The Challenger

Usain Bolt is the worlds fastest man in the 100m dash at 9.69 seconds setting a new World Record. Beating out Richard Thompson (9.89), Walter Dix(9.91), Churandy Martina(9.93), Asafa Powell(9.95), Michael Frater(9.97), Marc Burns(10.01), and Darvis Patton(10.03).

Churandy set a national record for Netherlands Antille. While Thompson, Dix, and Frater set personal best records. Commentators say that if Bolt would of pushed himself through the line he would of smashed the record. Instead Bolt did a show boat finish coasting out the final few feet holding out his arms and beating his chest as he broke the tape. Some say he could of easily beat a 9.6 second run time.

Either way this guy is fast, very fast. If he was to maintain peak performance he would be hard pressed to find anyone that could beat him. The worlds second fastest came in at 9.89 and that .2 is like a mile at the speeds they are running. For a person in competitive sports they need someone to challenge them. They need a rival to square off against. But what if there is no challenger and they have only themselves to face?

For anyone the toughest challenger we face isn't our best friend, our coworker, our family. It's ourselves. Usain Bolt probably now realizes that after he read the morning paper. Now he's older and more worn down from the stress of his running. Chances are pretty good he'll never be able to beat or even match his old record. Had he continued to push, his record would remain untouchable for decades. But like Usain we go every day limiting ourselves to substandard task or mess it all up by showboating to draw a little attention to ourselves.

If we push hard, let no obstacles stand in our way, seek nothing but the satisfaction for a job well done, God will bless us.

This applies to many aspects of a Christians life. We feel the need to talk to someone yet we put a dampener on our self and don't do it. Kindness given to someone in need isn't given because we don't want to get embarrassed. Greed tells us not to help the homeless man who is starving out on the street because I want to super size my meal. Prejudice makes us look away from people of different color with out knowing the strength they hold in Christ. Envy makes us shy away from someone with a nicer house or car because we think we're not good enough to talk to them. And the shame of our sins keeps us stuck in dispare when there is a hand right there reaching out to us.

These are all limitation WE place on OURSELVES. Overcome these limitations by letting Christ be your coach and letting him break the bonds that tie us down. Confess it to God. "God I'm weak and I can't stand against these challenges by myself. I turn it over to you Jesus and I turn over my sins to you. I've been a liar, blasphemer, I've cheated and stole. I know you paid my fine for my sins and I accept that. With your help I will stay away from these sins. I only do so my life will bring honor and glory to you."

There is something you must understand though. A true Christian does not come to God seeking happiness and joy, money or fame. A true Christan seeks nothing but gives everything to God. You will be blessed, good things will happen. It's when you give it to Christ that you will be able to overcome your problems and with that the joy will be sweeter than when you didn't deserve it. The happiness will be everlasting when it wasn't warranted. Yes there will be challenges and it's something you should be seeking out to better yourself and to give glory to God and Jesus Christ. But now you have the Father to lead you on to victory.

If you need assistance please don't hesitate to contact me through the forums on miraclereports.org

God Bless

Rebuilding God's wall

I've been going through some trials with the way several churches are giving up their faith in order to make their church more attractive to people. I was taking a shower this morning before visiting another new church and was thinking about where I should settle my family. Out of the blue Nehemiah popped in my head. I've probably read the book of Nehemiah ten times and it's only now that I am understanding how it applies in what's going on in my life today.

From the book of Nehemiah (minor edits)

I (Nehemiah) questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."

I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart."
I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
The king said to me, "What is it you want?"Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."

Jerusalem laid in ruin and it's unfaithful people had been scattered into exile by God. Nehemiah went before his king with faith in God and asked for permission to rebuild the ruined city.

During this time many challenges came against Nehemiah and his men. Plots were made to murder and plans set in motion to destroy but they couldn't stand against God. In one hand the people carried a sword and in the other they carried supplies. Families worked together both sons and daughters, fathers and mothers. All working together for God with the help of God.

52 days later the wall was all complete with gates and doors. This put a great fear into all those set against Israel. But the job wasn't done yet. Israel renewed their covenant with God and rededicated their lives to him. I would love to stop here.

But as it goes again and again they all fall away. Nehemiah had left for a short time to return to his king and when he returned he found many had already fallen back into old ways. But the good Nehemiah wasn't going to have any of this and rapidly and strongly set them back into place.

I may be getting more out of this that you are. My understanding is there are going to be people coming against you when you try to rebuild God's wall (wall being a metaphor). When you try to put things back into order and make them the way they should be there is going to be opposition. Perhaps some of the opposistion is personal doubts in youself. Maintain faith in God. Pray and give him glory. If you sin, confess it to him and continue on the path because what your doing for God will happen. Long as God's fire is burning in you there is motivation. So break out your hammers and shovels! There's work to be done!

This guy don't have a chance of pushing God's wall down

Perhaps the most touching part of this book is chapter 9 where Israelites called out to God and confessed their sins.

You can read it here.

"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong...

Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them. Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways....

"We will not neglect the house of our God."