THE FINISH LINE

1 Corinthians 9:24:27

Say to Archippus, “Take  heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” Colossians 4:17

When I was in college, I ran on the cross-country team. In the final even of the season, the state’s small colleges competed against each other, with about 75 runners in the event. We ran the 5K course in the rain and mud on a cold November day.

As I neared the finish line, I spied a runner from one of the other schools just a short distance ahead of me. He became my goal. I ran as hard as I could and passed him just as I crossed the finish line. That last dash meant I finished 42nd, which seemed a lot better than 43rd! It meant our team finished one position higher in the final standings than the team represented by the runner I beat. The point? I didn’t give up — I ran all the way through the finish line.

This is probably what Paul  had in mind as he wrote to Archippus, one of his young ministry proteges: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it” (Colossians 4:17). When we feel discouraged and want to quit, it’s good to remember that the Lord who entrusted us with the privilege of spiritual service will give us the grace and strength to carry out that service. Let us “run with endurance” (Hebrews 12:1) so that we will receive the “imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:25). —bill crowder

Run the straight race through God’s good grace, lift up thine eyes and seek His face; life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path and Christ the prize. —monsell

Running with patience is perseverance in the “long run.”

NOT “WHY?” BUT “WHO?”

Psalm 42

Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You. Psalm 38:9

While appearing on a panel with other bereaved parents, I was surprised at how much I learned by listening. We were there to help a group of chaplains minister to the grieving, but we ende up learning from one another.

One mom, who had lost her infant daughter to meningitis, shared a simple truth that touched me. She related that as she tried to work through the huge question of “Why?” she spoke to her dad about it. He told her that a better question to ask is “Who?” He explained that she may never know why her daughter was taken so early, but the help she needed most would come from pursuing who God is in this tragic situation.

Think of what this means to us in our difficulties. When we face unexpected grief and ask “Who?” we get this answer: “The Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). When we face a period of weakness, we discover that “the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2). When the ungodliness of this world seems overwhelming, we can know that the “God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20).

When “Why, God?” is on your heart, ask instead, “Who are You, God?” Then seek Him in His Word. —dave branon

In the desert of grief God provides an oasis of grace.

THE EMPATHY FACTOR

Hebrews 4:14-16

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14

In the summer of 2005, I led a group of high school students on a missions trip to Jamaica. Our goal was to build a playground at a school for deaf children in that beautiful island country.

Many of our students had previously visited the school and played with the kids. But one of our teenagers had a special connection to the Jamaican children. Chelsea too grew up in a world of quiet. Deaf since birth, she didn’t hear a sound until she was 11, when she received a cochlear implant. Now able to hear about 30 percent of the sounds around her, Chelsea understood the deaf in ways our other students could not. She had true empathy.

Empathy is a strong emotion. It can drive us to come alongside those who are in similar situations. It can cause us to care in a deeper way for those with whom we share a concern or a difficulty.

The most important example of empathy is the Lord Himself. he became one of us (John 1:14). Because He did, He understands our struggles and weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus knows what we are going through, for He endured this life Himself. As we receive His grace in our time of need, we are better able to come alongside others. —dave branon

God lived as man, as one of us, and understands our need for grace; He is not distant nor detached from all the trials that we face. —sper

No one understands like Jesus.

BLESSED TO BLESS

Genesis 12:1-7

I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. Genesis 12:2

While I was reading the 12th chapter of Genesis, the words of the second verse struck me with new meaning. Whenever I studied this particular passage of Scripture before, my mind was so occupied with the promises to Abraham and the nation of Israel that I overlooked a practical application for every Christian.

The Lord told Abraham: “I will bless you . . . and you shall be a blessing.” He was blessed to bless! What he received was not for his own selfish enjoyment, but for the welfare and betterment of others.

The same is true with believers today. The Lord has done a wonderful work of grace in our lives and wants us to share it with others. We who have trusted Jesus and have received the benefits of salvation have been saved to “save.” Although our relationship to Christ brings us personal satisfaction, He redeems us that we might go out and “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Likewise, God comforts us in our distresses “that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

You have been blessed to bless! Let the Lord do His work through you. —rwd

Make me a channel of blessing today, make me a channel of blessing, I pray; my life possessing, my service blessing, make me a channel of blessing today. —smyth

God gives freely to us so that we may give liberally to others.

