Running Your Race

Hebrews 12:1-2

1Therefore, 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. 2Let 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.

Our Pastor was sick yesterday so our Youth Pastor spoke instead. I am believing God wanted it that way for a reason. I have been struggling with the race set in front of me lately. Heading off to church yesterday, I was not in the best of moods. Just weary of the stuff going on. And low and behold the message is about NOT GIVING UP. SIGH........ okay God I am listening. I recently had truly thought about giving up on alot of things. Sometimes this all just seems too hard. The sermon was very short.


1. No Pain No Gain.
I had discovered recently that times of growth can be painful I was talking to a Pastor of a different church and was telling him about how I was struggling with some stuff and the beliefs of different church denominations. I have always been Pentacostal, and have gone to one Foursquare Church or another for 28 years. I mean since I was a little kid. I have never questioned any of it. Until recently. Now I am really wanting to UNDERSTAND the beliefs etc.... This growing is painful, but neccessary. Also the pain I am struggling with in my personal life. Lots of things going on in my family. I think I am having to be streatched a bit and it is not fun, but I am encouraged today that there will be a good end result.

2. The Enemy Wants You To Give Up
Well we all know this is true. Of course he wants us to fail. The constant barage of attacks on my family and my marriage. This constant mess of struggling and worrying. I am believing that we are on the right course, and that the enemy just does not want us to make it. We got married so young and of course everyone says you'll never make, it your too young, etc. Well we have been married for 16 years now, and no life is no picnic, and we have struggled though the whole thing. But God has blessed our marriage with 6 wonderful healthy children who love the Lord, and are the joy of our hearts and many other peoples as well. So we will not give up, the enemy will not win.

Ephesians 6:12

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

3. Never Give Up Hope
Okay hope I wake up with hope every day. Some days are way harder then others. The last few weeks have been kinda of a hope sucking vaccum. But you know I am up I am laughing and I am really believing that God will carry us through. I HAVE MY HOPE AND MY JOY!!!!

4. We Have Victory
If you read to the end of the BOOK, you will know that WE WIN with God's strength and mercy, the enemy is defeated. We must just keep pressing on and not give up. Run this race we have been given. Run hard run as fast as you can, help those up who fall, this race may be hard, it may be long, but the rewards are OH SO AWESOME, FREEDOM, ETERNAL LIFE, DWELLING WITH THE LORD!!

Be Blessed
Amy