In track and field racing, the aim of a runner is to get to the finish line within the fastest time. They train so vigorously in order to run fast enough to beat their opponents. Assuming you’re a runner and you’ve trained for the race, you get to the starting line but then all of a sudden you have an  ankle weight attached to you. How fast do you think you can run?

Liken this to your devotion, you can’t adequately run this race while holding on to things that hinder you or drag you backward. There are things that can interfere with the pursuit of your God given assignment. But let’s dive into what the word has to say

2 Timothy 3:16 

New King James Version

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

All scripture is inspired of God. Another rendition of this text says, ‘All scripture is God-breathed.’ It is beneficial for: Doctrine which is to what we teach and believe as Christians, Reproof- that is it is able to give us proof for what we believe in, for correction and instruction in righteousness.

Our emphasis is on the last part of the text- It tells us that scripture is able to instruct us in righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 

New King James Version

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Righteousness is the way of life of the man of the spirit. As Believers in the Gospel of Jesus, we have been clothed with God’s righteousness. We are born anew into the family of God and our salvation is sealed by God’s spirit in us. His spirit in us births this righteousness. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, hallelujah! By his spirit, we can walk in this new life.

That said, it is important that we understand in seasons of Consecration like this, we must be able to take an introspective look in our lives and devotion and ‘lay aside every weight’ that slows us down in the pursuit of the fulfilment of our God-given purpose. We must let the word of God correct and instruct us in righteousness for our own profiting. At flashpoint, to ignite new beginnings, we must lay aside every weight that doesn’t allow for that.

Hebrews 12:1

King James Version

1 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,“

The last thing you want when running any race is to be carrying weight. And you can see later that weights are a metaphor for what he calls ‘the sin that easily besets us.’

Sin inhibits us but here he was referring to unbelief and doubt speaking to the Jews. Nevertheless, in a general spectrum, there are habits, and other things that stop us from going where we need to go as fast as we need to be.

For instance, we were not told Judas had ‘women problems’ but he had a money problem. Have you seen people who can do anything for money? They are ready to throw friends out for money. Some even brag about it.
For some it’s food just like Esau. For others like Samson it was women.

There are somethings that might not get to you but it’s big for others. You might not struggle with same sex attraction but for some people it is top of the list of what plagues them. Somethings are unique to some people and when it comes down to it there are temptations you will face.

If you accommodate contradictions too much you would find yourself limited to carrying weights when you should be running. Let it go! Drop the weight! This has stopped many mighty men.

However, we must understand that nature abhors vacuum. As you drop bad habits, now is the time to pick up those consistent with your nature in Christ. Prayer, fasting, Bible study & fellowship with other Believers.

Now is the time to give ourselves to consistent practice of all that would cause us to continue to grow in revelation- the knowledge of who we are.

Something else that can stop the believer is lack of exercise or the consistency thereof.

1 Timothy 4:7-9

New King James Version

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

‘Exercise thyself’- He uses the analogy of physical exercise. Like physical exercise, he says there is an exercise in Godliness. Don’t be familiar with just physical exercise alone but spiritual exercise as well.

During the lockdown a lot of people couldn’t go to the gym and so they lost their form. The thing about exercise is that it needs to be consistent. It’s not about the heaviness of the weight but more importantly it is about the consistency. It wouldn’t matter if you workout just today, you need to repeat it to gain form.

The same things happen with the things of the spirit. If you prayed 5 hours in camp meeting and since then never prayed again it won’t matter. You must inculcate devotion into your daily schedule else you would lack spiritual form.

Get up, there is a call on your life. Don’t sit still. You have all that you need to stay on fire for God. You have his spirit!

Maybe you are at that point where you are thinking how did I get here? But God is saying get up! Get back on the metaphorical track and run. Don’t keep complaining and just be observing. Lay aside every weight and run! God has a plan for your life stand up and run.

This should point out to you today what God wants to do in your life but you would not permit him if you are carrying weight. Meditate on who God says you are. Let the word of God transform you! The Lord said that his hand is available to move in your life and that is only if you’re ready to work with him. Let him turn you from who you are to who you need to be! It’s about time. It’s about time!

Ephesians 3:20

New King James Version

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

There are many positions people have about charismatic ministry. But one thing is sure, at the end all believers would resurrect. And how would it happen is by the spirit and so if that spirit is in you it means the power that can raise a man from the dead, and keep him alive never to die again or fall sick is in you.

So your hands might never have healed headache before but you have enough power in you not only to raise you from the dead no matter how long you have been dead. The power in you is sufficient to defeat death forever. Hallelujah!

So why are you walking around without a sign of power when there is more power in you than your mind can conceive?

In conclusion, It’s time to exercise! It’s about consistency. Consistency in devotion. Listen to sermons, spend time praying , meditate with on God’s word & fellowship with other Believers.

All of these would bring about consistency in your devotion as your mind is intentionally kept on God. That is what seasons of prayer and fasting like this offer you. It’s time to lay aside every weight- be it sin or any bad habit that does not allow you live up to the call of God on your life and stay consistent with those that will. It’s time to ignite a new beginning! It is time! Lay aside every weight and run with laser-focus!

Prayer Point:

Lord, in this period of consecration I am empowered by your spirit to lay aside every weight that interferes with living up to the call of God on my life and I grow in consistency in all that is consistent with the newness of life I have received!