Verse of the Day 11/21
Hebrews 12:1-2 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, 2 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. English Standard Version (ESV)
Our Pastor Bob recently spoke at an event and had everyone stand and raise their arms. Then he said, now raise them higher, stretch. He did this to encourage us to stretch our faith. Raising your arms doesn't take much effort but stretching requires going beyond the norm beyond the standard it is reaching for something. It is about setting goals.
All too often in our lives, in just about any area of our lives we can become comfortable, complacent, satisfied with the status quo. It may not necessarily be bad, but when this goes on for some time, it may be easy to drift. This verse follows the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 which briefly describes the lives of so man of the heroes of the faith. How they lived their lives by faith, how they "stretched" and were stretched in their pursuit of God and His kingdom. They, and all those who have gone before us and those who have personally gone before us in our lives to bring us where we are, they are among the cloud of witnesses for us. They are all looking to how we will "stretch our faith", reach for the goal to win the prize.
We're in a marathon. Training goes on every day and if we want to improve our standing in the race, our faith will require use, practice and part of that will be require stretching our arms, legs and our hearts of faith for His kingdom.
Read the verse again and when you read of running the race with endurance, think about how you may better "stretch" your faith, reach a little higher or further to obtain the prize, keeping your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. That perfecting involves and will include stretching.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Hebrews 12:1-4New Living Translation (NLT)
God's Discipline Proves His Love
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
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