Marathon runner, disable, afflicted and determined

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

We are all in a race of life. Here on this earth we are born and we die. God has given us a purpose in life and we are to carry out that purpose until the finish line of life. In accomplishing God’s purpose we are to lay aside the sins that ensnare us and the temptations that weight heavy on our hearts.

In 1994 I ran the NYC marathon, all 26.2 miles of it. I wasn’t a fast runner, but my goal was to finish. It took 5 hours and 10 minutes, but I crossed the finish line. There waiting was a crowd cheering and supporter helping with food, water and other needs.

Zoe Koplowitz is a marathon runner who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. She is speaker and author of The Winning Spirit – Life lessons learned in last place. Her 33-hour-9-minute run in 2000 set a world record for the longest marathon time in the history of women's running. "The race belongs not only to the swift and strong but to those who keep on running", says Koplowitz.

At the conclusion of her 25th New York City Marathon on November 4, 2013 Zoe addressed the crowd which had gathered to see and cheer her finish. "It makes you understand that life is not happen stance or random all the time. That there is a plan, and it's a good plan. When we do things like the marathon, we get an opportunity to see how the pieces fit, and life no longer becomes this random series of crazy events. There was a lovely young woman with multiple sclerosis who waited hours in the street for me to come by. On one side of her sign she had my name in big bold letters. On the other side of her sign, she had something that reduced me to tears. It said 'Because you run every year, the rest of us continue to walk.'

Koplowitz says she has done 25 of these, and it never grows old. There is life after disability. You can either go through life like this [arms closed], or you can go through life like that [arms open]. And for me, New York City is that. It's arms out reaching for possibility and hope every single year. I love this city. I love its strength, I love its diversity, I love its personality, and thank God it loves me back because I wouldn't know what to do if it was a one-sided love."

Faith in Action

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Our faith is tested in something we cannot see or touch. But in our hearts we have assurance the things we believe are real and true.  True faith is answered when there are no explanations.

I still don't understand, nearly 10 years later. At least I don't understand why the Lord allowed my sons to be afflicted with infantile bilateral striatal necrosis. I don't understand why Jonathan died or why Christopher lived. Today he's 16 and nearly totally recovered.

All I understand is this: life is a riddle, which God wants me to experience but not necessarily solve. When I was struggling to solve it, I found (1 Corinthians 13:12), which only makes sense in the original Greek: "For now we see (or understand) through a mirror, in a riddle," the apostle Paul wrote, "but then face to face."

Modern Christians sometimes rush to put God's truth into little boxes, neatly systematized, categorized, organized, and principle-ized, when God's perspective on suffering is too big for any of that. While for some "spirituality" is defined by what you know, God may be more concerned with how you handle what you cannot know.

A riddle loses its mystery and its power, even perhaps its significance, once it is solved. By keeping us in our riddle (every person's riddle is unique) God is helping us learn to walk by faith, and not by sight.

[David Biebel, author. Men of Integrity, Vol. 1, no. 2.]

Do not delay

Psalm 119:60 (NIV)

60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

The Psalmist commits to obeying God’s commands and with move quickly to act on them without delay.

At age 35 I bought running shoes and began enjoying the smooth rhythms of long-distance running. Soon I was competing in 10K races every month or so, and then a marathon once a year. By then I was subscribing to and reading three running magazines! Then I pulled a muscle and couldn't run for a couple of months. Those magazines were still all over the house, but I never opened one. The moment I resumed running, though, I started reading again.

That's when I realized that my reading was an extension of something I was a part of. I was reading for companionship and affirmation of the experience of running. I learned a few things along the way, but mostly it was to deepen my world of running. If I wasn't running, there was nothing to deepen.

The parallel with reading Scripture is striking. If I'm not living in active response to the living God, reading about his creation/salvation/holiness won't hold my interest for long. The most important question isn't "What does this mean," but "What can I obey?" Simple obedience will open up our lives to a text more quickly than any number of Bible studies, dictionaries, and concordances.

[Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book (William B. Eerdmans, 2006), pp. 70-71; paraphrased in the September 18 entry of Men of Integrity (September/October 2009)]

Faith in The Lord - How great He is

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God encourages those who are faithful they to trust in Him and He provides assurances that He will be there to help you with His righteousness.

