Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Galatians 5:7-8
“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.”
Galatians 5:9
“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
1 Corinthians 5:6
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”
Quiet the Noise and Continue the Race
Continue the race doing what God called you to do; it may feel overwhelming at times, but thank God for the gift of peace, rest, prayer, God’s promises, and the Holy Spirit’s intercession. Just ask the Lord to lead you and guide you, seek the Lord first, ask for help with obedience to do what he told you, love him and others in all things, and ask for discernment to test all things. There’s a season and time for everything, let yourself rest in the in-between, and if you struggle with this, ask for help to receive his peace and rest. The Lord is always with us. There is never a time when we have to do it alone. However, don’t let anyone hinder your race, don’t let any leaven, poison the whole batch. This pertains to sin as we “die” to our flesh, but have to learn that we are in the world, not of the world, and false truth is rampant everywhere, false teaching is common everywhere, don’t lose focus, don’t be easily persuaded, but test all things! God doesn’t have 7 spirits for no reason, and 3 of them are wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Ask, and you shall receive if you believe (Matthew 7:7, Mark 11:4). The world is noisy, and the times that it’s quiet and slowed down, learn to appreciate it; don’t mistake peace for boring. Hold fast to the Lord’s promise, and study His word.
Time in the secret place isn’t to be compromised or procrastinated; you will feel overwhelmed and burnt out if you don’t make this time.
He is the Living Water, the Bread of life; those who eat the bread and drink are the ones living. Eucharist (communion) isn’t just a symbol; these are gifts and tools for life given for a reason because His ways and thoughts are higher, we are human and programmed to be, and we can only do what God has destined us to do. When we step outside His will, distractions, burnout, overwhelm, warfare, chaos, and confusion come, but to be equipped with His word, warfare is still evident; it may still come, but we will have tools to run the race well. This life isn’t easy, but take heart, be strong, and take heart and wait on the Lord. The Lord loves you more than anything you can fathom, make disciples, and testify of the good news with faith and love.
Let us pray,
Thank you, Lord, for your Spirit of Revelation, which brings wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. As you said in James 1:5, whoever asks for wisdom, you will give it. We ask for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit, to receive Joel 2:28-31 and guide us in the task at hand. There is a time and a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1), so grant us patience, persistence, a hunger for your word, your character, and the obedience to carry out the plans you have for us. God bless the work of our hands, establish our ways for your kingdom come, your will and glory be done on Earth, in our lives, those around us, as it is done in heaven! Keep our eyes, ears, and hearts fixed on you, the bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). Grant us discernment in the noise of the world, and test all things, and the self-control to refrain from distractions that don’t serve you, Lord. Let no leaven, no poison in our paths hinder the race you set before us, equip us, bless us, and protect us. Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy, grace, and love, and help us never lose focus on who we are doing this for, you, our Savior, our Lord. We love you. Keep the fear and reverence of the Lord always in our hearts. In Jesus matchless name, Amen.