Building Endurance for the Race of Life
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, (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)
This morning I was talking with a friend who said he was “just getting back into running.” When asked how far he ran last night he replied: “Six miles.”
Clearly his version of “getting back into running” is different than mine.
Training for a marathon is entirely different than training for a sprint.
Our spiritual lives are marathons, yet we often run in sprints. We press in for a while, but then grow weary and lose some ground. Then we get inspired again.
God calls us to run our race with endurance. He says: “Don’t be weary in well doing,” and “Press on toward the goal!”
There are three disciplines that effectively train us for the marathon of life:
1. Daily time in the Word of God
2. Daily time in Worship
3. Daily time in Prayer
For a runner, not every day of training is inspiring. There are days when you are tired and don’t desire to train. But strength comes with consistency.
Not every day of your spiritual journey will be awe-inspiring; but your daily training makes you strong so you can run with endurance!
Father,
Help me run my race with endurance, being reminded of the prize that awaits me. Strengthen me by Your Word, refresh me through times of worship, and empower me as I pray.
In Jesus’ name, amen!
Why the Role of a High Priest Still Matters
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 ESV)
As my High Priest, Jesus is both the Mediator and the Sacrifice.
As the God-Man Jesus is the perfection of divinity wrapped in the flesh and blood of humanity. He was tempted to sin, but never did. Jesus sympathizes with me because He understands me.
In the same way that Old Testament high priests – although themselves imperfect – interceded for (or stood in between) the people and God, Jesus – the perfect Mediator – stands between sinful man and a holy God, bridging the gap.
But what sets Jesus further apart from any other high priest is that He is not only the Mediator, but the actual Sacrifice!
John declared of Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus’ blood made the complete and final payment for every sin for all mankind for all eternity!
My High Priest literally gave His life so that I could live.
Having made the perfect sacrifice, He now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for me. And one day – very soon – he will return and bring me to be with Him for all eternity.
When I placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, my spirit became saved (absolutely brand new and completely perfect).
On a daily basis, through discipleship, my soul is being saved. My mind, will, and emotions are being renewed every day.
One day my body will be saved. Whether through my death or at Jesus’ return, my body will take on immortality and I will be completely made whole – spirit, soul, and body.
Thank You Jesus for being my High Priest, my Mediator, and my Perfect Sacrifice!
Why You Should Praise The Lord Anyhow
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1-2 ESV)
Must you be happy to make a joyful noise?
Is it possible to be glad even when you don’t feel glad?
Can you sing when you don’t have a song?
One of the most powerful and liberating truths I’ve learned is that worship is a choice. Although often accompanied by a variety of appropriate emotions, worship is not rooted in my feelings, but in my will.
I choose to make a joyful noise.
I choose to be glad.
I choose to sing.
If the enemy can convince you that praise is only a response to positive circumstances, he will keep you from breakthrough when you really need it.
Praise is a force that causes breakthrough.
God’s Word says to MAKE a joyful noise. You have the choice. It’s your decision. No power in hell can stop your praise!!
Choosing to praise God despite your circumstances invites God’s presence where it is most needed.
Choosing to praise God despite your circumstances invades enemy territory, pulling down strongholds.
Choosing to praise God despite your circumstances interrupts your thoughts and feelings, demanding that your soul gives place to your spirit.
Refuse to hold back!
Refuse to wait!
Refuse to be silent!
Choose to give God praise!
Father,
Today I choose to make a joyful noise. I choose to be glad. I choose to sing!
Death and LIFE are in the power of my tongue, therefore I will lift up my voice in praise and worship to my Deliverer, my Healer, my Savior, my Warrior, my Shield, and my Victory!
Jesus- You are worthy of my highest praise!
Amen!
How I See God Determines How I Serve Him
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17, 18 ESV)
The image of God as an angry judge may be true in regards to satan and his brood of demons, but is simply not the case when it comes to you.
Misguided theology, although often passed down by well-intended believers, produces wrong conclusions regarding God. From the earliest Biblical account – the Garden of Eden – many believers have a skewed perspective, seeing God’s banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden as punishment.
The truth is, if Adam and Eve in their sinful state (having eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) would have afterward eaten of the Tree of (eternal) Life, they would have been forever bound by sin. God’s banishment wasn’t punishment, it was protection.
Everything God does is motivated by love, by mercy, and by grace. That’s not to say that you will understand or immediately agree with everything He does, but that you need never to doubt His motive.
And what about that shame you carry? That condemnation that weighs you down. That sense of disappointment you live with?
God refers to His own presence as the Throne of Grace, where you can find mercy.
Jesus is your High Priest! He is FOR you. He sympathizes with you. And He helps you – even when you are tempted!
Have you been living with a wrong image of God? What if He just simply loves you?
Father,
Thank You for Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace. Help me to see You as You truly are.
Amen.
The Potential and Power of Truth
and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3 ESV)
Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem would one day be an honorable, influential city, where people would come from many nations to learn about the will and ways of God.
Certainly that has come to pass, and remains true in many ways today.
The Church is also a place where people come to be taught the will and ways of God, and to learn how to walk out those principles in everyday life.
He will teach us His ways.
We will walk in His paths.
Truth’s potential is received when we learn it; truth’s power is released when we apply it.
Unapplied truth cannot set you free. But when that which is taught becomes that which is walked, we find freedom.
Father,
Would you teach me Your ways today? And give me the fortitude to walk out the truth in practical application.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Pastor Dale Jenkins 