Perfect Through Suffering

"For it is fitting for Him, for whom all things are by whom are all things in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10

 After salvation, comes the real work of perfecting the Believer. This perfection can come no other way then through the trials and testing of our faith. Once we relinquish our will for His, He is free to begin the work of sanctification in our lives. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus...and Jesus suffered and died to accomplish His perfect plan on this earth. Why then do we think  His perfect plan could be accomplished any other way in and through our lives. If we are seeking to become more like Jesus then the only way to get there is the same way that He did...through death, through trials and through pain. 

Once our salvation is set...Jesus begins working on our character. Character is built through persevering through trials, testing our faith, and building hope into us. Jesus wants us to have faith when we cannot see and trust Him when we have no strength left. He then...gives us eyes to see, strength to continue and hope for the future. Austin Phelps said; " The great objective of this life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials."

Steel is the product of iron plus fire. Soil is rock plus heat, or glacier crushing. Linen is flax plus the water that cleanse it, the comb that separates it, the flail that pounds it and the shuttle that weaves it. In the same way, the development of our character must have a plus attached to it! For great character isn't made through luxuries...it's made through sufferings....and the world doesn't forget people of great character! I think of  Elizabeth Elliott, George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, John Wesley and so many more that suffered much, developing their character to be used greatly for the Kingdom of God. 

We often rebel against the very things that the Lord is so wanting to use in our lives to develop our character. We run from it, ignore it, or try and hide from it. When all along the Lord is desiring to use it in our lives to build our character and mold us into HIS very image. God will often use those things...or people, that we find difficult, as polishing stones in our lives...much like a stone is polished, first sanding off the rough edges until it is smooth and perfectly shaped. It's all about perspective. Will we ask Why Lord or How Lord? It's not wrong to ask why, as long as you follow it up with how. "Lord, how do you want to use this in my life?" Embracing the trial or testing instead of rejecting it makes all the difference in the world. 

I read of a mother who brought a crippled boy home with a hunched back to play with her son. She instructed her son to be very careful not to draw attention to the boys deformity, since this was a sensitive matter. After listening to them play for a few minutes, she heard her son ask, "Do you know what that is on your back?" The crippled boy was embarrassed, and hesitated for a moment, but before he could respond, his friend said; "It's the box that hold your wings, and someday God is going to break it open and you will fly away to be an angel." 

Suffering is all how you see it! One author called suffering; "The great fertilizer for the roots of character." Someday we will know the plans and purposes of God, but until then, we must allow Him to mold and shape our character perfectly into His image. If you are struggling today, try and ask God "how" instead of "why". I was so blessed to spend the day with a friend who is going through radiation treatments...she said this very thing to me..." Michelle, I am not asking God "why" I'm asking Him "how". How do you want to use me Lord? What do you what to show me that you  couldn't any other way? Be blessed as you embrace your trial...people will look at you and see Jesus!

Thankful For The CROSS

Oswald Chambers said; " Restate what you believe, then do away with as much as possible, and get back to the bedrock of the Cross of Christ." Getting away from the cross produced nothing. It has no sting...no power...just an interesting story or entertaining message. The power of the message lies in the Cross!  When we first come to Christ we see this power up close and personal, but after a while, if we don't keep a consistent pattern at the foot of the Cross...it loses its sting and becomes an everyday sight to us. As believers it ought not to be so! We should not let a day go by without looking to the Cross and being thankful for it...for without the Cross where would we be?  I would be lost, bound in my sin, self consumed and on my way to eternal separation form God. Without the Cross of Christ where would you be? Take some time to get back to the fundamentals today, tomorrow and Thursday. Dwell on the Cross for a moment, breath in victory, and be empowered by the Spirit that is available for you! Let's get back to the Cross this Thanksgiving, be bold in proclaiming what you are most thankful for! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16

