Running the Race: Legacy, Faith, and Renewal

Devotional

Day 1: Having “Another Spirit” – A Mindset of Faith and Obedience

To move forward into God’s promises, it is not about strength, intelligence, or wealth, but about having “another spirit”—a heart that knows God, trusts Him, and is willing to obey fully. Caleb was set apart not because of his abilities, but because he had a different attitude and mindset, one that was wholly committed to following God even when others doubted or complained. This spirit of faith and obedience not only shapes your destiny but can impact generations after you. [02:55]

Numbers 14:23-24 (ESV)
“Shall not see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to cultivate a spirit of faith and obedience, even when those around you are filled with doubt or negativity?

Day 2: Your Influence Shapes the Next Generation

The choices you make, the character you display, and the faith you live out are not just for you—they create a path for those who come after you. Whether you have children, nieces, nephews, or mentees, your footsteps leave an imprint. Just as Caleb’s faithfulness opened the way for his descendants, your walk with God can become a legacy that others follow, for better or for worse. [11:43]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Reflection: What is one positive trait or spiritual habit you want those who look up to you to “catch” from your example this week?

Day 3: Christianity is Contagious—Let Your Walk Be Worth Catching

Your walk with God is not meant to be private or hidden; it is contagious. Just as children can pick up both the good and the bad from those before them, your faith, commitment, and love for God can inspire and transform your household and community. Like the jailer in Acts 16, when you live out your faith authentically, it can lead to salvation and blessing for your entire “house.” [15:29]

Acts 16:31 (ESV)
“And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

Reflection: Who in your family or circle of influence needs to see your faith in action today, and how can you intentionally let them “catch” your walk with God?

Day 4: Run Your Race—Stay in Your Lane and Make a Good Handoff

God has given each person a unique lane, purpose, and timing. Like a relay race, your job is not to compare or compete, but to run faithfully, stay in your lane, and make a good handoff to the next generation. Don’t get ahead of God, don’t lag behind, and don’t try to run someone else’s race. Your faithfulness today gives an advantage to those who come after you—so run straight, hold on to what God has given you, and pass it on well. [23:22]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Reflection: What is one way you can “stay in your lane” and focus on your God-given purpose this week, rather than comparing yourself to others?

Day 5: God Can Relight Your Fire—There Is Grace for Your Failures

Even if you have stumbled, dropped the baton, or lost your spiritual fire, God has a backup torch—His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The Holy Spirit can relight your passion and restore you with the original fire, burning away what you don’t need and refining what you do. No failure is final with God; He can set your soul on fire again and empower you to finish your race and bless those who come after you. [26:57]

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Reflection: Where have you “dropped the baton” or lost your spiritual fire, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to relight your passion and restore you today?

Sermon Summary

In this season of moving forward, we are reminded through the story of Caleb in Numbers 14 that possessing “another spirit” is essential for stepping into the promises and purposes God has for us. Caleb stood out not because of his strength, intelligence, or wealth, but because of his unwavering spirit—a spirit that trusted, loved, and obeyed God fully, even when surrounded by chaos and doubt. While the majority of Israel’s spies saw only obstacles and retreated in fear, Caleb and Joshua saw opportunity through the lens of faith, knowing that with God, victory was already assured.

Our attitudes, actions, and words don’t just shape our own destinies; they leave a legacy for those who come after us. Whether we have children, nieces, nephews, or mentees, our spiritual walk is contagious. Just as negative traits can be passed down, so can faith, commitment, and a walk with God. The next generation is watching, often walking in our very footsteps, so we must be intentional about the example we set.

Life is like a relay race. We are not running alone, nor are we the first or last to run. Our responsibility is to run our leg well—staying in our lane, running straight, and holding on to the faith, peace, and purpose God has given us. It’s not enough to run well ourselves; we must also make a good handoff to those coming behind us. The generations before us sacrificed and handed us opportunities and freedoms; now it’s our turn to ensure we pass on a strong legacy of faith and purpose.

