Week 4 👏🏼 || 100MileMonday

Finishing out week 4 of the 2024 Spring100!! So many fabulous photos were sent in and SO MANY Spring100ers are faithfully making their way to the 100-mile goal. WAY TO GO!!! 🙌🏻👏🏼 It seems as if many of you were like me… walking in the rain most of week 4! Registration officially closed and we have 4,303 participants from approximately 8 different countries walking this year’s challenge. Praise The Lord!! I am beyond thrilled and excited to have you all here! 🙋🏼‍♀️💯 It is my prayer that this challenge leaves you physically and spiritually encouraged and renewed!

FUN Spring100 Week 4 Stats:

Total Miles walked to date for the 2024 Spring100: 103,975.94

Total Spring100 Participants for 2024: 4,303

Participants who have crossed the 100-Mile Finish Line: 70

Spring100 Featured Photographer: Reese King

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Spring100 Devotional

Lay Aside Every Weight

Mr Wesley Strackbein || Week 4 Spring100 Devotional

As we run the race of life, we can be hindered by sin and a preoccupation with worldly cares. Knowing this, we must “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1).

The “weight” in this first clause can be lawful pursuits that we’ve elevated out of proportion. These can include making money, tending our personal property, maintaining our physical health, or any other earthly concern.

To be clear: We have positive duties to perform on all these fronts, as God created the world “good” (Gen. 1:31) and called us to be faithful stewards of our money, lands, and bodies (Matt. 25:14-30; Prov. 12:11; Prov. 25:16).

Yet the moment we give greater prominence to the cares of the world than we do to Christ’s kingly interests, we err. We become encumbered from our most important aim which is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

So, in view of the eternal race, we must rid ourselves of otherwise good things when they become excess baggage. If they’re slowing us down, we must put them in their place.

The second thing we’re to lay aside is “the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1).

Unlike lawful worldly cares, sin has no rightful role in our lives at all. Yet we cannot wrest ourselves free of it in our own power.

Every one of us is beset by sin at birth. It is imputed to our very nature, passed down from Adam through the generations (Rom. 5:12; Ps. 51:5).

Without Christ’s help, sin’s crushing weight always brings on death (Rom. 6:23), but if “we confess our sins [to Him], he is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Once redeemed through Christ’s perfect work (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:8-19), we are no longer “slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:6) and can “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

Now that we’re able to reject sin, we must “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14).

Clinging to the smallest sin will slow us down in our race. Sin “so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1), and if left unchecked, it can sideline us in shame.

Let us, then, heed these sober commands:

“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump” (1 Cor. 5:6-7).

“. . . do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Rom 6:12).

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11).

While our eternal soul may be secure in Christ, giving way to any pet sin—be it anger, lust, pride, envy, discontentment, or some other vice—will hamper us in the race ahead (Heb. 12:1), for a “double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8).

So let us give sin the “black flag”—no quarter to this violator of God’s Word and our personal testimony—even as we put lawful pursuits, that are out of proportion, in their place.

Only by doing this will we run our race well.

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QUESTION! This has very little to do with Spring100 BUT who got to witness the Solar Eclipse last week??😍 Would love to hear!! Let me know in the comment section below!!

Don’t forget! These posts are made possible by YOU!! Your photo submissions and comments make these posts extremely fun and my job of putting them together super easy. Thank you! So with that being said, don’t leave without commenting, and remember to send in your Spring100 walking/running photos for a chance to be featured in next week’s post. Thank you!

“My first SPRING 100 walk was with my dear grand daughter on the day we were waiting for her little brother to come home from the hospital !! The Snow that fell was mystical and made it so much FUN! Our Lord is so good and gives us exactly what we need every day. The Lords unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him!! Psalm 32:10” Georgia M 🙋🏼‍♀️ LOVE IT!

“A beautiful day for a walk” Elizabeth W. — Grace P. grabbing her miles and checking in for week 4 of the Spring100!! 🙌🏻👏🏼

“A little after storm, after gym walk!” Grace ⛈💯 Great photo, Grace!!

“Through Rain or shine☔☀😁” Lois G. 🙌🏻🙋🏼‍♀️ Great job, ladies!!

“Walking at a park with my brother.” Elianna J. — “Josh C. walking in Alabama!”👏🏼💯🙌🏻

“Love our evening spring walks together!! God is so good!! ✨💛💐” Cailyn F. 🙌🏻 Yes, He truly is. LOVE the photo, Cailyn!

“My buddy and I enjoyed a walk past the blooming forsythia!” Hannah F. ☺️ Adorable walking buddy. He’s a heart-melter! ♥️

“Joanna and Esther Mitton Quizzing on our walks is so fun!!”— “I made it!! Yall keep it up!!” Nathan S. 🙌🏻💯🎉 Way to go reaching your 100 Mile Goal!!

