Running With The Horses
(1 John 4:2-3 NIV) This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
The White Horse: Disruption and Deception
The Red Horse: Fear and Violence
The Black Horse: Economic collapse
The Pale Horse: Disease and Death
(Jeremiah 12:5 MSG) If you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?
Running with the Horses
1. Run with covering.
2. Run with ministry.
3. Run with grace.
4. Run with joy.
5. Run with prayer.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT) Never stop praying.
(Mark 1:35 NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Prayer is the difference between the best I can do and the best God can do.
6. Run with gratitude.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
What I have is more than enough.
7. Run with discernment.
(1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 NLT) Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies.
(Luke 21:28 NIV) “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Go through life looking up, not around.
8. Run with wisdom.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NLT) Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
(Proverbs 9:10 NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
“Knowledge is horizontal, but wisdom is vertical—it comes down from above.” ~Billy Graham
9. Run with vision.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT) Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
We don’t just need something to live on. We need something to live for.