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by Fenny West
The Cross- the starting point.
In the world they say life begins at forty, I wonder why. But in the word it says life begins from the cross. For there, He who knew no sin was made to be sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. There sinless became sin for the sinful. There the punishment which brought us peace was heaped on Him. There he was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities .and by His stripes we were healed. Jesus said if I be lifted up, I will draw all en to my self; just like Moses lifted up the brazen serpent in the Old Testament and whoever looked upon it that was bitten by the snake lived, so it is with the cross. It is an object of ridicule in the eyes of the world but the means of salvation to God. The foolish ness of god is wiser than the wisdom f men and the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men. His ways are not our ways.
Little wonder the demonic spirits were in jubilation when they crucified the Lord of Glory. They thought it was all over. But on the third day, the stone was rolled away and He rose again. And because He rose from the dead, disarming principalities and powers, triumphing over them through the cross, nailing the written codes of regulation that condemned us we too can rise again from spiritual death into newness of life. That is why we are told that if any one is in Christ the old has gone and the new has come. Paul said and rightly I was crucified with Christ and nevertheless I live and this life I live I live by the faith of the Son of God who gave his life to me.
We who were dead in trespasses and sins have been raised up together with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places- far above principalities and powers, thrones and dominions. The race of grace starts from the cross. Life begins from the cross. It is the cross or the curse. Which do you want?
We need to throw way every weight or sin that can easily beset us
To run the race of Grace very well we, like good athletes who wear very light, tight clothing must rid ourselves of weights that could trip us up or slow us down. These are things we get involved in which may not be sinful but not beneficial to our race. They could associations that drain our spiritual strength or take us off our focus. Not everyone belongs to your boat. You must identify the Jonahs in your boat turf them. It is in their interest, in your own interest and in the interest of the Kingdom of God as discernable from that story.
As for sin, there is no doubt that we cannot tolerate sin and expect grace to continue to abound. It is tantamount to crucifying the Lord of glory afresh. Sin separates us from God. Sin short- circuit the power of God. Sin gives Satan a foothold in our lives. Sin blurs and dents and destroys our testimony. So we cannot buddy with sin. But we sin from time to time dont we? Surely, as long as we remain here we will be tempted again and again and often time we do fall. Thank God there is a remedy. John said if we have no sin we deceive ourselves. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have no sin we make out to be a lair and His truth is not in us. The more we dwell in his presence, the more we are empowered with the ability to overcome sin. Paul exhorted Timothy flee every appearance of evil. He also said there is not temptation taken but such as is common to man. but God is faithful., who will not allow you to be tempted above that you able to bear but will even through the temptation make a way of escape; that might be able to bear.
Jesus was tempted, so will you and I. What did he do to overcome? He used the word the sword of the Spirit repeatedly; it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. It is written, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. It is written, thou shalt love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength and him only shall thou serve. This is how you and I must overcome our temptation. We must hide the word in our heart so that when the time comes, the Holy Spirit brings them to our remembrance and into our hands to use against the onslaughts of the powers of darkness. We must hide the word n our heart so that we will not sin against our Lord.
It is a walk of faith and anything tat is not of faith is sin. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. I must avoid sin like a plague. I must have a short account with God and confess and forsake the moment I sin. I must forgive myself when God has forgiven me. I must realise that the accuser of the brethren could come again and again to remind me of the sin I have confessed and must know how to deal with him. There is now, no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life that is in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death. I must remember; they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
I must plead the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. We were not redeemed with perishable gold or silver, but by the precious blood of the eternal covenant; the blood that speaks better than the blood of bulls and goats; the blood that speaks better than the blood of Abel. We must anchor ourselves on the active powerful dynamic, living word of God that is established in heaven, sharper than any two edged sword. We have a new covenant established on better promises. God stands by His word. And if He says you are forgiven and hes buried your sins in the river of forgetfulness, tell your enemy he has no business fishing in those waters.
