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Run with Perseverance

Run with Perseverance

I love to exercise.  Within my neighborhood, there is a community trail which on any given day you can find adults and children walking, running, and riding bikes.  The trail provides an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility from the hustle and bustle of life.  A peaceful view, occasional spectators, and a place to reflect are all accessible on the trail. 

One beautiful, sunny day as I was walking and talking to God on the trail, He interrupted my conversation to give me a profound revelation that I had to stop and record my thoughts.  But before I share my revelation, I need to give you some background information about how I run on the trail.  As I exercise, I do something called intermit running.  Intermit running is when you run for a certain period of time then walk for a short minute, but you run again so that your heart rate goes up and down throughout your exercise routine.  I learned that using this style of running helps with fluctuating my metabolism instead of keeping it at a steady pace.  So, to do this I set markers as I run by using trees, rocks, or bridges to gage how far I have run before I stop to walk.    

Now, on the trail there are three bridges and the first bridge is about a quarter of a mile from the trail entrance and each subsequent bridge is less than half a mile apart.  As I run on the trail, I’m not able to see each bridge just the path in front of me, so I use the trees and large rocks as markers.  While running my heart begins to beat faster and faster, the panting of my breath gets stronger, and my legs get tired.  Exhaustion and fatigue consume my body but as I set my thoughts to the marker I’m able to keep pressing forward.   

To distract myself from the feeling of fatigue, I close my eyes for a moment gazing up at the sun and blue sky.  I enjoy my surroundings by waving to the people, looking at the trees, and noticing the various animals and insects.  As I get closer to my marker, the view of the trees begin to open and I hear the sound of running water.  At last the bridge is in sight.  Even though I am tired, I pick up the pace and encourage myself “you can do it, you can reach your goal.”

So, what was my revelation?  What did God teach me that day?

I learned that the method I was using to meet my running goal did not differ from developing my spiritual maturity.  The goals I set to persevere through each milestone of running can also support my Christian walk.  When I spend intimate time with God praying for guidance and direction, I must also “wait” on God to answer those prayers.  In my waiting, I must plan, prepare and persevere.  The marker of life is establishing one goal at a time and seeking to accomplish it.  Regardless of life’s test or trials, you must persevere because through perseverance comes growth and development.  We have to continue to trust in God and remember past blessings to fuel us just as when I’m running on the trail and fatigue sets in.  Instead of anticipating the bridge, I set small milestones with the trees and rocks.  With life we need to do the same thing, focus on what God has done and the surrounding blessings to continue moving forward.

Our trials and test are not the time to give in or turn around.  We must stand firm on God’s Word, remember the desires He placed in your heart (Psalm 37:4 NIV), and continue to praise Him by reading His Word and staying in His presence. 

Paul reminds us in scripture to run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12: 1 NIV).  This means don’t back down or give up but keep pressing forward!

Do you know my friends if we don’t endure the test, we won’t have a testimony!  We can’t bring glory to God and have success unless we choose to succeed!  As mortal beings, we can’t escape weariness or fatigue.  We all become tired and weary, but with determination and perseverance, we can get through the pain achieving our goals and maturing. 

Along with exercising, I have come to appreciate the results that benefit my health and well-being.  My exercise regimen builds an obedient, discipline character, which is also necessary for our spiritual maturity.  The Bible tells us we must worship God in spirit and truth (John 4: 24 NIV).  Our relationship is two-fold, the unseen experience with the presence of God and a tangible experience with His Word, which are both necessary for inward results that influence outward character. 

So, as I mentioned before, I love to exercise and I love running on the trail.  But, most importantly, I love when God interrupts what I perceive as routine to give me spiritual wisdom.  And, spiritual wisdom will not only promote balance in your life but also help you persevere. 

Be blessed in the precious name of Jesus Christ~ Amen

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Is the Vision for Now or Later?

Running is such an inspiration for me because I can spend one-on-one time with God observing His creation.  During this intimate time with God, He always gives me a Word of revelation and encouragement.  As I worship His Holy name privately while running, God drops seeds of wisdom according to His Word instructing me how it applies to my life. 

After gaining discernment from the Lord, my goal is to let His wisdom transform my life personally, professionally, and spiritually.  Professionally, I get to share God’s wisdom through teaching.  God has given me the gift of teaching and during the day I have the honor and pleasure to teach Bible to preschoolers.  Each week we focus on a different biblical account from the Bible and this week we are focusing on the life of Joseph. 

Now, one evening after work, I decided to go running and as I was running I began to think about my discussion with the students and at that very moment God reminded me of Joseph’s dreams. 

“Joseph had a dream… He said to them, ‘Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” (Genesis 37:5-7 NIV)

“Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brother. ‘Listen, he said, I had another dream, and this time the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” (Genesis 37:9 NIV).      

