paid in full. He saves you from the penalty God requires for your rebellion.
• For the rest of your lifetime on earth, Jesus Christ will actively work to free you from the pattern and habit of sin.
• At the end of your lifetime on earth, Jesus Christ will remove you from the very presence of sin and take you to His home to live with Him forever. Revelation 21: ¹And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. ²And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. ⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Questions for refection

Will you receive Jesus Christ’s free gift of salvation or is there something in the way?

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born with a sinful, rebellious nature. But when you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, He creates you new with a new nature that desires to obey Him. But that old sin nature still remains and struggles to control you. Jesus understands your struggle. The night of His Last Supper, the night He was betrayed to be crucified for our sins, Jesus, the Man of Sorrow acquainted with grief, talked about joy. What is joy?

Joy = the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure

Jesus gives His reasons for joy

A dwelling place in the Father’s house is prepared for you – John 14:

¹ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Your prayers will be answered -John 14:

¹² Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

The Comforter will be given to you-John 14:

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

You will live – John 14:

¹⁹ Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

You will be loved by Jesus and the Father and Jesus will show Himself to you -John 14:

²¹ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

The Comforter will teach you – John 14:

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jesus gives you peace – John 14:

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Your Father will be your Husbandman-John 15:

¹ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

You are clean – John 15:

³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

You will bring forth fruit by abiding in Jesus – John 15:

⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

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.

Jesus will change you – John 15:

⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Jesus calls you ‘friend’ – John 15:

¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

You have been chosen and ordained by Jesus – John 15:

¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Your prayers will be answered – John 15:

¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Questions for reflection

1) Which of these reasons for joy matters most to you today? Why?

2) What specifically about these reasons for joy matters to you?

3) Which of these reasons for joy seems most abstract or absent from your life? Why?

Tell it to Jesus. He cares and loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love.

4) As you carefully read John 14-15, what additional reasons for joy do you find?

Jesus wants His joy to be in you – John 15:

¹¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

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

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

Where are you today? What are your circumstances? What emotions do you feel? Jesus Christ understands exactly what you are feeling. He loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love. Nothing you need do to make Him love you more and nothing you can do will cause Him to love you less. His love for you does not depend on you or your actions. Jesus Christ loves you because He is love. You do not have to explain your emotions to Jesus nor tell Him why you feel the way you feel. He already knows. How can that be?

Look at His action recorded in Hebrews 2:

¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶ For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Succour = to help and relieve

Emotions of Jesus

• He wept –

John 11:³⁵ Jesus wept.

Luke 19:⁴¹ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

• He loved –

Mark 10: ²¹ Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

• He marveled –

Mark 6:⁵ And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

⁶ And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

• He sighed –

Mark 8:¹¹ And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

¹² And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

• He was displeased –

Mark 10: ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

• He felt anger and grief –

Mark 3: ⁵And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

• He felt compassion –

Matthew 9:³⁶ But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Luke 7:¹³ And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

• He suffered people –

Luke 9:⁴¹ And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither

• He felt agony –

Luke 22:⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

• He rejoiced-

Luke 10:²¹ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight

• He felt compelled –

Luke 9:⁵¹ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

• He felt sorrow-

Matthew 26:³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

• He was depressed –

Mark 14: ³² And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

³³ And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

• He felt abandoned –

Matthew 27:⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

• He was weary –

John 4: ⁶ Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

Hebrews 4:

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Notice that Jesus sits on the throne of grace not the throne of judgment. What does that mean to you?

No one understands like Jesus- John W. Peterson

1 No one understands like Jesus, He’s a friend beyond compare;
Meet Him at the throne of mercy, He is waiting for you there

Chorus:
No one understands like Jesus, When the days are dark and grim;
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus, Cast your every care on Him.

2 No one understands like Jesus, Every woe He sees and feels;
Tenderly He whispers comfort, And the broken heart He heals.

(Chorus)

3 No one understands like Jesus, When the foes of life assail;
You should never be discouraged, Jesus cares and will not fail

(Chorus)

4 No one understands like Jesus, When you falter on the way;

Tho’ you fail Him, sadly fail Him, He will pardon you today.

(Chorus)

Questions for reflection

1) Which emotion are you most feeling?

2) Can you find a scripture reference where Jesus also felt that emotion?

3) When you consider that Jesus, the God-man, had your same feelings, what do you think?

4) Tell it to Jesus. He cares about you, loves you unconditionally, has a good plan for your life.

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.

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 are in a race. It’s a marathon not a sprint. From the moment you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior until the moment you cross the finish line into His physical presence, you are running a race course He set out specifically and uniquely for you. In all of history and in all the world, no one else is exactly like you. Jesus Christ designed you uniquely and created you from His unique plan for His unique purpose. Therefore, no one else can accomplish the purpose He has ordained for your life. No one else can run your race.

