Going the Distance: Grace in the Pace

runners, track and field, racing, running

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (AMP)


When I was in junior high, I ran track. I was the second to the fastest runner in my school. I was a sprinter who ran the 50- and 100-yard dash, the 2020 relay, as well as the long jump and hurdles. One thing I noticed about the long-distance runners was that they had stamina and endurance. They paced themselves to be able to finish the race.

On the other hand, I would position my feet on the starter’s block while listening intently to the sound of the gun and push off the starter’s block to begin running. At times, one of the runners would jumpstart due to anticipation and all the runners would have to start over again.

jogger, running down the street

As I reflect on Heb 12, it is wise to release any baggage or distractions in this season and keep your eyes focused on Jesus. The world is heavy and it’s full of noise. We’re fighting opposition, oppression, weariness and spiritual warfare on every side. It will take stamina and endurance to keep moving. When you learn how to pace yourself, you’re able to overcome physical, mental, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. It’s necessary to slow down, rest and reflect when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Some people want to push ahead and disregard stressful situations or circumstances. They ignore their feelings all together. You should be honest with your feelings, but do not let your feelings rule over your mental, emotional or spiritual well-being. Don’t allow the world to dictate how you should feel either. Suppressing your emotions is dangerous and extremely unhealthy. Finding a support system or a trusted friend to talk to will help you release toxic feelings.

running
jogging
jogger
running down the street

As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to take some time out to rest and focus on your priorities. We do not need to wait for the New Year for reflection. It’s important to honor God and rest in His presence regularly. Don’t allow the pressures of gathering with family wear you thin. Safeguard yourself from any energy drainers or negative Nancy’s.

In Colossian 1:11 it states, “Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

The secret to having contentment amid long suffering is endurance and letting go of your fleshy desires. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4

Although Thanksgiving is a time of reflection of gratitude, it can also be a time of greed. We live in a spoiled and commercially motivated generation. Marketers have pushed Black Friday two weeks prior to Thanksgiving! Despite the financial struggles people are dealing with, their intention is to push more commercialism into the mindset of consumers.

Chasing after the next shiny new thing does not provide contentment. It only triggers you to chase after more stuff which fills you with a void. The Lord only quenches the desires of the heart. Surely, the Lord wants us to enjoy our life, and He will provide for us, but we should not desire material wealth, status and gain more than Jesus.

We are entering unstable territory. Economies are being shaken, and faith is being tested. It’s a wakeup call. Do not put your trust in earthly things. The Lord is pruning us from the material world to shed the weight and sin of greed, manipulation, control, selfishness, envy, jealousy, comparison and competition. He is also prompting us to make a definitive decision. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matt 6:24 (NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.” Matt 6:19-21 (AMP)


“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:25-34

When we release the stress of materialism, you can gain and embrace contentment. It’s having the ability to step out of the physical world and into the spiritual world. It’s not religion. It’s finding Jesus and having a direct relationship with Him.

two men walking in the sunset

So, do not allow the pressures of the holiday season make you depressed. You may not have everything you want. You may be alone or grieving a loved one but open your heart to the presence of God. He is your comforter, protector and waymaker. These are not merely words. It’s the living truth because I’m a witness of His miraculous working power over my life. Everything that I’ve experienced has led me to this point and I will continue to run on with endurance – not to reach a destination but to embrace the continuous flow of God’s love and grace on this journey. Wherever you are on this journey – God will meet you right there. Ready, set, go!

I have seen something else under the sun:

The race is not to the swift
    or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
    or wealth to the brilliant
    or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.

Eccl 9:11

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Bible Meditations

Isaiah 40:31

Heb 10:36

James 1:2-4

Gal 6:9

Rom 5:3-5

Lam 3:22-24

Romans 2:7

James 1: 12-20

Rom 12:12

1 Corth 10:13

Rom 15:4-5

Rom 8:28

James 5:11

1 Corth 15:58

James 5:7

1 Pet 4:12

2 Tim 4:7

Warning to the Seven Churches in Revelation

church on a hill

12/27/23– The following post was published on May 6, 2023 prior to the recent scandal regarding TD Jakes. This post by no means represents the current accusations of Bishop Jakes. Let us stand in prayer on behalf of TD Jakes, his family and the Potter’s House Ministry. I’m not in any position to comment or voice my opinion on this specific matter. This post is generally stating and shedding light on some of the issues facing the Body of Christ and the state of some churches.

