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Finish Strong

The Marathon Of Life

by GOD TV July 6, 2022

written by GOD TV

Did you know that it’s not about winning, that it’s actually about finishing? You’ve probably heard that before and you probably feel like you understand that, but when things start coming up in life, you really do want to win. You really want to come on top. And I have a story to go with that.

I just finished a half marathon and in the middle of it, my knee was hurting. I wasn’t feeling the best. And I had no idea how I was going to finish, let alone win. And I could hear just in me, God speaking, saying, “It’s not about winning, it’s not about beating your time from the last marathon. It’s just about finishing.” So I had to walk half of the marathon, but I still finished. And on top of that, I actually beat my time because I had so much grace on myself. I didn’t realize I actually did. So it’s not about just winning. It’s about finishing. He wants us to finish things.

It says here in James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who preserves under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” He loves you and He wants the best for you. And He doesn’t want you to focus on hurting yourself, stressing yourself, to get to all of these places that we’re believing for. He wants you just to finish and believe that the rest will come. The crown will come when you finish, when you don’t stop, because you think you’re not perfect enough. Just keep going.

God, I pray for this person right here that’s watching this video. And I pray that you encourage them, you give them joy, you give them encouragement, that you would inspire them to finish whatever they just started. That’s what you care about. God give them the strength. God give them joy, because joy is our strength. Give them joy to finish this marathon of life and wherever they’re walking. Amen.

________

To A Thousand Generations, One Day Can Change It All

by Corine Channell January 6, 2021

written by Corine Channell

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) The thought struck me about Deborah, preparing her whole life for her ONE day when she stepped into her role. “Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel.” (Judges 5:7) I am wondering if, in terms of the “ONE day concept”, it is first about the long journey to GET TO the ONE day when everything changes. Not like in one day you do everything you are meant to do, and it’s over but more that it starts a generational ripple effect. It was exactly that way for Deborah – after her journey and her preparation, she arrived at her one day that would change thousands of generations after her. Wow. Staggering.

Our Actions Matter

I am just wanting us to think how much what we DO with this life we have been given, matters to those who come behind us. I think if we could grasp THAT truth it would change how we do everything. And I mean, Everything! But there is a lot of preparation before you get TO that one day; the one that changes everything when your life becomes an offering.

Speaking from my own life, I accomplished two landmark things in 2020, a year I would have NEVER seen either thing happening in. I wrote a book and got a college degree. It seems both of those things were accomplished in a day, but there were upwards of 50 years invested into both. Yet these 2 things will influence the 1000s of generations after me. I mean, I hope so. I realized that my life story needed to be heard so that it could help others who have walked a similar road of sexual abuse.

ONE DAY: It’s Never Too Late

Finishing college (after 46 years since day ONE in Bible college in 1974) felt like that THING I needed to just finish. To be true to completion, to it never being too late, to never giving up. And then to see that the degree I received actually MATTERED to my current age and purpose. A Bachelor’s Degree in WRITING. I could NOT have planned that, but God did. I have learned that preparation is essential in discovering or uncovering your ONE day experience. It doesn’t take a one day journey. But it COULD all culminate on ONE day, And therefore, change everything for generations yet to come.

Legacy

What is a legacy? It is the story of a person that lives on long after they leave so that they are not forgotten. Legacies are so important as they are like road maps left behind for others to follow, to guide the paths of those who follow in our footsteps.

Long before everything went digital, we recorded sounds on what was called a cassette recorder to be played back on magnetic tape that ran between two small reels. It was the place to store data, which generally was of some importance. Yeah I know – we have come a long way since then.

“One generation shall praise Your works to another.” (Psalm 145:4) This speaks of leaving behind truth for those who follow behind. This makes me shudder really, wondering if I will leave behind more than pictures of myself and Facebook posts and favorite possessions. This has led me to think about what do I want there to be on the cassette tape of MY life, so it is not left blank. This is why I wrote a book about my life and finished a long college journey.

Keep The Tape Rolling

Yes, my life story is full of pain and mistakes and failures and regrets, but I kept that tape rolling as I continued to walk out the rest and did NOT give up. I learned from the errors of my way and corrected them. I learned to forgive those who hurt me, whether intentionally or unintentionally. And I learned to forgive myself for not knowing what I did not know.

