Running The Race

Run the Race

Scriptures

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we have an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:16-27 KJV)

 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we have an incorruptible one.

(1 Corinthians 9:19-25 KJV)

Run the Race

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV)

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 AMPC)

cloud of witnesses

Run the Race

A few days ago, I had a dream about a racetrack. On this track, I saw two or three vehicles competing against each other. Our journey in life can be compared to this race. In both the letters to the Hebrews and 1 Corinthians, Paul describes how we are all running this race. We have the support of witnesses surrounding us, encouraging us and interceding on our behalf. These witnesses have already run this same race before us. These demonstrated great endurance, and their perseverance inspires us to continue running our own race with determination.

These witnesses are all on the Grand Stand of Faith> In the previous chapter of Hebrews, we see the list of all the heroes of faith, even from the beginning of creation. Paul writes about this in his letter to Timothy: -

6 For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand, and I will soon go free.7 I have fought the good (worthy, honourable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and rcompense me on that [great] day—and not to mee only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return). 

(2Tim 4:6-8)

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand, and I will soon go free.

7 I have fought the 

 (worthy, honourable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

Running the Race

Running the Race

We are greatly encouraged in these scriptures to keep on running this race. Yet we are not able to do so without the direction, leading, guidance and strength of God's Holy Spirit! Every journey of life we face is before us. They are likened to a marathon or track race. Each has its starting and finishing line.

22 For such as are blessed of God shall [in the end] inherit the earth, but they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].

24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.

Covenant with Death

Covenant with Death
Posted on October 31, 2017 by fertiileground
Covenant with Death

(Ariel Gate dd 11 Oct 2017 to 21 Oct 2017)
(Notes taken by Joan E Lottering)
(Edited Ian R Lottering)
1 Covenant with Death

Ariel Gate
1.1 How often do we lie?
Any place we are either a witness of life or of death. When/where ever wanted to kill someone, we are connected with the spirit of death. Any tearing down of something/anything leads and relates to death. Any thought of suicide is linked with spirit of death. The Lord sets before us death and life; blessing and cursing; therefore choose life_ _ _ (see Deut 30:15-20). Our thoughts are not hidden from God. Our hearts are predominately evil.
Therefore any gossip or corrupt speech, is bound to lead us in the way of death and /or destruction if we are not careful about what we say. With David we need to ask the Lord to put a watch on our mouth. Because that which is in our heart and mind is sure to reveal itself through our speech. Often Scripture reminds us that which is in our hearts will overflow out of our mouth (see Mt 12:33-37). We/our lives and outcome are determined through the rudder of our soul, the tongue. Often we need to bridle our tongue!
Behold! I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil, in that I command you today to love Jehovah your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. And Jehovah your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it. But if you turn away your heart, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days on the land where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it. I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live, so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them. (Deu 30:15-20 MKJV)
Remember in Christ Jesus (Yeshuah Ha Massiach) we are connected to life. Jew and Gentile in Him are become one new man. Christ paid for us through His death and shedding of His Blood, so that we are able to live (see Eph 2:11- 17). Christ Jesus is our giver of life which is a different Spirit to that of the spirit of death. The spirit of death has no concern, neither does he care less whether we live or die. Remember death and life are in the power of our tongue (see Pr 18:20-21; Pr 12:28). This is the reason we are reminded to guard our hearts, above all else because from out of our heart, flow the issues of life (see Pr 4:20-27).
This covenant with death eventually starts killing us from within, bringing forth destruction even to our generation and those after us. Although the covenant with death is able to destroy us, personally and generationally. Even though neither of our generations nor ourselves are killed due to our covenant with death_ _ _! We need to break its hold over us through our authority given us in Christ Jesus. Repentance on behalf of ourselves, our generational bloodlines and over our seed after us, is therefore; often necessary and much needed.

1.2 Original Sin brought Death
We involuntary are entered into this covenant of death because of Adam and Eve’s sin. For when they acted in disobedience to the Lord’s instruction concerning the knowledge of good and evil heeding the serpent instead of hearkening to the Lord, Death and Destruction entered into all of Creation. Thereby we also inherited death and destruction. Instead of Blessing we inherited the Curse. This curse cut us off from lifetime fellowship with God.
This was never God’s intent for His crown creation. He originally planned for us to enter into an abundant, pleasing life of fellowship with Him. His abundant manifold Love, far greatly surpasses our human understanding. He promises to give Life unto all whom call upon Him. His Name far surpasses all other names, in Heaven above and the Earth below. He desires to call us by His Name. Yet we are only be able to partake of it through our acceptance of His Death, Resurrection and Ascension.
God is no Mickey Mouse god, made through the hands and sleights of men. He is thrice Holy, Gracious, and Righteous without sin. The Sinner is unable to stand in His Presence. We through original disobedience, committed High Treason. We sinned against this Holy, Righteous and Just God; thereby entering into death. Through one man’s sin and disobedience Death entered in (Rom 5:7-21). The Lord forewarned His Crown Creation, the day he would eat of the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and evil, he surely would die (see Gen 2:15-18). This includes all the seed and descendants of mankind, from Adam right through; even until our present day.
Remember Jesus Christ (Yeshuah Ha Massiach), came to Earth to bring and give us Life which is Life More Abundantly. What or how does this abundant life seem to look to us? Are we able to imagine what abundant life means for us? We are entitled to that which God promised us. When I am Born Again, I need to be baptised. Thereby I partake of His Death, Resurrection and Ascension. This Baptism comes with repentance in our hearts.
1.3 After Baptism
We are able to partake of the abundant life. We die to self, living a crucified life. We are then circumcised in our heart. No longer circumcision of the flesh, but circumcision of our heart. This circumcision is a cutting of the heart. Our hearts be broken with that which breaks the Heart of God.

More to follow shortly_ _ _