Real Life for Your Heart

Good morning, everyone from Pastor Todd Boxley. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining “Try Jesus.” Also welcome those in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Arizona, and Iowa.

How many of you think there are more people in our nation who need encouragement? Maybe some of you see the need to encourage those in your household. Do you think there are more people who suffer with depression?

What about those who have lost the desire and will to give up on their ambitions and goals? When is the last time you heard someone use the words, “I quit! Whatever!, or Who cares!” Some of you parents might say, “I hear it throughout the week.”

Are we living in the “downer days?” What causes people, families, neighborhoods, states, and nations to sink into depressing scenarios? What makes you get up in the morning when everything around you seem to be falling apart.

My parents used to encourage us when times were difficult to look at the brighter side when things get hard in life. They would also tell us that others in the world are worse off than we are, and you couldn’t tell by their attitudes.

I used to think as an adolescent, when things were difficult and maybe an uphill climb for my parents, how did they persevere through it? Sometimes I tried to understand their disagreements when I would sneak and listen to their faulty communication.

Eventually they would tell us in a group at the dinner table, or explain to us why there might not be that fun vacation time at the bowling alley. When normal family routines get upset, the investigation starts to churn away.

Have you ever started something, but fell short of completing this brilliant plan you had? How many of you have ever procrastinated at something? What made you throw in the towel and give up?

When I was growing up, my parents frowned on us quitting projects that we started. Why? Because there were times when quitting would cost them financially. They would always sit us down and verbally chastise us for bailing out on our commitments.

When you think of the words, “What could have been, or If only” what do those words make you think about? Does it encourage you to get up, dust off the negativity, and keep trying? Or does it make you sink further into the “quick sand” of quitting?

By the way, my loving friends, this message is not directed towards encouraging young people, there are many adults who throw in the towel at bettering their marriage, or sitting down to get grip on their financial woes.

We can all be in the race of life and stumble along the way. But how do we stay strong and finish each adversity issue when it arises? I’m always impressed by Olympic athletes in track and field. Especially in the 200 and 100 yard events.

Why? Because of all the training they put into it to end up running for a mere seconds on the track. They train extremely hard for each event. And sometimes no matter how precise their training is, they sometimes come up short.

I’ve seen runners look like everything is a complete “go” but right out of the starting blocks something causes a hesitation. From start to finish, runners just want to make it to the tape. Not just to the tape, but run through the tape.

Getting to the tape doesn’t win you anything. We’ve all heard the phrase, it’s not how you start, but how you finish, right? As we transition from the track field to the narrow road that God calls us to walk on, training and keeping your eyes on the prize is paramount for you.

Your life is on this narrow road is similar to the track field. Although the narrow road is not always smooth to travel on like the track field. As we look at our Bibles today, we can see the road and the race that is laid out for us.

God has left us with examples of how this race is won, even through adversity. The Apostle Paul’s life was one example we could visually see the race he endured. Paul mentions this race in 1 Corinthians 9:24).

Paul was told beforehand by the Holy Spirit what awaited him as he testified about repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. He would face hard persecution and imprisonment in this race (Acts 24:21-24).

Life is short, but the race of life carries with it some cruel courses along the way. Like the track and field athletes, the 100 yard dash is short, but can have unseen obstacles in a short distance. The ones with hurdles increase the chances of mishaps.

But Paul would not allow those obstacles to move him away from God, but rather increase his focus on the prize before his eyes at the finished course set for his life. Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it to accomplish the work God had for him.

Paul spoke about the race of life that everyone is involved in. Those who don’t believe in God or him sending a Savior for their soul think that their life belongs to themselves. But oh, precious ones you are so misguided and blind.

All of humanity is on the course called life. The Bible tells us what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul. We are all in a race to the dirt outside, right? None of us are trying to speed up the process, right?

Then again, our lifestyles can quicken what the Bible says. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV). After this race of life everyone will stand before him to give account for his or her life.