But what if we’ve stumbled, dropped the baton, or lost our fire? The good news is that God always has a backup torch. His forgiveness, mercy, and grace are available to relight our spiritual fire with the original flame of the Holy Spirit. No matter how we’ve failed, God can restore us, burn away what we don’t need, and refine what we do. When the Holy Spirit lights our fire, nothing can extinguish it—not time, trouble, or even our own mistakes. Let us run our race with another spirit, impact the next generation, and trust God to relight our fire whenever we need it.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of “Another Spirit” Caleb’s distinction was not in his abilities or possessions, but in his spirit—a heart that trusted, loved, and obeyed God fully. This “other spirit” is what set him apart and allowed him to enter the promised land when others could not. God values the posture of our hearts over our outward qualifications, and it is this spirit that positions us to fulfill His purposes. [06:34]
2. Legacy Beyond Ourselves Our character and choices ripple into the lives of those who follow us, whether they are our children, relatives, or those we mentor. The footsteps we leave—good or bad—become the path for the next generation. We must be mindful of where we’ve been and what we model, knowing that our spiritual walk is as contagious as any habit or trait. [10:11]
3. Running Your Race with Purpose Like runners in a relay, we each have a unique lane and a specific leg to run. Staying in our lane, running straight, and holding on to what God has entrusted to us is crucial—not just for our own sake, but for those who will receive the baton after us. Comparison and distraction can disqualify us, but faithfulness in our calling ensures a strong handoff. [21:17]
4. The Importance of a Good Handoff It’s not enough to run well; we must also pass on faith, values, and opportunity to the next generation. The sacrifices and victories of those before us have given us advantages, and we are called to do the same for those who come after. A fumbled handoff can set others back, but a faithful transfer of spiritual fire and wisdom empowers the future. [23:22]
5. God’s Grace for Our Failures Even if we’ve dropped the baton or let our fire go out, God’s grace provides a backup torch. His forgiveness, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit can relight our passion and restore our purpose. The original fire of God’s Spirit is always available to those who turn back to Him, burning away what hinders and refining what is needed for the journey ahead. [26:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:37] - Setting the Context: Numbers 14
[02:55] - The Impact of Our Spirit on Future Generations
[06:34] - Caleb’s Distinction: Another Spirit
[10:11] - Our Footsteps and Their Influence
[12:47] - Walking in Our Footsteps: The Snow Story
[14:02] - Christianity is Contagious
[14:45] - Generational Faith and Legacy
[15:29] - The Value of Bringing Children to Church
[21:17] - Running Your Race: Stay in Your Lane
[22:25] - The Importance of a Good Handoff
[23:22] - Honoring the Sacrifices of Previous Generations
[24:12] - The Responsibility of Our Generation
[25:06] - When You Drop the Baton: The Olympic Torch Story
[26:16] - God’s Backup Torch: Restoration and Grace
[26:57] - The Holy Spirit Relights Your Fire

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Another Spirit: Running Your Race and Leaving a Legacy”

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### Bible Reading

Numbers 14:22-24 (ESV)
> None of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

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### Observation Questions

According to Numbers 14:24, what was it about Caleb that set him apart from the rest of the Israelites?

[[06:34]]

In the sermon, what did the pastor say about the impact of our attitudes and actions on future generations?

[[10:11]]

What illustration did the pastor use to show how the next generation follows in our footsteps, both good and bad?

[[12:47]]

What happened to the U.S. relay team when they failed to make a good handoff, and how did the pastor connect this to our spiritual lives?

[[23:22]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does God value “another spirit” (a different spirit) over outward qualifications like strength or intelligence, according to the sermon and Numbers 14?

[[06:34]]

The pastor said, “Our children will go where we’ve been.” What does this mean for how we live our lives, even if we don’t have biological children?

[[10:11]]

The relay race analogy was used to describe our spiritual journey. What does it mean to “stay in your lane” and “run straight” in the context of faith?

[[21:17]]

When the pastor talked about dropping the baton or losing our fire, what did he say about God’s response to our failures?

[[26:57]]

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### Application Questions

Caleb was described as having “another spirit”—one that trusted, loved, and obeyed God fully. If God were to describe your spirit today, what would He say? Is there an area where you need to trust or obey Him more?

[[06:34]]

Think about the people who are watching your life—children, nieces, nephews, friends, or mentees. What is one specific habit or attitude you are modeling that you hope they will follow? Is there something you hope they don’t imitate?

[[12:47]]

The pastor said, “Christianity is contagious.” What are some practical ways you can make your faith “catchy” to those around you this week?