THE POOR MAN’s BANQUET

Luke 14:12-24

Go out. . .and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind. Luke 14:21

During the North African campaign of World War II, some German troops became detached from their source of supplies. With their throats parched by the intense desert sun, they were overjoyed when they found a newly constructed British waterline. Shooting it full of holes, they fell on their stomachs and began gulping furiously.

But they realized something too late — the British had been testing the pipeline with salty seawater. Within 24 hours all of the Germans were dying of thirst. Recognizing the severity of their situation, they quickly surrendered.

In a similiar way, life’s painful reverses are sometimes required to break down the willful resistance of people who would reject God’s terms of surrender. Jesus’ parable in Luke 14 reminds us that misfortune can be a blessing if it makes us willing to accept God’s invitation. He said that only the poor and needy accepted the offer to attend the banquet. The rest were too self-sufficient and preoccupied.

Whether our need is salvation or development of Christlike character, adversities are often necessary to help us sort out what really counts. May we see them as God’s loving invitation to take our place at the “poor man’s banquet.” —mrdii

God offers us His matchless grace if only we believe, but not until we sense our need will we His love receive. —djd

Admitting our weakness makes room for God’s strength.

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION

1 Samuel 17:31-50

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

If ever anyone needed a champion, the Israelites did. As their army camped in the Valley of Elah, they were held at bay and embarrassed daily by the tauntings of the Philistine strongman Goliath.

David, the young shepherd son of Jesse, had brought provisions for his brothers in the army. When he heard Goliath mocking the Israelites, he was furious and asked for permission to go out and fight him. David was confident that the God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37) would give him victory over the giant — and He did.

David’s conquest reminds us of Jesus Christ’s victory. We were hopelessy enslaved by sin and needed a champion. Then God sent His Son Jesus to deliver us. He came to earth as a man, faced all our human trials (Hebrews 2:14-15), and went to battle on our behalf. In His death and resurrection, Jesus won complete victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). What’s more, His triumph guarantees us victory in our daily walk with God.

But we can’t expect success in our own strength. We must rely on the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. Then, as we walk with God in faith, we can more fully appreciate the victory our Champion has brought us. —dce

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I’ll tell, how the victory He giveth over sin and death and hell. —bliss

No matter what giants we face, we can win by God’s grace.

BEE POLLEN AND THE GOSPEL

Colossians 4:2-6

Let your speech always be with grace, seasonsed with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6

Nellie Pickard loves to tell people about Jesus Christ. She does it so often that she’s written a series of books describing how she witnesses in everyday situations. In Just Say It! she tells about her phone call to a health food store. She had noticed that bee pollen was on sale, so she asked the manager about the benefits of using it. “You’ll live forever, ” he replied.

To Nellie, the words live forever were an open invitation. “I know you’re joking,” she said, “but I know I’m going to live forever, and not because I buy your bee pollen.”

His response was encouraging. “I’d like to hear about it. I’m really interested in why you think you’re going to live forever.” Although he did not trust Jesus as Savior at that time, Nellie had planted the seed by being wise “toward those who are outside” (Colossians 4:5).

Our opportunities are endless, yet our words are often powerless. Instead of directing our conversations with unbelievers toward spiritual matters, we tend to stay in the safe zone. Doing as Nellie does is a skill we need to develop and a challenge that comes straight from God’s Word.

We must look for those openings. With sincere kindness and geniune concern we can turn most conversations to eternal matters—even if the subject is bee pollen. —jdb

Take control of my words today, may they tell of your great love; and may the story of your grace turn some heart to you above. —sees

The best place to witness is where God has placed you.

GOD’s WAYS

1 Kings 17:1-16

How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Romans 11:33

After Elijah had experienced some especially trying times, the Lord told him to flee to Zarephath where he could find food and shelter. Imagine Elijah’s surprise when he discovered that the widow who was to provide for him was extremely poor! In fact, she expected that she and her son would soon die of starvation.

How often God delights to astonish us by the wonder of His ways! Our limited understanding of Him can be likened to a fly crawling on one of the great pillars of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. What does that tiny insect know about the architect’s magnificent design? It sees only the little space of stone on which it moves. The beautiful carvings and ornamental work seem like towering moutains and deep valleys that only impede progress and obscure the view.

We as Christians often see only our immediate circumstances and perceive but a glimmer of God’s marvelous purpose. The obstacles that block our vision and get in the way of our plans are actually part of the beautiful designs of divine grace.

Our heavenly Father knows exactly what He is doing. Although His ways are unsearchable. He assures us that all will work out for our good if we trust Him. —hgb

God’s ways and judgments baffle those who do not see His perfect plan; but those who trust His saving grace, with wonder all His actions scan! —hgb

God may conceal the purpose of his ways, but his ways are not without purpose.

STEP ASIDE GRACEFULLY

2 Kings 2:9-14

He also took up the mantle of Elijah. 2 Kings 2:13

In the summer o f 1993 the Atlanta Braves baseball team traded some of their minor league players for the All-Star first baseman of the San Diego Padres, Fred McGriff. He brought the Braves the firepower they needed to make a serious run for the pennant.

But what about the man McGriff replaced? Sid Bream, a believer in Christ, was the Braves’ regular first baseman. He had helped Atlanta get to the World Series in 1992, but with McGriff coming he was headed for the bench. “There’s no doubt something like this hurts your pride and your ego,” said Bream. “But the one thing I’m counting on is that there’s something better ahead.”

When we’ve done a job well for many years, it can be difficult to step aside for someone younger or better qualified. Elijah was in that kind of situation. His ministry was coming to end. His attitude, however, revealed his trust in God. He said to Elisha, his successor, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” (2 Kings 2:9).

Maybe the time has come for you to give up a position you’ve held for a long while. It could be at work or even in a ministry at church. Ask God for the grace to accept His plan for you. And then step aside gracefully. —dce

When God asks you to lay aside some cherished work you loved to do, accept His choice of someone else and let Him give new work to you. —fasick

There’s no limit to the good we can do if we don’t care who gets the credit.

A MAN CALLED SOUL

There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden.  He was whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord, but he was a baby Christian.  As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive woman came out from behind a tree.  Soul was very startled.  He said, “Hello, I’m Soul, what is your name?” 

She replied, ” I am Temptation, I have what you want.” 

“What do I want?” replied Soul. 

“You want to do all things which are of the flesh,” said Temptation. 

Soul replied, “Ok, lead me.”  So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation.  Condemnation said, “Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation.”

Soul said, “Yes, but who are you?” 

“I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation, we work hand-in-hand.” Then Condemnation jumped on Soul’s back and began to beat him.  He hit him in the face and kicked him when he was down.  This went on for several days. On about the third day a man named Mercy came running and said, “I command you Condemnation to stop beating Soul.” 

Condemnation snickered, “Make me.” So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.  As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy. Mercy walked up to Soul and said, “I have dealt with Condemnation before.  He should not show up around you any more.” 

Soul replied, “How can I ever thank you?” 

“Well,” replied Mercy, “I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption.” Redemption walked up and said, ” Hello, Soul, I see that you are not doing well.” 

Soul replied, “Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you Redemption.” 

 ”Well ” said Redemption, “I am glad to meet you, are you ready to accept me?”

“What do you mean?”  asked Soul.

Redemption said, “Well, when you accepted Jesus Christ and decided to walk with Him then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am part of Jesus’ love.  I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would like for you to meet that can help you with that.  His name is Grace.”

Grace walked up to Soul and said, “Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you.  As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it  comes up.  The last person we want you to meet is Faith.”

“Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs strong,” said Faith.  Soul began to  cry.  When he began to cry Redemption said, “This is what we we’re here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and gives you His Mercy.  Jesus loves you Soul.” 

Soul said, “I love you Jesus.”

Author Unknown