Kayla Mueller, 26 years old, was captured by ISIS, and on February 10, 2015 U.S. officials confirmed that Muslim extremists had murdered her while in captivity. In the spring of 2014 as a captor she wrote to her family. The letter begins with Kayla's assurance that she has been treated well, and is "in a safe location, completely unharmed + healthy." The 26-year-old aid worker goes on to apologize touchingly to her family for the suffering that she has put them through because of her captivity. Then comes her central proposition: "I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else."

Kayla, who was involved in the campus ministry at Northern Arizona University, goes on to relate how "by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall." She adds: "I have been shown in darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful. I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it."

She concluded, "Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I. By God's will we will be together soon. All my everything, Kayla"

[Stephen L. Carter, "On Kayla Mueller and Faith," BloombergView (2-13-15); submitted by Ted De Haas, Slater, Iowa]

Faith in The Lord is a powerful thing. Even when all seems hopeless The Lord tells us not to fear; for He has something wonderful and exciting waiting for us.

Understanding God's Word

Psalm 119:7 (NIV)

7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

David wanted to refine his religious beliefs in that as he grew in his true understanding he would be able to praise God with an upright heart.

A book titled The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible came out a few years ago. It was written by a non-Christian named A. J. Jacobs. It is a funny book, and he is a great writer. He spent an entire year committed to obeying Bible commands as literally as he could.

He lives in New York. He grew a beard, dressed like Moses, and started to eat kosher. The Bible in the Old Testament commands stoning Sabbath-breakers, so he would prowl around Central Park, looking for offenders. He did not want to get arrested, so he would stealthily pelt them with tiny pebbles from behind and then look the other way. Of course, it is absurd, and that is the point of the book.

He writes, "Millions of people say they take the Bible literally. A 2004 Newsweek poll put it at 55 percent, but my suspicion was that almost everyone's literalism consisted of picking and choosing. People plucked out the parts that fit their agenda." Part of what he intends to show is no one can take the Bible literally.

Of course, many people do pick and choose, so his critique is fair. It is a humorous book, but he is dead wrong. He missed the whole point of the Bible. If, like he did, you treat the Bible naively, like a list of disconnected rules as though it was an owner's manual, you are not taking the Bible literally. You have to know the whole story.

In April 1945, the German army surrendered to the Allies. The war continued. Japan still fought, even though Germany had surrendered. At this point, Allied soldiers who had been fighting against Germany began rebuilding Germany, all during the same war.

Imagine somebody looking back on World War II and saying, "That's odd. Sometimes Allied soldiers attacked Germans, and sometimes they helped Germans. I guess they randomly picked and chose what they wanted to do." But that is not literalism; that is "stupid-ism." That sort of conclusion comes from misunderstanding the story.

[John Ortberg, from the sermon "The Bible Alone"]

Loving God

John 15:10 (NIV)

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Jesus continually loved the Father and obeyed the commandments God had given. Even when Jesus faced the suffering to come Jesus continued to love the Father. Even when Jesus was made sin for us and even when the Father could not look upon that sin, God still loved His Son.

In a recent TV commercial a young man is struggling with whether to go through with an arranged marriage. In his home country arranged marriages were the norm. But after living in America, he was having second thoughts about adhering to this ancient custom, especially since he'd never met his wife-to-be.

Still, when she flew into the airport, he dutifully waited for her, flowers in hand, and a gloomy expression on his face. But when she stepped through the terminal, everything changed. She was beautiful! Suddenly his glum demeanor disappeared. The thought of marrying this woman was no longer a dreaded duty; it was a delight. What had changed? He'd seen her.

Often we serve God out of obligation. We drag ourselves to church, force ourselves to serve others—but our hearts aren't in it. We're like that guy at the airport, grudgingly holding flowers for God. We're trying to live holy lives because we know we should, but it's burdensome, joyless.

What can change this? Seeing God. When we get a vision of who God truly is, suddenly we're energized to do his mission. Once we gaze upon his grandeur and glory, obedience ceases to be arduous. Once we grasp his great love, serving is no longer a duty—it's a joy! [Drew Dyck, Yawning at Tigers (Thomas Nelson, 2014), page 54]

Let us all learn to serve God out of love for Him and not feel as though we have a burden of obligation being held over our heads.

The Peacemaker

Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Many of you might remember the late Steve Harvey. I enjoyed listening to his commentaries on life. There is one commentary he gave on police. I think it is appropriate for us to be reminded of it today. For God has placed the peacemakers in our lives. Imagine what it would be like if all the law enforcement disappeared for a month.

