Crossfit Murphy

Do you realize how fast the days go by?  May is almost over already.  Before you know it will be July 4th. Aren’t you glad we worship a God that is not bound by time.  How do we spend our time.  Is it focused on eternal blessings or temporal?  Do we help others or help ourselves?  Time may be fly by but one day there will be no more time constraints.  While we are on this earth spend each day to the best of your ability.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Today marks a day in my heart that I would like to share with those of you that read our WOD with God.  I give God the glory for all that He has done in my life.  There has been good and bad and one of the hardest things is to rejoice in both.  That comes with the more we grow spiritually in understanding our Heavenly Father.  Which there is still a lot more for me to learn.  

Twenty-three years ago on this day, my father went home to be with the Lord.  He lost his battle to lung cancer that he fought hard for seven months.  Despite losing his hair, weight and having constant treatments of radiation and chemotherapy he was at the most peace in his life.  He gave his life to the Lord not long before he was diagnosed with cancer.  He died at age 42.  

Today is bitter sweet because I miss him terribly but I know he is heaven.  His testimony was so powerful to everyone who knew him.  He was so humbled that God would forgive him of His sins.  He had many accomplishments in life.  One of the things he said when he gave his testimony,  was he had so many trophys over the years from all the different sporting events he competed in.  But nothing would compare to the gift of salvation.  He wanted to share the truth with everyone because the word of God was alive to Him.  He wasn’t scared to die because he would say, “I am a winner either way!  If I live iI get to stay home and be with my babies and my wife or if I die, I get to go to heaven and be with the Lord.”  Today I rejoice because I know my Redeemer lives and my daddy lives with him!  As Christians we should live as if today were our last day on this earth.  What would you want people to remember about you?  

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 5:8-9

Anger is an emotion we all experience.  We could be angry at ourselves or someone else.  If we allow the minor frustrations of everyday life to overtake our emotions, we can harm not only yourself but a loved one.  If we start out our day and pray for protection of our heart, mind and our speech we are less likely to do or say something we would regret.  Words can cut deep, so guard yourself with the sword of the Spirit against anger. 

When something robs you of your peace of mind, ask yourself if it is worth the energy you are expending on it.  If not, then put it out of your mind in act of discipline.  Every time the thought of “it” returns, refuse it.  ~  Kay Arthur 

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 

Have you ever heard the “self-made”?  Often it may used when someone is referring to a person who came from nothing and built a fortune for themselves.  There is nothing wrong with someone who works hard and makes a good living.  But, what about our spiritual life?  Spritual speaking we all came from nothing, until we accepted Christ in our hearts and became one of His children.   Is it anything we did to earn us a second chance?  Salvation came to us by Jesus Christ.  We are God-made and Christ saved!  We cannot boast about anything we have done because God deserves all the credit. 

Pride leads only to shame; it is wise to be humble.  Proverbs 11:2

Have you ever seen the movie, Earth.  There is a new one out called Oceans.  Both created by Disney.  I always watch in amazement and wonder how do they film this.  They reflect how glorious God’s creation is.  If you have children, it is a great opportunity to teach them how God created all things.  Of course, be ready for some questions that are sometimes hard to answer.  We always underestimate children’s minds.  Remember as adults, we are to have a childlike faith.  We allow all the factors of life to weigh in when we are trying to figure things out.  Just believe in Him, it is that simple.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mark 10:13-15

Amazing Grace is my favorite hymn.  You hear it alot at funerals.  It is beautiful when someone plays the bag pipes.  When my father died, I can remember trying to get the words out but I couldn’t sing.  The words bring comfort to a broken heart.  What is grace?  To me grace is when you feel like you can’t go on and the arms of the Lord scoop you up and tell you it is going to be ok.  Why?  Because He died for us on the cross.  His precious blood was shed for you and for me.  So, even in our most troubling times we can remember that we are victors in Christ.  Grace is an amazing thing that only the Lord can give.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you ever feel let down?  Maybe someone you love and trust does something that really hurt you.  Maybe a family member, friend or co-worker.  What do we do when find ourselves in a situation where we feel like we can’t trust anybody.  The truth is we can’t trust anybody but God.  He is the only one who won’t let you down.   Our happiness and peace has to come from him.  If we let our peace be ruled by people, money, or anything else of this world we will constantly be let down.  Fix your eyes on Jesus and you will never be down.  We will be set free from the disappointments of life when we our focus is on what really matters.  That is our relationship with our Heavenly Father. 
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

Have you ever been in a situation and something didn’t seem right?  Maybe it was the environment, the people you were with.  We have an inner voice that is guided by the Holy Spirit when we stay close to Him.  Sometimes when we stray and don’t stay close to God, we can lose our discernment.  That is when we make mistakes or can become deceived by someone or something and not realize it.  Rule of thumb, stay close to God and pray for discernment everyday.

My son, if sinful men entice you, 
do not give in to them.
Proverbs 1:10

How do you feel?  Are you tired, discouraged, excited or fearful?  Regardless of our emotions, God never changes.  We all have challenges in our life.  Some are extreme and some are very small.  We never know what the day may have in store for us.  In  whatever condition we find our self, remember God is faithful and His love is eternal. 

I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.~C.H Spurgeon

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.  Psalm 16:8

Do you wake up and ask yourself, what if today was my last day on earth?  Death scares alot of people.  As Christians, death is the beginning of eternal life.  We have all lost people to us some expectantly, some unexpected.  Grief is very painful and without the Lord’s help, do we ever get past the pain.  We miss their presence and long to see their face.  That is why it is so important we share the word of God with others.  The truth sets us free and brings us life, eternal life.  Read what God has in store for those who beleive.

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain