Get Ready, Get set, Go!

Did you like to run races with your friends when you were a kid? Who was the fastest runner? As a believer in Jesus Christ, you run a race - the race of a lifetime. Join me today for our devotional about this race.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

We will be looking at these verses for the next three weeks.

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Our command in these verses is to RUN the race of the Christian life. We, the runners, can be encouraged by the lives and testimony of those who have gone before us.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We don’t have to only look back to find “heroes of the faith”. There are men of faith around you today as well – in your church pews or communities. Christians are meant to make this journey together and we are much stronger when we do.

What about encouraging your fellow runners down here? How about cheering each other on to finish the race? Let’s engage with our fellow runners and consider Hebrews 3:13,

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today…”

Run the Race, Pt 2

A coach’s job is to instruct and help his athlete improve and excel in his sport. Today a spiritual coach instructs us in running the race of life as godly men.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Our first set of instructions for running the race are found in the highlighted phrase in our text:

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Have you wanted to quit the race because of your sin and failures? Satan accuses us and throws these failures back in our face.

Think back to that great cloud of witnesses referenced in Hebrews 11. Didn’t those heroes have their own issues? Abraham basically wimped out twice and endangered his wife Sarah; Jacob was a conniver; Moses killed a man in his anger; David had an affair with Bathsheba and then arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. They had their struggles in life just like we do. They had to deal with the consequences of their sin. However, they returned to a God who forgave. They got back in the race. If God could use them, He can use you!

Can I encourage you to consider Paul’s challenge in I Corinthians 9:24?

“Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

Run the Race, Pt 3

The runner is experiencing fatigue in the last half of the marathon when he hears his coach cheering him on to finish the race. It is just the encouragement that he needed at that moment. Today we look at our coach’s second instruction from the book of Hebrews that I hope will encourage you in your spiritual race.

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Our coach in Hebrews gives us our second set of instructions in the highlighted phrase below:

“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

This race calls for the discipline of an athlete, the endurance of a marathon runner, and the determination of a champion. Did you know that the average Olympian trains 7000 hours for 60 seconds of competition? Every aspect of his life, from diet to schedule, is disciplined for competition.

The apostle Paul encouraged young Timothy to “train yourself in godliness". 1 Tim. 4:7. These are the disciplines needed for our training:

- time in the training manual, Word of God
- communication with our coach, prayer
- team huddles, worship services, Bible studies or small groups

This is where we gain the power and strength for running the spiritual race; it is not in our trying or feeble attempts. It is His Word and God himself who helps us persevere and run the race.

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement...” Romans 15: 4-5

Run the Race, Pt 4

We are finishing up our series on The Race. Our coach from Hebrews 12 gives us our last instruction. 2000 years later, researchers have found and verified that focusing on that finish line during a race can actually cause distances to appear shorter!

INSIGHTS FOR YOUR TOOLBOX

Our last instruction for racers is found in the highlighted phrase below:
“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.” Hebrews 12:1-2

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Hebrews 12:3 shares that we are prone to grow weary in this race of life. We cannot run this race in our own resources. We can try but we will fail. We must look to Jesus who will sustain our faith.

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” Philippians 2:13.
“So that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:5

Fix your eyes on him. Run with Jesus! From eternity’s perspective, our race of life is like a vapor that quickly vanishes. Then comes the joy! You will see Jesus! Press on!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Tim. 4:7