How To Get To The Finish Line

 

I posted the above scripture on Google Plus a couple of days ago and I am grateful for the comments that were on there. Some the comments were needing more information about running the race of this life.

Running a race makes a person tired, breathless and the feeling of wanting to quit. We must look at the cause of feeling breathless and tired during a race. Are your clothes too heavy? Do you have on the right shoes? Did you take your eyes off of the finish line?

These same questions can be asked in life. What is causing us to get off track? Why am I sick? Why do I feel sad all the time? Why do I never have enough money? When these things come up the race of life get tough to run. Look around you. Evaluate your life. What is throwing you off track? Some of the questions to ask are you keeping a budget? Are you spending too much time watching television? Are you focused on a goal?

Don't just look around you, look inside of you. Do you have unforgiveness in your heart toward someone or maybe yourself? Do you have a giving heart? Do you have faith? Are you focused on the goal of Jesus?

I know that this post is full of questions but I think it is important evaluate our selves often. I believe that there is improvement after the evaluation because of the ah ha moments when we see ourselves. My own personal story a year ago I was struggling to get promoted on my job. I had to go back and look over my work to see what I could correct. I had an ahha moment on what I was doing wrong. I fixed it and couple of months later I got promoted. I kept my eye on the goal, evaluated myself, learned and reached my goal.

The answer to completing any race in life is in the next verse. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is waiting for you at the finish line. He has water for your thirst. What I am saying is He has all of the answers to your problems, therefore run toward Him.

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Put Your Want To Action

Do you want to get well? Of course you do. Do you want to be made whole? Of course you do. Everyone wants to live life to the fullest. Everyone wants the best life they can possibly receive. Everyone wants to be healthy. The next question is, what are you doing about it?

There is nothing wrong with wanting better but wanting and doing are two totally different things. Put your wants to action. Step out on faith. Sometimes to get better, we have to make that first step. For example, there is nothing wrong with wanting a job promotion but put that want into action. Start by finding a mentor in the position you want to go. Dress for the job, especially if it is a leadership position, this is impressive to upper management. Learn what the job position requires then start doing some of those requirements in the current position.

Let's take this a little deeper. What about emotional stability? You can take the first step to becoming emotionally healed. Whether it be emotional trauma from childhood, divorce, abuse, low self-esteem, etc., you can be emotionally healed. The first step is recognizing what is causing the pain. Where did the emotional start? Unfortunately it might take going back down memory lane to a place that was buried because it was so hurtful. If you want to be healed emotionally, dig it up, fix it by getting understanding then forgive those who hurt you.

Taking the first step for healing is demonstrated in the Bible, The amplified version John 5:6-9 talks about a man who was laying by a healing pool sick. In order to receive his healing all he had to was take the first step by getting into the pool. The man was laying there suffering waiting on someone else to to do it for him.  There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years.

⁶ When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]

⁷ The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.

⁸ Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!

⁹ Instantly the man became well and recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked. But that happened on the Sabbath 

I say to you that whatever it is you are wanting, take the first step. Have faith that God is there leading you the rest of the way. Take that step toward you healing, being whole. Think about it like this, it is better to take the risk of the first step to being made whole then not moving at all then never being made whole.

