Stay the Course Part Deux

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Pastor Josh Robinson, a staff colleague at AHOP, shared a little talk yesterday, “Stay the Course”

It made me think of Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to do the same.

2 Timothy 4:5

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

In other words, "STAY THE COURSE"!

Over the course of his ministry, Paul became keenly aware of the importance of “staying the course”; of perseverance and of resolve. We need to take heed from both he and Josh today and ask ourselves...

...do we know the how to stay the course?

Simple answer.

Keep looking to Jesus.

Paul had a handle on this...

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.

WE ALL have a long way to go don't we?

We are going to face obstacles, challenges and roadblocks along the way. That is just the nature of life. And yes we are ALL far from perfect, but we can be confident that GOD’s Word, our relationship with Him and an intentional resolve to “stay on course” will serve to “KEEP us on course” to the finish!

As Josh said yesterday it takes discipline and hard work. It takes picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and starting over when we blow it. It takes being willing to stay on course even when we are literally pulled off the track!

Hebrews 12:1-2

Let us put every thing out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us. 2 Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.

So let’s keep short accounts with God. Confess our sins quickly. Get back on the track as soon as possible each time we slip!

Proverbs 24:16

…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again,

Remember the goal isn't to focus on the path or to try and find our way; instead, we're to fix our eyes on Jesus. He is not only our guide but also our destination. And He will welcome us home with open arms after we have STAYED THE COURSE and crossed into eternity.

Thanks Josh!

Thanks Jesus!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney