RUN BACK, NOT AWAY

Jonah 1:10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.

God said Ninevah, and Jonah said....nope....  What is it that you are running from that GOD desires you to do for His glory?   By no stretch would I dare make the task that God was calling Jonah to small, but nothing He asks us to do...is small, or that it has small implications.   Just think sharing the Gospel is huge...we don't have any idea of how many lives it will affect from sharing it with just one.   Whole households, and nations have been affected because of the work of one person.  We don't know anything about the relationship that the men on the ship had with God, but they knew enough that they groaned when they realized Jonah had ran from Him.   Do you appear as crazy as Jonah to your friends, your family, and or co-workers because they realize you too, are running from GOD?

TODAY is Friday, and we can run many directions over the next few days before Monday, the question is which one will you choose?  Running to GOD, with GOD, or AWAY from GOD? Running to GOD is a great place to start.  Running with GOD is even greater.   Running away is heartbreaking, expensive...and is really hard.   I hope you choose right!  LGLP

ARE YOU IN THE RACE, Still?

Galatians 5:6-8 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. ⁷You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth? ⁸This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ].

I'm intrigued by looking at marathons.  You have thousands of men and women running, and all for different reasons.  Some for health, some to challenge themselves.  Some with the hope of attaining a certain place....some just for the rush that running supposedly offers.  Life is really the same...people are running all over the place, at different paces and for different reasons. Paul was speaking to the people of Galatia that had become discouraged in their faith, and some to the point of stopping their run in the faith.   What about you?  How are you doing in THE RACE?  Motivation is important...and if  you haven't located WHY you are RUNNING THE RACE....you will tire soon, and eventually drop out.  The TWO things that are noted as important to have is FAITH; your cause(your knowlege of the substance of things HOPED FOR) and LOVE the fuel needed to do anything well.    

I am a cook...and I have a cause to cook.  I believe when I get the needed materials, prep them accordingly their will be a tasty treat when it's all done.  But if I hate what I am making or why I'm having to make it....chances are...it will turn out....totally nasty.   But if why I am doing it,and who I am doiong it for is fueled by my LOVE........whatever I do and make...will be delicious.   WHY ARE YOUR GOING TO WORK?  WHY ARE YOU MARRIED?  WHY ARE YOU A PARENT.....all of these are RACES....and I pray your FAITH  (the CAUSE) keeps you committed ...and YOUR LOVE for the CAUSE dictates how you handle all of the people invovled!   LGLP

IT'S WEDNESDAY....HOW'S THE RUNNING GOING?

Isaiah 40:³⁰ Even very young men get tired and become weak and strong young men trip and fall. ³¹ But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.

WEDNESDAY has become known as hump day, you know....we are half way through the work week...and so many people are exhaling right now to say....whew.....just two more days before the weekend.   While this may resonate with many of you reading this, I wonder will you actually get a second wind......and what determines that ultimately is WHO are you waiting on?  Some of you are tired of the financial rutt you've been in....or a sour marriage......or prodigal children....or even regarding an improvement of your health issues...but WHO ARE YOU WAITING ON/TRUSTING IN to resolve what it is that has worn you down.   The scripture clearly stated THOSE THAT ARE WAITING ON THE LORD will get NEW STRENGTH!   Not those that are waiting on their spouses....or searching for a new JOB, or waiting on the economy to......but those waiting on HIM will recieve new strength and RISE UP!  Did you crawl, fall, or LEAP out of bed this morning.....that might be an indication of how you really are doing.  

Pictured is my wife and Linda Beaver in the Nairobi airport on our way to Malawi Africa.  We had been flying for over 12hrs and had a long layover ahead of us.  While the thought of going to Africa might be cool, and sounds adventurous....it is without a doubt a physical, spiritual and mental undertaken because of what you go through.   ONE MUST really KNOW that they've been called and be following the SPIRIT or you can have a break down.   HOW ARE YOU DOING?  ARE YOU...HAVE YOU BEEN...following the SPIRIT THIS WEEK at work...or did you leave the SPIRIT at CHURCH this SUNDAY, or waiting for you in your CAR until  you get off work?   I'm running with and BY His Spirit, and I pray I am being consciously intentional of spreading the GOSPEL in every step.   LGLP

BUT WHY, DO YOU RUN?

1 Corinthians 9:23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 26.So I run with purpose in every step.

Pictured here are the kids of Ntcheu that we played games with that involved Miles B. and myself trying to catch (herd) sheep.  The kids were the sheep.  Our goal was to get and convert as many of them as we could.   Yesterday I talked about the FACT we all RUN, but today I want to ask you to honestly be HONEST with yourself as to WHY DO YOU RUN?  Paul stated in the 9th chapter of Corinthians that he does it to spread the GOSPEL and share the very blessings of it.  So every step is an intentional purpose-filled step of reaching those walking & living in darkness.  But what about you?  Why do you run from joining a growth group?   Why do you run from just standing and proclaiming who GOD is to you, and testifying of His goodness towards you at work?  Why do you run from inviting your neighbors, co-workers, family or anyone you know to church with you? GOD already knows why....but YOU, WE need to be honest with ourselves regarding WHY we are doing what we are doing.  

You can be rest assured if your goal in life (as a CHRISTIAN..if that's really what you are) isn't to spread the GOOD NEWS.....you aren't running the GOOD RACE....which only means you are running from God's purpose for you, and now running to.....well I'll let you figure that out..... (LGLP)

My Purpose in Running is.........(what) be honest not with me YOURSELF

1Corinthians 9:23-24 says ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
 ²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

Pictured is an impala in the Zambia safari park...you can't see it but right under her throat is some huge claw scratches.    During the night she came under attack by a predator.  We don't know which one of the BIG CATS (as we saw lions and leopards) it was...but what we do know is that she was scared and actually walking/running with a heard of bushbacks (African deer).  Your heart could only go out to her as you know she was scared and lonely.   I believe much can be learned by looking at this picture through the lenses of the scripture and title above.   WE ARE ALL RUNNING; often times scared...and away from something or someone.   Paul stated WE ARE ALL RUNNING A RACE; and if I could I would add the HUMAN RACE.  The question is.....WHY are you RUNNING?  Why are you RUNNING from commitment?  Commitment to CHRIST, to a small group, to a church, to______________________(you fill in the blank)  I don't know what happened to this impala pictured but I know if she didn't find her herd, and collect herself well....her future is very grim.  

Where is your herd, your pack, your healthy community of people who LOVE YOU more than yourself?  I understand pain, and being hurt....all too well...but alone is not really the best look for any of us.  If you are running....I hope where you are running to leads you to an eternity filled with peace & joy...if it is isn't......maybe today is the perfect day to reconsider the direction you are heading in.    LGLP!