Win Your Race

“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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” -Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

There are so many things that can hinder you from running your fastest toward God‘s purpose for your life! All the things that hinder you may not be deliberate sin, but they can still slow you down. If you want to run your fastest, pay attention to your form, work on your stride, and get rid of all distractions!

We're instructed to throw off all things that hinder (v.1). To throw something off is an aggressive response! It indicates the seriousness of getting rid of the things that hinder!

If you fail to throw off the hindrances, you finish with significant regret as you come to realize how much the hindrances held up your race!

There are also sins that can slow you down and not only slow you down, but keep you from finishing all that God has planned for you! Sin is a massive problem as it can starve out your passion for God, enslave you, and entangle you in painful consequences! Don’t shrug off sin as it will destroy your dreams, distract you from your race, and trip you up as you try to run!

Confess your sins, repent from them, and walk in the Spirit so that you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

Finally, run with perseverance even when the wind is against you! Run hard and don’t let up, don’t slow down, and don’t give up! Run all the way through the finish line of all that God has planned for you with your eyes fixed on Jesus (v.2)!

You may trip and fall at times, but get back up and keep running! We have the ultimate victory in Christ! So keep running toward the finish line He has for you, throw off every sin, get rid of all distractions, and keep running toward Jesus with everything you can give!

Right on?

Read/listen to Hebrews chapters 12-13 and James chapter 1

Prayer focus: talk to God about any distractions or hindrances that are slowing you down and admit any unconfessed sin that may be in your life

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The Habit of Gathering

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬-‭25‬

It’s not easy to build habits that accelerate your spiritual growth! It’s also difficult to eliminate habits that hinder your growth. The battle to win your spiritual habits is not an easy one, but it’s helpful to know that you’re not alone in the struggle! Way back in the early church, people were still getting out of the habit of doing things that were good for their growth (v.25)!

The habit of gathering together is important to our spiritual development because we need each other! We are better together when we pray together, worship together, share our lives with each other, and grow as a community in Christ!

Strengthening your commitment to gather together with God’s church will build spiritual muscle like few other things!

The reason many people get out of this habit is because they begin treating it as optional. We want to instead see gathering as something God created us to experience and then show our love to Him through our obedience in what He has established! Thinking of gathering as a church as not optional eliminates our excuses.

There are still a lot of things that fight against the habit of gathering together as a church! You can allow work or school, other events, lack of self-discipline, sports, busyness, and so many other things to crowd out this expectation of God! However, the long-term benefit of gathering together as a church far outweighs whatever else people allow as a replacement.

Work hard to cultivate this habit of gathering together consistently and watch how God blesses your life! You can also see this in the inverse as you watch your friends over time who stop gathering with the church. They buy into the illusion of a solely private spiritual life or fill their life with lesser things. You’ll often quickly see the diminishing growth they get spiritually!

God designed you to grow in community, so make gathering with your church family a priority that’s not optional! Guide your family and friends into the same decision which will bless your life and theirs for the long-term!

Right on?

Read/listen to Hebrews chapters 9-11

Prayer focus: Thank God for creating you for community with other believers and ask Him to surround you with strong Christian friendships as you gather consistently with his church

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Unnoticed

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” -Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬

Have you ever felt unnoticed or unappreciated? It hurts because you want to feel valued and cared for, not lost in obscurity.

No matter how loving and intentional the people around you may be, there will always be some good things that are overlooked and unnoticed by others. How can you stay encouraged when you feel unnoticed?

People may not appreciate or value some things about who you are or what you have done, but there is someone who notices everything and cares deeply!

Feeling valued begins with an awareness that God loves you so much that He gave everything for you when Jesus died on the cross for your sins.

He also sees all the good you do for Him (v.2). God notices all that you do every day! He doesn't miss anything! When you live with the awareness that God knows and cares, it brings peace even when you are not acknowledged by people.

Also, since you know how much it matters to be appreciated and valued, make it your mission to help others feel that love by going out of your way to notice them intentionally! Focusing on others will help you escape a victim mindset where you are consumed with thoughts about how others are not focused enough on you. Instead, decide to focus on loving God and others, because God first loved you!

Set your sights on pleasing God and doing everything you do to express your love for Him!

The next time you feel unappreciated, remember that God cares about you, He loves you, His Spirit is in you, and He notices everything you do!

Right on?

Read/listen to Hebrews chapters 6-8

Prayer focus: thank God for noticing you, loving you, and caring about you while also asking for wisdom to notice and care about others

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