Be Thankful

The light bulb has finally cut on which is why I am able to write this blog. The things I understand and have been delivered from are what I can teach about to help others understand. This blog is about being thankful.
Giving thanks to God is a preventive measures to keep the enemy from stealing your faith. It kills doubt and unbelief because your heart changes as the praise flows out of your mouth. For example, a person may be fed up with their car. The car could be a decent car but the paint is chipping and it has a lot of miles on it. The person is constantly complaining and ungrateful about the car. They are always talking about how they want a new car but can not afford one and then they start wishing they had a better job because of all the bills that have to paid. The worry get worse so much that this person starts to get depressed and wishing they had a completely different life all together. Then they start making decisions about how they feel and not by what God said. Their focus is not on God but on their situation.
What if the person just continuously praised God for that car? The person was so thankful and so appreciative that the car never got a spot, bird poop or dead bug. They new God blessed them with that car and their situation could be a lot worse. They also know that if God blessed them with this car He can bless them with another one. Since this person is not depressed or ashamed about his car he let his boss ride with him to lunch one day to a company event. The boss complimented the person for the up keep of the car for the type of car it is. The boss told the person about a position opening up to where he would receive a new car that the company would pay half the car note on. The person applied and got the position. Now the thankful person got a promotion and is paying for a new car at half the price. Wow!
When we show God we are grateful the doors of heaven open up. Giving thanks is not just about singing to a praise song and that is it. It is a lifestyle! A good example is giving your best friend a pair of earrings and she is all excited. Now this is your best friend so you two hang out at least once a week. A month goes by and she has not worn them so you ask her about them. She says one broke because she took them off and laid them on the couch where someone sat on them. On the couch? Your heart is broken because those earrings were expensive. You say O.K. but in the back of your mind you are thinking I forgive you but I will never buy you expensive earrings again. Why? because the person did not show you she valued and appreciated them. If the friend had worn the earrings and taken good care of them then the other friend would have blessed her with some more. Wow!
In conclusion, being grateful in everything leads to excellence and prosperity in every area. Ungratefulness leads to misery, worry, confusion and depression. Being grateful leads you to the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Ungratefulness leaves you doing circles in the wilderness for 40 years.

Don't Take The Short Cut

In relationships, you get to know each other as time goes by. Some people spend so much time together they can predict what each other is going to say. They give each other good advice about the future. They promise each other things for the future.
Our relationship with God is the same way. When your relationship with God grows by spending time in prayer and reading His word, He tells us things about our future. Sometimes we may not always know if it is the near future or if it is years from now. Majority of the time God tells a promise before the process to receive the promise begins. He does this so we will stay focused during the process.
It's just like driving to go get a valuable jewel. You know what is at the end of the trip but it is a journey to get there. Using GPS will take you straight to the jewel. Sometimes GPS will give the long route, this is discouraging when we we are in a hurry to get the promise. There are side roads on the map that is a great short cut but for some reason they are not showing up on the GPS. Taking the short cut without it on the map is risky. The road could be closed, a dead end or have a lot of curves. There is a reason why the GPS doesn't show the road.
When God shows you your future, don't take a short cut but stay the course. Taking a short cut in life can put you in bad relationships, bad jobs, bad debt. It can make the journey take longer than it's supposed to.
Let's go back to the short cut. When getting lost while driving you always have to turn around and go back, which makes the trip take longer. The same thing happens in life with the choices we make. Choosing a bad relationship takes time to get over and heal, especially if there are kids involved.

This is why it is so important to have a relationship with God because He will lead and guide you in every direction.

Resistance Training

The hardest part about fitness is the beginning, especially starting resistance training, which is exercising the muscles by using an opposing force. Resistance training is something that many of us avoid. The avoidance happens because we know that after the training, and sometimes during, there is going to be pain. Sometimes we are so focused on the pain that we forget that the result is going to be better than we were before.

Since the only thing we are focused on is the pain, we mumble and grumble through it. Sometimes we don't make it through, but give up then go binge eat. The result of giving up and binge eating is miserable. You fell so heavy and blah.

If a person pushes themselves through resistance training, the end result is great. It is painful but it feels like you can conquer the world because of the natural energy level God has blessed us with.


We ALL go through resistance training in life. However, the difference in all of us is the after. Did we make it through? How did we make it through? Did we push through and stay sore? Or did we make it easy on our selves by leaving a step out? Did we give up and go back?
The result I chose is to push through it because I know I'm going to be stronger after.

Some resistance training I went through was being a single mother of two toddlers
without a job for two months. That was one of the most painful times in my life. I didn't give up, I kept tithing on whatever I received from others. I kept praying and reading my Bible. I didn't go rob a store, become a drug dealer or a stripper. I did think about those things though because I was that desperate. However, I held on to God's word. I stayed connected to my church. I sought help and God provided. My children and I did not go without anything for those two months I went without a job. In those two months is when God spoke to me and showed me some awesome things about my future. He showed me how much strength I have and that I really can do all things through Him who gives me strength. He showed me how much He loves me. I delighted in Him and He came through for me. Because I went through resistance training, I became a better woman, a better mother, I became wiser and I found my purpose.