“Enjoying a walk with my sister and her family while they were in town!” Kate S. 👍🏻👏🏼💯

Jennifer M. conquering miles with this fun walking group! 😃🙌🏻 — “Beautiful sunset stroll among the bluebonnets!🤍” Madeleine & Katherine T.

“Enjoying an evening walk along a river at a local park for week 4.” Mr & Mrs Neely 👏🏼🙌🏻💯

“Changed things up a bit and did a backpack walk with baby B!” Esther C. — Nicole P. Saying “hello” for week 4 of the Spring100!! 👏🏼🙋🏼‍♀️

“Walking the dog on a beautiful day in Kansas” Nathan and Joy K 🐕‍🦺👏🏼💯

“Enjoying our afternoon walk (and rollerblading) with a delicious cup of coffee and marveling at Gods creation!” Ivory B. 🙌🏻 Way to go!

“I love walking in the woods with my siblings 🥰” Kara G. 😁🙌🏻 Such a fun photo!

“Grabbing a walk with my mom in between rain showers. 🌧” Amanda S. — “I enjoyed walking a bunch in St. Louis with my husband and two kids.” Elisabeth S.👏🏼

“Starting a new challenge in our first official week of “retirement” : )” Sherri S.🙋🏼‍♀️🙌🏻💯

“Enjoying a walk during the solar eclipse! It was so weird to be dark in the middle of the day. MI” Jamie A. — “For our 2 year anniversary we found a new trail and walked almost 4.5 miles. I love the quality time we get walking together!” Laura M. 🙌🏻♥️ LOVE IT!

“Morgan, Abigail, Christopher and Amelia F enjoying a walk on the neighbor’s farm.” 🙋🏼‍♀️🙌🏻

Heather H. grabbing Spring100 miles with friends! — “Ran my fastest 10k since 2015 tonight with a stop at the most peaceful spot on the river” Heather L 🏃🏼‍♀️💯 Way to go!!!!

“Walking with Ohio friends!” Hannah K. 🙋🏼‍♀️💯 Such a fabulous photo!

“😍 Loving Spring100 this year!!!” Amber N.

“So thankful for Spring100 and getting outside in God’s creation, even in a snowy place! ❄😄” Paige C. 🙌🏻💯 So happy to have you part of the challenge!!

Brynn checking in for week 4 of the Spring100! So great to have you here. 🙋🏼‍♀️–“My siblings and I are enjoying the beautiful weather!” Chyanne☀️💯

All smiles as this fun group grabs their miles! Fabulous photo submitted by Edee M.🙌🏻

“Great way for my homeschooler to get in some much-needed fresh air! I love the beautiful new and old trails we discover during this time!” Dolorese J. — “Getting our miles in on a girls trip to Charleston, SC!!🥳❤” Hannah B

“So happy to have Bethany and Hannah G. back for another Spring100 Challenge! Grabbing their miles in North East Texas.” Hannah G. 🙋🏼‍♀️🙌🏻 Love it when Spring100ers get together!!

“Awesome walk with my brother!” Jenna — “The weather was cold, wet, and windy, and my umbrella was struggling. But I laughed and kept walking!” Lauren W. ☔️💯 Keep up the great work!!

“I had been feeling pretty defeated this week – sickness slammed me and my 3 and almost 2 year old, making our goal of walking at least a mile a day harder than it already is. I also won’t be able to run the 5K I was so excited for. But today when we made it less than 0.5 mile round trip to the swing set by the lake I realized it’s not about how many miles you walk but your attitude when you walk them. We could have been upset by what we weren’t able to do but instead we chose to enjoy what we could do, and it made all the difference.” Sarah B. 🙏🏼🙌🏻 Perfect encouragement! Thank you, Sarah! ♥️

“Theres nothing like ending the day with a walk with the fam. On a beautiful day! Enjoying Gods creation!” Madison G. — “Nice evening for a walk! 😁” Prashansa N. 🙋🏼‍♀️

“Morning run with my brother! 🤗” Clara H 👏🏼 Love sibling walks!!

Rosie A. checking in as she grabs her miles during a cold Spring100 Walk!❄️💯

“Walking is best with friends!” Hannah L. 👏🏼♥️

“Getting miles with my parents while they visit me at college! I’m so thankful they took the time to come visit me, and the Lord blessed our time together greatly!” Macy C. — “Nighttime walks in Fargo!” Ryah Reynolds 🙋🏼‍♀️Great job y’all!!

“Our tract distribution team at Niagara Falls on eclipse day also happened to be a mini Spring 100 group that doesn’t usually get to walk together and we had an awesome time covering over 6 miles between the US and Canada, getting the word of God into hundreds of peoples hands!” Reese P. 🙌🏻🙏🏼💯 PRAISE THE LORD! Love this!