[[14:02]]

In the relay race of life, are you running in your own lane, or are you distracted by comparison or trying to be like someone else? What is one step you can take to focus on your unique calling?

[[21:17]]

The sermon emphasized the importance of a good handoff to the next generation. Who is someone you can intentionally encourage, mentor, or invest in spiritually this month? What will you do?

[[23:22]]

If you feel like you’ve “dropped the baton” or lost your spiritual fire, what is one way you can ask God to relight your passion and restore your purpose this week?

[[26:57]]

The pastor shared that God’s grace is like a backup torch, always ready to relight our fire. Is there an area of your life where you need to receive God’s forgiveness and start fresh? What would it look like to let the Holy Spirit “burn away” what you don’t need and refine what you do?

[[26:57]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give each person “another spirit” like Caleb, to help them run their race well, and to empower them to leave a legacy of faith for those who come after. Invite the Holy Spirit to relight any fire that has grown dim.

Sermon Clips

It has been said that the traits of the parents oftentimes become the tendencies of the children. That the habits of the parents can become the hangups of the children. And if this is true, then we need to be careful of our character, of our conduct, and our conversation. We need to be aware of our attitude, our actions, our articulations, because what we do can impact generations behind us. [00:02:16]

The text is tailored to teach us that when you have the right spirit, it not only shapes your future, but it can shape the future of your children. And many of us perhaps may not have biological children, but you have nieces, you have nephews, you have mentees, you have those who are, you have -influence over another generation. And so your attitude impacts not only you, but future generations. [00:02:55]

You may not be as smart as someone else is, you not may not be as strong as someone is, you may not have as much silver and gold money and possessions but if you got the right spirit you can still fulfill god's will you can still accomplish what god has for you. [00:07:10]

He had the kind of spirit that he refused he remained focused in spite of chaos he goes ohthe children of israel and the first four verses of this chapter are complaining it's chaotic it's it's they're complaining and they're in chaos and controversy but watch caleb caleb remained focused he said it says he followed god fully he was completely committed he was completely consistent that's how you need to be not this fly by night i'm serving god i'm serious today i may not be serious next week i'm good next sunday may not be no no no no he's consistent he followed god for can you follow god fully can you follow god completely caleb is commended by god he is allowed to go in because he remained focused in spite of chaos. [00:08:01]

He also refused to form and fit into the crowd why 10 of the spies says we can't go while the rest of the people went along with it he says no no no no i i'm not believing like you believe i'm not saying what you say i'm not doing what you do now here's the thing about it had he done that he got he would have been popular had he done that he would have had some position but he says rather than position rather than popularity i'm going to fulfill god's purpose and there comes a point in your life where you got to decide are you going to follow popularity are you going to pursue position are you going to go for god's purpose because because y 'all many are the plans of man but how many know it's god's purposes that prevail god's purposes god's purposeswill outlast positions, popularity, and prominence. [00:08:57]

Caleb went into the land, came back out. And God says his seed will go into the place where Caleb was. Which means our children have a way of following where we've been. Which makes me stop and ask you, where you been? Thank you. No, no, no. I know you in church this morning. Where were you last night? [00:10:55]

There's some places you've gone. You don't want your children to go. There's some choices you've made you don't want your children to make. There's some things you've done that you don't want your children to do. There's some places you've gone that you don't want your children to do. But this text suggests they're going to follow in your footsteps. Now let's flip it. That could be negative, but it could also be positive. They pick up not only your negative traits, they pick up your positive traits. Your commitment, your work ethic, your discipline. They can pick that up too. And they ought to pick up your walk with the Lord. [00:13:33]

Christianity is contagious. They need to catch your walk with God. Brother Young, this text suggests that they need to catch your walk. They need to catch your Christianity. They need to catch. It's contagious. I know it's contagious. There are some things that I'm dying to have. It's contagious. Do you have to catch your walking? Thank you. [00:14:16]

If you're walking with God, your children ought to walk with God. If you've got a way for the Lord, your children ought to catch your walk with God. Amen. Amen. [00:16:17]

Let me take a minute to commend every parent that brings their children to church brings their children to church because they ought to see you in church church is a priority for you ought to be one for them that you bring them to because if you train we say it around here all the time proverbs 22 6 train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it we need to impact the next generation what you do impact those behind you. [00:16:30]

