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.”
In
the race of life, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.
The goal is to finish well. It's not about the glory of being
first: the accolades and praise of men, it's about pressing toward the
mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. ... In due season we
shall reap if we faint not.
Be not weary in well doing. Our strength is in thee and not in me... even the young men shall stumble and faint... but they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount upon wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
2 Timothy 4. Paul was at the end of his race, pressing toward the mark and enduring through until the end. Paul writing to Timothy from prison knew that the time of his departure was near: the crown of righteousness awaits: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which The Lord the righteous judge shall give me a that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.
Paul had poured out his life as a drink offering, the last offering after all of the other sacrifices had been offered to God. Your circumstance and situation is the result of God's divine providence. From the world's perspective, it may appear bleak and hopeless. It looks as if your are staring at defeat and death. However, thy strength is made perfect in my weakness. With God all things are possible through him that believeth. Paul had lived a consistent life of faithfulness.
God has called us as vessels, ships prepared according to his provision, his allotment for the journey of life. Ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for. God has called us to release our hearts from it's moorings, and to sail upon the sea of life. The time for our departure has come... to press toward the destination.
Jesus said to Peter: "lovest thou me more than these?" Do you love me more than the things of this world... your stuff, your business, your friends? Where is your heart? Whom do you serve? Ye are the slaves of whom you serve.
A good shepherd is willing to give his life for his sheep. He lives for their well being. Not like a hireling who runs when the enemy comes to steal the sheep. There must be a reason to live other than the preservation of my own life... he that looses his life for my sake shall find it.
Be not weary in well doing. Our strength is in thee and not in me... even the young men shall stumble and faint... but they that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount upon wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
2 Timothy 4. Paul was at the end of his race, pressing toward the mark and enduring through until the end. Paul writing to Timothy from prison knew that the time of his departure was near: the crown of righteousness awaits: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which The Lord the righteous judge shall give me a that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.
Paul had poured out his life as a drink offering, the last offering after all of the other sacrifices had been offered to God. Your circumstance and situation is the result of God's divine providence. From the world's perspective, it may appear bleak and hopeless. It looks as if your are staring at defeat and death. However, thy strength is made perfect in my weakness. With God all things are possible through him that believeth. Paul had lived a consistent life of faithfulness.
God has called us as vessels, ships prepared according to his provision, his allotment for the journey of life. Ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for. God has called us to release our hearts from it's moorings, and to sail upon the sea of life. The time for our departure has come... to press toward the destination.
Jesus said to Peter: "lovest thou me more than these?" Do you love me more than the things of this world... your stuff, your business, your friends? Where is your heart? Whom do you serve? Ye are the slaves of whom you serve.
A good shepherd is willing to give his life for his sheep. He lives for their well being. Not like a hireling who runs when the enemy comes to steal the sheep. There must be a reason to live other than the preservation of my own life... he that looses his life for my sake shall find it.
When God speaks to us, his Word often breaks our heart. The word of God
is profitable for reproof, to show us where we are not believing rightly.
A broken and a contrite heart is a prerequisite for God to reconcile us
back to him. Reconciliation means to re-unite that which has been
separated. According to the world, reproof is a negative term. The
selfish heart rebels when confronted with truth. However, reproof,
chastisement, and correction does not mean condemnation. Rather, it means
to restore to an upright position. There can be no restoration without
first acknowledging that our heart is broken.
He's the healer of broken hearts, he mends our shattered dreams, he picks up the threads of our broken hearts and weaves them together again...
There can be no victory without a conflict: but thanks be to God who always giveth us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. To finish well, press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
God has called us to finish well: to run the race, to to fight the good fight, to finish the course. "Sinning" is missing the mark. However the emphasis of the Greek word "hamartia" is the "mark" and not the "missing of the mark." We're God's ordnance, his smart bombs, his laser guided missles, pressing toward the mark of the high calling according to his enablements: guidance, propulsion, and control blazing a trail to God's heart: the the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
He's the healer of broken hearts, he mends our shattered dreams, he picks up the threads of our broken hearts and weaves them together again...
There can be no victory without a conflict: but thanks be to God who always giveth us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. To finish well, press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
God has called us to finish well: to run the race, to to fight the good fight, to finish the course. "Sinning" is missing the mark. However the emphasis of the Greek word "hamartia" is the "mark" and not the "missing of the mark." We're God's ordnance, his smart bombs, his laser guided missles, pressing toward the mark of the high calling according to his enablements: guidance, propulsion, and control blazing a trail to God's heart: the the mark of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Your
brother in Christ,
Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment