That He may be glorified

October 23, 2016

Worship:  Let us Love and Sing and Wonder

TEXT:

John Newton

MUSIC:

Laura Taylor

1. Let us love and sing and wonder
Let us praise the Saviour’s name
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has brought us nigh to God

2. Let us love the Lord Who bought us
Pitied us when enemies
Called us by His grace and taught us
Gave us ears and gave us eyes
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He has washed us with His blood
He presents our souls to God

3. Let us sing though fierce temptation
Threatens hard to bear us down
For the Lord, our strong salvation,
Holds in view the conqueror’s crown
He, Who washed us with His blood,
He, Who washed us with His blood,
He, Who washed us with His blood,
Soon will bring us home to God

4. Let us wonder grace and justice
Join and point to mercy’s store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
He Who washed us with His blood
Has secured our way to God

5. Let us praise and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high
Here they trusted Him before us
Now their praises fill the sky
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou hast washed us with Thy blood
Thou art worthy Lamb of God

6. Yes, we praise Thee, gracious Saviour
Wonder, love, and bless Thy Name.
Pardon, Lord our poor endeavor
Pity for Thou knowest our frame
Wash our souls and songs with blood
Wash our souls and songs with blood
Wash our souls and songs with blood
For by Thee, we come to God

©2001 Laura Taylor Music.

Lyrics: http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/hymns/let-us-love-and-sing-and-wonder-taylor

Video: https://youtu.be/Uw89qxcfDV8

Witness:

It again appears that life has interfered with my journaling. However, it has not kept me from reading devotional thoughts by others or listening to sermons by John Piper or Allister Begg. Nor has it kept me from prayer and writing a poem which I will share at the end of this journal entry. No, life may bring disruptions to our holy habits and endeavors. The key is not to beat ourselves up about it or listen to the lies our enemy throws at us.

You’re a failure...

Give it up…

You’re such a looser…

You just aren’t disciplined enough!

Keep plugged in somehow. Pray and worship spontaneously as the Spirit leads you. Read short devotionals. Listen to sermons in the car or when you are going to bed. Jump back into your quiet time as soon as the opportunity presents itself, don’t put it off. When you put it off your passion fires will wane, and your holy habit will soon be broken. Those who have tasted of the goodness of the Lord and His excellencies by engaging in the holy habit of the study of His Word and the exercise of their mind and spirit in meditation upon what He reveals will find it difficult to stay away. There will be a nagging yearning in their heart to return to the refreshing fount of blessings found in His Word. A holy ache to be in His presence through worship in song, prayer, and the Word.

WORD:

Ps 25:11 For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. NIV	Ps 25:8 For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Ps 25:11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. KJV	Ps 25:11 11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. ESV

Many commentators see this as a break in David’s meditation on his petitions found in verses 1-7. If so, it is a very brief, very natural, and almost unconscious one as he reflects on the goodness and faithfulness of God.  The object of David’s meditation is still God and not himself. The subject of his meditation is not his forgiveness but God’s reputation. In other words, David is more concerned with glorifying and magnifying God. And because he is concerned, he knows his sin does not magnify the Lord, but that in forgiving his sins God will be greatly glorified.

How? You may ask. For the same reasons, I gave back in verse 7 where David asks to be remembered by God for the sake of His goodness (see the entry on June 23, 2016). Also for the reasons I gave on October 11, 2015, when commenting on a similar phrase found in Psalm 23:3 “Your name's sake”). I refer anyone reading this back to these two entries. I will quote Barnes to summarize the thought here.

The idea here is that God would do this on His own account, or for the honor of His own name. This is A reason, and one of the main reasons, why God ever pardons iniquity. It is that the honor of His name may be promoted; that His glorious character may be displayed; that he may SHOW himself to the universe to be merciful and gracious. There are, doubtless, other reasons why He pardons sin-reasons drawn from the bearing which the act of mercy will have on the welfare of the universe; but still the main reason is, that His own honor will thus be promoted, and His true character thus made known.

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Let me add that finding forgiveness, and peace with the God of the universe also brings the greatest joy and satisfaction in the heart of the repentant sinner… a joy that may fluctuate in this life but will last forever in the eternal.

O, LORD…

For Thy name’s sake

And not mine

Forgive my iniquity

For this, I pine

That in doing this

You receive the glory

And I can share

The wondrous story

Of thy steadfast love

And gracious heart

Which leads me to sing

How great Thou art

With tears that flow

Like a flood

Because of Thy

Redeeming blood

Three basic truths about the paths of the Lord

October 7, 2016

Worship: He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli

Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
Somebody less than perfect
I wouldn't choose me first if
I was looking for a champion
In fact I'd understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that's just not my story
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

I'm not meant to just stay quiet
I'm meant to be a lion
I'll roar beyond a song
With every moment that I've got
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King,
His forever, held in treasure
I am loved

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes

I don't need my name in lights
I'm famous in my Father's eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I'm not living for applause
I'm already so adored
It's all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

Songwriters
FIELDES, MIA / MOSLEY, SETH / BATTISTELLI, FRANCESCA

Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., MUSIC SERVICES, INC.

Read more: Francesca Battistelli - He Knows My Name Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Video: https://youtu.be/haLkLDfLBok

Witness:

Wow! I did not realize how many days have passed by without making an entry in my journal. Life is helter-skelter for me in this fall season of 2016. Books to read, Lifegroups and Band of brother meetings to attend, a fundraiser for textbooks for a friend’s school. I’m worn out, harried, disorganized and sleep deprived. In the past when facing similar situations, the Lord has told me to press on and not grow weary. I will continue to take that advice. The song above reminds me that I am not perfect. I identify with the line “I wouldn’t choose me first if I was looking for a champion.” I am uncomfortable with the line “I’m not living for applause” because I know I am often guilty of this. I thank Him for the line “You saw my heart and made something out of nothing” for all that I have that is good in me comes from God Himself and not me. I am convicted by the lines “I’m not meant to just stay quiet…I'm meant to be a lion”. Slowly I am becoming more vocal beyond these words I type. I am awed by the fact that He “knows my name,” that is, He knows me intimately. Finally, I am blown away by the fact that “He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King, His forever, held in treasure…I am loved”.

