Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb 12:1-3

I’ve been guilty of starting projects only to conclude I really wasn’t interested in finishing them. I don’t make a habit of doing that, yet I’m still glad it wasn’t something for which I could lose a grade or a reward. I must also admit there have been times in my Christian walk that I have wanted to just call it quits, times when I have been so discouraged or disappointed that I just wanted to walk away.  Then I remember Paul’s goal, “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead”. Phil 3:10-11 and again, like Paul, I press on… Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 I hope to finish well…

The following story from “1000 Quotes” illustrates “Finishing Well”

At 7 p.m. on October 20, 1968, a few thousand spectators remained in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. It was cool and dark. The last of the marathon runners, each exhausted, were being carried off to first-aid stations. More than an hour earlier, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia—looking as fresh as when he started the race—crossed the finish line, the winner of the 26-mile, 385-yard event.

As the remaining spectators prepared to leave, those sitting near the marathon gates suddenly heard the sound of sirens and police whistles. All eyes turned to the gate. A lone figure wearing number 36 and the colors of Tanzania entered the stadium. His name was John Stephen Akhwari. He was the last man to finish the marathon. He had fallen during the race and injured his knee and ankle. Now, with his leg bloodied and bandaged, he grimaced with each hobbling step around the 400-meter track.

The spectators rose and applauded him. After crossing the finish line, Akhwari slowly walked off the field. Later, a reporter asked Akhwari the question on everyone’s mind: “Why did you continue the race after you were so badly injured?”

He replied, “My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it.”

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb 12:1.

There are so many things that I can’t do or simply have zero interest in. It makes me think I could be a defective model. When I get incredulous looks or comments because of my defect I have found myself responding that “I’m missing that gene”. I like to say that because it lets me off the hook; how can it possibly be my fault if I have missing genes?  Right???

For instance, I’m not the least bit interested in sports, any sports. (Well, I do like bowling, does that qualify?) Living in Oklahoma that almost makes me feel guilty! I don’t think I have met one person here who isn’t an avid OU or OSU fan. I almost feel jealous sometimes seeing how much fun my friends have cheering for their teams, not to mention all those tail gate parties I’m missing out on. I’m telling you I’m shamefully clueless when it comes to football and baseball.

I have friends who are enthusiastic gardeners, quilters, and knitters. I don’t have a green thumb and I’ve even been know to kill artificial plants. I have “two left hands” when it comes to knitting or sewing.

I console myself by in the fact that I can cook just about anything and I can do it well. I love taking pictures and hope someday to take a photography class. I like to write but recognize I’m weak in this area as well. I’m a great housekeeper, and to finish, I love to read.

Now before you shed a sympathizing tear for me let me just say, I’m really ok with all of this and I know I can’t be defective, and here is the reason why…

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Ps 139:1-16

How can I continue on with my ‘pity party’ when I consider that I am extremely loved by God?

I can read some scriptures time and again and not grasp the magnitude of what I’ve read. This causes me to wonder if it is a lack of faith on my part, or is it because I’m distracted, or is it a lack of understanding? Perhaps it is a combination of all of these.

Recently one of my daily devotionals really caught my attention and I desire to share it today. It is about death, which many of us dread or fear.

“Where, O death, is your victory?
“Where, O death, is your sting?”
I Corinthians 15:55

Over the centuries, death has been our relentless and unyielding enemy. No on, regardless of worldly rank, strength, or wealth has been able to escape death. As soon as we are born death becomes our destiny. May have tried, but no one has developed and antidote for death.

The reality of the resurrection is that death has been defeated! It is not longer the impregnable enemy, for Christ marched through the gates of Hades, and claimed decisive victory over death. He conquered death completely, now He assures His followers that we, too, will share in His victory. Christians need not fear death. Christ has gone before us and will take us to join Him in heaven. Death frees us to experience the glorious, heavenly presence of God. No illness can defeat us. No disaster can rob us of eternal life. Death can temporarily remove us from those we love, but it transfers us into the presence of the One who loves us most. God’s glory is His presence. Death, our greatest enemy, is nothing more than the vehicle that enables believers to experience God’s glory!

Do not allow a fear of death to prevent you from experiencing a full and abundant life. Death cannot rob you of the eternal life that is your inheritance as a child of God. Jesus has prepared a place for you in heaven that surpasses your imagination. (John 14:1-4). Death will one day be the door by which you gain access to all that is yours in heaven.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2

Are there times when you feel too unworthy to pray? I acknowledge there are many times when I struggle in my prayers thinking I’m too unworthy to be asking God to hear me.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rom 8:32-33

I can’t recall a single verse for unanswered prayer.

I do remember …

•  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matt 21:22
•  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. James 5:15
•  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
•  Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17

Oswald Chamber in My Utmost For His Highest wrote—Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in prefect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint.

There are many things that we allow to capture our time and attention. People are dying, starving, and hating each other. Our world is in a mess, yet we don’t need to wring our hands and we don’t have to worry, we do have to have faith and we have to trust God in all things. We have the avenue of prayer, we have a God who will hear us and answer us if we have faith and if we ask.

Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’ — no shuffling or shilly-shallying — and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. Mark 11:22-25 (from THE MESSAGE)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:16

God’s response to our prayers is based upon his love and grace, not on our worth. Our confidence in prayer doesn’t come from who we are but from who He is. (Henry T. Blackaby)

You may recall last week I sent a letter to my husband, listing a dozen things I love and appreciate about him. I mailed the letter on Friday and it was delivered on Saturday. He is usually the one who walks out to check the mail and he always brings it in and either puts it on my desk or leaves it on the kitchen counter.

When I mailed the letter I printed out a label so he wouldn’t recognize my handwriting on the envelope and of course I didn’t put a return address on it. I guess he thought it was junk mail and he didn’t even open it. I nonchalantly picked it up and handed it to him. He rolled his eyes and opened it and I left the room right after he started reading it.

I had mentioned in my previous post that the look on his face would be priceless. I was the one who likely had the “priceless” look when he walked into the kitchen.

His eyes were sweating!! Big time!! I felt AWFUL!!

He assured me it was because he was completely caught off guard and that he loved getting the letter, yet he felt undeserving of the praise I put upon him. By that time we both had sweating eyes. The letter made his day and it made mine too. I love making my husband happy!!

It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

I would love to have you share your stories of how you unexpectedly remind your spouse of your love and appreciation.