I encourage you, that whatever resistance training your in to stick it out because you will come out stronger. It might be painful now but you will be better after.

God Is The Source For A New You This New Year

I have been reading about New Year's resolutions and goals that are exciting. It is great that we are going to the new year with change in mind. I hope everyone achieves their goals.

I have achieved many goals in my life and I know that I am going to achieve many more. However, I can't give myself the credit. I know that without God I would not have made it to my goals. When I truly tapped into Him then that is when true change happened in my life. I am excited because I am still changing and growing but I'm doing it with God.

I know He will do the same for you. God is the source for all of our resources but we must receive Him in our lives. The only way to God is to receive Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. He came to the earth not to condemn us but to save us. Jesus is love. He is waiting for us with open arms to help. 

He saved me when I tried to kill myself, He saved me from car accidents, He saved me when I was a sing mother struggling. Most importantly, He save my soul from sin. He forgave me and allows me to be in presence like I never did anything wrong. Being in His presence is important because there I find peace in the mist of storms, I find joy in heartache. I find my identity and purpose in Him.

All we have to do is pray the prayer of salvation whole heartedly. This prayer is not just for those unsaved but for those who have received Jesus but still feel separated from God. You have been living a life of sin and want to start over this New Year. The prayer is: 

"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Praise God for your salvation!

If you have received Jesus but not living a holy lifestyle remember God will receive you back. He is a forgiving God and if you repent, meaning turn from your ways, He will be your source again. You will hear God's voice again. Sin separates us from God but repenting brings us back to Him. 

"Father, I have sinned and I have separated my self from You. Please forgive me for my known sins as well as the sins I don't know I have done. Forgive me and help me to forgive others. I repent and I turn from my ways. I rededicate my life to You therefore please remove anything in me that goes against You. Deliver me from evil and keep me from temptation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Praise God for deliverance! Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy! Thank you God for being our source! Through God all things are possible and through Him we will meet our goals for the New Year. In Jesus' name, Amen! 

Check out the page on this blog Receive God's Love, it will bless you.  http://only1touchoflove.blogspot.com/p/receive.html

Character Building

Suffering in something does not seem like it helps you grow, but it does. How? It shows you what you are made of. For example, a person who is laid off from their job will suffer but in the process of finding sources of income might discover something they really like doing and get paid for it. If the suffering of being laid off their job had not occurred, they would not have discovered what they really enjoy doing. In the process they have learned endurance, patience and increased their creativity.

If you are suffering in something, be encouraged that when the it is over, you will be better.

Home Plate

My son is six years old and he had his first baseball game today. His first time  to bat he hit the ball and stood there with amazement. I think he was shocked he hit the ball because it seemed like he was frozen. The coaches and everyone yelled, "RUN!!!". He took off running so fast that he didn't stop at the bases to see where the ball was. He hit second base and the coach told him to stop but he was determined to make it home. Slowing down was not an option for him. The other team scrambled around with the ball trying to get him out. By the time the opposing team came close to getting him, my son was safe at home.

My son went from plate to plate running through all the chaos, focused on his goal of the home plate. This is the same attitude we should have about life. When there is chaos all around trying to take us out, it is time to focus, and keep running. The Bible says in Philipians 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Keep pressing toward whatever your goal maybe, whether it is spiritual, financial, emotional, or relationships. Keep running toward your home plate. 

Your Purpose is in Your Passion

Look for what you are passionate for and it will lead you to your purpose. I have heard many stories of people who quit their 8 to 5 money making job to start their own business. Even though the job was a stable income people still quit because they were miserable. They wanted something more out of life.

 By no means am I suggesting everyone quit their job but sometimes you have to move backwards, adjust then move forward. They discovered a passion for something and went for it. It might be hard at first but if your passionate about it you will stick with it.