Any charge must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. To those who sinned in the past and to the rest I say beforehand while absent the same thing I said when I was with you the second time: if I come again I will not spare you —

2 Corth 13:1-2

There are so many things happening in our world today; not only in the world, but also in our churches. On social media, we see people posting of church hurt. There are pastors having sex with women in their congregations while others want to introduce cannibus into their church to grow their membership. Several denominations have split due to conflicts with same-sex marriages and the ordination LGBTQ clergy.

Woe, to the gossipers, slanderers and adulterers who divide the Body of Christ with divination, strife and conflict. We have others so jealous and filled with envy that you can cut it with a knife. The lost doesn’t even want to step foot in a church because they’re afraid of being judged and ridiculed.

church steeple

In a nutshell, the sin happening in the church is a reflection of the world. The Body of Christ has to get their house in order. Judgement is knocking on the door and it will start in the church. The Jezebel spirit of manipulation, control, fear and intimidation in ministry leadership as well as in the congregation, will be crushed when the Lord begins to sweep the house of all its impurities and unrighteousness.

In the Book of Revelations, we are introduced to the seven churches of Asia; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis to Philadelphia and Laodicca which was shown by angels sent by God to his servant John of what is to come. Those who have an ear let them hear what the Lord is saying.

girl praying alone

1. The Loveless Church

The angel of the church of Ephesus writes

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev2:2-6

praying hands in church pew

2. The Persecuted Church

And to the angel of the church of Smyrna writes

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Rev 2:8-10

The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Rev 2:11

choir singing in church

3. The Compromising Church

And to the angel of the church in Pergamus

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Rev 2:12-17

praise and worship in church

4. The Corrupt Church

And the angel of the church of Thyatira

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

church pews

5. The Dead Church

And the angel of the church in Sardis

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’[b]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. Rev 2:18-28

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Rev 3:1-5

church congregation worshipping God

6. The Faithful Church

And the angel of the church of Philadelphia

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

Rev 3:7-12

church congregation listening to sermon

7. The Lukewarm Church

And the angel of the church of Laodiceans

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rev 3:14-21


THE PLUMB LINE – May 10, 2023

The Lord spoke the word “Plumb line” this morning. This was 4 days after I posted about the Seven Churches in Revelations. I didn’t understand what it meant so I looked it up in the dictionary and on Google.

Plum line means “a cord with a lead bob attached to one end, used to determine perpendicularity, the depth of water, etc.” it is used by a carpenter or a plumber.

I decided to Google the word in relation to what a plumb line means in scripture. In summary, it relates to righteousness, justice and the rebuilding of the temple. The meanings and context are also aligned with the Bible passages related to the Seven Churches in Revelations.

God’s laws and commandments are the plum line that defines right from wrong. God’s standards are not based on the opinions of man. The righteous align their lives according to God’s word rather than satisfying their own agendas or living on their own terms.

I received an overflow of scriptures from just two words, “Plumb line.” I’ve included the scriptures below for your reference. Please feel free to comment below or share this post.

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Amos 7:7-8

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

8 And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

Isaiah 28:17

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Zech 1:16

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Jer 31:38-40

38 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.

39 And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb, and shall compass about to Goath.

40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, shall be holy unto the Lord; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.

Zech 2:1-2

 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

Isaiah 1:21-24

How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:

23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

24 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

Isaiah 59:14

14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

2 Kings 21:13

13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.

Isaiah 34:11

11 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

Lamentations 2:8

8 The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

Zech 4:10

10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Mark 12:10

10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Rom 9:33

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1 Peter 2:6

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Num 23:19

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

John 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Bible Scripture

Matt 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1 Corth 12:12-31Unity and Diversity in One Body

The King is Coming

“Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Matt 21:5

And a great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

They cried out saying,

And when He had come into Jerusalem all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes I said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matt 21:10


Hosanna

The words that the crowd shouted, “Hosanna” derives from Hebrew meaning “Save now” or “Save us, we pray,” in which the long awaited time of the Messiah was finally here to bring Salvation and set up God’s Kingdom.

Unfortunately, the masses were seeking political restoration and not spiritual Salvation, much like the people of today whose interest are political, economic and social power of influence.

In that time, the majority of the population did not know or understand that Jesus was there to save them from their sins and to be the living sacrifice for the world and the coming Kingdom.

This was the beginning of the miraculous sacrifice of His love demonstrated for us all.

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, in the highest!“ Mark 21:9


Hosanna only appears in the Bible twice. Once in Matt 21:9 and the other in Mark 11:10.

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Bible References

Psalm 118:26

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

Isaiah 53

53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lordhath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lordshall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Heb 9:22

Acts 1:11

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Matt 24:30

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Titus 2:13

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;