Jesus Christ runs the race with you. 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.

What will it be like when you cross that finish line into His physical presence?

The Bible says there will be no night. Revelation 21:

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

The Bible says there will be no sorrow or tears. Revelation 21:

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The Bible says there will be nothing unholy. Revelation 21:

²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The Bible says there will be a dwelling place prepared by Jesus Christ just for you. John 14:

²In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Bible says you will receive a crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:

⁶ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing

The Bible says you prepare your garments for the Bridegroom-Revelation 19:

⁸And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

But what will the moment when you first come into the presence of the physical person of Jesus Christ be like? I anticipate a very private, personal, uniquely meaningful to both Him and you moment. I anticipate He will not just welcome you as one of many runners completing their races but as uniquely you completing your race.

Jesus Christ’s prayer prayed for you more than 2,000 years ago will be answered

John 17:

²⁴ Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

How will He greet His prayer’s answer for you after waiting 2,000+ years?

What will you see on His face? Joy? Love? Friendship? Comraderie? Intimacy?

What will He see on your face? Awe? Joy? Love?  Gratitude?

You will see Him as He is. 1 Corinthians 13:

¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

You shall be changed to be like Him 1 John 3:

² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

What will you touch first? His feet? His hands? His face? His neck?

What will your first action be? Hug Him? Bow down to Him? Clap your hands? Kiss Him?

Shout for joy? Shout for victory? Thank Him?

Face to face with Christ, my Savior-Carrie Breck, 1898

Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me?

chorus

Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now I see Him, With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming, When His glory shall be seen.

What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain;
Death is swallowed up in vict’ry, And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face—oh, blissful moment! Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.

When we all get to heaven – Eliza Hewitt, 1898

1. 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!

2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky;
   But when trav’ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.

3.Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay.

4.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.

Questions for Reflection

1) How can you keep focused on your finish line?

2) What are the first words you want to say to Jesus Christ?

3) What words do you want to hear Jesus Christ say to you?

4) What emotion do you anticipate hearing in His voice?

5) Do you expect to see hair missing from His beard, because the soldiers plucked them out?

Isaiah 50:

⁶I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

⁷ For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

6) What will the nailprints look like do you think?

7) What about coming into His physical presence matters most to you?

8) How are marathon runners greeted as they cross the finish line in our world?

9) How does that greeting compare/contrast to the greeting you anticipate from Jesus Christ?

10) How will the life-long intimacy between you and Emmanuel be expressed?

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.

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 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

Where are you today? What are your circumstances? Do you feel successful or defeated? Confident or discouraged?  Jesus Christ cares about you and offers you grace! Do you want His grace? How much grace do you need today?

Grace = God giving us what we do not deserve

Who is the source of grace? – John 1:

¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

¹⁶ And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

¹⁷ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

What are the results of Jesus Christ’s grace?

1) You and I are justified by grace – Titus 3:

³ For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

⁴ But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

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.

Justified = made right (just as though you had never done that sin)

Imagine! Because of Jesus and His substitutional death and resurrection, you and I can have a clean record.

2) You and I stand in grace- Romans 5:

¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Imagine! You and I are not cast down. You and I are not thrown away. You and I are not banished from His presence. You and I stand in peace with God.

3) All the grace needed is available for you and me – 2 Corinthians 9:8

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Sufficiency = adequate, enough

Abound = exist in great quantities

4) Jesus Christ’s grace is sufficient for you and His strength is complete in your weakness-

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And 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.

Sufficient = adequate, enough

Perfect = complete beyond any improvement

Another reminder that Jesus Christ runs the race of life with you and me. He stands ready to help you and me. He concerns Himself with your circumstances and your personal strengths and abilities. He understands your limitations. He has only realistic expectations of you and me.

What does His grace and strength mean to you?

Jesus sits on the throne of grace not judgement- Hebrews 4:

¹² For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

What does it mean to you that Jesus today sits on a throne of grace not judgment?

Marvelous Grace – Julia Johnston, 1911

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Refrain

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, Brighter than snow you may be today.

Refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain
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

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

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ allowed the Romans, cooperating with the Jewish leaders, to crucify Him. Jesus Christ could have requested some 72,000 angels to aid Him but He chose to submit instead. Matthew 26:

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

⁵⁴ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

A Roman legion included 3,000 – 6,000 elite, heavy infantry soldiers, trained, equipped and ready for combat

Think for a moment, what would occur if 72,000 angels ready for combat suddenly appeared.

Here are some Biblical examples of what 1 angel accomplished

1 angel slew 70,000 men – 2 Samuel 24:

¹⁴ And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

¹⁵ So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

¹⁶ And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

¹⁷ And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.

1 angel slew 185,000 Assyrians – 2 Kings 19:

³² Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.