NOW I can leave words of guidance and sound advice. NOW I can teach tried and true life lessons. And I can be a light in the dark. A voice shattering the silence. A song in the night and a refuge in the storm. Only if I stop, will my cassette tape fade away or even run blank. Only if I stop. This is what it looks like when YOU rise up for YOUR one day, to step into YOUR purpose that will go on for a thousand generations.

I don’t even think quitting should ever be a choice. I think maybe we could be tougher or more resilient against the hardness of life if we understood it is more a responsibility to be and stay faithful.

One Day: Leave A Legacy

When we produced our documentary ‘Shattered Silence’ we were privileged to interview many precious Veterans of war. One man who has always stood out to me had been a POW for several years during the Vietnam War. He said how he survived the loneliness, the boredom, the sameness, the isolation – was the knowledge that he had to get back home to his family. He said, “That was my responsibility in those days, as I saw it.” He survived his incredible hardship by simply taking responsibility for his own survival, for the sake of those he loved.

Wow. Let that sink in. THIS is how we leave a legacy.

“Through our pain and suffering, we must fight to survive, taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions, so that out of the darkness we will RISE to our true potential.” – ‘Shattered Silence’, Joseph Channell

Inheritance Of Godly Character

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” (Proverbs 13:22) This is not just about leaving a will and leaving money for everyone; it is more about leaving an inheritance of godly character. Leave behind a legacy of integrity, trustworthiness, honor, wisdom, motivation, kindness, courage, generosity, humility, and valor. You will have to fight to make this happen; it is not for the faint of heart – it takes resolve and a constant choosing to own up to your life. No, we are not perfect – the story is NOT about perfection; it is about the journey itself.

Your one day – your legacy – that tape filled with the sounds of your life; it begins in the corners and reservoirs of your heart. It is recording your journey as you march on and never ever stop. “How blessed is the man who fears the Lord and who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants (those who come behind you) will be MIGHTY on earth. The generation of the upright shall be BLESSED.” (Psalm 112:1-2)

Keep going till you RISE. It matters. “Until I arose.” THEN it all changes.

January 6, 2021 0 comments

Faith

Five Steps to Finish Strong

by Vance K Jackson May 27, 2018

written by Vance K Jackson

1. Stay Focused

“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James‬ ‭1:15)

When you choose to steer your ship off course and follow after your lusts you’ll shipwreck your home, business and / or marriage. Steer your ship with God’s Word. Choosing to submit to God’s Word and allowing your heart to be led by what He says will direct your life’s course into the Promises of God. Choose to kill the flesh and follow Him.

If you follow the lusts of your flesh you’ll not only cripple your destiny but you’ll also paralyze the generations after you as well. Choose Christ.

2. Be Not Entangled

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians‬ ‭5:1)

It’s your choice to finish strong. You can choose to be entangled in the bondage of your past or you can embrace God’s liberty of your future. God will steer your heart if you allow His Word to transform your life. Who are you listening to? Are you adhering to God’s Word or are you yielding to the lusts of your flesh? It’s your choice. Who or what is steering your heart – the lusts of your flesh or the Word of God. Choose this day who you will serve.

“And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ‭‭(Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬)

3. Don’t be Double Minded

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James‬ ‭1:8‬)

Double mindedness will shipwreck your course. Stay intently focused on God. Choose to allow God’s Word to saturate and penetrate your heart. When you are double minded your decisions are unstable and everything your hands touch deteriorates. Who are you choosing to serve? God or the entanglements of your past? Choose God.

4. Be Not Conformed

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans‬ ‭12:2)‬‬

Do not contort yourself to this ways of this world. Choose to be transformed by the constant renewing of your mind. When you confirm to the standards and ways of the world, your way with God becomes contorted and distorted. You begin to pervert what God’s Word says and you’ll begin to veer off course. Choose to stay focused on God and steer your family’s ship in God’s direction.

5. Seek Him

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬)

Seek God and He will steer your ship. His Word will guide you and your family for generations to come. Stay focused. Finish your assignment and set the examples for your family now and generations to come.

This article was written by Vance Jackson who serves on the leadership team of Word of Life Christian Ministries in Detroit, MI. Vance is a successful businessman, speaker and writer and leads Bible studies on topics ranging from Marriage to Faith, Family, Business, Stewardship, Emotional Healing and Leadership.

May 27, 2018 0 comments