Life is about times and seasons and you need to make sure you are walking in the right time with God that you don't get ahead of God and that it's not too slow when you see the purpose of God opening for you that there are times when if God says go go if God says slow slow if he says grow grow and if he says no it's no you don't ever want to get to how far ahead of God because not only can you mess up your walk you can mess up those that are coming behind you. [00:18:35]

You can't go in nobody else's lane you got to stay in your own look at your neighbor and say stay in your lane yeah god got a purpose for you god got a plan for you god got something for you to uh you to do you ain't not trying to walk in somebody else's path and purpose don't you know that god has made you unique that god has made you special that you ain't got to look at somebody else and try to be nobody else be yourself proudly and walk in your lane whatever that is whatever your passion is whatever your gifts are whatever your skill set if god gave you that for a reason and i ain't trying to be you i ain't mad at you i ain't hating on you because i got my own lane i got my own path i got my own purpose to go in. [00:19:40]

Whatever your passion is whatever your gifts are whatever your skill set if god gave you that for a reason and i ain't trying to be you i ain't mad at you i ain't hating on you because i got my own lane i got my own path i got my own purpose to go in look at your neighbor say stay in your lane stay in your lane stay in your lane walk your lane walk your purpose walk your path whatever it is it may not be what i do it may not do what your neighbor does but god has a will god has a plan god has a purpose god has a lane for you to run. [00:20:08]

You can't run zigzag. No, that's if you're going to win, you've got to go straight. So many of us have crooked lives. Because your neighbor says, you've got to run straight. You've got to run straight. I've got to run straight. I've got to fast and I've got to pray. I've got to stay in God's word. I've got to do what God tells me to do. I've got to seek his will and seek his face. Because I've got to race to run. And I've got somebody behind me. [00:21:17]

And then, when they had the baton, they held on to it. You've got to hold on to it. You can't drop it. You've got faith, hold on to it. You've got joy, hold on to it. You've got peace, hold on to it. You've got gentleness, hold on to it. You've got an economic opportunity, hold on to it. You've got a position, hold on to it. You've got an education, hold on to it. Whatever it is, you've got to hold on to it. [00:21:55]

We got to make sure that we give the next generation a good handoff. Y 'all, the generation before us gave us a good handoff. Y 'all, I'm not the first one in the leg of the race. And I don't believe I'm the last one. I think we're somewhere in the middle. And y 'all, we got a good handoff. The generation before us, they sacrificed. They marched in the streets. They got bit by dogs. They got whipped by clubs. They did that so we could have an advantage. And they gave us a good handoff. [00:23:28]

How dare you be the weakest link in the generational chain. You got to make sure you got a good handoff to these people, to the children behind us. [00:24:34]

You done dropped it. You done messed up. But I got good news for you. And the good news is that God has a backup torch. He's got a torch called forgiveness. He's got a torch called mercy. He's got a torch called grace. He's got a torch called love. And I know you messed up, but I got good news that he will light your fire again. And wait a minute. It'll be the original fire. The fire of the Holy Spirit. [00:27:14]

What I love about the holy ghost is that it burns off what i don't need but then it refines what i do need that's what the holy ghost does so it burns off lying it burns off cheating it burns off worry it burns off anxiety it burns off depression and then it refines what i do need it refines my joy it refines my faith it refines my hope how many know that god has a way of relighting your fire god has a way of setting your soul on fire is there anybody here that knows the holy ghost will light your fire. [00:28:04]

When he lights your fire dirt can't cover it time won't erase it water can't drown it rules can't restrict it time won't erase it tyrants can't prevent it enemies can't destroy it sickness can't stop it is there anybody here that knows your fire can be lit is there anybody in here that knows god will light your fire and you'll be tied up tangled up wrapped up in jesus and say this joy that knows your fire can't prevent it from being a fire. [00:28:44]

This fire that i have the world didn't give it to me and the world can't take it away this fire that i have the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away this peace that i have the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away won't he light your fire won't he light you fight and what i love about it it makes you cry and ain't nothing wrong makes you laugh and ain't nothing funny makes you run and ain't nobody after you makes your wave and ain't nobody speaking you that's what the holy ghost does is there anybody here that's got the fire is there anybody here that's got the fire say yeah say yeah yeah. [00:29:23]

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