How to know what you are passionate about? Ask yourself, what is the one thing that I can do for free and not get drained from doing? Whatever it is, that is what you are passionate about. For example, if you are the person who can stay in the gym all day, not just working out but also helping people then that is the passion. You can become a personal trainer and maybe start your own fitness business. Because you are passionate about working out, you will become an expertise and be able to have a successful career.

I am a firm believer that God places something in each of us unique. Do not be afraid to persue your passion. Your passion is the key to unlocking your purpose which will lead to a fulfilling, happy life.

How To Get Tired of Regrets

Why did I eat that cheese cake? Why did I not go to the gym yesterday? I should have started reading that book. I wish I went to college. I wish I had not said that. I wish I had not spent that much money.
All of these are things are regrets that are said after making the wrong choice. I used to always wish I had done something the previous day, especially when I was in college. I wished I had read those chapters or I would regret not starting on my homework. This is procrastination, which leads to regret.

Get tired of regretting. Stop putting things off until the last minute. Go ahead and go to the gym. Don't eat the biggest piece of cake. Start the business of your dreams. Think about the consequences of not doing the things you want now.

Before I started writing this blog post I was battling with just laying around and watching television. I was thinking I just want to watch it all day and not do anything. However, I want a successful blog so I can help others. Well the blog is not going to get done by itself. I thought, well I can do it tomorrow but I had to be honest with myself. Tomorrow is Monday, I work full time, have a husband, kids and I workout; I am not going to have time tomorrow. Then I thought, what is the point of putting it off until tomorrow when I have all the time today. If I would have waited until tomorrow to write this post I would have regretted it. I am tired of regret. I want live without regret in my life, starting with the small things. No more regret. I want to say I did it yesterday and today I am moving on to the next, without regret.

Baggy Clothes

Baggy clothes are comfortable. Wearing them hides possible flaws that exist. They give curiosity to the outside about what is really going on. They are hard to get rid of because of the comfort they provide.

Baggy clothes are great but sometimes it is good to step out of the comfort zone. Try something a little more revealing that is not as comfortable. It will be uncomfortable at first but the new fit will eventually become comfortable. When that happens change it up again. Staying in a comfort zone can be hazardous. It will be staying stuck in the same place not knowing something out there is better. It is fear of the unknown.

Nothing better will come, nothing will change.Stepping out of the comfort zone is risky but without taking the risk how is there growth?

Do not be deceived by the comfort zone. Just because it is comfort does not mean that it is good for you. Baggy clothes can be annoying after a while. It is difficult to run fast and sometimes walk in a straight line. Baggy clothes require constant adjusting to make sure the clothes do not fall.You can not move freely in them. A person does not wear baggy clothes to work out in. The workout is not as beneficial because the clothes get in the way even though they are comfortable. Wearing fitted clothing while working out might be tight, maybe a little uncomfortable but the purpose will be fulfilled which is to have a good workout. As you can see, being uncomfortable is not always a bad thing. Being uncomfortable can push you to get to the next level. It will get you the results out of life you are looking. It is not always with the in crowd to be uncomfortable either but being a part of the in crowd all the time will get you no where. Step out of the comfort zone, lose the baggy clothes and go for some fitted ones to get your purpose done.

If Only...

Stop saying "If only" and start doing! 

It is great to make goals and have visions for our life. As a matter of fact it is healthy to have goals and visions so life does not just pass us by. Goals and visions give us a since of purpose. However, it is not good to continue to put off these goals and visions.

So many of us sit around and think "if only" then I could do what I need to do. For example, some people say if only I had a million dollars my life would be so much better or if only I was married. If only I had went to college or if only my kids would act right. If only I could lose 10 pounds. If only, if only, if only, if only....

Do not wait for "if only" to come. Enjoy where you are today and if you do have an "if only" do something about it. I am not saying go out and marry the first person you see if getting married is your "if only" but what I am saying is start taking steps to prepare yourself for marriage. Read books about marriage, get to know married couples to get tips from them and so on. The same thing applies for people who want to lose weight or go back to school, start moving toward those goals today.

