Stay in the Race

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, NAS).

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The first few steps felt easy, and my way was clear and bright.
I felt strong and energetic and my pace was quick and light.
Hesitation or fear? There was not a single trace
When I boldly decided to enter in this race.

I don’t know how much longer for I can’t really see the end;
Just another hill to climb around each and every bend!
I anxiously lift my eyes, and begin to plead my case.
An unexpected answer comes: “Just stay in the race.”

Discouragement sets in when I stumble and I fall.
I had been doing so well, but now all I can do is crawl.
Angry and ashamed; bitter tears stream across my face.
Then comes a gentle whisper: “Just stay in the race.”

The hills seem impossible and the pathway far too rough.
I am exhausted and weary and convinced I’ve had enough.
Now more than ever I need my Father’s grace.
Other runners pass me by, and I know I cannot win.

And this is what He tells me: “Just stay in the race.”
I want to give up…just stop and sit, and throw the towel in.
But then I remember it is not about the finishing place.
What really matters most is that I just stay in the race.

I look up and see before me a fellow runner’s hand.
He has sacrificed his time to stop and help me stand!
I press on with renewed and steadfast pace,
Faithfully determined to just stay in the race!

This way is rough and narrow and there are no guarantees.
For God never promised a course of rich and pleasant ease.
But even when I feel I’m lost without a trace,
God will guide me back, as long as I just stay in the race.

For this He promises them who proceed faithfully:
Joy and rest, to be loved and blessed for all eternity.
So carry on until you feel God’s almighty embrace,
And hear him say, “Well done; you have finished your race!”

Sr. Loni Boyd

Stay in the Race

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Wait, O Thou Weary One, A Little Longer

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WAIT, O thou weary one, a little longer,
A few more years – it may be only days;
Thy patient waiting makes thee all the stronger;
Eternity will balance all delays.

Wait, O thou suffering one, thy days of sorrow
Bring to thy weary soul its richest gain;
If thou a Christian art, a brighter morrow
Will give thee ten-fold joy for all thy pain.

Wait, O thou anxious one; the cloud that hovers
In gathering gloom above thine aching head
Is sent of God in mercy, and He covers
Thee with His heavenly mantle overspread.

Be patient and submissive; each disaster
Will bring thee nearer to thy loving Lord.
These trials make thee like thy blessed Master,
Who knows them all, and will His grace afford.

Be patient and submissive; strength is given
For every step along the weary way.
And for it all thou’lt render praise to Heaven,
When dreary night gives place to perfect day.

Yes, perfect day, the day of God eternal,
When not a shadow shall flit o’er the scene
In that fair land where all is bright and vernal,
And we will be with Christ, and naught between.

Wait, then, dear heart; control thy sad emotion;
God will subdue each angry wind and wave,
And when the voyage ends across life’s ocean,
Within the haven of sweet rest will save.

From “Poems of Dawn”

The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/12/01/stay-in-the-race/

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Great Gain(s)

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A test of patient cheerful endurance
In faith currently still remains,
For the last feet members of the Church,
That will prove great gains.

These do experience ridicule
And rejection both from those near and far,
As the Gospel message they proclaim,
Even on their guitar.

Having no fleshly interests,
Just a desire to heed God’s will,
Their consciences are in tune with God’s voice,
As in their Father’s presence they remain still.

As they adhere to the Divine Words of Jehovah,
Leaning on Jesus as their rock,
They watch and pray and help others understand Divine Scriptures,
Like shepherds of a flock.

With heart and minds that desire
To know what is best,
What is purest and most righteous,
To be perfect like Christ—this is their quest.

Sacrificing every earthly and fleshly interest
Is a pleasure to do,
For it means a share in the sin offering through grace,
A privilege for only but a few.

When soon all 144,000 Bride members
Are beyond the Vail,
They shall begin their roles as the heavenly judges and kings—
WHY? Because they did not fail!

These win the prize of the High Calling,
Which was the longing of their hearts.
What mattered to these dear Ones most,
Was to please God, and of Him and His dear Son Jesus, to boast!

When Armageddon comes,
The faithful few will have been taken from earth;
They will have completed their race
Having proven their worth.

Belonging to Jesus—
They shall forever with him remain,
Bringing greatest pleasure to the Heavenly Father—
Like the Lamb of God that had once been slain.

So dear brethren in Christ Jesus
who are our crown and joy:

Let’s continue to put away behind us,
What would cloud the narrow way ahead,
Not even for a split second look back at the wrong,
Only disciplining the mind to keep focused on what Jesus has said.

Feasting on God’s Words in the Bible
Every moment we can in this life that remains,
God promises to reward justly,
For all good done, with great gains.

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The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/13/great-gain/

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Our Trial

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Come into the furnace, brother dear,
Do trust the Lord, for he is near;
You must not faint, be of good cheer,
Our trial, it soon shall end.

Forget all thoughts of world or self,
And every coin of earthly wealth;
God’s holy spirit-means good health!
Our trial, it soon shall end.

Cut all ties of earthly kin,
For the prize we want to win;
Farewell to every taint of sin,
Our trial, it soon shall end.

Though every friend should be a foe,
Our hearts, the Lord, does surely know;
He has no doubt-we love him so,
Our trial, it soon shall end.

From Where Eagles Gather
By Sr Rosemary Page

1 Peter Chapter 4

1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice,

inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/10/our-trial/

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His Way Is Best

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“All things shall work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28).

Just how this statement can be true
Perhaps has often puzzled you.
You’ve wondered how that “all things” could
Work out for your eternal good;
How trouble, sorrow, and unrest
Could work together for the best.
How this could be, you did not know,
And yet, you felt it must be so.

Now “all things” mean both good and bad,
Yes, things that really make you sad.
It means your sickness and your health,
Your poverty as well as wealth.
Of trouble you will have your share
While in this world of toil and care.
But rest assured, you have a Friend
Who knows your life from start to end.

Should God permit dark clouds some day
To cast a gloom across your way,
Just take it as your Father’s will.
You’re in His care–He loves you still.
Be not alarmed, nor be cast down,
“Tis through these trials you win a crown.
All earthly sorrow soon shall cease,
While joys eternal shall increase.

There’s much we do not understand,
But “all things” are within His hand.
Remember God’s mysterious plan
Cannot be solved by mortal man;
But when we reach the land of rest,
We then shall see that He knew best.
The things we had not understood,
We’ll then realize were for our good.

A poem from “Poem of the Way.”

The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/10/30/his-way-is-best/

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Give In … (and Know That I am GOD)

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“Be still, and know that I am GOD. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10

I only wish to teach you right,
Why do you ignore the light?
You have to kick against the goads,
Clinging to your heavy load.

Will you not accept his way?
And praise him ever–all your days;
It truly is, son, for the best,
And then you would be really blessed.

You must give in and don’t fight GOD,
Yes, tread the way the Master trod;
Be submissive–do his will,
With JOY-your days He’ll fill.

He says “Give in, please do not fight,
To serve me you must know is right;
I am your Master, I am the LORD,
The one who bears the mighty sword.”

And soon will come the reign of peace,
The will to struggle–it will cease;
For everyone shall know my name,
The reason why–Christ Jesus came.

For soon the iron rod will rule,
So listen please, don’t be a fool;
For Jesus loves you–serve him now,
For soon to him all knees will bow.

A poem from “Where Eagles Gather” by Sr. Rosemary Page of Blackpool, England

The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/10/14/give-in-and-know-that-i-am-god/

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Consolation

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“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray,
and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice”
(Psalm 55:17, KJV).

WHEN thy pathway straitened lies, beloved,
Call on Me;
Ever fix on Me thine eyes, beloved,
Follow Me;
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,
Lean on Me!

When with trials sore beset, beloved,
Come to Me;
Calvary’s hour do not forget, beloved,
Think on Me;
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,
Trust in Me.

When the dark night darker grows, beloved,
Cry to Me;
When the cold stream colder flows, beloved,
Cling to Me;
I will never leave thee, but will take thee
Home with Me!

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ 6 So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13: 5-6).

Reference:

Poem from “Poems of Dawn.”

Further Suggested Reading:

Just a Word—https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/08/06/just-a-word/
Our Trial—https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/10/our-trial/

The URL for this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/09/25/consolation/

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Do Not Rush In – (…Where Angels Fear to Tread.)

Gradually, Jehovah God, reveals to us his plan,
Of all the wondrous things he’ll do, to raise up sinful man;
How often in the past we’ve seen, so many rush ahead,
And lose out on the blessings that they could have had instead.

We do recall the bowl of stew that Esau rushed to eat,
And thereby lost the birthright-he cast it to his feet;
Saul rushed ahead of Samuel, offered up the sacrifice,
And so doing, lost the Kingship-he valued not the price.

Judas the betrayer, he rushed in to “meet the sword”
For thirty silver pieces, he so surely sold the Lord;
And Peter he did rush to say, “My Lord I’ll ne’er deny,”
But later begged with deep regret, forgiveness from on high.

And even Lot’s two daughters, rushed ahead to found the seed,
Lacking faith in God, who would, provide the One we need;
And not forgetting Moses, who rushed in and struck the rock,
The Promised Land was never his, for God held key and lock.

And though King David was a man after God’s own heart,
He rushed ahead-against God’s will-a census he did start;
Then, looking at Bathsheba, he did steal Uriah’s wife;
And the price, he had to pay, was his offspring’s life.

Ananias and Sapphira-rushed in and lived a lie,
They grieved God’s holy spirit, and so they had to die;
Achan hid the garment, the silver and the gold
He was stoned for disobedience, back there in days of old.

So many lessons we can learn, by looking to God’s Word,
For waiting on God patiently is much to be preferred…
To rushing in, where even…all God’s angels fear to go,
So, let’s follow their example, all God’s people have below.

A poem from “Where Eagles Gather” – Rosemary Page, Blackpool, England

The URL of this post:

https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/09/21/do-not-rush-in-where-angels-fear-to-tread/

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He Restoreth My Soul

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I am often so weary of sorrow,
So weary of struggling with sin,
So timid concerning the morrow,
So faithless of entering in.

To the beautiful rest that remaineth
Secure in the City of God,
Where shall enter no evil that staineth,
Nor ever the spoiler hath trod.

But aye, when the struggle is sorest,
And dark the clouds grow o’er my soul,
Dear Lord, the sweet cup that Thou pourest
Hath blam, and I drink and am whole.

From the quenchless old well of salvation
I quaff the pure waters divine,
And a sense of triumphant elation
Is thrilled through this spirit of mine.

No hand but Thine own, blessed Master,
Could comfort and cheer in the day
When the touch of a sudden disaster
Hath cumbered and tangled the way.

No look but Thine own could illumine
When night gathers black o’er the land,
And strength that is failing and human
Lieth prone on the desolate strand.

But ever Thy help is the nearest
When help from the earth there is none,
And ever the word that is dearest
Is the word of the Crucified Son;

And aye, when the tempest-clouds gather,
I fly for sweet shelter and peace
Through the Son to the heart of the Father,
Then terror and tremor do cease.

He restoreth my soul, and I praise Him
Whose love is my chrism and crown;
He restoreth my soul; let me raise Him
A song that His favor will own;

For often so weary of sorrow,
So weary of fighting with sin,
I look and I long for the morrow
When the ransom’d their freedom shall win.

Psalm23

Here is a beautiful song titled “Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd”

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually” (Psalm 105:4).

The URL of this post:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/08/23/he-restoreth-my-soul/

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A Little While

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How long, O Lord, till I am meet
To hold with Thee communion sweet?
How long until Thine eyes shall see
The Spirit’s fruits complete in me?

When shall I come to Thee, my Lord,
As promised in Thy blessed Word?
When shall I see Thee as Thou art,
And satisfy my longing heart?

Ah, then, how mean will seem these toys,
These transitory, earthly joys!
How short appear this dreary way,
When night hath turned to endless day!

Then, peace, my soul, be strong, my heart,
And bravely strive to do thy part;
“A little while,” He soon shall come,
And say, “Enough, my child, come home!”

Gertrude W. Seibert (1914)

https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/08/10/a-little-while/