Where do you go when troubles pile up as high as the bills? I like the thoughts from Psalm 119:114, "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word." The Lord has promised that He would be our refuge and strength. He even said that His word would be a lamp to our feet and a larger light for our pathway (Psalm 119:105).

We are given tremendous promises of hope from the book of Jeremiah, the great prophet. Jeremiah 32:17, "O Sovereign Lord God! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you."

Dear friend, there is no problem in your life that God cannot reach. His hand and power is able to bring the help that you need. Remember, that the Lord declared:  "Behold, I am the the God of all the peoples of the world. Is there anything too hard for Me?" God is asking a powerful question. He said and I repeat again: "Is there anything too hard for Me?" Well, the Lord answers the question in Matthew 19:26, "...but with God all things are possible."

My mother, Sue Campbell, was a lady with a powerful prayer ministry. One of her most favorite verses concering the power of prayer was Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

On Mother's Day, May 8th, 2005, my mother, Sue Campbell, went to be with the Lord. She was 89 years of age and had enjoyed a happy and fruitful life. Many have said, "I am so sorry that she had to die on Mother's Day." My granddaugher, was only ten years old at the time and she said, "It is alright because she was the grandest mother of all!"

Mother graduated from college when she had four children. She served as a pastor's wife for 50 years and helped countless couples and women to find a strong faith in the Lord. People were drawn to her by her magnetic smile and the joy of the Lord that filled her life.

When Mother was eleven years of age, Jesus appeared to her in a vision as she made a public declaration to receive the Lord into her heart. This life changing experience happened to Mother in her little country church. From that moment on, she never turned away from the One who gave her new life!

Our walking and running must bring us closer to a dynamic devotion to our Lord. Our devotion will cause us to focus on the prize. We have this awesome privilege of an intimate eternity with our Lord. As we yield to the life and person of the Holy Spirit, we will have the strength and patience to press toward the goal.

What is your focus? Is it to know Christ? Do you want to become deeply acquainted with Him, and know the power that flows out from His life!

1. Are you still in the race that God has put before you?

2. Are you thinking of quitting and letting someone else wear your shoes?

3. Have you really finished the course and done all that the Lord has spoken?

Someone has said that at times we need to quit thinking about heaven and starting thinking about pushing and pressing harder than ever before. Our focus must be on the prize - our Lord Jesus Christ...ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, READY, GO!