Run with Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Fame of Faith,” as it lists biblical heroes who demonstrated amazing faith in God. Then in chapter 12 the author turns from looking back to speaks directly at the reader and to us today.

He challenges us to look at the faith of others and be inspired to set aside the things in our lives that so easily weigh us down (our trials, our worries, our sins...) and run hard after Christ.

What weighs you down? How can you lay it down, fix your eyes on Jesus, and run with endurance? Lift your head up and look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. He is the source of our strength, peace, and joy, and he showed his amazing love for us by enduring hardship and shame, as he gave his life for us all.

Let's pray for grace and strength to run with endurance the race that is set before us.

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The Pursuit of Wisdom

We all know wisdom is better than folly. Wisdom is good and folly is bad. We should pursue wisdom and avoid folly. We want to be known as wise, and we definitely do not want to be called a fool.

Yet, it can be hard to define or fully explain wisdom. Let’s start by viewing it as the opposite of folly, which is easier to understand.

A fool speaks without thinking, but a wise person thinks before speaking. A fool acts quickly or reacts rashly, but a wise person is self-controlled and slow to react. A fool talks a lot about himself, but a wise person focuses on others. A fool freely shares her opinions, but a wise person asks questions. A fool fears the opinion of others, but a wise person fears the Lord. A fool thinks only about the moment, but the wise think about the moment and the future. The fool spends money now, but the wise person plans for the future.

Wisdom is more than being smart. You can have great grades in school and not be wise. Wisdom is more than being self-controlled. You can be quiet and calm and not be wise. Wisdom is more than being a certain age. You can be older and not be wise.

To be wise you do need to have a certain level of knowledge and life experiences. You have to have a self-controlled and thoughtful mindset. You need to consider the future and plan for future events.

In many ways, wisdom is the ability to put knowledge into action – taking the knowledge you have and applying it to real life situations.

A wise person knows how to react when someone yells at her. A wise person knows what to say to a depressed friend. A wise person knows when to bite his tongue and not say anything. A wise person knows when to ask for help. A wise person knows the value of education. A wise person knows the importance of saving money. A wise person knows how to safely drive a car.

The book of Proverbs calls us all to pursue wisdom, to treasure it, and to seek it out. It is a great place to start in your personal pursuit of wisdom. Read it, study it, and ask God to help you grow in wisdom. The pursuit of wisdom happens one step at a time, one decision at a time, and one day at a time.

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Tell The Next Generation

While in the desert, God provided manna for the Israelites six mornings a week. God provided their daily bread with this daily miracle.

God instructed Moses to collect some manna to keep for future generations to see how God provided for his people. This was a miracle too. Manna normally only lasted one day. Once a week it lasted two days so the Israelites would not have to gather on the Sabbath. Yet this one container of manna would last into the future. It would be a visual aide as parents told their children, as grandparents told their grandchildren, and generation after generation would remember the faithfulness of God.

How do you mark God's faithfulness in your life? How do you tell your children about the amazing deeds God has done for you? How do you pass down these stories to your students, to the youth in your church, to the next generation.

Place a memorial in a prominent place in your home or your church. Frame a picture that symbolizes God's particular faithfulness. Make a pile of stones as a remembrance.

Tell the story of God's mighty deeds. Share the details of what he has done for you. Write down how he provided for you. Record his deliverance in your life.

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I want to hear, "Well done!"

When my life is over, I want to hear God the Father say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

1.  Genuine faith – I am so grateful that Jesus died for me. I place my full faith in the finished work of Jesus. I proclaim he is my Savior and my Lord.

2.  Faithful effort – I strive to be faithful in the time that I have, in the skills I possess, and in the opportunities God provides me. I strive to work hard, persevere, and make the most of every day.

3.  Faithful in the right things – I want God’s priorities to be my priorities. I want to die to self and live for Jesus Christ. I want to be sensitive to the unexpected opportunities and needs that cross my path. I want to serve others and bless those in need.