Thank God for narrow road upon which we tread. The word of God says narrow is the road that leads to eternal life but broad is the road that leads to death and hell. Jesus said he who will come after him must take up his cross and follow him. He who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom. This race requires sacrifices, patience and endurance. It requires great discipline. We cannot make it on our own. That was why Jesus said, I am the vine and you are the branches. Except a man abides in me he cannot bear fruit. But if you abide in me and my word abide in you ye shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.
The Need for strict discipline and dedication for discipleship
Discipleship requires discipline and discipline does not come on a cheap. It takes great effort, being committed, faithful, sold out, passionate with what and of Whom we believe. We cannot afford to sit on the fence. We must be absolutely convinced of the principles and person of Jesus. We must be fully persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come or impending or threatening, nor height nor depth would be able to separate us from the love of Christ. God is for us with us and in us. He said he will never leave us nor forsake us until the end of the age.
Paul said, I know whom I have believed and I know Whom I serve. And it shall be unto me even according to His word. He is able to keep that which is committed into His hands against that day.
You must run this race focused- not aimless
Paul realised the essence of having of having a target, an aim a focus,; not just darting here and there but being pointed, focused, having an eye on the mark, a goal and pursuing it with determination.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1Cor.9:26-28
0I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil3:10-14)
The cloud of Witness- the Saint gone ahead of us, cheering us on
In Hebrews 11 we are told of the cloud of witness, the forerunners, the saints of old who made it in to the hall of faith. They are at the grandstand, cheering us on, Come on saint of God. We made it. You too can. We did not have the Holy Spirit. But you do. You can do all things through Christ who strengthen you. Let go those parasitic sins that wrap themselves round you, trying to trip you up. See, the end is in sight. Go in the power of His might. Walk by faith, and not by sight
They believed and knew whom they believed. They lived in the old dispensation, under the old covenant. But we have the New Covenant established on better promises.(Heb.8:6)
6But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
They did not have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them. We have the privilege of having the Holy spirit residing on the inside of us.
7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you John16:7
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18
The need for continuous training- poor preparation precedes poor performance. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Proper preparation precedes proficient performance.
Redeem the Time
Opportunity knocks. Make the most of it. We are in the end times. Like the children of Issacar, let us understand the times in which we are and redeem, buy back the time. The day is far spent and the night comes when no man can work. The fields are white and ready for harvest, but the labourers are few. Run the race without looking back. Run without distraction. Keep your eyes on the ball. Keep your focus on Jesus.
Who knows whether you have come for such a time as this? God is counting on you and I in this Last Day. As Jesus was instrumental to the best wine being unveiled at the last minute at that wedding, so God has reserved you His best for this Last Day. You will not disappoint Him in Jesus name. In the day of His power your strength will not be small.
We are in training for reigning. Train well. In a house there are vessels of honour and other vessels for every day occasions. The better prepared you are more the more your chance of being a vessel of honour. What prize do you want? It depends on the price you are prepared to pay. Are you ready for the pruning of the Master so that you can bear more fruit?
You were crucified with Christ, raised up with him to sit in heavenly places. You are in training for reigning even through the things you go through. If we suffer with Him, then we will also reign with Him. Press on regardless of the obstacles. Jesus said in the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer because He had over come the world. God is for you and no one can be against you.
We must focus on Jesus to finish; Looking unto Jesus , the Author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him ,endured the cross and died the death on the cross, despising the shame. He did this because He saw the joy ahead His resurrection and the victory that would follow. He saw you and I in the corridors of time, who would come and be saved and endured the pain and shame to the end.
This race you have begun must be completed. You shall not finish so, so. You are destined to finish well. Aim to finish well the race of Grace. You are in a spiritual warfare. You have an enemy who wants to derail you, trip you up, discourage you to give up, throw in the towel. See through Gods eyes. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Know that your enemy wants to back you to a corner like he did Samson. What followed? His eyes were gorged out. That is a picture of what the enemy wants to do put out your light, kill you vision, blind you, lull you into sleep. Samson did not finish well. He toyed played a fool with his gift in spite of repeated opportunity to escape from his enemies. That will not be your portion. Solomon did not finish well. He had a thousand distractions.