³³ By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

³⁴ For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

³⁵ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

³⁶ So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

1 angel shut the mouths of lions – Daniel 6:

¹⁸ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

²¹ Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

²² My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

²³ Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

1 angel rolled the stone away – Matthew 28:

¹ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

1 angel opened the prison doors – Acts 5:

¹⁷Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

¹⁸ And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

¹⁹ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

²⁰ Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Notice, the number of doors is not recorded. Why do you think it is not necessary for us to know the number?

Redeemed by Jesus, you and I are come to an innumerable company of angels – Hebrews 12:

²² But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

²³ To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

²⁴ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

What is the significance, do you suppose, of Paul specifying the innumerable number of angels in this passage?

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

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

Some 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ allowed the Romans, cooperating with the Jewish leaders, to crucify Him. Jesus Christ could have requested some 72,000 angels to aid Him but He chose to submit instead. Matthew 26:

⁵² Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

⁵⁴ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Think for a moment, what would occur if 72,000 angels ready for combat suddenly appeared.

The gospel of Luke records several views of that crucifixion event. Which view is most like your view of the event?

#1, view of Jesus, Luke 23:

³³ And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

³⁴  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Jesus’ view of the crucifixion was His creation’s need for forgiveness. Isaiah tells us Jesus was looking at you and me and our need for Him to pay the penalty for our sins and purchase our redemption. Isaiah 53:

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

#2, view of the people, Luke 23:

³⁵ And the people stood beholding.

Why were the people beholding the crucifixion? Were they just curious or were they concerned? Were they wondering how this would play out or were they just being entertained? Were they anticipating some action from Jesus?

#3, view of the rulers, Luke 23:

³⁵ And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Derided = to laugh at in scorn or contempt

#4, view of the Roman soldiers, Luke 23:

³⁶ And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

³⁷ And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

Mocked = to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt or derision

#5, view of thief #1, Luke 23:

³⁹ And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Railed = uttered bitter complaint or vehement denunciation

This thief wanted only temporary salvation from the penalty of his wrongdoings.

#6, view of thief #2, Luke 23:

⁴⁰ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

⁴¹ And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

⁴² And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

⁴³ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Thief #2 feared God, acknowledged his wrongdoing and just penalty. He acknowledged Jesus’ sinlessness and kingship and the ability of Jesus to forgive and accept sinners into His kingdom. He asked Jesus to remember him.

#7, view of the centurion, Luke 23:

⁴⁴ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

⁴⁵ And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

⁴⁷ Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

The centurion saw Jesus as only a righteous man. He did not see Jesus as God. He did not fear God, see his need for forgiveness or his need for a savior.

Which of these views do you share?

Are you like the people just beholding the crucifixion?

Are you like the rulers laughing at Jesus?

Are you like the soldiers mocking Jesus?

Are you like thief #1wanting only temporary relief from the penalty of your wrongdoings?

Are you like thief #2 wanting forgiveness and acceptance into the kingdom of Jesus?

Are you like the centurion seeing Jesus as only a righteous man but not God and not capable of

paying the penalty for your sins and proving you forgiveness?

Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally with an everlasting love. He offers His forgiveness and complete salvation to you. But He gives you choice. Will you accept His offer or will you refuse Him?

Losing my job due to corporate “downsizing” twice was a shock and disillusionment for me.

I grew up in an age where loyalty to the organization and good work meant job security and upward mobility. This was an unspoken contract employees had with employers. But times changed. The world of work changed. I don’t know what storms you are experiencing in life but I share some comfort verses that mattered to me when I was in the storm. May the LORD bless His Word to your heart.

Reminders of God’s closeness

Zephaniah. 3:

¹⁷ The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love. He will joy over thee with singing.

Reminders of God’s faithfulness

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.

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus!

Joshua 14:

⁶ Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

⁷ Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

⁸ Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

⁹ And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

¹⁰ And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

¹¹ As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

¹² Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

¹³ And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

¹⁴ Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

¹⁵ And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

Joshua 15:

¹³ And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

¹⁴ And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

Isaiah 46:

⁴And even to your old age I AM He; and even to gray hairs will I carry you; I have made and I will bear, even, I will carry and I will deliver you.

Isaiah 54:

¹⁰For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed saith the LORD, Who hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 54:

¹⁷No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their righteousness is from Me, saith the LORD.

Matthew 10:³¹Fear not therefore, for you are of more value than many sparrows.

Reminders of God’s purpose-

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.

Instruction-

Psalms 37:

⁴ Delight thyself also in the LORD and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

⁵Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.

Acts 21:

¹⁴ And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the LORD be done.

Ecclesiastes. 10:

⁴If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses.

Isaiah 58:

¹³If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on My holy day and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable, and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own  pleasure nor speaking thine own words;

¹⁴Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob, thy father; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

James 3:¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace.

Psalms 62:⁸Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Psalms 37:⁴Delight thyself also in the LORD and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 61:²From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee; when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher.