Here are the words of the late Paul Harvey:  A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity.

What that really means is that they are exceptional, they are unusual, they are not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is, less than one-half of one percent of policemen misfit the uniform. And that is a better average than you would find among clergymen!

What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse to his back.

He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won.

But…If the policeman is neat, he is conceited; If he’s careless, he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant, he’s a flirt; If he’s not, he’s a grouch.

He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer.

But…if he hurries, he’s careless; If he’s deliberate, he’s lazy. He must be first to an accident, infallible with a diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all, be sure the victim goes home without a limp.

The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him…he’s a coward. If he hits you…he’s a bully.

The policeman, from a single human hair, must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But…if he catches the criminal, he’s lucky; if he doesn’t, he is a dunce.

He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache, to build a case against some felon who will get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus.

The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman.

And of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary.

Harvey’s father, a police officer, was shot and killed when Harvey was just three years old.

God's promises

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

God the Father, creator of all things from the heavens to the earth. The prophet here declares there is nothing too hard for The Lord, who is sovereign over all cannot do.

I was fortunate to hear Dr. Billy Graham’s grandson, Will Graham, preach a beautiful sermon on God’s promises. God has made promises to us and will stand by those promises, for nothing is too hard for God to perform.

The problem is we don’t believe God. We hear the promise, but we don’t act on it.

An illustration was given about Abraham. God promised him a multitude of descendants. God promised him land as far as the eye could see. Now in order to have descendants that would fill this land Abraham would first need to have children, which he didn’t have.

Let’s make it clear, God’s promise was to keep Abraham, safe, alive, and to provide him children. Abraham heard the promise. When the time came though he didn’t trust the promise.

Abraham was passing through the land of the King Abimelech. Abraham was afraid that Sarah, his wife was too beautiful and the king might kill him to have her. So he told Sarah to tell the people that she was his sister and not his wife. It was a half-truth for Sarah was his step-sister. How insecure Abraham was in the face of the promises of God.

God came to king in a dream and told him that Sarah was Abraham’s wife and that he was not to touch her or he would surely die. The king went to Abraham and asked him what he had done. After a little chastising by the king, the king sent Abraham on his way with livestock, helpers, and other goods. Abraham prayed for the king’s family and all was made well.

Abraham could have saved himself some trouble just by remembering the promises God made him.

Keep your heart at peace

Mark 13:11 (NIV)
11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

There are times in life when we can be arrested justly or unjustly and then taken to trial. This verse reminds us not to worry about what we are going to say for the Holy Spirit will be speaking for us if we allow Him to intercede.

The Son of God died that I may always be with you as a companion. I am here to provide wisdom when the words you want to speak are too difficult. Remember that no matter what comes your way, this is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

Remember Christ is watching over you as well and is speaking to the Father on your behalf.

"You will meet with a great deal of hardship in your way, but have a good heart on it, your warfare will be accomplished, and your testimony finished, and he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.” ~Matthew Henry

Saul receives the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 63:10 (NIV)

Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Their conduct was a rebellion against the Hold Spirit and the troubles they brought upon themselves. They revolted from their allegiance to God and took up arms against him: They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit with their unbelief and murmuring, besides the iniquity of the golden calf; and this had been their way and manner ever since. Therefore God withdrew His protect and allowed war to be made with them.

This is the difference between the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit could be pushed aside until He no longer remained with the people. In the New Testament the Hold Spirit could be ignored, but He was there always reminding the people of God’s love for them and making intercession as needed.

The Holy Spirit remains as a companion to the Christian. As Stephen looked up into the heavens he saw God the Father and Jesus the Son. For the Bible says, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” You see the Holy Spirit remain a companion with Stephen.

Sadly the people killed a man full of faith and The Holy Spirit, yet their own hearts turned in opposition as he performed great wonders and signs among the people. Sadly he was stoned to death by those who disagreed with him, while Godly men who were there mourned deeply for Stephen and buried him.

Know remember there was one standing there giving his approval for Stephen to be stoned. In fact he guarded the clothes of those who stoned him. We know this man as Saul, who later became called Paul after he accepted Christ into his life. Christ changed the life of Saul and therefore gave him a new name and filled him with The Holy Spirit.