Run - Mentors | Marcus Avalos | Crossroads Church

Crossroads Church Podcast

RUN HARD...but not ALONE

Run in such a way that you want to WIN…” 1 Cor 9:24-27

HIS EYES RUN to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is loyal toward Him.

DAVID – Psalm 119:32 – “I run along the path of your word, for you have set my heart free.”

ISAIAH 40:29-31 “…those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary; walk and not faint.”

SAMUEL – 2 Samuel 22: 30 - For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.

SOLOMON – Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. HABAKKUK – 2:2 - “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

RUNNING OUR RACE 1. SUFFERING – Necessary suffering vs Unnecessary Suffering

2. DISCIPLINE – the foundation of all discipline is “Delayed Gratification”

3. TODAY: DIVINE MENTORS: RUN HARD! BUT NOT ALONE

A MENTOR – Someone who can PREVENT you from getting “STUCK”; or help you get UNSTUCK;

“ I should have listen to my ____________, then I wouldn’t be _____________.

YEARLY RITUAL: ONE WORD; ONE SCRIPTURE; ONE PERSON

QUOTE: “When the student is ready, the mentors will appear. These heroes and legends have been expecting you.”

Rom 15:4 Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things.

MY PRAYER – Psalm 71:18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

RAHAB - Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

RAHABS BACK STORY: 1. Joshua 2. Jericho 3. Rahab

Joshua 2:9-14 (MSG) I know that GOD has given you the land. We’re all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. 10 We heard how GOD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, ….

11 We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and GOD, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below. 12 “Now promise me by GOD. I showed you mercy; now show my family mercy. And give me some tangible proof, a guarantee 13 of life for my father and mother, my brothers and sisters—everyone connected with my family. Save our souls from death!” 14 “Our lives for yours!” Said the men. “But don’t tell anyone our business. When GOD turns this land over to us, we’ll do right by you in loyal mercy.” Joshua 2:18 here is what you must do: Hang this red rope out the window through which you let us down and gather your entire family with you in your house—father, mother, brothers, and sisters…19 Anyone who goes out the doors of your house into the street and is killed, it’s his own fault—we aren’t responsible.

20 But if you tell anyone of our business here, the oath you made us swear is canceled—we’re no longer responsible.”

21 She said, “If that’s what you say, that’s the way it is,” and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window.

Joshua 6:15-17 (MSG) 15 When the seventh day came, they got up early and marched around the city this same way but seven times—yes, this day they circled the city seven times. 16 On the seventh time around the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua signaled the people, “Shout!—GOD has given you the city!

17 The city and everything in it is under a holy curse and offered up to GOD. “Except for Rahab the harlot—she is to live, she and everyone in her house with her, because she hid the agents we sent.

I AM NOT DEFINED BY MY PAST!

1. GOD SAVES THOSE WITH A PAST

2. GOD USES THOSE WITH A PAST

3. GOD REDEFINES THOSE WITH A PAST

God redefined Rahab — From a fallen woman to a CHOSEN woman, from a bad girl to a BRIDE, from a mess to a MOTHER and from prostitute to a PARENT of the Messiah.

IMAGINE IF… In 2022: if we approach our bible as an APPOINTMENT WITH OUR MENTOR...

TAKE HOME 1. What ONE THING about your past makes you feel WEAK? 2. What’s ONE SCRIPTURE about your past that makes you feel STRONG? 3. WHO WILL YOU BELIEVE? YOUR FEELINGS or YOUR FAITH

RUN HARD

RUN WITH INTENTION

BUT WHATEVER YOU DO …DON’T RUN ALONE