Hebrews 12:1-3
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
We are not alone in this journey of faith, we have a great multitude of witnesses in those who have gone before us, upon whose shoulders we stand. The point is that Christ can be trusted, we can have a thriving faith in Him regardless of what we have been through or will face. Others have trusted in Christ and so can we. We are able to throw off whatever hinders and slows us down, have our sins removed so we can not only enter the race and run it but, keep running it, even finish it, and even win it. Christianity is Christ living in us and through us to His glory. The secret of our own intimate personal relationship with the Lord is a personal experience with the crucified and resurrected Christ. You must understand that the Christian life is one of walking by faith in Jesus Christ. We entered into this new life by turning away from faith in ourselves to put all of our faith in Jesus. You must understand also that the Christian life is one of ministry. You have received a call to run a very specific race, a course laid out just for you that takes advantage of your unique spiritual giftedness. This life of discipleship to Jesus Christ the one who said: “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” is filled with dangers and difficulties and the potential for discouragement. At some point, in fact numerous points there will be the temptation to lay down and quit the race. Genuine faith is characterized by perseverance by pressing on and continuing to fight the good fight. There is no place for retirement from Christian ministry. The finish line is the doorway of death that ushers us into the presence of the one who has gone before us the author and perfecter of our faith. Are you growing weary in serving Jesus? Do you feel discouraged or are you tempted to lose heart and back off from your commitment to be everything that God has called you to be and do everything He wants you to do? Why not take the easy road and back away from Christian ministry? You don’t want to be a flash-in-the-pan Christian. You don’t want to flame out like a Fourth of July firecracker. You want to be in the Christian race for the long haul. You want to reach the goal. How we finish the race is more important than how we start the race. You can find strength to venture out and start this life of faith today in Him. You also discover strength to continue. He is not up there somewhere. As these scriptures have made clear, He is within us, by faith. If we have received Jesus Christ, He dwells within. He has entered into the sanctuary, into the inner man, into the place where we need strength, and is available every moment for me. Therefore, in Christ, we have all that it takes to meet life!!!!
Father thank You for this day and the many people of faith in Scripture who bear witness that Your Word is trustworthy and true. Lord open the floodgates of heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord in the trials and difficulties of life, help us to keep trusting You like this great cloud of witnesses. Lord help us to discard every encumbrance that may hinder our Christian progress and witness and give us perseverance as We press toward the final goal. Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit help my friend and I to be a living witness to Your Word of truth to all today. Daddy we love you amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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