RunningTheRace ✞

Father, Thank You that You have set President Trump apart for Your purposes, to help Your people, & this Country! Thank You for laying out the path he walks each day, for protecting him, giving him Your counsel, & for causing ungodly counsel to be removed from him in Jesus Name!

He Watches Me! The LORD sees you! He knows exactly where you are, what you need, and your every concern, and fear! You are never out of His sight, beloved! Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. There’s a beautiful song that portrays His watch care over His children! Let’s read the lyrics! His Eye Is On The Sparrow! Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender Word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, From care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. Beloved, are you troubled today? Will you bring your cares to Him and leave them with Him? Will you hear His Word to you — Let not your heart be troubled! Trust Me, My child! If you will — He promises to give you His peace! John 14:1,27 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. He is watching over all that concerns you! Just like a baby bird is not out of the sight of His father, though it may appear it’s been left alone! He is close by watching to protect, and to provide for his needs! I’ve told this story before, but it illustrates the message today so beautifully, I hope you won’t mind hearing a part of it again! I had been reading my Bible and praying in our back yard when I noticed a mother and father bird letting their babies down in our backyard, preparing them to leave the nest. One baby bird was in front of our shed and the other was right up against the back fence. They just sat there, hardly moving — They seemed to be asleep! Every once in a while the daddy would swoop down to check on them, pecking on them, and fussing over them! He would then fly back up, either right up on the fence or in the tree above the fence. They were never out of his sight! While I observed this these words came to me. Be still — Rest peacefully and quietly before Me. I am watching over you to care for all that concerns you. Are you not more precious to Me than the sparrows! My eyes are upon you to provide according to what you need at any given moment. I do not sleep, so don’t worry that I will forget you and neglect to provide. I see all, and I know all! Beloved, knowing this is true of your Heavenly Father, leave your cares in His hands, and go in thankfulness and peace! Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me! #EyesOnHim

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Deuteronomy 31:18 And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Beloved, let us remember to turn back and thank the LORD for the blessings He has given to us! Let us also pray that we will remain steadfast in Him — to the end — and not turn back, or turn away to other gods, or set up idols in our hearts and lives! Let us abide in Him! 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. Then we will inherit eternal life! 1 John 2:24-25 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. Father, forgive us for being unthankful and ungrateful! You have given us so much! Thank You, LORD! Forgive us for turning back from walking with You at times in our lives! For becoming so busy doing our own things that we neglect You and Your Word! Forgive us for caring more about what man thinks of us, than we do about what You think of us, and for making idols of men! Thank You, LORD for Your mercy and forgiveness, in Jesus Name! #EyesOnHim

Will You Turn Back? Let’s look first at the story of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus! Luke 17:12-19 And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. Are we like the nine lepers healed by Jesus in this story? Have we forgotten to turn back and thank the LORD for what He has done for us? Sometimes we get so busy with life we forget to be thankful — We forget to turn back and give Him the glory He is due! Now, let’s look at the men who followed Jesus! Many walked with Jesus and believed He was Who He said He was — the Son of God! They witnessed His love; His miracles, and His power — yet when He began to teach things that they didn’t understand, or that were hard to hear — they turned back from following Him! Here are the Words that Jesus spoke that caused many to no longer walk with Him! John 6:38-39,51,66 For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will Which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [51] I am the Living Bread Which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. [66] From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Do we turn back from following the LORD when we hear something that is too difficult to hear or understand? Do we only follow Him and walk in obedience to Him when His Words are pleasing to our flesh? Many turn back from following Him because — they love the praise of man — more than they love His praise! They don’t want the leaders to shun them! John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. I think about my own life, how I have tried my best to be an example to others and point them to the LORD, but when I speak things that others don’t understand, or that are difficult for them to hear or accept, they have turned away from me. I know how difficult and hurtful this can be! But what I have endured in no way can compare to what Jesus has endured, and what our Father endures daily! In Jesus’ darkest hour all of His disciples fled! We focus on His being betrayed by Judas, but even Peter denied Him, not once but three times! Read the passage below! It says — They all forsook Him, and fled! Mark 14:48-50 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook Him, and fled. Luke 22:57-62 And he denied Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with Him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the LORD turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the Word of the LORD, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice.

Father, We ask that You continue placing a hedge of protection around President Trump and his family! Surround him with Your favor and uphold him with Your strength for each day! Draw him close to You and fill him with Your Spirit in Jesus Name!

Retribution Belongs To The LORD! The LORD is our Defender, our Shield, our Protector — He will repay our enemies! To Him belongs retribution! Who has harmed us? Who has secretly devised a plan against us, and carried it out? The LORD knows — He is our Protector! He sees all, and He knows all! Psalm 3:1-8 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Beloved, David wrote this Psalm to the LORD while being pursued by his enemies! And this wasn’t just any enemy, in this case it was his beloved son, Absalom, and the men who conspired with him against the King, his own father! 2 Samuel 15:12-14 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. Sometimes our enemies will turn out to be those closest to us! Matthew 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Absalom’s sin and rebellion against the LORD, and his father, led to his death! It all began because Absalom took matters into his own hands and sought retribution for a sin against someone he loved! His was a spiral downward! He first fled from his father for three years, then his sin turned into rebellion, his rebellion led to pride, and all of this finally led to his death! Beloved, when we take matters into our own hands it will never end well for us! The Word says it is God who repays! Retribution and revenge belong to Him! Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the LORD. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Absalom’s death though deserved — grieved the heart of his father! We should not rejoice when our enemies fall either beloved! If the LORD takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, we shouldn’t either! Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Absalom’s death! 2 Samuel 18:9-10 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

David’s grieves Absalom’s death! 2 Samuel 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! Sin leads us down a tragic path! It may feel good to our flesh to take matters into our own hands, or to fulfill the desires of our flesh, but it leads to death! Don’t let Satan deceive you, it’s not worth it! Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by obeying His Word! LORD, help us to leave it to You to defend us! Let us not take what belongs to You and seek to repay those who have wronged us! Help us to submit to Your Word and leave our enemies to You! Help us to love our enemies, bless, and do good to them according to Your Word, in Jesus Name! #EyesOnHim

Father, Nothing is hidden from You! You see the schemes of man and You laugh at their attempts to stop your purposes through President Trump! You have called and prepared him for Your purposes for this hour! Thank You that nothing can stop Your plan, or harm him in Jesus Name!

He’s Right Beside You! Do you feel alone? Do you feel like you can’t talk to the LORD, and He can’t hear you? Beloved, Faith in God cannot be based on our feelings! We must believe God’s Word, and act upon His Word — even in times we have no feelings! His Word is Truth! He is doing, and He will do just what His Word tells us! That is an absolute truth that we can be assured of! I’ve relayed this story before, but I’m reminded of it today! I hope it will encourage you that your Father is always by your side! Abba, is the most intimate form of God’s Name, showing us His character as a loving Dad! I never remember having a Dad in my life, not even someone who stepped in to take that role! This caused me to struggle with how I viewed my Father in heaven! I don’t remember my Dad ever holding me or showing me love, in fact I have very few good memories of him! Because of this I felt a void in my life, that can only be described as a hole in my heart. One night as an adult I had a dream. In the dream I saw an old video of my Dad holding me and loving on me. I was about two or so years old in the dream. My Dad was teasing playfully with me, then he said, you’re so pretty! I love you! I burst out crying in my dream when I saw the video! Then I replayed it and burst out crying again!   I now believe that God gave me a dream of something that really happened. Something that I had no memory of! Something He knew I needed! Yet, I still wondered about my Dad since I had no memory of this. A year later I was looking through old photos for a picture. I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I found something He wanted me to see! All my life in the few photos we had of me as a child, I thought my oldest brother was holding me. But, as I looked at them that day, I saw something I’d never noticed. It was my Dad holding me in one photo, and he was holding my hand in the other! It was as if my eyes were opened to see this for the very first time! It made me cry! Could these photos be from the same day as the nonexistent video the LORD showed me? As I thought about this, the LORD reminded me how many times we feel as if He isn’t with us. Do You not know what I’m going through, LORD, my struggles, my needs? Do You not love me? We don’t realize that He is with us! He is holding us, holding our hand, and loving on us! We don’t see it because we are focusing on the wrong things, or so overcome by our feelings, we are blinded! He says He will never leave us or forsake us! So, we know, He is always with us! Beloved, are you feeling like this today — That your Father is so far away, and doesn’t hear you, or see you? He does care — He does see! He is holding you, holding your hand, even when your feeling’s say otherwise! Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. He is right beside you! #EyesOnHim

Father, President Trump is in Your care, hidden under the shelter of Your wings! Though his enemies seeks to destroy him, they will not prevail for You are watching over him to stop every plan they devise! You will bring an end to their evil devices in Jesus Name!