From: November 14, 2023
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NLT).
Running the race of faith, it is Jesus who sets the pace for us. So we must keep our eyes on Him, sprinting and leaping when He does. And turning aside to rest when He does too. For Jesus is both the Founder and the Finisher of our faith. He wrote the gospel in His own blood and completed it with His last breath saying, “It is finished!”
Yet three days later, He was raised from the dead, defeating sin, death, and the grave. So it is by faith in Jesus that we are both saved and sanctified. He is our Savior and His Holy Spirit works in us for our sanctification.
Are you weary and burdened today? Look to Jesus. For He says, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Jesus gives us energy to endure and direction to continue running life’s race. Keep your focus on Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we come to You in need today. We need both strength and guidance to run life’s race. We look to Jesus not only as our example, but as the source of our encouragement and energy. Help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus today. Help us keep our ears tuned to His voice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 14, 2022
DON’T WASTE THE PAIN
Are you going through a season of hardship or sorrow? Are you burdened by trouble? Exhausted by trial or disappointment? Don’t waste the pain. God is still God. He is still sovereign. Such seasons are never enjoyable at the time, but when we look back on them, we see how God was at work. For we need not wonder what God is up to with us. He is making us like Jesus.
God cares more for our character than our comfort. He disciplines us for our good, so that in every way we are being sanctified, made holy, as His children. He loves us. He has not left us alone, but is actively present with us always.
So don’t waste the pain. Don’t give up! “Take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees” (Heb. 12:12). And when you wonder what God is up to, remember what the apostle John said. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we put our trust in You. For You are our God and even when things seem chaotic and overwhelming, we keep our eyes on You. For You love us and will always do what is best for us. Strengthen our tired hands and weak knees. Empower our speech to proclaim Your gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 14, 2017
Don’t waste the pain. God cares more for your character than you comfort. His “chastening” may be painful, but it yields Christlikeness in you when you submit to its training. One day, you will look back on your life and see how God has disciplined you as His own child for your sanctification. He is conforming you to the image of Christ. Stop rebelling and start submitting. Pray as Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
From: November 14, 2016
The saints of the Old Testament longed to see the promised fulfillment of their faith in the coming of the Messiah, but they passed from this world before that day came. That which they longed for, we have received, that is–– the good news–– that Christ Jesus came, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead for our justification (Rom. 4:25). Yet, God has not failed to keep His promise to them. It will be fulfilled on that day when Christ returns and the dead in Christ will rise together. The former will not precede the latter, nor the latter the former. Abraham will rise together with Paul, Moses with Peter, and Isaiah with John. For the Old Testament saints will not be “made perfect” (“complete”) apart from the saints of the New. And now, we long for that day, when we will all be raised together, the perfect and complete Church, with Christ as its Head.
From: November 14, 2015
This is one of the purposes of fellowship: mutual “sharpening.” The life of faith is to be lived out in community. First, to be in communion with God and then, with other believers. The life lived in a community of faith offers accountability, so that spiritual growth is encouraged. Sure, when iron strikes iron the sparks may fly, but those committed to the family of God do not pull away, rather they cling to one another, knowing that this is the will of God. This verse is the motto for our church’s men’s ministry, which we call the “Ironmen Ministry.” But the verse is appropriate for all that would desire to live out their faith in community as God commands.
From: November 14, 2014
Ezekiel, like many of God’s prophets, was not respected by his contemporaries. He was tasked with making known God’s future plans for men and nations that would soon come to pass. Yet, no generation wants its comfort disturbed. They would rather risk the warnings of an approaching hurricane than leave their beach vacation early. Today, Ezekiel is respected. His prophecies have been borne out. But people have not changed. God’s Word is still warning us to get ready, while much of humanity continues in its deafness to His voice. This does not excuse us from being like Ezekiel and warning them anyway. We do this for God’s approval, not theirs.