Keep Going, Keep Going!

Therefore, 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. Hebrews 12:1

I was watching the live coverage of the 120th Boston Marathon live streaming this past Monday  and noticed one thing close to the finish line. Most participants raised their hands as they crossed over the finish line after running 26.2 miles. What a victory. A couple of the participants bent down and patted the finish line. Many probably hit the wall, as marathon runners call it, and wanted to just quit and walk the rest of the way but most probably kept on going.

How many of you reading this feel like quitting on life sometimes? You are overwhelmed with the 'hand dealt to you' as some call it and just wish Jesus would beam you up. Life does present challenges. It is Satan who wants to defeat and discourage you, not the Lord.

 Whatever is going on in your life no matter how hard, sad, tough, or scary cry out to God.

Don't run away from Him and get angry. I have known people who have gotten mad at God and consequently stopped praying or wanting to do things of the Lord. All along God has not left them. He is waiting. Keep running that race because there is joy in the morning. Just believe!

 PRAYER: I am thankful for each and every day you have given me. Forgive me when I have wimped out and started listening to lies of the enemy rather than truth and comfort from you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHY?

 

Why do bad things happen in life and lots of times to very good people? I do not know the exact answer to that but I do know that the Bible says in John 16:33(NIV) 'I have told you these things so that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble but TAKE HEART for I have overcome the world.'

In the aftermath of what appears to be a terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon people wonder "why". No one has that answer but this horrific and unthinkable tragedy will have good stories associated with it too. Many are now fearful and confused and just in a daze over how this event unfolded on of all days in Boston, Tax Day, Patriot Day. The mastermind behind an attack such as this needs our prayers too. Love overcomes evil all the time. Romans 12:21(NIV) says 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.' The solution is not to hate but the solution is to pray. Matthew 5:44(NIV) says 'But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'. Proverbs 24:17(NIV) reminds us 'Do not gloat when your enemy falls , when they stumble do not let your heart rejoice.'

When I read that verse above I wonder if God loved Hitler and others tyrants who do so much evil. I guess the answer is yes since he loved sinners. We are all sinners not all to the magnitude of being a dictator and killing people. Pray and ask God to help you pray for evil people.

You can be an overcomer. It is hard to grasp the magnitude of this tragedy on American soil. So what do we do now? Do we not go to things such as Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Disney World, NASCAR, World Series, or many places large crowds of Americans gather. If you are a runner do you stop going to road races and marathons? We need to continue living life as normal and keep praying.

In the aftermath of a tragedy such was what just occurred in Boston we tend to want to fear or it is easy to perhaps glue ourselves to the television as the tragedy unfolds. I did this during The World Trade Center tragedy. I could not stop watching. It is a discipline to back off from the news and instead pray.

Let me leave you with one simple Bible verse and that is found in Luke 18:1(NIV) which says 'Pray and never give up.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus in many countries life is filled with terror and destruction. We in the United States have not had too much worry or concern over this until a few years ago. Father give us courage to continue with our life and trust in you and not lead a life of fear. Also give us your love for others even evil people. In Jesus' name. Amen.