Even for someone who wants to be a millionaire. Start making goals, plans and visions then put them to action. Start reading books about money, investing or starting your own business depending on your goal. Set a goal, research, start taking steps to achieve that goal, then endure. Endure the beginning stages, test and trials, do not shrink back. Stay consistent and before you know it that "if only" will become a reality. Stop saying "if only" and start taking action.

Another key thing to achieving your "if only" is do not let anyone talk you out of it. No matter what is going on around you. If family members come to you discouraging your "if only" saying it is not a vision or goal, just turn your head then keep going. If people tell you that is not possible say yes it is and keep going. Some people may stop talking to you because you stand up for your "if only" goals but keep going. Adopt the Energizer Bunny mentality and just keep going, going, going, going...then BAM. Your "if only" finally is in reality. You lost that 10 pounds, you started that business, you graduated from school with honors, and so on.

Don't let anyone stand in your way of the "if only" goal, including yourself. Stop saying "if only" and start taking action.

Successful Women Motivate Successful Women

Today I was out and about running errands when I ran into a very pretty woman. Her make-up, hair and clothes were beautiful. Before when I would see a woman who seemed like she had it all together I would covet then start to feel bad about myself. Now I see myself different. I compliment and sometimes ask for advice like where did they get a nice jacket from. Anyway, back to the woman I saw, I complimented her make-up because I promise it looked like she had it done by a professional. She was so excited and surprised. You would have thought I had given her a million dollars. That compliment made her day, especially to hear it from another beautiful woman, myself.

I told that story to say we as women have got to start lifting each other up. There is so much hate, covetousness, and jealousy going on between women these days. It has got to stop! We are all different and we each have something the other may need. It is time to lift each other up and help.

Now I am not saying we all have to be best friends with everybody but do not feel bad about yourself when you see someone with better stuff. We don't know what they went through to get the nice stuff. Plus, they still might be going through something even with the nice stuff. When I say stuff I mean anything from man to nice jewelry.

What if I had hated on that lady and not opened my mouth? Her spirits would not have been lifted and her day would probably have gotten worse. I helped boost someones confidence instead of tear it down by hating on her. I also boosted my confidence by opening my mouth to say something and it felt good to help someone else feel better.

Remember that lifting each other up and treating each other kindly is a good way to receive the same thing. We should treat each other the way we want to be treated.

A Precious Jewel

As women we have to learn to see ourselves how God sees us, not how man does. Many men look at women as a piece of meat. It is happening more and more as the world draws away from God. A woman's sexuality is everywhere but we are more then that. We carry the heart of God. We love more then men and we desire love. I am not talking about the wham-bam thank you love, but we give and desire eternity, the agape love. Women that is another thing that the world is trying to take from us, our heart. Guard your heart. Value yourself and other women.

How valuable are you women? Do you think you are not worth anything? If you do it is a lie. God values you so much therefore we should value ourselves and each other.
Think of yourself as a precious jewel worth more then you can imagine. You would not let any body touch it, throw it against the wall, or cover it with food. You keep this jewel in a lock box and where it for that occasion. You watch over this jewel day and night. The jewel is so bright that it lights up a pitch black room.
Now if we can take care of a jewel like this why we can we not take care of ourselves? We are far more valuable then the jewel in God's eyes.
When I say value other women it is time for us to look out for each other. I hear so many women say they can not be friends with women because they are back stabbers. We need to cut that out. Our children are dying and we need each other now more then ever. We have to be strong together and encourage each other, not hate. Do not be envious of anything another woman has whether it is a man, children, clothes, car whatever it is do not envy. We do not know what that woman had to go through to get what she has and just because she seems to have the perfect life does not mean that it is in some cases. If it is the woman who has it all together then we should honor her and have her be a mentor instead of slandering her. This woman can help get you to where you need to go in your life.
Last but definitely not least. If you do not value yourself and want to or if you desire the agape love, accept Jesus into your life. Yes, I am asking you to become a Christian. I am a witness to God's love. It has kept me through some trying times in my life and it is still keeping me. I know that I have someone guiding me for the rest. Now in order to receive Jesus in your heart, do what Romans 10:9-10 says, " And if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him (Jesus) from the dead then you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Praise God.