A Usable Vessel

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passes away; behold all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The number one sign of a true conversion is a changed life. When you give your life to Jesus Christ you are a new creation…meaning that you are no longer bound by the old life, and the old ways of thinking, acting and speaking. Your mind is new, your life is new…and your heart is new. In response to this new life there should be changed, even if it's a little at at time…there should be an obvious change. The change should be such that even you are surprised at your reactions when faced with situations that would normally rock you. Instead of  reacting in the flesh you have a sense of peace and calm as you now seek Jesus first before reacting. This is not to say that you and I won't blow it from time to time…sanctification is a life long process. What we can be encouraged in is that Jesus has begun a good work in us and He will be faithful to complete that work! But, if you, as Oswald Chambers says; "Still hanker after old things, it's absurd to talk about being born from above."  There should be a difference in our lives after conversion….there should be an obvious change taking place. If there isn't, it means either we aren't truly saved or we are bound by sin. What difference has salvation made in your life? Can you see obvious signs of change? Any areas of improvement? A changed heart? A softening?  When God gets ahold of a willing vessel there is no stopping Him. In the words of D.L.Moody; "God doesn't seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones." Let God clean you up from the inside out and you will be a clean, usable vessel in the hands of the King of Kings! 

KNOCKING OUT Gossip!

Proverbs 11:13 "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." 


Who doesn't like some juicy gossip from time to time right?  Wrong!  Gossip is defined as idle, trivial or chatty talk or rumor especially about a persons private life.  A gossip is one who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts. All of us have gossiped or do gossip from time to time...then, we get the infamous check from the Spirit of God saying " You shouldn't have said that...or shared that!" Right? If we would only resist the temptation to gossip and instead listen to the gentle loving prick from the Spirit of God then everything would be just fine!  If gossip is not nipped quickly it can turn into slander.  Slander takes gossip a step further and speaks things that are not true, with the intent to damage the reputation of another.  Slander takes what you see and hear and makes up false accusations without knowing the truth.  Both are a sin...in fact, they are one of the 7 sins that God lists in Proverbs 6:16-19 as the sins that God hates. To hate means, to loathe,despise or detest. God hates a false witness who spreads lies. He also hates a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Yikes!  If God hates it...we should stay as far away from "IT" as possible...right? 

SO...why is it so hard for us to resist spreading news whether it be true or false? Why do we (women)  tend to be the ones to gossip and slander? Don't we have anything better to talk about? I'm not sure why we do...apart from lack of self-control...but, here are a few tips that I've found helpful in knocking out gossip...

-Do not associate yourself with one who is a known gossip.

-When someone starts to gossip — change the subject, or better yet...stop and pray for the one being gossiped about!

-If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, stay out of it!

-If you have fallen into the bad habit of gossiping — ask God to change your heart

-When you have been the victim of gossip — confront the parties in love that spread the rumor.

When you choose not to gossip and talk about others you have clear communion with God…for gossip and slander are sins which breaks fellowship with God. We all need to steer clear from gossip like a plague…We need to think before we speak…think before we share! We need to ask ourselves; "How would this person feel if they were standing right here?” Would they be hurt? Even if what you are sharing is true…be careful how and with whom you share.

I like what Billy Graham said;  " A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip." 

If we want to be "real" Christians then we are to steer clear of any gossip...for if we don't gossip it can't be repeated! Let's seek to be pure untainted by the lies that gossip can breed. Let's not fuel the flames of gossip by not stoking the fire, but instead be pure in heart. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Do you want to see God? Then keep your heart pure! 

Don't Be A Sitting Duck!

"He took them with Him and they withdrew by themselves." Luke 9:10

Time alone daily with the Lord is vital to our spiritual growth. It's been said that one quiet hour of prayer will often yield greater results than many days spent in the company of others. So, why do we skip our alone time? Why to we get busy or become distracted with our duties and skimp on our devotions? Well… simply because it yields so much fruit that the enemy will stop at nothing to detour us. 