“Hiking in the mountains is my favorite way to get the miles in!” Sarah M.– “Taking a mid morning walk with a friend, her daughter, and little red wagon! 🙂 Enjoying the fellowship, lovely weather, sunshine, and flowers.” Sarah P. 🏔🙌🏻🌸

“Love walking at our local botanic garden and park!!” Esther S. —“Day 25! A quarter of the way there! 🙌 I enjoyed a beautiful windy walk with my youngest daughter ❤” Hannah R. 👌🏻 WAY TO GO!

“Grabbing some miles with my sweet cousin!!” Abby S. 👏🏼😄

“Delightfully cool morning walk. I am enjoying Spring 100 so much!” Michaela L. — “I brought my little brother Michael along in the stroller for a mile walk. It was a little difficult to push a stroller along a gravel road, but we made it!” Jane F. 💯🙌🏻 Way to go!!

“Walking (and some biking) with great friends on Daniel Boones Wilderness trail!!” What a great Spring100 walking group!! 👏🏼😃

“Clouds and mists and mountain views and warm breezes made for an awesome 4 mile walk this afternoon! 🤩 Vermont” Melody P. — “Hiking in our local park! The spring weather is amazing today” Mikenna L.

“Loving the sunshine and spring flowers!😍🥰” Kayla H. 👌🏻🌸

“Our cat followed us for over a mile on our walk!” Sarah S. 🐈😁💯

“Completed what I called a 3 mile victory walk just after finishing all of my Texas Drivers Ed program! Even hit the fifty miles mark while doing so! Rejoice always- 1 Thessalonians 5:16” Elzabeth C. 👏🏼👏🏼 Way to go!! — “Making progress Emily is down to one crutch 🤗” Nancy B. 🙏🏼👏🏼 Praise the LORD!!!! Well done, Emily!!

“Walked up Enchanted Rock” Janna C. 🪨😍 Love it!!

“We walked 5 miles at Plum Creek with Spring 100 friends in Ohio, where we traveled for the Eclipse.” Melissa A. — “A beautiful Saturday morning walk with my five sweet blessings and one on the way! 🤩🥰🌞” Sarah B.

“Its fun to meet up with friends who are also doing Spring100. And an extra special treat when theyre normally 1,000 miles away!” Ruth D. 😃💯So happy you had that walk together!!

“Hit a 10 mile run in Duluth mn today” Matthew G. — “Enjoying a beautiful spring morning in Iowa!” Sally M. 🙌🏻💯 Keep up the great work!!

“Dabney Moore getting in 3.5 miles in the POURING rain!!” 🌧 Well done!!

“early morning walks🔥” Amanda W. — “Walking with my best friend three days a week while chatting on our cell phones.” Nancy Z. 👏🏼 LOVE this idea!!!

“We have enjoyed getting in some miles this past week, and enjoying the unusually nice 70+ degrees temps in Wisconsin! I recently bought a drone, so got a few pictures from the sky when walking 😀” Victoria F. 👏🏼 LOVE IT!

Love having the Shell Family checking as they grab their miles for week 4 of the Spring100!!🙌🏻💯

“Had to do some of my walking on the treadmill this weeknot my favorite but when it rains it rains😂” John S. — “Taps enjoying a solar eclipse walk!” 👏🏼🙋🏼‍♀️

“Great Hike with cousins” Abigail M.🙋🏼‍♀️ Love seeing this walking group!

“We are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather here in Fairhope, Alabama! It is fun to explore different places in the area to walk our Spring 100 miles. 💯 😁” Caitlin & Matthew N– “Catching some miles on a windy Sunday afternoon with some walking buddies.” Krista Z

“Enjoying a beautiful hill country sunset while walking with my sisters ♥” Natilyn H.

“Hiking to water falls for some miles!!!” Andrew G. — “Stopped at a park for a picnic and got some miles in while the kids were playing!” Sarah H. 🙋🏼‍♀️💯 Way to go!!

Melody N. conquering her Spring100 miles and checking in for week 4!!🙌🏻💯😃

These lovely ladies saying “Hello” as they grab their miles!! Cherry M. and The L. ladies.🙋🏼‍♀️💯

“We enjoyed a beautiful walk near Frankfort, KY!” Elisabeth M. ♥️👏🏼

“We enjoyed a sunset walk in East Texas together this evening to get in some more Spring 100 miles!” Sara C. — “Susie K. and Karissa H. getting a mile in on a beautiful spring day in Manitoba.” 😃👍🏻💯 Fabulous photos!!

Spring100 evening walk with the Moody family! 👏🏼🙌🏻💯

Such a full week here! Finding beauty as I enjoy my sunset Spring100 walks with Bekah this week. Romans 9:16 has been a verse on my mind as I grabbed my miles this week, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” I am so thankful for the Lord’s mercy. Keep on pressing toward the goal! You all are doing such a fabulous job!!🙋🏼‍♀️💯

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us 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”
Hebrews 12:1