4.  Learn from mistakes – I realize that even my best efforts will fall short. I will make mistakes. I want to learn from my errors and to see my mistakes as opportunities to improve. I know that God works all for my good, and I desire to be humble and open to input from others.

5.  Words that bless – I want to speak words that build others up, bless others, and encourage others. I want to be joyful, grateful, and positive. I want to listen more than I speak, and focus on others more than I focus on myself.

6.  Steward of the King – I want to live for my Heavenly Father. All of my gifts and talents are from him. I want to represent him well. I want to develop my talents to be more effective for him. I want to be his representative and his tool to accomplish his purposes.

I want to hear, “Well done!”

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Jesus Was Full of Grace & Truth

Randy Alcorn has a fantastic book called The Grace and Truth Paradox. I highly recommend it to you. It is concise and packed full of wisdom.

Alcorn builds his content from the description of Jesus in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

What does grace mean? What is truth? What does it mean to be full of both grace and truth?

What would life look like if we were all grace and no truth? What would life look like if we were all truth and no grace? Jesus was full of both truth and grace. What does that kind of life look like? How do we pair the two to live the balanced and full Christian life? Alcorn addresses all of these questions.

Grace is amazing, truth is essential, and paring the two is vital for full life in Christ.

Take some time today to study John chapter one. Order a copy of The Grace and Truth Paradox. Seek to live a life like Jesus Christ -- full of grace and truth.

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The Deliverance of the Lord

We all face trials. We all face hard times. We all face difficult circumstances. Sometimes we can avoid them, but often we have to walk through them. In every case, we need the Lord’s power and deliverance.

In Exodus 14 the Israelites had just left Egypt. They had seen the plagues God had unleashed on the Egyptians. They had experienced the Passover. They had plundered the Egyptians of their silver, gold, and fine clothing.

In chapter 14 the Egyptians changed their minds and pursued the Israelites. The Israelites had been led by a pillar of fire right up to the edge of the sea, and they seemed trapped between the sea and the Egyptians. A disaster seemed eminent. They were going to die in the desert.

But, God delivered!

Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

We all know the rest of the story. The Lord parted the Red Sea, the Israelites crossed on dry ground, the Egyptians followed, God closed up the sea, and all of the Egyptians were killed.

God delivered!

What can we learn from this?

1.       Do not be afraid. Trust in God. Believe in Jesus. Pray for peace from the Holy Spirit. God is watching, listening, completely aware of your situation, able to help, loving and compassionate, and has the best plan for you.

2.       Stand firm. Continue to honor the Lord no matter the circumstance. Continue to do the right thing and to complete the jobs he has called you to do. Continue to trust him for the future. Pray for faithfulness, courage, and confidence.

3.       Watch the deliverance of the Lord. Anticipate God will rescue you. Watch him meet your needs in the midst of trials. See him hold you strong even if you have to walk completely through the trial. Trust he will hear and answer your prayers.

4.       Rejoice. When the dust settles, even if multiple years later, take time to rejoice in the good God has brought through your trial. Celebrate when he delivers. Shout for joy when he heals. Praise him when he makes you stronger in faith and character. God is good and worthy of our praise.

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Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!

“Let your yearly motto be, ‘Onward, Forward, Upward!’ to the last hour of your life.”

This phrase jumped out at me as I read Old Paths by J.C. Ryle. Ryle is one of my favorite authors, and his words consistently inspire me.

Again, Ryle had me thinking. What is my motto, my aim, my focus? What is my pursuit in my faith and my Christian walk? Do I really want more? Do I long to move forward? Do I seek to reach upward?

It reminds me of the end of C.S. Lewis’ book The Last Battle where the children kept cheering in excitement, “Further up and further in!” Joy, awe, and amazement bubbled up from within them, and they wanted more, and more, and more.

It also reminds me of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul is shouting his motto, “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”

Earlier in Philippians chapter 3, Paul reflects on his training as a Pharisee, and in verse 8 he says, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I might gain Christ.” He again is proclaiming the theme of his life, “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”

I long to be like Paul – focused on Christ, finding daily strength in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I long to live “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”

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