Running is just me and the strength of my God on the path to perfect peace.

I find it hard to run or walk without listening to either music or a motivational speaker. I love using my time of running or walking as an act of worship. I feel as though running is my sacrifice. In the Old Testament, people sacrificed as a demonstration of their faith. We are blessed that we live on this side of the cross and have Jesus as our ultimate sacrifice. There is still something sacred about sacrificing as an act of worship. As for me, I accomplish this through my pain and endurance when I run. I turn my music up, pray, and sing. I will share with you some of the songs that have touched my soul many times over and over. One day on the treadmill otherwise known as the “dreadmill,” the song Come Alive by Red Rock Worship played. The lyrics sing, “Come all ye weary, broken inside. Lay down your burdens, lay down your life. Come and lift your voice at the throne of Grace, we come alive.” It made me recall the scripture from Matthew 11:28 NIV —  Come to me, all of you who are weary burdened, and I will give you rest. 

There are so many fighting a disease, whether it is cancer, mental illness, food addiction, finances, and many more. You may be thinking, how is this a good song to run to. It is a time I can give God my burdens. 

This week I will discuss “active worship,” which means getting your body moving while worshiping God. After all, our bodies are His Temples. I will also include a song each day that has touched me on my running journey. 

Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

See You Saturday in real time! The snow is melting and secondary roads are being cleared. Unfortunately we don’t have a snowman for you but we hope you enjoyed our snow video posted earlier today. We hope you are encouraged to Walk on Water as you say yes to God!

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬, ‭16 NIV — For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

It has been a wonderful week with Deborah sharing on being equipped! Have you had any God Winks this week? Any key verses or takeaways that you can refer to when you feel underqualified?

I, Julie will share with you my God Wink. I subscribe to a daily email from Steven Furtick with Elevation Church. Friday’s email included the scripture verse, Jeremiah 1:5 — Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

He also included a video titled, Don’t Waste The Gifts You’ve Been Given. The video had me evaluating my gifts and if I am using them for God’s Glory or wasting them. I encourage you to take a minute to watch it. Even though the Psalmist instructs us that all our days are ordained and written in His book, God still wants us to be a willing vessel by saying, here I am Lord, use me.

We hope you’ve seen God this week as much as Deborah, Ray, and I have! Stay tuned for a See You Saturday video from Debs and Ju Ju.

1 Timothy 6:12 NIV — Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I pray that this week you have reflected on your call to serve God and have been reminded of His promise to equip you with all that you need. As we end this week together I encourage you to finish strong by never losing focus on Christ. Take a moment to read this article by In Touch Ministries titled Equipped To Do His Will and be reminded of God’s presence as you serve Him.

Let us pray Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Psalm 25:4-5 NIV — Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Have you spent time intentionally praying about your gifts and talents? What new ways has God revealed to you to serve Him with your gifts and talents? 

Today I encourage you to seek God for additional ways you will need to be equipped for your service to Him. Be honest about your concerns and apprehensions. Then turn to His word for direction and guidance. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV — But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Seek scripture for a verse or verses you can return to time and time again when you need reassurance about God’s promise to equip you as you serve Him. Write it down, commit it to memory, and call on His word each time you falter.

Let us pray Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV — There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

Read the full chapter of 1 Corinthians 12.

God creates each of us with unique gifts and talents. How has God equipped you? Are you artistic, musical, have a beautiful voice, good at working with your hands, or have an eye for photography. Perhaps you are nurturing, physically strong, good at writing or speaking, a chef or baker. Spend some time in prayer and reflection. Write down all the unique gifts you have and Thank God for blessing you with each of them. Maybe you recognize your gifts but are not sure how you can glorify God in using them. Ask God to lead you in thinking of ways to serve Him with these gifts and trust him to equip you with whatever needs arise as you serve.

Let us pray Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion

Ephesians 2:10 NIV — For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary “equip” means to furnish for service or action by appropriate provisioning. In the Bible we find many examples of God equipping His people for His “good works.” God’s use of Moses is one of the most prominent examples of God equipping one who seems incapable. Moses had a speech problem and therefore lacked confidence in his communication with others. Read how Moses first responded to God’s call and how God equipped Moses in Exodus 4:10-17 NIV. God provided a way for Moses to serve.

What is God calling you to do? How has he equipped you? Are you ready to lean on God to help you do the good works He has prepared for you to do?

Let us pray Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV — Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

@biblegateway

@youversion