3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray(1 Kings11:3)
Demas disserted Paul and did not return. He followed the world. On the other hand John Mark who disappointed Paul at on time came back strong and finished well. Paul found him profitable toward the end of his ministry and sent for him. He also wrote the Gospel of Mark and went on to have fruitful ministry. So even if you had once blown it God can still use you if you will return and return strong, all your heart.
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2Tim4:11
Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 1 2Tim.4:10
Keep your eyes on Jesus. A vision without an action becomes an illusion; and ultimately a nightmare. Put action to your vision. Know that your vision will be opposed. Jesus was opposed. Paul was opposed. Maximise the moment. Redeem the time the day is far spent. The night is coming when no one can work .Make the most of today. Set goals. And schedule your goals else they will just be a desire. Keep your dream alive make a mark that is indelible. Practise the presence of God. Banish every fear. The Lord is near. From every pain obtain and retain a gain.
When we fall we must get up and keep running
Have you fallen? You are not the first and you will not be the last. Get up, brush the dust off you, and try again. Go to the Master for strength. Acknowledge that you cannot do it by your strength. Go to the Holy Spirit for strengthening. He is the Strengthener, Standby and Guide, the Helper. The righteous man falls seven times but he rises again.
for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. Prov.24:16
The Lord is your light strength and salvation. He does not delight in the strength of a horse or the legs of a man.
The LORD is my light and my salvation
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Ps.27:1
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. Ps147:10
Why do you think He reduces Gideons army from 32000 to 300? To fight the Medianites who were like the sands of the sea. God did not want Gideon to take any credit for what He would do. He also wanted their enemies to know that He was fighting for His people. (Judges 6 and 7)
We must depend on the Lord all the way- not in our own strength
The Race of Grace is a journey- a marathon- not a 100 metre race. It is life long.
Each persons race is unique even as each one of us is unique. You must know yourself and your race. You are a masterpiece of God, created for a unique purpose.
You have a special assignment. Find out that purpose, what particular race youre called to run and run it well to finish. Dont run another mans race. Be yourself. Learn from other but dont be a photo-copy of anyone. Make your mark. Make your unique contribution to humanity. You are Gods investment. Yield an enviable return for God and His Kingdom.
We complement each other not compete against each other- we need each other. We are part of a body. We need to encourage each other , love each other , comfort each other, build up each other, have compassion on each other, pray for each other, forgive each other, lift each other up in case we fall, stand in the gap for each other. And what we sow into each others life we reap. Let us pray for each other, supply the nutrient that we are meant to supply to the Body of Christ.
We Need Each other
You are not alone. You have the Holy Spirit as your Helper, Standby
and Guide. Isnt it marvellous to know that God has not left us comfortless? He has given us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Standby, Strengthner, Comforter, intercessor, Advocate, Teacher, commissioner.
He is here to empower us. Anoint us equip us for the work of the ministry. Unlike the saints of old who had the anointing coming upon some of them in times when God used them for special tasks, we have the privilege of the Holy resident within us. We have no excuse for failure. Let us let go to let God.
Let us run to win- see the prize ahead- the crowns
Remember there are crowns awaiting those who overcome. There is the crown of righteousness, the crown of rejoicing for soul winners the crown of life
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev.2:10
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.2Tim.4:8
Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. Phil4:1
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 2Thes 2:19
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2Tim.2:5
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever 1Cor.9:25
When accolades come as they do in life, let us not touch the glory, but give it to who it is due.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1Pet .5:4
Pray without ceasing
Pray without ceasing. Pray as you prepare to run. Pray as you train. Pray as you start your race. Pray as you run. Pray for your fellow runners. Pray for your enemies. Pray the prayer of dedication, thanksgiving, adoration, worship, faith, praise and warfare. Pray with fasting. In this race of grace you cannot win by your strength. It is by the grace of God. You need to rely on Him always. In Him you live, move and have your very being. He is your light, your shield and your salvation. Without Him you can do nothing. Recharge your spirit like you would a rechargeable battery, praying in the spirit.
