Tag: Hebrews 12:1-4
Joy and endurance!
Scripture reading for March 20th: Hebrews 12, Psalm 56, Proverbs 25
Hebrews 12:1-4 “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. Consider Him Who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Jesus on the cross was the example used by the writer of Hebrews for the believers he was writing to encourage. Many were discouraged because of opposition and persecution and were thinking about going back to Judaism. Jesus’ was motivated by His joy. It was a vision of God’s plan to save sinners through His obedience and willingness to freely give His life and blood to purchase freedom. This joy helped Jesus to endure the cross and suffer through the mockery and shame of crucifixion, a truly painful and humiliating experience. He trusted in God the Father and obeyed, even through his excruciating suffering. He triumphed over death and the grave and lives in eternal joy!
Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, Whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Prayer: Father God, today I consider Jesus, the Author and Perfector of my faith. As I ponder the suffering He endured for me, I am ashamed of my own weariness and failure to successfully struggle against sin. Fill me with the joy of our Lord, Who is my strength. His joy is to see all sinners saved from sin’s penalty and power and enjoying a place in God’s forever family! Empower me to spread the Word!
Proverbs 25:23 “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Keep your focus!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Numbers 3-5, Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12:1-4 “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 perfector 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. Consider Him Who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Holiness is an important character trait of God’s people. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Jesus Christ is the author and perfector of our faith and His example of perfect obedience, even in the face of hostile opposition, helps all believers to run their race here on earth. We must focus on Jesus and run patiently asking God for grace when we stumble or fall. We must guard our hearts against “roots of bitterness” that will spread evil and sin in the body of Christ. God’s desire is that all believers obtain grace and successfully run their race through enemy opposition and the old sin nature that tries to hinder us. Let’s keep our focus on Jesus all the way to holiness in His presence for eternity!
Hebrews 12:14-15 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; . . “
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfector of my faith. Thank You for Your discipline and grace when I stumble or fall. As You live in me, I am striving for peace with all men and I long for holiness in Your presence forever. Help me to guard against bitterness and anything that would cause defilement in the Church. Jesus Christ is my inspiration and the source of my joy as I run this race with endurance and faith.
Numbers 5:1-3 “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.”
Run with endurance!
Scripture reading for October 29th: Hebrews 12, Psalm 66, Proverbs 31
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-4 “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. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
In light of the record in Scripture of the many witnesses that have preceded us, we can confidently lay aside every weight or hindrance and run the race of faith straight to the finish line–the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Jesus set the perfect example and He is with us to help us through the mountains and valleys we encounter along the road of faith. Unlike Jesus, our faith walk has not yet cost us loss of our own life blood. Even if it should, we have Jesus’ resurrection to encourage us.
Faith Confession: I look ahead to Jesus Christ as my goal of life and example of how to achieve it. By faith and confidence in Christ, through reading God’s Word and following the Holy Spirit, I will not grow weary or loose heart but will obtain the Goal!
Proverbs 31:8-9 “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”