Running Anyone?

Have you ever run a race? Think of the way running feels. I imagine this conjures up a variety of images and feelings. On one hand running is exhilarating, exciting, freeing, dare I say fun? On the other hand its hard work, dirty and tiring. 

We run for all sorts of reasons. We run for sport, exercise, speed, to get somewhere fast, and even to get away. Regardless of why we run we usually have a purpose and a goal in running.

There are several references to running the race in the New Testament. Most of us are probably familiar with the concept of running the race as a comparison to Christian living. I've always liked this analogy because as a cross country runner in high school, it's such a clear depiction of the Christian life for me. Preparation for a race takes daily effort, perseverance and endurance. Our faith walk could also be called an endurance run. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

When I read these verse I'm reminded of my cross country training; daily running 5 to 7 miles, calisthenic exercises and lifting weights to strengthen muscles to prepare for our weekly races. I'm reminded of the importance of hydrating all day long before practice and races, of stretching before and after running, of warm ups and cool downs. I'm reminded of being part of a team that rooted for and encouraged each other. I'm reminded of the sense of triumph and accomplishment at crossing the finishing line. I'm reminded of the pride in knowing you ran a good race and finished strong.

Our Christian life walk is so similar to this. It takes daily practice and perseverance. Running is hard. Even for a seasoned runner it can be work. But when we work at it daily by being in the Word and spending time in prayer we develop, tone and strengthen our muscles and that makes us and our run stronger. We are a part of a team of believers and the fellowship and encouragement of our teammates is vital to our run as well. We have a finish line to cross and a finish line to encourage others to cross.

My encouragement to you today is to run a good race with Jesus as your focus and an eternal goal set before you.

God's blessings upon you.

Opposite Way

Many, many times in the Gospels it shows Jesus talking with, healing, eating with, and basically hanging out with “sinners.” His compassion and heart for them to be saved is amazing.

He took time to talk to a Samaritan woman, even though he was weary from his journey, and despite the fact that it was unacceptable culturally for Him to talk to her. And through it, He changed her life and many others. (John 4:5-42)

He called fishermen (who were probably pretty smelly) and tax collectors (who were hated by others) to be His disciples. But wouldn’t that affect His ministry with everyone else, who probably couldn’t stand to be around them, and influencing their view of Jesus negatively?

Jesus went the opposite way of the world. Not only when He was feeling good or joyful, but in times of struggle, pain, and heart-wrenching moments. He thought of the thief on the cross, he thought of you and me when being scourged.

Jesus had a bigger picture in mind, and had Someone greater that He was living for.

Matthew 9:12-13 says “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Maybe today we need to sit down and learn what it means when Jesus says He desires compassion, not sacrifice. I know I do.

Grounded

Grounded. This word conjures up many images in my mind. Including one where I am sitting at home on a Friday night during high school because I have been “grounded” for disobeying my parents. This is not the type of grounding that we are talking about here as the theme for this new website and college ministry. The grounding that we are talking about is being grounded in the love of God and in His Word, the Bible. Our prayer for you comes from Ephesians 3:17-19. They say, “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and GROUNDED in LOVE, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the LOVE of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” May this grounding cause us to serve the Lord with both joy and gladness.

Many of you, I am assuming, have grown up in a Christian home and have been grounded in the Word of God. You know that He loves you and now think that everything is great. You are off in college and doing the things that you have always wanted to do. You are involved in extra-curricular activities, taking classes you enjoy, and hanging out with people of the opposite sex. Woohoo! Big whoop, if it means that you have walked away from your grounding in God’s Word and the love of God and your faith and confidence in Him, then something is wrong. Those activities mean nothing if they are causing you to sin and you have strayed from God. Come back to that grounding. That faith that was given to you by God. Come back to it. Turn from your wicked ways and come back to Christ and seek Him first again.

