Go for the Gold Medal of Faith

For several days now, thousands of people have been watching the winter Olympics in Canada,

For months and years, athletes have pushed themselves past the breaking point,
to train and attain a medal of excellence for their nation.

Many eat special diets, and abstain from anything that would pollute their
mind or body. They diligently follow their coaches commands, even when
it seems unfair or difficult.

They do not take drugs or performance enhancing steroids, so they will not be
disqualified or embarrassed by bad behavior.

When asked to participate in something that is harmful to their career, they wisely say NO!

As Christians, we too have a race to run for Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says…
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, looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith.

The world is watching the way we act and react to life’s tests and challenges.
They are looking for people who are willing to be real, and take off their phony
masks of hypocrisy.

Jesus set an example for us to follow, and he endured hardship, poverty, shame,
and crucifixion for our sins.

He did not whine or complain when life was difficult or friends betrayed him.

He laid aside things that would distract him from fulfilling his mission in life
and ran the perfect race of faith and love in our place.

He asks us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow where he leads.

Like an Olympic coach, he may ask us to do some difficult and stressful things,
to witness and share our faith with the world.

When we don’t follow his commands, God lovingly corrects us, so we can get back
on track.

The Bible says…
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scoureth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening,
God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:5-7

Earthly fathers and coaches teach and correct us, so we will become people of excellence,
maturity, and represent our family or team with integrity.

Our loving heavenly Father left us the play book and manual for life, the Bible, so we
too can represent him in a godly manner to a great cloud of witnesses.

He asks us to present our bodies to him as a living sacrifice, holy and upright.
We are not our own, we were bought with the price of His beloved Son’s blood.

Beloved, today you may be facing some difficult choices in life…

God asks you to lay aside the weight of your sins, and run with patience
the race he sets before you each day.

Jesus said, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father in heaven.

As a runner begins the race, he must keep his eyes on the goal line.
If he looks back at others, or into the crowd, he becomes distracted
and may stumble and fall.

The Apostle Paul reminds us…
This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things
which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Are your eyes continually looking back at your past mistakes?

Are you weighed down with bitterness and angry thoughts toward others?

Are you are weary and tired of running the race of life in your own strength.

The good news is that…God never gets faint or weary.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Beloved, You too are a chosen runner in the race of faith. Jesus asks us to let go of our
sins and the painful memories of the past.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. If he is for us, no
one can stand against us.

Merciful Father, thank you for your loving words of wisdom in the Bible
to instruct and teach us the path you have chosen for our life. Help us
to be godly witnesses and run the race of faith with excellence and
integrity. Your word says, you will keep us in perfect peace,
if we keep our eyes on you. We are strong, the word of God
is in us, and we have overcome the evil one. No weapon formed
against us shall prosper. Every tongue that raises against us in
judgment, you will condemn. We are your chosen and beloved
children and if you are for us, no one can stand against us.

We love and praise you for all you have done, and wait expectantly for your
help and deliverance.

In the Almighty and Powerful name of Jesus we pray.
Amen

LET ME SOAR!

An eagle was soaring, high in the air…

I watched him in awe, and whispered a prayer.

Lord, make me strong and fly with such ease…

To follow the current and feel the cool breeze.

Keep me focused, to remember my goal…

Is spreading your word and helping lost souls.

Ones who are weary and tired of “religion.”

Who just need to know, that they’re loved and forgiven.

Help me show others…how they too, can fly.

By lifting their eyes and their prayers to the sky.

Let’s learn from the eagles, which don’t fly in flocks.

To simply draw strength from the “Son” and the “Rock.”

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau