Being of good courage running the race

“we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.” (2Co 5:8 ASV)

 “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.” (2Ti 4:6 ASV)

“But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Lu 12:50 ASV)

 “And after my skin, [even] this [body], is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God;” (Job 19:26 ASV)

 “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. [[Selah Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased.” (Ps 49:15-16 ASV)

“And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To–day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” (Lu 23:43 ASV)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.” (Joh 14:3 ASV)

“Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (Joh 17:24 ASV)

“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Ac 7:59 ASV)

“wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1Co 5:8 ASV)

“For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps 16:10-11 ASV)

“My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.” (Ps 17:5 ASV)

“Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; [But] God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.” (Ps 73:24-26 ASV)

“And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Re 7:14-17 ASV)

 “And I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” (Re 14:13 ASV)

Dutch version in Willibrord translation and a thought / Nederlandse Willibrord vertaling en een bezinning > Verlangen om ontbonden te worden
 (http://bijbelonderzoekers.multiply.com/journal/item/1072/Verlangen_om_ontbonden_te_worden)

Dutch version in New Bible Translation NBV / in de NBV vertaling: Van goede moed zijnde om de wedloop te voleindigen

Followers with deepening

“On the other hand, the Pneuma’s fruitage is–compassionate affection, contented joy, peaceful harmony and tranquility, patient tolerance, loving kindness, moral virtue and goodness, trusting faithfulness,” (Galatians 5:22 MHM)
“Because of this Jesus told his disciples: “If anyone wishes to follow me they must disown ‘self’, heft a personal cross, and then keep following me constantly.” (Matthew 16:24 MHM)

“However, every person who is a contestant must exercise self-control in everything. These run so that they might receive a corruptible crown. We run so that we might receive an incorruptible crown. So I am not running without purpose. I am not boxing at empty air. But rather, I beat my forehead black and blue and lead my body as a slave so that, somehow, having preached to others, I become the very person disapproved.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27 MHM)

“For we are not daring to rank ourselves, or equate ourselves, with some who recommend themselves. But they–in measuring themselves with their own standards, and comparing themselves by a self-evaluation–are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:12 MHM)

“Having rejected irreverence and worldly desires He is instructing us to live in soundness of mind and righteousness and reverence during this present period of time. We continue to await that blessed hope of the glorious Appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13 MHM)


““But let the person boasting, boast in YHWH.” Because, the person approved is not the one who recommends himself, but rather the one the Supreme Being recommends.” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18 MHM)

“Until we all might attain the oneness of the faith and an elevated knowing of the Son of The God. This results in attaining perfect manhood unto the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13 MHM)

“But rather, maintaining honest love keep growing into him in everything. He is the one who is the head, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15 MHM)

“Also, do not keep getting drunk with wine–a course filled with wastefulness and riotous excess. Instead continue to be filled spiritually.” (Ephesians 5:18 MHM)

“So, then, let us not continue to sleep. But rather, let us stay awake and remain sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6 MHM)

“For the ground produces by itself: first the blade, then the stalk, and finally the full head of grain.” (Mark 4:28 MHM)

“All of these are mere shadows of future things, but the framework belongs to Christ. So do not allow anyone deprive you of the Prize–those who insist on self-mortification and angel worship–‘taking his stand on his own visions’ –puffed up by vanity in his fleshly mind, and no longer clinging to the Head, from whom the entire Body is bonded together by means of its joints and ligaments–nourished and unified–and continuing to grow with the growth of God.” (Colossians 2:17-19 MHM)

“And so, beloved, in awaiting these things hurry to become spotless and unblemished, found with Him in peace,” (2 Peter 3:14 MHM)

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Volgelingen met de vrucht van verdieping

2013 update:

Related articles

• Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
• We Are the Sons of God
• Mystery of the Cross
• Revelation 2:4 - Have You Left Your First Love?
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 For your sakes he became poor.
• We Can Do Nothing Against the Truth
• 36 Amazing Things
• Who Am I ?
• What Can the Devil Steal? Part 2

The high calling of God in Christ Jesus

Dutch version / Nederlands > De hoge roeping van God in Christus Jezus

“Accordingly, I am pursuing [the] goal of the prize of the upward calling of The God incorporate in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:14 MHM)
“Do all of you not realize that those persons running in a stadium all run, but really only one [runner] receives the prize? Continue to run so that you might attain [the prize].” (1Co 9:24 MHM)
“Consequently, having left the basic teachings of the Christ, may we pass along to perfect maturity, not laying a foundation all over again of [“elementary principles”] –repentance from dead works, faith in God,” (Heb 6:1 MHM)
“For we are the [true] ‘Circumcision’ –those rendering holy worship by God’s Pneuma–boasting with regard to Christ Jesus, and not having a fleshly confidence.” (Php 3:3 MHM)
“But, we are aware that the synergy of The God is for the good of those loving The God, to those who have been invited according to His purpose. Because whomever He foreknew He also marked out in advance that they be conformed to the image of His Son that he might be the Firstborn of many brothers. Now whomever He marked out in advance He also invited. Those He invited these He also pronounced innocent; and those whom He pronounced innocent, these He also glorified.” (Ro 8:28-30 MHM
“So that He might make known His glorious riches upon vessels of mercy prepared in advance for glory– us, whom He called not only from among the Jews but also from the non-Jews.” (Ro 9:23-24 MHM) “Because, God will not change His mind regarding His charitable gifts and His invitation.” (Ro 11:29 MHM)
“He is the One who saved us and invited us with a holy calling–not according to our works, but rather according to His own purpose and unmerited charity. This He gave to us in union with Christ Jesus before times immemorial.” (2Ti 1:9 MHM)
“to continue walking in a worthy manner before The God who invited you into His own Kingdom and Glory.” (1Th 2:12 MHM)
“However, we feel obligated, brothers, beloved of YHWH, to continually thank The God in your behalf, because He selected all of you originally leading to salvation through being sanctified by the Pneuma and your belief in the Truth. He invited all of you to this by reason of the Good News, so that all of you may attain the glory of our Master Jesus Christ.” (2Th 2:13-14 MHM)
“In response to the above, holy “brothers” –partakers of a heavenly calling–thoughtfully consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb 3:1 MHM)
“Blessed be The God and Father of our Master Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy, has [given us] a New Genesis unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance. [This hope] is reserved for you in the Celestialum” (1Pe 1:3-4 MHM)
“Because of this fortify the strength of your mental determination. Remain completely sober. Persist in your Hope of unmerited favor until [the] Revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 1:13 MHM)
“However, having suffered yourselves for a brief period, The God of every unmerited favor–the One who invited all of you to His endless Glory incorporate in Christ–He will train all of you, He will fix all of you firmly, He will make all of you strong.” (1Pe 5:10 MHM)
“for life and godliness has been freely granted us all things by the divine dynamics of the One who called us to His own glory and virtue by an elevated acquaintance,” (2Pe 1:3 MHM)

Running the battle

Dutch version / Nederlands > Strijd leveren

of > Strijd leveren

“"When you go forth to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” (De 20:1 RSV)
“and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hand."” (1Sa 17:47 RSV)
“You will not need to fight in this battle; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not, and be not dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.’"” (2Ch 20:17 RSV)
“But if you suppose that in this way you will be strong for war, God will cast you down before the enemy; for God has power to help or to cast down."” (2Ch 25:8 RSV)
“He will deliver my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.” (Ps 55:18 RSV)
“O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” (Ps 140:7 RSV)
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (Pr 21:31 RSV)
“Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ec 9:11 RSV)
“And I will make for you a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety.” (Ho 2:18 RSV)
“("Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed!")” (Re 16:15 RSV)
“and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, that is, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.” (Re 20:8 RSV)

+++

Related articles

• I will look to see what he will say to me. Then the LORD replied, "Write down the revelation."
• My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,

Life is like a ten-speed bike.

Dutch version / Nederlands> Het leven is als een tien-versnellingen fiets.

"Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use."
- Charles M. Schultz

Do More

"Do more than exist ... live.
Do more than touch ... feel.
Do more than look ... observe.
Do more than read ... absorb.
Do more than hear ... listen.
Do more than think ... ponder.
Do more than talk ... say something."
- John H. Rhoades

"To do righteousness and justice is more
acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:3

"Jesus replied:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-39

Lord let me win the race of this life
and give that I use the correct gears to my goal.
Give me enough inspiration, strength and love for people, animals and plants around me
to treat them with goodness and glory of your name.

Single-speed mountain bike (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• The Gears of Life
• Your Blessings
• Top Ten Bible Quotes To Guide You
• How to Make the Most of This Year