High Jump

Suppose a high jump competition was held and everyone in the world had to participate. So one by one, everyone tried to jump over the bar as we each watched. Some jumped higher than most people, but failed to clear the bar. Others, like myself, did not jump very high and also failed to clear the bar. I took solace in those who couldn’t even jump as high as I did, but I ignored those who jumped much higher. Still none of us could clear the bar. Finally, one person came into the stadium and easily cleared the bar. Those of us who cheered him on had his score attributed to us. Those who mocked him were sent away to their own demise.

Romans 3:10-11 says, “as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God.” God is not impressed with our performance. His standard for righteousness is perfection, which none of us can attain. Therefore, we must trust in the sacrifice that God made of His own Son on the cross. Then, God will cover us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ and we will spend eternity in His presence, while those who reject Him will be sent away to their own demise.

Run With Endurance

I have never run a marathon race before, although I did run a half marathon race years ago. I understand that marathoners can run into what is called the “wall” at some point in the race. The wall is a seemingly impossible place to penetrate and continue on with your race. In life, we can face a wall that makes us want to stop what we are doing. But life continues and we need to find a way through the wall.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Don’t ever give up. Keep going. Living by faith is a marathon race, not a sprint. Jesus is our example, as He suffered much to bring us salvation, and now, He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Our reward is great, so keep the faith. As the perfecter of our faith, Jesus gives us the strength to continue through the wall and come out on the other side stronger, wiser, and more like Him.

Caught in the Surf

When I was a teenager growing up in southern California, I went to the beach often. I never learned to surf on a surfboard, but I did body surf a lot. Occassionally, I would be taken underwater by a wave and tossed around quite a bit. Life’s decisions can do the same thing to us. They can overwhelm us at times and we go back and forth with what we are trying to decide. One internal voice says one thing and the other internal voice says another. Where can we go to find true wisdom for our decisions?

James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Sometimes, we face a difficult decision and waver back and forth as to what to do. God promises to give us wisdom, if we simply ask in faith. It is the doubt that causes us to be tossed and turned in uncertainty.

Kicking Against the Goad

I heard a testimony of a young woman today. She had a rough life and had made many bad choices according to her own words. One night she found herself handcuffed in the back of a police car. As they were driving her to the police station, she asked God, “Why do all these bad things keep happening to me?” Suddenly, she heard the clear voice of God ask her, “When will you stop resisting me?” She responded, “Now!” God may need to take drastic action if we continue to resist Him.

Acts 9:3-5 says, “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'” Rejecting or resisting Jesus is the same as persecuting Him in the eyes of Him who abundantly loves us. Saul thought that he was doing good by arresting Christians, but he was resisting the truth. God took drastic measures to change his heart, and the world was changed as well. Let’s stop resisting God, and instead, let’s allow Him to change our lives by surrendering to the truth, Jesus Christ.

Stubborn Stain

Some stains on clothing, carpet, and furniture are more stubborn than others. You use the right cleaner and scrub as hard as you can, but to no or limited avail. Finally, you may have to call in a professional. You trust them to remove the stain that you cannot.

Psalm 51:10, 12 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” As well as the great wonders that God does for us in our lives, He does awesome works within us as well. He cleanses our hearts, renews our spirits, restores joy, and grants us a willing spirit. We cannot do these inner works ourselves, so we must ask Him to do these examples of grace within us. He removes the stains that sin applies to our lives, and cleanses us from those sin caused stains.