The revelation God gave me was not so much wisdom for the content of Joseph’s dreams as much as it was the timing of his dreams.  Scripture tells us that Joseph had these dreams around the age of 17 but they did not come to fruition until he was a grown man.  So I ask you, “What vision has God given you and you are now using it years later?”

God gave me visions for writing about five years ago but I never took it seriously.  Years before the vision, I kept my God-revealed knowledge to myself.  In my quiet time with God, I would journal my thoughts and what I felt God was telling me.  I thought what God was telling me was only for me, but as my spiritual understanding blossomed, God placed the desires in my heart to write for others.    

But as my spiritual maturity was growing, my obedience toward the vision of writing was stagnant.  I felt inadequate because I was not a scholar or theologian with an accredited biblical background.  In addition, writing would expose my thoughts and individuality, thus taking me out of my comfort zone so I kept journaling.  As the years past, I created a blog website (as I have done again) and shared weekly devotional messages, but I was still slow to obey on writing a book or consistently.   

Then, through conviction this question can to mind, “When I gave you the vision did you feel as if you were supposed to use it now and since you did not, do you feel you were disobeying Me?”

For years I’ve had the desire to write a book, but I have allowed excuses to control my progress, which has caused me to feel as if I was disobeying God.  But today, God revealed my vision for writing in light of Joseph’s dreams.  Joseph’s dreams were for an appointed time and God’s predestined plan for his life would not come to fruition for several years later.  Joseph could have thought his dreams were to happen immediately or within the next couple of days or weeks.  But, little did Joseph know that he would go through so many test and trials before his God-ordained elevation. 

So, I have come to tell you and encourage you that God makes no mistakes.  What you may feel is disobedience toward your vision because you have not acted yet could be God’s plan. 

Maybe you have to grow, learn, and mature more! 

Maybe the atmosphere God wants you to impact is not ready!

Maybe God is getting rid of haters, enemies, or distractions!

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His Will.” (Ephesians 1:11 NIV)

What I learned is that what I thought was disobedience, or a mistake was God’s plan all along and the years it took for me to get to this point was preparation.  What was training back then is now battlefield work! 

Be Blessed in the Precious Name of Jesus Christ~ Amen    

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God is a God of Timing

“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”  Ephesians 1:9-10 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/eph.1.9-10.niv

In Chapter 1 of Ephesians, Paul is speaking to the people of Ephesus, the newfound Christian believers in Jesus Christ.  Paul is reminding them that they are a chosen people predestined to accomplish good works for God!

As Paul shared this message over 2000 years ago with the people of Ephesus, this same message is prevalent for today’s Christian.  As I was reading verse 9 & 10, God gave me a fresh perspective that I had not thought before.  What caught my attention was the phrase, “to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment.”  

My first thought was that God is a God of timing!  Whatever God plans to accomplish, it brings all things and people into fulfillment.  God’s plan does not just touch one individual but many.

My second thought was, “What am I trying to accomplish alone?”  “What am I trying to make happen but God is saying, “Not yet?”  MY plan has not reached fulfillment!  So, how is your current situation causing you to become anxious and make moves God did not design for you to make? 

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  Acts 2:44, 46-47 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/act.2.44,46-47.niv

God added to the believers’ daily- unity! God caused the multitude- increase!  God bestowed the people with favor – fulfillment!

Let’s look at what fulfillment means – achievement, completion, realization (dictionary.com).

This tells me that when God has decided that the “time has come” according to His Will, fulfillment of His plan in your life will happen.  And, when this happens “unity” between earthly and heavenly realms will also take place. 

So, whatever you are discouraged about job, spouse, child, relationship, finances, health, loss, betrayal, or anything know that in God’s timing ALL things will come under His fulfillment for the good of God.   

“Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:32-33 NIV https://www.bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.32-33.niv

Jesus Christ came into this world at the proper time to redeem every living soul.  He was predestined for this task just as you and I are predestined for our task.   And, what you are purposed to do will come to fruition as long as you trust, believe, and let God lead.  

My friend, remember that when God plans to transform your life, it will not only be at the right time but also change the lives of others invoking unity and oneness. 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me?”  John 17:20-21 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/jhn.17.20-21.niv

Be Blessed in Jesus Christ name, Amen! ~

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His Work not Ours

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/eph.3.20-21.niv

Have you ever looked at your life and said, “I’m tired!”  You are busy going here and there, doing this and that, working day in and out!  A hamster on the wheel effect!!! You wonder, “Should life be this hard!”  Well the answer to that my friend is “No!”  Life should not be that hard and God did not design it that way.  

In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.  He created the Garden of Eden, which had everything in it for man and animal to survive.  Scripture says, “God placed man in the garden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15 NIV); therefore man did not labor the garden from a non-existent state.      

Plants, trees, vegetables, fruits, water, shelter was already there.  All man had to do was enjoy the surroundings and continue nurturing what God cultivated.  

What made me think about life and the rat-race our world deems is normal was the daily scripture.  Today’s verse says that God can give immeasurably more than what we can think or ask.  But to me, the kicker is the second part, which declares it’s according to His power that works within us.  We have to live our life including God in the picture for the unimaginable to happen!  When we give Him control, He knows how to make our rough places smooth and our crooked paths straight (Isaiah 42:16 NIV & Isaiah 45:2 KJV).

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”  Isaiah 42:16 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/isa.42.16.niv

“I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:” Isaiah 45:2 KJV

https://www.bible.com/bible/1/isa.45.2.kjv

So, if we live and work with God, skies the limit!  

God’s Power puts us at the right place at the right time!

God’s Power has us accomplishing more in less time!

God’s Power preserves energy not depletes it!

God’s Power gives us uncommon favor!

God’s Power increases spiritual growth and decreases mediocre thinking!

So, if life has you tired, do what Jesus says and take His yoke because it is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11: 28-30 NIV).  

Cast your cares upon God for He will sustain you (Psalm 55:22 NIV).

And, know that with God in the driver seat, He is able to do immeasurably more than you can imagine or ask!

Be Blessed in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen ~

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Pure Heart & Steadfast Spirit

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/psa.51.10.niv

Isn’t it amazing how God can speak to you and I, and confirm His presence in our life!

On my phone, I receive daily devotion scriptures to remind me of God’s Word.  Well today’s scripture focused on having a pure heart and being steadfast in the Word of God.  So, as I read the verse for today, I began to think about what a clean heart is and how my heart seems to carry a lot of burdens. Then I looked up the definition of clean, pure, and steadfast because educating myself toward each meaning would help me to understand the condition my heart needs to be in for a steadfast Spirit.

“Clean” means free from dirt, foreign or extraneous matter, pollution, irregularity (dictionary.com)

“Pure” means free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind, extraneous matter, foreign elements (dictionary.com)

“Steadfast” means fixed in direction, firm in a purpose, unwavering, firmly established (dictionary.com)

After pondering these two definitions, I decided to read my daily devotion for today and guess what?  The devotion focused on human hearts!

“Can you say God is in the House!”

So, as I read and reflected on the devotion, it compared the human heart to soil. Yes dirt!!!

Our heart is like a feeding ground and the ideas, thoughts, and attitudes we entertain impact the condition of our heart.

Now, as we live in a world that knows good and evil (Genesis 2:17; 3:22 NIV) our heart can develop weeds of negativity, corruption, selfishness, malice, bitterness, hurt, etc. And, as humans we do not have the ability to free our heart from this chaos.  We can only be freed by the presence, touch, and work of our Almighty God!

So, as the devotion enlighten me to this factor, I then redirected my thoughts back to today’s verse!  “Create in me a pure heart and steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10 NIV).

And, what came to mind is:

  • You cannot have a steadfast spirit without a pure, clean heart!
  • We are all subject to the evil of this world, so our heart is vulnerable!
  • A heart that is hard, dry, and hopeless cannot remain steadfast, joyful, kind, loving, peaceful, gentle, or transformed.
  • The only way to be a steadfast spirit and the soil of your heart to fertilized and nurtured is by the Word and Presence of God!

So, I leave with you a parable spoken by Jesus Christ to reflect on the condition and the soil of your heart!

Luke 8: 4-15 NIV

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

Luke 8:5-8, 10-15 NIV

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/luk.8.5-8,10-15.niv

May God’s presence and Word heal your heart creating a steadfast spirit! 

In Jesus Christ name, Amen ~

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Straight Paths

“This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. ”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/mat.3.3.niv

When you think about the word “straight” what comes to mind? As I was reading this particular verse of scripture in the account of John the Baptist, the word straight paths really stuck with me.
In the account of John the Baptist, he is preaching repentance to the people of Israel.  He is warning the people to repent of their sins and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  John wants the people to turn from their wicked ways, idolatry, and hypocrisy so that they can live a life, which God intended the Israelite nation live.
Now, thousands of years later the proclamation of John the Baptist is no different for us today. As Christians, we are the church and we are called to not only make straight paths for other yet believers, but also to be straight paths ourselves within our Christian walk.


The Bible tells us that no one is perfect (Romans 3:10 & Ecclesiastes 7:20 NIV).
We must pray for others (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
We must love one another (John 13:34 NIV)
We must love God with all our heart, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37 & Luke 10:27 NIV)
We must live by the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV)


As I reflect on each of these scriptures, they reveal the straight paths that John the Baptist was referring to.
So, how’s your path? Are you seeking to walk a straight path?
Not a path that is perfect but a path that is submissive to God and seeks His forgiveness, will, wisdom! 
My dear friends, it’s never too late to walk on the straight path.  God is prepared to accept all who come to Him in the name of Jesus Christ. He knows that we are broken vessels, but He is the only one who can heal us and put us on His path to eternal living.

Be Blessed in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen~