#racewithareason

[empressagnes]

It's always an issue of the heart. I wonder how we react if someone in the same field who is less qualified than us but has more following, fame or impact, would we get envious? Would we still do what we do? I think this truly tests our hearts to why and who we're doing it for.  I have been and will still struggle with this issue, but God is teaching me day by day to humble myself. It's super easy to compare ourselves. It's super easy to crave man's applause. It's super easy to forget or disregard God for our triumphs.  We're all doing our passion for some purpose. The most important question is why and who we're doing it for. Is it for the money? Fame? Acceptance? None of these will last. None of this will leave a legacy.  In fact the Bible says in Matthew 6:2 that when we are recognized by the world for our deeds, we have received our reward in full. Meaning that we won't be receiving rewards in heaven for those deeds. I don't know about you, but I rather have rewards in heaven than on earth. Why? Because it's eternal. It'll last forever. Whereas nothing on this earth will. (Side note, watch the rope illustration by Francis Chan.. You'll know what I mean 😉)  I think what helps me to deal with envy and pride is to always check my heart by asking myself "Who's reward am I working for?" "Am I doing this to glorify me or to put the spotlight on #Jesus?" If it's truly to glorify God, then people's applause should be redirected back to Him. If it's truly for God, then other people's performance should not stir envy or pride. Because our hearts are only focused on pleasing Him rather than the world. Colossians 3:23 Work for a cause NOT applause.  Live life to express NOT to impress.  DON'T strive your presence to be noticed, just make your absence felt. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #runforgod #runforJesus #racewithareason #allglorytojesus #purpose #passion #irun #run #runner #running #blog #bloggingforJesus #instarun #runnersofinsta @jesuspostsbro @jesusblogdaily @instagodministries @insta_losangeles @instablog9ja @instarunners @jesus_newsfeed @runforgod @racewithreason (at Winnetka, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByG_PkWHvDc/?igshid=1k2webwsd7byt

[empressagnes]

🐰🐰How to live a joyful life-Part 2🐰🐰 Because we crave attention and approval, we sometimes to live out another person’s life. What do I mean? We want to be like Charlie, so we say, dress, choose a career, volunteer at the local food bank just like Charlie. But what if Jesus designed you for a different career? For a different volunteer opportunity that you are actually passionate about? For a different life? I guarantee you that you will not be happy following someone else’s trails. Just like an Audi R8 is meant for speed and a Toyota minivan is meant for safety and family, we also have a specific purpose. Imagine driving a 2-seat sports car with your newborn baby or racing in a Toyota minivan; that will not turn out good! I get it, sometimes we feel like our talent is of lesser value than Charlie’s. One of my talents and passion is running, but to the world it is lesser of a talent than being a talented trader who makes multimillion dollar deals. But to Jesus, all talents have an equal value. The body isn’t whole without all of its parts. Your eyes are for seeing, but can’t walk. Your hands are for holding stuff, but they can’t discern color or music. Your feet can walk and run, but they can’t speak and think. All of us are the body and each of us plays an important part in making the body (world) whole. No one is exactly like you and the world needs YOU to use the unique talents that Jesus gave you. No one can fill in your role, so what are you waiting for? Start living Jesus’s will for you and I guarantee that you will discover true joy and purpose! #runforjesus #runtoinspire #amazinglove #racewithareason #boston2019 #blog #blogger #run #runner #allglorytojesus #itsbecauseofjesus @lafitness @instarunners @instascripture @instapray @instaencouragements @instagodministries @insta_losangeles @racewithreason (at LA Fitness- NORTHRIDGE- BALBOA BLVD) https://www.instagram.com/empress_agnes/p/Bt4pqLth3qe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17kc7drc50vo3

[empressagnes]

But it shouldn’t be this way. #Jesus gave you this gift for you to enjoy and to give Him the glory. I initially thought that giving Him the glory means running faster and beating everyone, but that isn’t true! Of course, you can still glorify Him by becoming faster and achieving new PRs, but that should not be your main focus. I think He gave us this gift to teach us how to overcome our fears and weaknesses by His strength and love. This will enhance our faith, build stronger spiritual muscles and eventually be a testimony for others. Like anything else in life, when it’s all about the results and performance, it doesn’t become fun and joyful anymore. Sometimes we have to take a step back and analyze why and who we are doing it for. If we are doing it for the right reasons, it shouldn’t rob our joy for it. Ultimately we cannot bring all of our achievements with us, but all of the memories and impacts you have made with your gift will last forever. 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞 #runforjesus #runtoinspire #racewithareason #itsnotaboutnumbers #allglorytojesus #allforhisglory #blog #blogger #blogging #irun @lafitness @instascripture @instagodministries @instapray @instarunners @insta_losangeles @racewithreason (at LA Fitness- NORTHRIDGE- BALBOA BLVD) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEoGMXBVTv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p6uyw5rdl7w8

[empressagnes]

🌸Pray for the Holy Spirit to soften your heart A hard heart and head cannot receive God’s words and directions. It’s like a roadblock preventing you to reach your final destination. Have an open heart and mind to be molded and critiqued (to be better) by Jesus, only then can He transform you. 🌷Pull out the weeds (attitudes) Negative attitudes just suck the life out of you AND others around you. But most importantly it chokes the life of Christ. If you are dealing with unforgiveness, envy, pride and bitterness, your heart is blocked from receiving love and in fact the lack of love is why your prayers are hindered. Pride (James 4:3), doubt (Hebrews 11:6), disobedience (1 John 3:21-22), lack of reconciliation (Mark 11:25-26) and idolatry (Proverbs 1:21-28) are all reasons why your prayers are not answered. Erase all your negative attitudes and you are halfway there. 🌻Guard against guards (habits and behaviors) Bad habits and behaviors eat up the resources God has given you. For example poor relationships or poor choices will distract you from the path that God has planned for you. We tend to conform to whoever we hang out with. Proverbs 13:20 says “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”  🌹Prepare for the harvest (Yay!😄) God sees your hard work, faith and perseverance. He will reward you according to them. Galatians 6:9 says: “At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” So whatever dark times you are going through, change your perspective and see it through God’s eyes. Remember that He will turn the bad into good and that He will never leave or forsake you. Be open minded to be molded to the 2.0 that God created you to be. When you feel broken, He will bring healing. When we fear, He comforts us with His peace. When we are confused, He enriches us with His wisdom. When we despair, He showers us with His Hope. When we sorrow, He will with carry us under His joy. He speaks life and hope to the dead and hopeless. #runforgod #racewithareason #amazinglove #thankyougod #itisallbecauseofJesus  #havefaith #jesuslovesyou #allglorytojesus #IamachildofGod #run #runner #instarun #runnersofinsta (at Northridge, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqOn40EBU7W/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mobenpwj43f4