I loved the story growing up about the Hare and the Tortoise and at how the Hare was really over confident that he was going to win the race..and so he really didn’t give it all that he had..so he messed around and took his time and stopped and did things that he wanted to do along the way in the race..but that Tortoise was really slow paced..and he didn’t stop not one single time along the way in his race that he was running…but he was determined that he was going to win the race..so he steadily kept moving forward…with the slowest strides along the way..but not once did he stop…but that ole Hare he kept on messing around..and playing games..and as I said doing what he wanted to do..until finally getting in closer to that finish line that good ole Tortoise crossed that finish line  first..and he won the race…and boy oh boy that Hare was not at all happy about that..for he knew that he knew that he would win the race that he was on..for he was faster..he had more experience so he was so self confident in his self he didn’t give it all that he had and all that he should had..so he layed far behind in the race..and in the end he lost..and what a loss that was for him..but what I’m getting at this day guys is the fact that for some they’ve been christians for so long so they lay behind and they slack off..they live their lives however..they do whatever..and some how in their minds they have already paid their dues so to speak..and so they feel well either way I am going to win this race that I am on for the Lord..but how many of ya know that we can each of us fall away from the Lord and His plan and His will for our lives..all by being overly confident that we can do whatever we want to do..thinking that it’s okay to not go to church..to not pray..to not get involved..to not ministering..to not living the life that Christ wants and desires for us to be living..and somehow we feel that were okay..and we will make it..but as I said we can and we will if we do our own thing in the midst of doing it lose ground from where we should be in our walk and on our race with Christ..for it says in the word of God to take heed least you think your standing for you very well could be falling..1 Corinthians 10:12..and as well it says this in the word of God..Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God….Hebrews 12:1-2…we are to always be moving forward in our walks and on our journey with Christ..we are to always be ready in case the Lord were to come and call His bride away..we are to always have our lamps trimmed and burning..having them filled with oil…for the story in the word of God goes like this…Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh..Matthew 25:1-12…for the bible tells us, each of us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling..Philippians 2:12..so today I don’t know where exactly your at in your race with the Lord..but I will say this..don’t slack and don’t fall by the wayside..but whether you go slow as slow can be..either way my prayer is that you keep going..never stop and never get off track with where God has you at..for either way as long as we are moving toward the Lord following Him..we will make it across that finish line to meet our Lord and Savior..we will all win the race…so let us strive to win the race that the Lord has placed before each of us..let us not get lazy and let us not grow weary…for you and I will make it…so let us all run to win it..and daily let us run to win our race..In Jesus’ name, I do ask and pray..Amen and Amen..Be blessed today my dear sweet friends and remember wherever you go and whatever you do, Be a light for our Father, Much love to you all, Mandi