"Let them praise Your great and awesome name--He is holy"-Psalm 99:3 (NIV).

In a great love story, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare pondered, "What's in a name?"  A Google search came up with 625 Biblical names for God!  Here is a sample: El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), Yahweh (YHWH, Jehovah, Exist), Adonai (Lord, Master), Yeshua (Jesus, God Saves) , Emmanuel (God is with us), and His own declaration...I AM THAT I AM...And He is holy!  God's never ending praise, heard day and night in heaven, is "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come" (Revelation 4:8).  Whether we call Him Abba (Father) or Elohim (God), by whichever name, He is great and He is awesome!  Praise His name!   

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"-Galatians 1:5 (NIV).

Abraham Lincoln was called the Great Emancipator of the slaves of the South, but after his proclamation of freedom, some remained.  They couldn't fathom life outside of slavery.  Pharisaical laws enslaved mankind by placing the burden of atonement on the shoulders of sinners.  Jesus emancipated us, set us free, through His death on the cross.  Praise God!  However, many still cling to links of the chain of slavery: worry, anxiety, fear, anger, envy, etc ...Each link can be broken with one word...trust...Trust Rests Upon Surrendering Totally in Jesus!  Trust in Jesus!            

"Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up"-Galatians 6:9 (NRSV).  

The Bible tells us our justification isn't by doing what is right, but by faith in Christ (Romans 3:28).  But, James, in 2:18, says he will show you his faith by doing what is right.  Faith and works go hand in hand...or as Forrest Gump would say...like peas and carrots.  The only way to keep from growing weary, in doing what is right and in faith, is to exercise...spiritually and physically.  Daily Bible reading and prayer strengthen you spiritually and being active builds your physical stamina.  Don't give up!  Think like Forrest...spiritual and physical exercise go together...like peas and carrots...building a muscular temple and a muscular faith.  Then you will be well prepared for the reaping.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other"-Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV).

Synchronized marching takes practice, practice, practice.  Your pairing is one-on-one with the Spirit; He alone is your Partner.  If you take your eyes off your Partner, glancing around, comparing yourself to others, you will fall out of step, trip...maybe even fall.  But, the Spirit is patient; waiting to regain your attention; then He begins again.  Your Partner is working out the tempo, the timing, the movement, the direction...creating an original...designed by Him.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord.  I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work"-Philippians 4:1 (NLT).

The crown Paul is speaking of is the reward, the prize, for influencing others to righteous living.  "For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? (1 Thessalonians 2:19).  Paul was speaking to the two churches established in Greece:  the church in Philippi and Thessalonica.  The Greeks, famous for their games, awarded victors with crowns...stephanos.  Influencing others to a life of Christianity is the race we, as the family of God, are all entered in as participators   This isn't a spectator sport and it's not a game...it's life or death.  Run thus!