Everyone who trains in track and field events trains for a prize. But in the world that prize eventually fades. The runner also can run but for a short time. In death, the runner and that prize is eventually separated.

But God offers us a living prize. Praise God! Hallelujah! For the blood washed from sins born-again believers, we obtain a prize that is incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). Jesus Christ is that eternal prize. (Matthew 25:14-21).

[Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and persistent preparation. As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward.]

There are many Christians who feel once their life is secure in Jesus, they don’t have to spiritually train anymore. Some don’t feel the need to read their Bibles on a daily basis anymore. Some refuse to fellowship with other believers.

Some will not pray daily and talk to God each day. This opens the door to being like stale bread. Jesus told his followers he is the bread of life (John 6:35). How many of you have ever tasted a piece of stale bread?

You immediately want to spit it out and throw the rest away. Not reading God’s word everyday will cause it to be stale for you. Paul defined being victorious in life’s race with instruction, purpose and discipline.

Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and persistent preparation. Just as track and field athletes train vigorously to obtain that elusive prize, Christians must train every day to obtain Jesus.

When Christians slack off or put more emphasis on worldly endeavors than Jesus, the devil is right there to bombard them with all kinds of distractions and pitfalls on your life’s course God has for you.

Have you ever seen track and field athletes fall after running great speeds? Their injuries can sometimes linger for long periods at a time. It can also happen without them falling. They can tweak a hamstring and be out for lengthy periods.

The Bible speaks to the Christian involved in the race of life in this manner, “10} Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV). Everyone that competes in this race needs the spiritual equipment God offers. And it’s free!

Paul was to the point on how you accomplish this by training with purpose and long-sighted intention. Staying spiritually focused and not distracted will build up those spiritual muscles you need to fight the unseen enemy. (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

Paul was not speaking about Christians losing their salvation in verse 27. The word castaway or disqualified doesn’t mean you are no longer a runner. When track and field athletes get disqualified for a starting violation, doesn’t mean they are no longer a runner in the sport.

The Bible speaks to the Christian as being sealed when they give their lives to Jesus (Ephesians 1:13; John 10:27-29; Philippians 1:6). Once the person is an authentic born-again believer, he is kept by God.

When it comes to preparing and running this spiritual race, it’s always good to keep God’s word and a personal journal with help from the Holy Spirit guidance. There are always a lot of worldly self-help books and speaker guides on living a good life. 

But nothing fulfills the whole spirit, soul, and body like the all-encompassing word of God. You were created to be in a relationship with him. The world offers things without eternity involved in it. It dies at the graveyard.

Anything self without God brings an unfulfilled life and death. Paul knew the difference between religion and relationship after he met Jesus. Like Paul, as Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward.

People sometimes lose focus on what are their strengths and weaknesses. How many of you have already abandoned your New Years resolution goals? Was Jesus your strength, or was the world your pitfall?

You can pray to God to find strength in your weaknesses while still running your race. Paul always encouraged Timothy this way (1 Timothy 6:20-21). Paul instructed leaders to correct incorrect doctrine and to deal lovingly and fairly with all people in the church.

Timothy’s race was not without spiritual potholes along his course. He was encouraged by Paul many times. Paul could see the finish line during his life’s course. Here are his words that all of us should be inspired to not give up.

6} “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV).

The Bible tells us to set our affections on things above, not things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2; Matthew 14:22-32; Hebrews 12:1-3; Psalm 16:7-11). Paul would not allow the world to break his course of direction.

Paul suffered very much, but his reward and gain was worth it. Philippians 1:21; 3:7-14). What would you rather have? Just as Jesus had some follows who really weren’t committed followers turn away, Paul had some abandon him also.

Demas was one of those who decided he would follow the world instead of following Paul who followed Christ. (2 Timothy 4:9-11). What is in the world that you love more than someone who gave his life and blood for you?