Psalms 68:

¹⁹ Blessed be the LORD Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Lamentations. 3:

²¹This I recall to my mind; therefore, have I hope.

²²It is because of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

²³They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.

²⁴The LORD is my portion saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.

²⁵The LORD is good unto those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.

²⁶It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Luke 12:

¹⁵And He said unto them, Take heed and beware of coveteousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

 Reminders of Who God is

Isaiah 40:

²⁶Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things, Who bringeth out their host by number; He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might; for He is strong in power. Not one faileth.

²⁷ Why sayeth thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD and the justice due me is passed away from God?

Psalms 62:

⁵ My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense, I shall not be moved.

Isaiah 42:

⁴He shall not fail nor be discouraged ‘til He have set justice in the earth, and the coasts shall wait for His law.

Isaiah 42:

¹⁶And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and forsake them not.

Psalms 84:

¹¹For the LORD God is a sun and a shield, the LORD will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Isaiah 43:

²When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 26:³Thou wilt keep him at perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.

Isaiah 26:⁴Trust ye in the LORD forever, for in the LORD God is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 12:²Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD, even the LORD, is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

John 17:¹⁵ I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.

Isaiah 25:

⁴For Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is like a storm against the wall.

Isaiah 25:

⁹ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him and He will save us; this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

Isaiah 30:

²⁰And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;

²¹and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left.

Isaiah 61:

¹The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD hath appointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

²To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

³To appoint unto those who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

Psalms 113:

⁵Who is like unto the LORD, our God, Who dwelleth on high;

⁶Who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the earth?

1Timothy 3:

¹⁶And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh; justified in the Spirit; seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Attitude Instruction

2 Samuel 15:

²¹And Ittai answered the king and said, As the LORD and as my lord, the king, liveth, surely in what place my lord, the king, shall be whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

Psalms 146:²While I live will I praise the LORD, I will sing praises unto my God, while I have being.

Psalms 119:

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction; for Thy Word hath given me life.

1 Samuel 22:

³And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab; and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth and be with you, ‘til I know what God will do for me.

Isaiah 50:

⁹Behold, the LORD God will help me. Who is he that condemns me? Lo, they all shall grow old like a garment, the moth shall eat them up.

¹⁰Who is among you that feareth the LORD that obeys the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the Name of the LORD and stay upon his God.

¹¹Behold all ye that kindle a fire that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of Mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.

Phillippians 2:

¹⁴ Do all things without murmuring and disputing

¹⁵that ye may be blameless and harmless children of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,

¹⁶holding forth the Word of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain neither labored in vain.

Psalms 18:, 16-19

⁶In my distress I called to the LORD. I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.

¹⁶ He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

¹⁷ He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

¹⁸ They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

¹⁹ He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 73:

²⁵Whom have I in Heaven but you? And being with You I desire nothing on earth.

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

Psalms 13:

¹How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? Forever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?

Isaiah 32:

¹⁷And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

Psalms 106:

⁴⁰Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people; insomuch that HE abhorred His own inheritance.

Jeremiah 18:

⁶O house of Israel cannot I do with you as this potter saith the LORD. Behold as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

 

1) Jesus Christ has uniquely designed and created you. There is only one you-

Job 33:

⁴ The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Psalms 139:

¹³For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

 

2) You exist and were created for Jesus Christ –

Colossians 1:

¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Revelation 4:

¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

3) Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love-

there is nothing you need do to make Him love you more

there is nothing you could ever do to make Him stop loving you

Jeremiah 33:

³The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

4) Jesus Christ has designed a specific purpose for your life-

Hebrews 12:2

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.

Ephesians 1:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Ephesians 2:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus Christ is never the author of evil but He orchestrates the moments of the life you live in this fallen creation for His own purposes.

Ephesians 1:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

5) When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He re-creates you new –

2 Corinthians 5:

¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

James 1:

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

¹⁸ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

6) Jesus Christ has designed specific tasks for you to accomplish-

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.

7) Jesus Christ is able to work the situation for good, even when your circumstances hurt.

He is working the situation for your good and working in you to make the situation good.

Romans 8:

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

8) Jesus Christ has a specific mission concerning you-

Romans 8:

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Conform-to become similar, to act in harmony

Image-likeness or representation of a person, optical counterpart

Firstborn-first in the order or result

9) Jesus Christ desires to live all your experiences with you-

Matthew 1:23

²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

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.

10) Jesus Christ has a specific end for your journey-

Jeremiah 29:

¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

11) Everyone will give account of himself to Jesus Christ-

Romans 14:

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

⁵ One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

⁶ He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

⁷ For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

⁸ For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

⁹ For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

¹¹ For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

¹³ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Jesus Christ enables you to stand no matter what your critics say or think!

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

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