There are those of you though who have not turned away from Christ and are still seeking Him. Many are like Timothy who have been given a gift and are struggling with timidity and fear. You’re not quite sure how to go about doing what God has called you to do. My encouragement to you comes from II Timothy 2:5-7. They say, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and you mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well (sounds like a good AFLC family). For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” Fear has become your guide and you have forgotten what God has given to you. This is Paul speaking to Timothy, his young apprentice in the faith, who has become like a son to him. These verses have been an encouragement to me and I know that they can be to you as well. Do not think that God cannot use you because you are young. Paul also encourages Timothy to not let anyone look down on Him because he is young. He had been given a gift and a responsibility to use that gift by God and no one but God ought to tell him when to quit doing what he had been called to do. Again Paul encourages Timothy to “continue in the things you have learned and been convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” I think that many Christians struggle in their and faith, wondering what God has called them to do and what gifts He has given to them. If that is the case for you then begin to seek God about this and get involved when and where He gives you the opportunity. Growth often comes through much trial and error; so if you can’t find your place quickly do not lose heart because He must have some work to do in you as He guides you to the place He wants you to go. We cannot live our lives in fear, for fear gives Satan an opportunity to come and place doubts and disappointment in our lives causing us to live in an ineffective manner. Be confident in Christ and the Word which he has given to you. You have been given a gift by growing up
grounded in the Christian faith and in God’s Word to us. Do not be afraid to go forth and do the things that God has called you to do. This is a quote that has encouraged me time and time again in the past couple of years and I pray it will encourage you as well. I am not sure where it came from but I think that I read it in a book somewhere.

"We must never underestimate the potential of youth. Throughout history God has called young men and women to rise up and change their world through the power of the Gospel."

Go forth and serve God with everything that you have, guided by the Holy Spirit; grounded in the love of God, knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

by Justin Kantonen
originally posted January 2008

Bible Study - Romans 8:28-29

Read Romans 8:28-29


1. Do you think that it is common for people to misunderstand Romans 8:28?

What do you think some common misunderstandings are?

2. Are there any recent experiences in your life that are making you wonder or question how God is going to be able to use them in your life?

What are they?

3. What do you think that verse 28 actually means when it says, “all things work together for good?”

4. What does verse 29 say that it means?

5. Oftentimes people assume from this verse that God is simply going to take their circumstances and make them better than what they are currently going through. That is not what the Scripture is saying here. God is much more interested in seeing us become more and more conformed into the image of Jesus. That is what Paul means when He say that God can use all these things for our good. It is definitely for our good to be conformed into the image of Jesus.

Does hearing that make you angry with God; or can you be satisfied knowing that your circumstances may not change, but you are becoming more and more like Christ?

6. Looking back, what are some ways that you can see how God has changed and molded you?

What are some ways that you think He might be trying to change you even now? Are you resisting that change?

If so, flee to the feet of Jesus and seek His forgiveness; that His work might continue to bear fruit in your life.

7. If you are not a follower of Christ and do not love Him, do not assume that these verses are for you. They are a promise to those who love God. For those of you who do love God, be excited. Know that God is working in your life to conform you more and more into the image of Jesus. How exciting is that? Very, if you ask me.

by Justin Kantonen

originally posted January 2009

Bible Study - Blessed

Read Psalm 1

1) What does the word “blessed” mean?

2) Who does it say is the man that it blessed?

3) What does “walk in the counsel of the wicked” mean?

i) Is there any aspect of your life in which you are walking in the counsel of the wicked?

4) What does it mean to “stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers?”

i) Is there any way in your life in which you are doing those things?

5) What is the law of the Lord?

i) How do we delight in it?

6) Have you been meditating on God’s law? If not then what is it that you have been meditating on? There has to be something that you are thinking about right? Really take some time and think this one through. It is imprtant to know what you are meditating on? Is it video games, your boyfriend/girlfriend, how you are going to make tons friends at school, how you are going to get through school? What is it?

7) What does verse 3 say that the one who meditates on the law of the Lord is like?

8) What do verses 4 and 5 say that the wicked are like?

9) What does the Lord do over the way of the righteous and what will happen to the way of the wicked?

10) What way are you on and how is it that you determine what way you are on?
 
 
by Justin Kantonen
originally posted October 2008

Bible Study - Reconciled for Reconciliation

“Do we really get it?”

Read I Corinthians 5:17-21

1. Look back and see what the “therefore” in v. 17 is there for.

2. From where did all that we have now been given/become come from and what is it that we have become?

3. Through whom did God reconcile us?

4. What does the word “reconcile” mean?

5. What has, as Christians, become our ministry?

6. Why are we ambassadors for Christ?

7. In Christ what do we become?

8. The last and final question of the day is this: “Are you doing the work of reconciliation that God has called you to do and if you are not what needs to change in your life in order to make it so?”


by Justin Kantonen
originally posted June 2008

Speak Out - Practice

After growing up in a Christian home, and learning about Jesus for 22 years, why do I still feel insufficient for God’s work? Inadequate? Not smart enough? After finishing Bible School, I thought I’d have my life together, have seen God do awesome things with my life, and be bringing people to Christ left and right (and yes, God did do many amazing things while I was at Bible School, more than I had imagined or even thought
possible). But,

ONE YEAR LATER… I haven’t fallen away from God or ruined my life. I haven’t stopped doing my devotions or praying, but I still feel like I don’t know enough about my faith and that I’m too much of a hypocrite to be “out there” affecting people. I think this is one way that Satan can and has been discouraging us (or at least me). Our struggle (my struggle) is not against flesh and blood. There is a spiritual battle going on, more than we realize, so much more than we realize! The Bible mentions it more than
just in Ephesians 6 and it is shown so often in the Bible! Many people in the Bible had spiritual battles: Adam and Eve, David, Solomon, the disciples, even Jesus had to fight against the powers of darkness.

NOW… “IT’S TIME.” It’s time for me to trust Him, completely. God has laid it on my heart to stop being a wimp. I’ve got my foundation now, and it’s time to start applying. Even if I don’t do it right or am clumsy at it, I don’t have to know everything before I can start applying it. I am not God, and therefore I will never be done learning. It’s a constant process, and we can never stop growing closer to Christ. I will make mistakes sometimes, but I will never grow and see new things if I’m not trying out what I’ve learned. Sometimes we can “know” what God has taught us, but it doesn’t really sink in and really affect us until we test it out or God allows us to be tested. God doesn’t want to just tell us the answer. So many times He wants to show us too, if only we (I) would let him!

I have been studying the Bible with just the intention of learning, but there is so much more to it! After all, the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). And God’s word, which goes forth from His mouth, does not return to Him empty, without accomplishing what He desires (Isaiah 55). How cool is that? Why am I afraid again? God’s word is so powerful. It’s not just a learning tool—it has so much more to offer! I have not been taking advantage of what God has available to me.

Don’t get me wrong, learning is not a bad thing. But God has been telling me to get up and start using what He’s been teaching me. I need to practice… yes, practice. I haven’t been practicing very much. Practicing usually means doing something and more than once, with the very real possibility of messing up. I need to practice what I have been learning, and trust God that He will use it for good as He promises in Romans 8. Even if I mess up!

And if I do need help, or encouragement, if I get somewhere and don’t know what to say or do, well… hello! That’s what God is there for!

There is so much to learn and God has changed my life and done some amazing things. I have not been disappointed in God at all. I will never stop learning, but God wants me to do more than learn. He wants me to practice. He wants me to apply. He wants me to do. It’s time for me to walk the walk in my heart as well as in my actions. Now, that is a lot easier said than done, but bring it on because God is my helper, my joy,
and my strength. He’s also my teammate, my partner, my friend, and my Savior. And this is going to be a grand adventure!

NT
originally posted July 2008