Spending time alone daily with the Lord is also a discipline. It should be a habit that we form and don't ever veer from. It should be like brushing our teeth…we never leave home without doing it!  If Jesus felt it necessary to teach His disciples to withdraw for time then we should find it necessary. Even Jesus spent time alone with the Father. Spending time alone with the Lord each day brings much needed strength. It also brings clarity and perspective throughout our day. As we seek the Lord in the Word and prayer we are filled afresh with His Spirit that we may go about our day in the Spirit and not in our flesh. We also are not as easily overwhelmed through our day if we first spend time with the Lord. We are more patient with our children, our husbands, and others. We are more loving, kind and sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. We also have some new manna to give out to someone we may need to encourage during the day at the grocery store, on the phone or at work. The benefits are unending. 
It's in our times of devotions that we are built up and ready for the battle that we may unexpectedly have to face during the day. It's were we suit up for battle…put on our running shoes… get our boxing gloves on…and sharpen our sword! Without this sort of daily preparation we are left unprotected, untrained and uneducated. We are sitting ducks! All the enemy needs is a little foot hold and he's in. He doesn't need a lot of room…just a little, and he can move freely without our knowledge seeking to zero in on his target and take us down. 
One pastor said;  “We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodied energy, power and strength.” David describes this sort of emotion in Psalm 73 saying in verse 2; "My foot nearly slipped, I was envious and arrogant." And in verse 16; "When I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task..." But everything changed for David in the next verse..."until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." David was beside himself with how to deal with his enemy. He was tired and weary and frustrated...and yet, when he went in to the Lord...everything changed. His focus switched from himself to His God. He gained discernment into his situation and was given immediate perspective. He saw their end and recognized God's hand of protection upon him. David went from agony to glory in seconds. This is what time alone with God can do. We must guard it...protect it...and fight for it! We must run to our sanctuary and allow God to speak to us, strengthen us and comfort us. He is a very present help in time of need. Go into your sanctuary today and let the Lord strengthen your weary soul. Let Him lift your burden and make it light. Let Him hold your hand and lead you the way you should go. Let Him comfort your hurting heart. He is waiting for you today...beckoning you...Come!

What's Required Of Me?

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
And what does the Lord require of you
; But to do justly,
To love mercy, 
And to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

 Charles Spurgeon calls this verse “the essence of the law…the spiritual side of the law” in which the 10 Commandments are enlarged. He said; ”For the law is spiritual, and touches the thoughts, the intents, the emotions, the words, the actions... but God demands the heart!”

It’s not enough for us just to say that we are a Christian, nor is it enough just to be kind or to be extremely loving, or tremendously generous. God requires your heart! And because He knew that there is no way we could meet even one of the 10 commandments let alone 10 of them! He provided a way for us to meet all the requirements…not by meeting the law…but by meeting the ONE who took the place of the law. Spurgeon said; “What the law requires…the gospel gives! Wow! Doesn’t that excite you? What the law required of us, which is perfection…Jesus gave for us on the cross so that we would NO LONGER HAVE THOSE REQUIREMENTS! He paid for the requirements on the cross! This means that Jesus is the end of the law…and the beginning of GRACE! No more striving…no more straining…no more trying to be good enough or holy enough or do enough! Jesus is the end of the law to all who believe. Therefore in Him…in His death and resurrection…we now meet the requirements of the law. Jesus has meet all the requirements needed to be holy, and righteous and now gives us an opportunity to live it out by working in us…conforming us and transforming us into His very image! Marvelous…isn’t it? As we spend time with Jesus in His Word we are slowing taking on His very image! Being conformed in to His likeness!  Only then, do we learn how to act rightly, do rightly and walk rightly. Do you want to be more like Jesus? Then spend time getting to know Him…fall in love with Him and obey His Word and you will be well on your way in the transformation process!  Be encouraged today the “He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!” Philippians 1:6

A Day With Kay

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

It's been a long time desire of mine to sit and visit with Kay Smith. I have gleaned for years from her writings and teaching and yet have never had the privilege of sitting down with her. As a pastors wife now for the last 18 years I have many questions and appreciate gleaning from others that have traveled this path longer then I have. I have admired Kay's exhortive teaching and sweet spirit for years and on occasion have even ask myself; "What would Kay do?" I consider Kay to be a mentor...in fact, there is no one on this earth that I would rather spend a day sitting under then her! The Lord is so sweet to answer our hearts desires as we delight in Him. He answered one of mine today by giving me the opportunity to sit and receive from Kay. What a gift! Kay is kind and funny...and boy does she know the Word of God inside and out!   I love that about her!  When she talks about the Word and about Pastor Chuck she lights up and smiles. I read her the inscription that I wrote inside her copy of my book. This was a special moment for me as I was able to share with her how much I've learned, and gleaned from her all these years.  I left our sweet time with a nugget to add to my collection from Kay..."Love your husband, and cherish him!" Will do Mama Kay!

SELF- Expenditure

Have you ever asked; "What's my purpose in life?" It's a deep question and one that's asked by every human being at some point in life. As Believers we too ask this same question from time to time. Oswald Chambers said about the purpose of man; "His purpose is not the development of man, His purpose is to make a man exactly like Himself, and the characteristic of the Son  of God is self expenditure." It's like being squeezed like a grape Chambers says. To expend means to lay out, use up, or consume. Self expenditure would then mean to lay myself out, use myself up and be so consumed in someone or something else that there was no ME left! John the Baptist said a similar thing in John 3:30 " Lord, less of me and more of You." Mary of Bethany broke a box of precious and expensive ointment on Jesus' head and the disciples ridiculed her saying it was a waste. But Jesus commended Mary, saying that whenever the gospel was preached this act would be spoken of as a memorial to her." I wonder what extravagant acts of devotion we have shown to Jesus that others have observed and will speak about as a memorial to us?  Believers are watching and waiting for someone to be wholly devoted to Jesus and follow their example. I wonder what can be said of our life? Am I expending myself for Jesus...as others look on what do they see? What do they say? Mary was willing to do something that no one else was. She expended herself and her resources to show her great love and devotion to her Lord and Savior.  Mary held back nothing to show her great love for Jesus. She was willing to lay her future on the line, to set it all aside to worship Jesus. This great act of devotion was not only a great example to Jesus's closest followers, but also an example of what it costs to follow Jesus closely. He wants a completely surrendered heart. He wants utter abandonment of me in exchange for all of Him... and He wants self expenditure. This is why Mary of Bethany is spoken of still today. She serves as an example of what true worship looks like. She was wholly devoted to Jesus and because of it she had an intimacy with Him that is still spoken of today. She knew what others didn't . This tells me that the closer our walk with Jesus is, the more we are willing to sacrifice for Him! May we expend ourselves for Jesus. May we see that the closer we walk with Him the more we are like Him. It's not our development that we are working toward, but His envelopment! May we be so enveloped with the love of Jesus that He is all we see!

Passing The Test!

"My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3

Testing is done to find out how well something works. It tells what level of knowledge or skill has been acquired. We are tested as well as Believers. Our faith goes through a test on occasion to see what we have learned…and to push us yet further in our faith. Faith must work, it must produce, it must be visible. Verbal faith isn't enough…mental faith is insufficient. Faith must inspire action…it must endure trials, produce action, and be tested. Oswald Chambers said; "Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict." I like that! Your faith has to be tested to become personal! What are you facing today? How are you being tested? How well is your faith working? The test you are taking today with either prove that your faith is right or it will try and take you down. The test that you take today will either reveal your trust in God as your guide or it will reveal your disbelief and end in destruction. Anytime we enter a trial to test our faith and refine us as Believers the enemy is right there with his arsenal of lies. Don't believe them…rather let them encourage you that you are making progress in the Kingdom of God, and that's why the enemy is in relentless pursuit after you. The Lord wants to develop our faith, therefore it must be tested. Just as with any test we take in school or on the job is used to see how well we know our material, subject or trade…the Lord too will test our faith to see how well we are progressing…and what is needed to push us further along in our faith. Is it a trial that will do it? Is it a loss, financial hardship, marital troubles, a wayward child. The Lord will use anything to increase our faith, refine it and allow it to come out looking more like Him. Be encouraged today that He has begun a good work in you and will see it to its completion. Remember that the Lord is for you. He is your teacher and just like a teacher has to test the students knowledge…Jesus has to test ours to see what we've really learned. May the Lord strengthen us today to endure the testings knowing that they produce patience and perseverance and character and hope! Hope is the expectation of coming good. May we make it to the end of the test and have hope today! Lord, I pray for all who read this that You would touch them today with Your hand of hope…give them a glimmer into your plan and purpose. Encourage their hearts today in Jesus name, Amen!