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
17Pray without ceasing (1Thes.6:17)
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.(Jude1:20)
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, (Luke 18:1)
Be Bold as a Lion
It is the wicked that flee when no one pursues. But the righteous are as bold as the lion. The greater One indwells you. He is for you and with you. Be strong in Him and in His mighty power. Forward ever, backward never. Run like Roger Banister. Run like Michael Johnson. Run like Carl Louis. Run like Paula Ratcliffe. Run like
Mizuki Noguchi. Run with focus, clear direction, determination and attention and destination.
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1Cor. 9:24-27
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Prov.28:1
Fulfil your vision.
God has a vision for you. Find that vision. Be fired by that vision. Give yourself to that vision. Prepare for the vision. Take steps of faith regarding the vision. Be determined to fulfil the vision. Gods plan for you is good, wonderful and excellent. He has a future filled with hope for you. Make your mark. Make a difference. Make a unique contribution to humanity because you are unique. He has given you His divine nature and all that partake to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.
18Where there is no vision, the people perish: Prov.29:18
11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jer.29:11)
Press on to finish- forgetting the past achievements and failures
2Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Forget your achievements else they will stop and stall you. You can do more than you have done. Forget your failure. Learn from them and use them as a ladder to climb up. Failure is not final. The event may have failed but youre not a failure. You simply now know what not to do or how to do better what you did previously. Only those who have tried something have experienced a fall. Dont stay where you fell down, but pick yourself up, dust yourself up and try again. Your disappointment may be a divine direction as to your true calling. You are best fulfilled in your true calling.
Use the weapon of Praise and Worship
Praise and worship in difficult times is a powerful weapon. Yes, it is not easy but it is potent. It is a sacrifice that calls the attention of God. Paul and Silas discovered it when they were thrown in jail in Philippi. In spite of the chains on their legs and hands they praised and worshipped. Their mouths were free to magnify God; and as they praised God He inhabited their praise. Where the Lord is, there is liberty. Their chains fell off as the Lord rocked the foundation of that jail.
Born to blaze His praise.
Born to proclaim His Name.
Born to give glory to the King of Glory.
Born to adorn and adore the High and Holy.
Created to give pleasure to Him.
Created to be His treasured possession.
Created to be His Voice , Hands and Feet on earth.
Created to be His worthy ambassador.
Born to give Him honour.
Born to be a house on a hill.
Born to be a light house to the world.
Born to live a life of significance.
Born with a vision
To fulfil the Great commission.
Born for such a time as this
sold out!, totally His.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth
Ps. 34:1
This is a song you can sing and pray:
O that my life will ring Your praise;
All that is in me, sing Your praise.
O that all I do and say, Your name will raise
And all that is in me, sing Your praise.
My life, sing the praise
My life, sing the praise
My life, sing the praise
of the Living God
O that all I do and say Your name will raise;
And all that is in me sing Your praise
Jesus had a mission-to be about His Fathers business and to finish it. when He completed His work on the cross, He said, It is finished.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?Luke2:49
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34
Paul went through many trials and sufferings, but this did not deter him. He kept on pressing for the mark of the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus. In the end he finished his race and completed his course and kept the faith. The baton is now in our hands to finish our race and finish well.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2Tim.4:7
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.John17:4
Its a Spiritual Warfare
as well as being a race, we are in a spiritual warfare. We need to put on the whole armour of God so to stand in the veil day. We are to stand our ground regardless of the circumstances. We must not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy, who seeks to divide and rule. We must protect our minds with the helmet of salvation and avoid every wicked insinuations or suggestions. We must put on the breastplate of righteousness- the righteousness of God. Our righteousness is of God. Jesus was made our righteousness.
21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God 2Cor. 5:21
We must put on the shield of faith with which to quench, extinguish every fiery darts (flaming arrows) of the wicked. The belt of truth- moral rectitude must be in place, exposing all the lies of the enemy. We must realise that he is the accuser of the brethren. When he tells lies he speaks his native language. He is the father of lies.
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John8:44b
Finish and Finish Well
Whilst it is important to finish, all finishes are not the same. Jesus finished well. Paul finished well. Samson did not finish well. Solomon did not finish well. Aim to finish well as you face your race of Grace.
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