"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee...Fear not! For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine! Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created [her] for my glory, I have formed [her]; yea, I have made [her]." Isaiah 43:1 and 7 (emphasis added)

Have you ever watched a marathon? The runners usually wear shirts with the name or logo of their sponsor on them. They often dedicate their performance in the race to a charity, or maybe a loved one or friend.

We are all like runners in a marathon. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul wrote, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

The New Living Translation words that verse like this: "Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize."

If our lives are like a race, then God is our Creator, Sustainer, and Trainer. He calls us by His name (Isaiah 43:1). We run wearing His image (Genesis 1:26). We represent Him. The way we run reflects on Him.

What kind of a representative for Christ are you?

Are you a good representative for God in the way you honor your body as His temple?

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Come check out our L.E.A.P.F.R.O.G. Class on Monday nights at 6:30!

Every Second Matters

The video posted above is an AT&T commercial advertising their broadband network. At the end of the commercial, they use the tag line "every second matters."

I love the way the video is split - showing what could have happened in each instance, all depending on the timing of something small.

This video reminds me of two things: First, that every second matters and that we are responsible for the way we use our time. Second, that God works through the little things, every second of the day.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Choices, no matter how small, do matter. Your day-to-day decisions have a way of determining your destiny. The person you are becoming - situation by situation, choice by choice, decision by decision - is the person you will be forever." David Ausberger

Our lives are all hanging on one choice. One decision, one situation, one choice can change your life forever. Just like one second made a difference in the video, it can make a difference in your life.

Thankfully, we don't have to rely on AT&T to orchestrate every second of our lives. The Master of the Universe is in charge of our every second. He decides when to give us open doors. He decides when to give us those choices, decisions and situations that make such a difference in our lives.

That doesn't mean that God is just a puppeteer, sitting up in Heaven pulling our strings. He gave us minds that think and reason. He gave us each our own free will. He gives us the freedom to use our seconds as we please.

"God gave you the gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?" - William Arthur

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:10

Every second matters.

How will you use yours?