Hebrews 12:1-2
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When we see a “wherefore” in the Bible, the passage is always referring to the previous verses. In today’s text we notice that the “Wherefore” here is the first word of Chapter 12, so we must look back at Chapter 11 to see the context of our verse. Chapter 11 of Hebrews is quite often called the “Hall of Fame of Faith” or “The Faith Chapter”. It is here where we find faith defined and explained by example. The “cloud of witnesses” of our verse today refers back to those heroes of our faith that are mentioned in Chapter 11. These were pillars of example that we can glean so much Truth from their faithful lives to their Faithful God. Because of their examples of faith, we are admonished here to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us”. We are to disregard the hindrances that are placed upon our lives in order to distract us from God’s plan and purpose. It is so easy to be blinded by sin until we become immune to the effect that is having on us. Sin weighs us down little by little until we are so consumed by it, we cannot walk with the Lord. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us. We must have tunnel vision! When you travel through a tunnel you can no longer see and experience your surroundings. There are no more trees or beautiful landscapes to gaze upon as you drive down the road when you are in a tunnel. You are forced to look ahead. When you nearly reach the other side of the tunnel the light begins to appear first, then gradually gets larger until you emerge out of the tunnel on the other side to find your surroundings completely different. The tunnel has a purpose. It was taking you through something that you could not pass through easily had it not been there. We must develop tunnel vision as Christians as we run the race that is set before us. As we enter the tunnel of faith we are no longer blinded by the sin of the world around us, and we are forced to look ahead. ”Looking unto Jesus...” Jesus Christ is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. He endured the cross because He saw the joy that would come through the pain. He saw us. He despised the shame that was put upon Him because He had tunnel vision to what lied ahead. He would soon be “set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Remember when Peter and the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee and they set out to go to the other side as Jesus commanded them? When the storm arose that night, and Christ began walking on the water toward them, they were afraid. He comforted them by saying “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Peter doubted that it was Him, and asked to come out on the water. Jesus gave Him permission, and allowed him to experience the miracle of walking upon the waves of the sea with the Master. He walked until he took his eyes off of Jesus and began to view the boisterous winds. Peter then began to sink. He lost his tunnel vision. Christian, seek God’s help to develop tunnel vision in your life today. Ask God to block the view of any hindrances and begin to focus your eyes on the Author of your Faith. Bible Reading: I Kings 19-20 | II Corinthians 12 | Psalm 131
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Jeremiah 33:3
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” The greatest privilege ever given to humanity, yet the least taken advantage of is prayer. We are able to call upon the God of the Universe, and if that is not astounding enough, His ears are open to our cry. He is waiting to hear from us! God makes a simple request. “Call unto me” God guarantees a sure response. “and I will answer thee” God promises a spectacular reaction. “and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” How much have we missed by simply not calling on God? There are great and mighty things that we are missing out on when we do not pray. What a convicting thought. We go about our daily lives in need of Him, yet we are more concerned with our news feed and what our so called friends on social media has to say, or better yet what we have to share with them. How often do we allow distractions to keep our focus away from pausing to bow our head and ask God to help us? We are quick to pick up our phone and text or call our best friend, yet we don’t bother to bring our need to the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. God has given us a simple command that when obeyed brings forth exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Great and mighty things that before we ask we have no knowledge that they exist, yet the our Creator, our Heavenly Father wants to show them to us. Call unto Him today. Ask Him. Seek Him. Knock on the door of heaven. He promises that we shall receive, that we shall find, and that it shall be opened unto us…if only we will call unto Him. “God has a listening ear, do you have a calling voice? You call unto God, and He WILL answer!” - Dr. Ed McAbee Bible Reading: I Kings 17-18 | II Corinthians 11 | Psalm 130 James 4:6
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Notice the contrast that we see here…the proud & the humble. God takes a specific action with each of these. He resists the proud, but He gives to the humble. He will not give to those who think they deserve something. But those that acknowledge that the do not deserve anything, it is to them that the Lord gives. Not only does He give to the humble, notice the significance of the gift…His grace. The same grace that bringeth salvation and appeared to all men. The same grace by which we are saved. This grace is a Gift. We must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, and that we are totally dependent on the finished work of Christ. There is no salvation without humility. When we clothe ourselves in humility, God will bless us. He will give to those that are humble. His Word has promised. 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” Humble yourself and wait. God will give you grace. Matthew Henry noted, “He will especially give more grace to the humble, because they see their need of it, will pray for it and be thankful for it; and such shall have it.” See your need for this gift of grace. Pray for it, and be thankful when God gives you what you need. Bible Reading: I Kings 15-16 | II Corinthians 10 | Psalm 129 Psalm 25:4-5
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Have you ever been on an airplane that had to delay it’s landing for whatever reason? It may have been due to weather, air traffic, or some unforeseen circumstance at the final destination. When the pilot circles the runway it is called a holding pattern. Though it may be inconvenient, there is a reason for the delay in reaching the ground. David knew what it was like to be in a holding pattern. Many times throughout his life he had to wait on God to deliver him from his circumstances. He had learned from experience that it is better to wait on God to work rather than force the means of an apparent solution. Notice the three things that David asks the Lord to do: “Shew me…teach me…Lead me…” David then acknowledges why he chose to ask God for these requests. Psalm 25:5 “…for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” When God makes us wait it may be inconvenient, but it is for our benefit. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” While we are waiting it is easy to get disheartened or discouraged, but let us never be ashamed while God is having us to wait. Though we may not understand it, God does. Let us lift up our heads to Him trusting that He does all things well. Psalm 25:1-3 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.” While we wait… We Can Rest. Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” We Can Refocus. Proverbs 16:3 “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” We Can Refire. 2 Timothy 1:6 “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee...” When something doesn't happen when or as fast as we think it should, God always has a reason. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” If we compare our position to others we will only end up discouraged or defeated. David learned what to do instead... Rest. Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Wait. Psalm 37:34 “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Allow God to deliver you from your holding pattern. Psalm 37:39-40 “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” Bible Reading: I Kings 13-14 | II Corinthians 9 | Psalm 128 Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before me, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The best example we can be is to shine our light for Christ so that others can see Him! We are the light of the world! As Christians is our duty to let our light shine, but it is also a privilege and an honor. If we do not do our part to shine our light for Christ, who will? In the darkness of this world, we must shine so that others can see the Light. Notice how Jesus describes shining our light in Matthew 5:14-15: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.“ Not everyone shines their light in the same way, each of us are different. We each have a unique purpose that God has planned for our lives, but we can all shine our light with our actions and words. Let your light shine for Him! How are you shining your light? Are you hiding it under a bushel ashamed for others to see? Make your life a candlestick! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Bible Reading: I Kings 11-12 | II Corinthians 8 | Psalm 127 I Timothy 4:12
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” No matter what your age, you can make a difference for Christ! Whether young or getting older, there is still something for you to do for the Lord. The context of our text today is the Apostle Paul admonishing Timothy, his son in the faith. Timothy was younger than Paul, who had trained and discipled him to carry the mantle. Maybe you’re a Paul, maybe you’re a Timothy; but regardless, God still has a plan and purpose for your life. If you do not have a Paul or Timothy in your life, seek to find one… and be one. We see clearly in our verse today several ways we can serve the Lord: Be An Example In Word. Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Be An Example in Conversation. Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Be An Example in Charity. I Corinthians 16:13-14 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.” Be An Example in Spirit. Romans 12:10-11 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Be An Example in Faith. Romans 4:20 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Be An Example in Purity. I Timothy 5:21-22 “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” If we would all follow the charge that Paul gave to Timothy we would all be better Christians and better examples for the cause of Christ. Let us therefore strive to be examples to those around us so that they may see Christ in us. Bible Reading: I Kings 9-10 | II Corinthians 7 | Psalm 126 Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” What do you glory in? Some glory in their knowledge, some in their strength, some in their wealth, (and some in all of the above); yet the Lord says that we should not glory in any of these things. We are to glory in the fact that we know Him! We know His Lovingkindness. Psalm 143:8 “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” We know His Judgment. Psalm 119:75 “I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” We know His Righteousness. Psalm 71:19 “Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!” Since our Lord delights in these things, should we not as His children seek to exercise them in our lives? Micah 6:8 “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Bible Reading: I Kings 7-8 | II Corinthians 6 | Psalm 125 Isaiah 58:9-11
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day; And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Aren’t you glad that the Lord is always there when we cry out to Him? Have you ever felt like He said “Here I am” to you just when you needed Him? How encouraging it is to know that our Heavenly Father has His ears open to us. What a privilege! When we earnestly come to the Lord in prayer, and seek His face for help, we will never leave disappointed. The Lord wants to guide us to exactly what we need. He will continually guide us if we will continually seek Him. When our souls are dry and in need of a drink, the Water of Life is always there to satisfy our longing as only He can. Not only will He quench our thirst, the Bread of Life will make fat our bones. He wants to feed and strengthen us when we are hungry. And like the miracle of the multiplication, there is always more Bread than the need demands. He is more than enough! Bible Reading: I Kings 5-6 | II Corinthians 5 | Psalm 124 Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” We can receive Divine Direction if we will seek to find it. When faced with a difficult decision, God’s Word has the answer. God promises to instruct us, teach us, and guide us. He Instructs Us Through His Word. Psalm 19:8 “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” He Teaches Us Through The Counsel Of Others. Proverbs 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” He Guides Us Through The Holy Spirit. John 16:13-14 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” How has the Lord shown you Divine Direction? Ask Him to remind you today of how He has directed you through difficult decisions before, and rejoice in the fact that if He did it then, He can do it now…for He never changes! Seek the Lord today for wisdom to make the right decision. Bible Reading: I Kings 3-4 | II Corinthians 4 | Psalm 123 Psalm 31:3
“For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” David acknowledges many times that God is his Rock, his Refuge, and his Fortress. He had to seek safety sheltered in the arms of God numerous times throughout his life. Can you not relate with David? Psalm 18:2-3,6 “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies…In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” He knew that the ears of the Lord were ready and willing to hear his cry. He constantly asked the Lord for help. In Psalm 31 we see David again coming to God for guidance. He spends the beginning of the chapter acknowledging Who God Is, and in our text mentions that David includes “for thy name’s sake” within his prayer. God does not deliver us, protect us, or lead us because we deserve it…but because of Who He Is. He is Righteous. Psalm 23:3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” He is the Pardoner of sin. Psalm 25:11 “For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.” He is Powerful to save. Psalm 106:8 “Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” He is Merciful to deliver. Psalm 109:21 “But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.” God’s attributes describe not only Who He Is, but also what He offers to us. We have mercy because God is Merciful. We have salvation because Jesus is Salvation. We have love because God is Love. We have grace because God is Grace. What could the Lord do for you "for his name's sake"? Focus on the attributes of God today, and discover more of the Truth of Who God is. Bible Reading: I Kings 1-2 | II Corinthians 3 | Psalm 122 |
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