STOP The Building!

"Then Zerubbabel and Jeshua arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them." Ezra 5:1

It's just like the enemy to try to stop the good work of the Lord in our lives. Once we've begun to go forward in our walk and really commit to serve the Lord the enemy is right there with his sneaky tactics to try and rob, steal and destroy us.  His ways are not new...he has been using the same tactics from the beginning of time. We see in Ezra that the temple was being rebuild after it's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. The people and priests and prophets all came together to work...the Lord even moved on the hearts of 3 kings to begin the work and pay for the bill. But, the enemy took notice and tried to stop the work on the temple by creating lies, exaggerations and false accusations against the workers, saying; "Who gave you a decree to build this house and finish this structure?...and "What are your names?" Ezra 5:3-4

The enemy has been using fear, lies and exaggeration since the beginning of time...these tactics are not new. We know that there is no fear in Christ Jesus...because "perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18  As Believers, we have nothing to fear...God promises never to leave us, and that if He is for us who can be against us! But...the enemy, the devil is out to get us. He is the one that brings the lies...saying WHO do you think you are...and WHAT is your name?

When he comes in breathing these threats...you answer him back.." I am a child of the Living GOD and my name is CHOSEN! You are a CHILD and you are CHOSEN by God and don't ever let anybody ever tell you differently.  Don't believe the lies...the exaggerations...the threats...trust God... He has a good plan for your life...and He desires to see it to it's completed construction. Don't stop short because of fear, rather press forward in faith!

Freedom!

"And you shall know the truth, and the  truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Freedom is defined as "the condition of being free from restraints. The liberty of a person from slavery, detention, or oppression, and political independence. Today, we celebrate the fourth of July. The day that America was set free from the restraints of England, the day that she became independent, the day that the political hand of oppression was lifted and she began her new life of freedom from restraints.

 Last night, while I was putting our daughter to bed, she asked me; "Mom, what's the 4th of July?" So I got out my phone and googled it that I may be able to tell her correct dates and times..."On July 4th of 1776, America became a country, in which they were free from the British and able to write our own rules and laws called the Declaration of Independence....It's America's birthday!" My answer seemed to appease her. But, as I thought more about this day and what it really stands for I couldn't help but think of my own life as a Believer. As I look at the definition of freedom...I see myself. My old life caught in sin and bound with chains and my new life of freedom from slavery and oppression. For Believers, it's all about knowing the truth and being set free. The Bible is our Declaration of Independence. It sets us free as we read of the truth found in the Word of God. We read of the price that Jesus paid for our lives that we may live a life of freedom from sin, freedom from guilt and freedom from eternal separation from God. If Jesus never came...America would never be... because America was founded upon the Word of God and upon Biblical principals.

 Recently, while in New York City John and I stumbled upon the Declaration of Independence at the New York City Library. The thing that was so unique about this particular copy is that it was one of only six copies ever handwritten by Thomas Jefferson himself and only one of two that remain in tact to this day. It's considered one of the rarest and most important documents in American history. On June 28, 1776, the finished draft of the Declaration of Independence was submitted to the Continental Congress. Before it was ratified on July 4, a number of changes were made, including the exclusion of Thomas Jeffersons lengthy condemnation of the slave trade. Because this troubled Jefferson so much, he hand wrote six copies of the Declaration of Independence underlining that which had been taken out to appease delegates from Georgia and South Carolina. The document that we saw with Thomas Jeffersons signature was one of those original documents! This was an amazing find for us to happen upon...but what we saw next was even more amazing! Walking around this beautiful, ornate building we walked right by a glass case off to the corner of the library. John stopped as he recognized a painting of Moses with the 10 commandments, and there to our great surprise was the Gutenberg Bible.  This is believed to be the second printed version of the Bible, written in Latin by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz Germany in the 1450's. Only 48 copies have survived and are considered to be among the most valuable books in the world. As we stood and starred at the large Bible my wise husband said "Which do you think is more important ...the Declaration of Independence or the Bible?" I said;" the Bible." John respond; "That's right! for without the Bible there would be no Declaration of Independence! 

Let's remember that today as we celebrate our freedom! While you are picnicking, beaching or barbecuing think of where you would be without the instruction in the Bible, without the godly men that fought for our freedom and dared to make it happen...and think of the greatest sacrifice of all time..the only sacrifice that really matters...Jesus's death for you and for me on the cross of Calvary! Celebrate your freedom today! "For whom the Son sets free is free indeed."John 8:36

Running For the CROWN!

" Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that we are to run this race that is set before us to win not just to finish. Those who win will receive a price...a reward...a crown!  I don’t know about you but I want a crown…not an earthly perishable crown but an imperishable one that I can cast down at the feet of my Jesus in worship and adoration. To obtain this imperishable crown there are certain requirements that Paul lists for us. We are instructed to first be "temperate" or self-controlled in not just some things...but Paul says "in all things" All means all! All areas of our life are to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we are to not be SELF-CONTROLLED, but GOD-CONTROLLED. God wants to be in control of our lives, our will and our bodies. This takes constant surrender of our will for His…our ways for His…our desires for His desires.

 Which leads us to the next key to the crown, Certainty. In verse 26…Paul says; “ Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty thus I fight; not as one who beats the air…” To be certain…one needs to be focused and sure of what their goal is and willing to fight for it! To run with certainty we cannot be distracted therefore we must remember 3 specific instructions that all runners must heed...

1. don’t look back,

2. stay in your lane 
3. don’t drop the baton or you will be disqualified.

 As Christians we are not to look back lest we get tripped up by the world  because looking back always slows you down….remember Lots wife…she looked back at the world with longing and it not only slowed her down…but she was turned into a pillar of salt. When we get saved, we come out of the world…we are loosed from its hold on us and we are to go forward and not look back.The bible says we are to put to death the old man…or old women in our case…we are not to bring her along in our journey with Jesus. It’s also very important as we run our race that we stay in our lane. Don’t look around you…lest you lose your focus. Jesus has called you and me to our individual, unique callings in life and we are to do those to the best of our ability for Him. Often times when we start looking at others and comparing ourselves we get tripped up, and slowed down…and we may even occasionally stumble and fall.

As you run with purpose, temperance and certainty, remaining focused you then will hit the final requirement to the crown...DISCIPLINE! Paul says in verse 27; “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

 “Discipline… says Elizabeth Elliot, …is the believer’s answer to God’s call.” It's the recognition of God’s master plan in our lives we can take it or leave it…its up to us. As Believers we are constantly trying to be more disciplined in our quiet time, in prayer, in eating, exercise, or whatever it is to you…you fill in the blank. At times, it seems we are going around in circles with discipline…sometimes we have it and other times we don’t. We live in a day of continual distraction with Iphones, and social media…it’s hard to be focused unless we’re disciplined to put everything down to follow hard after Jesus! The disciplined life is a life committed to Christ by learning His word…living His Word…and loving his Word! The disciplined life is a life of death…a life of picking up the cross and following Jesus. I think sometimes we forget the cross...the instrument that we so easily identify with is an instrument of death. The problem when identifying with the cross is that things often get hard the closer we walk with Jesus…that’s when we give up! Instead of pressing in...we give in... to trials and temptations. Instead of receiving the power to overcome we are overcome. The key is found in a disciplined life. A life that is focused on Jesus and determined to receive the prize. If we are to win...we must no compromise lest we get disqualified! Kay Smith said; "Set your standards high...and raise them higher!" If you want the crown you must rise to the occasion...stay focused, be temperate in all things, certain of what you are running for...not looking back, stepping out of your lane, or dropping the baton. And finally, you must be willing to bring your body, your life and your spirit into complete subjection to Jesus...recognizing that He has a great plan in mind for you if you will but run with purpose, passion and preparation.