Run the race

2 Timothy 4:7

”I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith.”

One of my favorite movies from this summer was  “Secretariat.” Did you notice how it opened and closed with quotes from Job 39:19-24 and they sang the wonderful old time Christian song “Oh Happy Day” three times. How refreshing to see a movie producer present the truth of how this one family lived their lives.

Once upon a time our little girl at the age of 10 was taking horseback riding lessons twice a week and what a great adventure. She was required to show up 30 minutes early and prepare the horse for her lesson and then stay an additional 30 minutes to help the instructor clean and retire the horse for the day. The instructor taught her and the horse for one hour and the horse prep work was an hour. Our daughter learned so much about not only horses but also, the hard work it takes to own a horse and take care of this beautiful animal. All of us learned many life lessons as well.

Horses are mentioned 176 times throughout the Bible both in the Old and New Testament. There is so much to learn and apply to our own lives in Scripture. Let’s look at the bit and bridle words in Scripture.

James 3:3 “Now, if we put the bits in the horses’ mouth to make them obey us, we direct their entire body as well.”

Psalm 39:1 David said, “I will take heed and guard my ways, that I may sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle while the wicked are before me.”

God’s words to us are to watch our tongues. How is your speech? Usually we are pretty tough on the ones we love and live with. I know I am convicted of my speech when I read these Scriptures. How about you?

Today is a great day to challenge us to place a guard on our mouth as written in Ps. 141:3

“Set a guard at my mouth, and watch the words I speak.”

One of my favorite lines from “Secretariat”(and there are many) is:” You never know how far you can go unless you run.” Amen! Today's Scripture says in 2 Timothy 4:7,”I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith.”

I want to encourage you today to run the race for Jesus Christ and keep the faith. Keep guard over your mouth.

After you dig into God’s Word and pray take some time this week and watch this inspiring family friendly movie. Listen to all of the great encouraging you can do it lines. Guess what? 

"You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength." Phil.4:13

Photo below is courtesy of the incredible photographer www.erinthacker.com and my new Equestrian friend and beautiful Christian teenager Katie Van Slyke a TN State Champion.