How many stories have you heard of people reaching the pinnacle of life and accumulating wealth beyond measure, and still not be happy or satisfied? How much money do you need? How much sex do you need? How much power do you need?

You can run well in life, but what are the hinderances that are keeping you from turning them over to God? (Galatians 5:6-7). Many people continue to put self- afflicted roadblocks in their life. I’ve had many people come up for prayer, carrying their burdens.

But after they walked away, it seems they picked it up and walked back to their seat. How could I know? Because they kept emphasizing others to blame and not looking at self.

[Demas loved worldly values and worldly pleasures. There are two ways to love the world: God loves the world as he created it and as it could be if it were rescued from evil; others, like Demas, love the world as it is, sin and all.]

There can be many hinderances and skeletons in our life’s closet. But if you desire to be set free, then please allow Jesus to take away your burdens. He wants you to be free to run this course, plan, and purpose he has for your life.

 

🗣📢 Last words: Solomon told us that life’s race is not always won by the strongest, the fastest, the wisest, the most skilled, why? Because as you will hear great athletes say, “Father time is still undefeated.”

Solomon told us the grave sorrows up all these achievements you try to grasp and keep as idols in your life. Everything ends up at the grave. It isn’t difficult to think of cases where the swiftest and the strongest don’t win.

There are many intelligent people in the world who never get rewarded for their brilliance. Some people see life as cruel and unfair. But the world can only offer you hurt and disappointments. Satan is the deception behind all of it.

[The world is finite, and sin has twisted life, making it what God did not intend. Solomon is trying to reduce our expectations. When you train hard in your life’s course, do it with all your might for Jesus (Colossians 3:23-25).]

The best commitment you can make is knowing God more and more through his word. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 14-15). From this relationship comes building loving and fellowship relationships with those in the church.

As God strengthens you, he then fills you up and sends you out into the world to proclaim the good news of the gospel. Your ministry is everywhere. It starts in your home, at work, at school, because everything we do should glorify God.

To all the members of “Try Jesus,” stay strong, run from evil, pursue godliness, and hold tightly to Jesus! Remember the long-awaited prize of seeing Jesus face-to-face and living forever with him will be worth it all.

For my unbelieving friends still rejecting God’s love, I pray you will open your heart to his loving knock. If you wait until the grave holds you, God’s judgment will have no higher court of appeal should the verdict not be to your liking.

If you hope for a favorable decision in this court, put your hope entirely in Jesus. He is the only way, truth, and life for you to live beyond the grave. You can have abundant life in Christ.

Please read the whole chapter of Matthew 13 to see the seriousness of rejecting the spiritual seed for your heart. (Matthew 13:41-43; Revelation 3:20; 20:10-16; 21:7-8).

Don’t get hindered and stuck in the corrupt race the world is offering you. Stay in the rich soil of his word! Go after that crown with your name on it!


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray to finish the course. “Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me the best path to succeed in your plan for my life. Lord, you did speak through your prophet Isaiah to prepare the way.

You Lord, make the obstacles on my life smooth. You cause the stumbling blocks to move out of my way. You keep my feet standing on solid ground. Lord, you have said I can run through a troop and leap over a wall.

You have torn down every satanic obstacle and covered spiritual potholes for me to cross over in Jesus’ name. Father, break every satanic hindrance to my prayers by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

Lord, may the things that stand in my way in 2024 become examples of your limitless power. Clothe me with power as I live my life in your righteous name. May I prosper and bring you glory on the earth.

May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for removing those hinderances in my life. Thank you, Jesus, for being so awesome to me. In your name I pray, Amen.” 


❤ “If you would like to know Jesus as your Savior, please read out loud

Read Romans 10:8-15

9) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10) For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11) As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12) Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13) For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14) But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? . . .

📣 Help spread the word by sharing this web site and messages on your platform.


🙏 Please remember to pray for the people in Israel. They are God’s people because of his covenant promises to them. (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 6:22-27; 24:8-9). ✝️

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