TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1b-2a
Read: Hebrews 12:1-2
Listen: Hebrews 12
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Paul uses a running metaphor with the Ephesian elders. Paul wants to finish well, but he doesn’t want to mess it up now. Something true about most races and life is they have hills. Like a race run, it isn’t usually one hill or time of adversity in life that gets us. It’s the culmination of hill after hill after hill. Hills tire us out, and the last few years have been full of them. Many of us may be tired and feel like it’s all uphill right now.
One way to get through the hills is to have the proper motivation and focus. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to run with perseverance by looking to Jesus. Jesus willingly endured hill after hill for us, to the point of dying on the cross. When we focus on Jesus and what he’s done, we can find the strength we need to finish well. Jesus can help us develop the endurance we need to tackle each hill. That doesn’t mean the hills won’t exhaust us—they will. But it means we can keep going.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Look to Jesus. Renew your focus on the person and work of Jesus. The past weekend we sang “What a Beautiful Name.” The lyrics remind us, “You didn’t want heaven without us, so Jesus you brought heaven down. My sin was great, your love was greater. What could separate us now?” Worship along with the Ada Bible Worship Team to the song to help you focus on Jesus today.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
