Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. - Hebrews 12:1-2(MSG)
In reading this passage of scripture, I'm reminded of the Boston Marathon. On race day, as the runners prepare to take their place in the race, they seem to be excited, full of energy. They are dressed in light-weight clothing, nothing that will weigh them down or hinder their run. They are huddled together and some are even paired up at the starting line waiting to hear that sound for them to begin the race.
Along the path of the race, spectators are on the sidelines chanting and screaming encouraging words as runners pass them by focused on the finish line.
We who are faith believers are a lot like the runners of the marathon, except our race isn't a race of swiftness but one of endurance! As we run our race, we are to take off every weight and sin, nothing to weigh us down. Along the way, we may feel tired, fatigued, thirsty or experience moments of wanting to give up. In the natural race we can draw strength from the praises of the spectators, encouraging our selves or from those running alongside us.
Well the same goes for our spiritual race! As we run our race, we are to focus on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. We are surrounded by the faithful ones who ran this race before us, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ruth, Esther... just to name a few. We have been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses that we may receive encouragement from their testimony to endure our race in the same manner as they . The historical record of their lives, their faith and perseverance is like a thunderous outburst of encouragement for us, a reminder that we too can finish strong, just as they did!
A successful completion of the race; to obtain our prize – Heaven! And with Jesus as our “Coach,” there's no way we can't win!
God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say the arrival would be worthwhile.
Max Lucado
SURGE twenty-one devotionals are prayerful contributions from the pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers of Liberty Church.
We offer a special Thank You for your contributions.
Day Fifteen
Abiding - Run...Eyes Fixed on Jesus
January 21, 2019
Surge Ending Prayer
January 28, 2019
Father today we pause and thank you for carrying us through the last twenty-one days that we have fasted and prayed personally and corporately. Our prayer today focuses on not only what You have done in this time, but also what is yet to come as we continue in what we have experienced in You. Many have sought Your heart reaching forward and upward and have surrendered their desires that Yours may come to fruition. Many have sought Your deliverance, and many seeking spiritual renewal, and also direction. They now bow before you not to see an end to this SURGE 21, but to complete it, as they stand on your promise to complete this new work that has been begun in their hearts. Lord may Liberty Church bow prostrate before You as a body to continue to seek Your will, guidance, and direction, spiritually, financially, and physically. May we be open and willing to the moving of Your Holy Spirit each step of this journeyAnd may we follow in complete unity. All for Your honor and praise Lord God Almighty! Thank you Father for Your grace, mercy, strength and provision in Christ. May You be blessed Father by the adoration of your http://people...in Jesus name! AMEN
Day Twenty-one
January 27, 2019
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV In this world there are so many voices that we can listen to. Everyone has a thought, everyone has an opinion, and most people think they are right. You can even spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to learn from some of the worlds greatest thinkers. In the end, how do you know the quality of their counsel? God's word gives us direction for how to obtain genuine success and prosperity in life. King David, the writer of the Psalms, chooses to anchor himself in God's word and establish his confidence in God right from the very beginning. He says you will be blessed if you stay away from the counsel of the wicked. The wicked is anyone who is not a believer. Stay away from their counsel! Rather, delight yourself in the law of the Lord. Listen intently to what God has to say. Meditate on it day and night, it is that important. If you will discipline yourself in this way, you will be fruitful, you will have life, and you will prosper in all you do ! Abide in God's word and you will thrive in life. "Seek first the kingdom of God and all else shall be added unto you." JESUS SURGE twenty-one devotionals are prayerful contributions from the pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers of Liberty Church. We offer a special Thank You for your contributions.
Day Twenty
January 26, 2019
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11 NIV Let me take you on a journey. A journey many take throughout their life. We all face battles in our lives that challenge us. Some may be harder than others. We all face some type of challenges that create such pain that creates worry, stress, anxiety in our lives. We feel like God has forgotten about us and we feel there is no end. Well, I have news for http://you...jesus Christ died on the cross for all of us to live in the victory. Through the broken body and the blood that was spilled on the cross, Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave to give us VICTORY. That VICTORY only comes through Jesus. We no longer live in defeat or fight against our enemies. The battle has been won. All of us have a story. All of us have a testimony. What Jesus Christ did on the cross gave us a finish line that we can all run too. Never back down. Never let the enemy destroy you. The cross defeated hell, stop letting hell defeat you... Never give up...Surrender to the one that gives us VICTORY! “You are not fighting FOR victory - You are fighting FROM victory. The battle has already been won.” Tony Evans SURGE twenty-one devotionals are prayerful contributions from the pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers of Liberty Church. We offer a special Thank You for your contributions.