Ps 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. NIV (1984)

Ps 25:8-10 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. ESV

I return to verse 10 for a final thought before moving onto the next section in this psalm. The word for “paths’ has been discussed before in Psalm 23 concerning the paths of righteousness. I believe verse 10 is a reference to those same paths. The “paths of the LORD” are the same as “the paths of righteousness.” The word denotes a well-worn path, one full of ruts left by those traveling. Ruts left by our merciful and faithful God who leads His people on these paths. Those who travel these paths find that God is indeed steadfastly loving and faithful. Who are the ones on these paths? They are described as those who keep “his covenant and his testimonies” (ESV). Let me say again that this is first and foremost descriptive and not prescriptive.

It conveys three basic truths to me. First, it describes to me the character of those who are redeemed. They are the ones who keep His covenant. The word “keep” is the word natsar in Hebrew. The BDB Abridged says this about the word:

natsar

to guard, to watch, to watch over, to keep (Qal)

1)        to watch, to guard, to keep

2)        to preserve, to guard from dangers

3)        to keep, to observe, to guard with fidelity

4)        to guard, to keep secret

5)        to be kept close, to be blockaded

6)        a watchman (participle)

(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)

At its core meaning here, it has the idea of “to keep” or “observe.” However, I also see a sense of faithfulness and watchfulness and guardedness. The humble follower of God faithfully walks on the path God lays out for them with watchfulness to themselves lest they stumble on the way. They keep on the lookout out for the enemy who continually seeks to trip them up or tempt them to stray from the path. They guard themselves against error and walk in the truth (see Mt. 16:11, Acts 20:27-32). 1 Corinthians 16:13 has this admonition:

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” NIV 2011

(Bible Hub)

This is the habit of those are His covenant following people. The word Keep in Hebrew is a participle. It speaks of continuous, habitual action.

"It has a linear aspect and represents the continuous exercise or exhibition of the action or condition denoted by the verb.

(from Wheeler's Hebrew Syntax Notes, Copyright © 1988-2006 by Rev. Prof. Dale M. Wheeler, Ph.D. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)

The second thing I see is the character of the paths upon which the faithful walk. They are described as “steadfast love and faithfulness.” These words have been discussed before in this psalm and others. They describe the character of our God and how He speaks to and acts towards His people. As such those who follow in these paths take on more and more of the likeness of the One they follow! But note the comprehensive nature of the character of these paths.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness

Not just some but ALL! What does this say to me? It says that when the path gets rough, darkness fills the sky, and rain begins to fall. And when the wind blows hard and whips the rain against my face making it hard to see ahead of me, and I look for shelter from the storm. Instead of listening to the enemy who is calling me to get off the narrow way and come join him on the broad path. The path that he promises will lead to pleasure, but in the end, leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13) – I will look to my Lord and hide in the shadow of His wings.

I will cry out:

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,

for in you my soul takes refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.

Ps 57:1 NIV

I will sing:

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Ps 63:7-8 NIV

I will find rest and declare my trust:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge

and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."

Ps 91:1-2 NIV (84)

The mature saint of God understands that the steadfast love of the Lord and His faithfulness do not mean continual blue skies, sunny days, and the wind always at our back. This may make for a good “blessing,” but it is far from reality as seen in the lives of the saints in all ages (remember the dark valley of Psalm 23). Yet they know that the storm is only temporary and is part of Gods plan in preparing us for the glory that is to follow.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Cor 4:16-18 NIV (84)

John Piper in a sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 has this to say:

And then comes what is perhaps the most amazing “because” of all. We do not lose heart because every single moment of our affliction in the path of obedience — whether from sickness or slander — fallen nature or fallen people — all of it is meaningful ...

It is doing something. Causing something. Bringing about something glorious. You can’t see this. The world can’t see this. They think, and you are tempted to think, this suffering is meaningless. It’s not doing anything good. I can’t see any good coming out of this. That’s what you feel if you focus on the seen.

To which Paul responds, look to the things that are unseen. The promise of God. Nothing in your pain is meaningless. It is all preparing. Working something. Producing something — a weight of glory, a special glory for you. Just for you because of that pain.

http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/do-not-lose-heart

Spurgeon commenting on this verse says:

This is a rule without exception. God is good to those that be good. Mercy and faithfulness shall abound towards those who through mercy are made faithful. Whatever outward appearances may threaten we should settle it steadfastly in our minds that while grace enables us to obey the Lord's will we need not fear that Providence will cause us any real loss. There shall be mercy in every unsavoury morsel, and faithfulness in every bitter drop; let not our hearts be troubled, but let us rest by faith in the immutable covenant of Jehovah, which is ordered in all things and sure.

(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The final thing I want to point out is the exclusivity of this path. Only pilgrims who are aliens and strangers here in this world (1 Peter 2:11) are on it. Those who are not people of the covenant will not experience the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, only the echoes of it found in His common grace shown to all (Matthew 5:45)

Spurgeon observes:

Psalms 25:10

Yet this is not a general truth to be trampled upon by swine, it is a pearl for a child's neck. Gracious souls, by faith resting upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus, keep the covenant of the Lord, and, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, they walk in his testimonies; these will find all things working together for their good, but to the sinner there is no such promise. Keepers of the covenant shall be kept by the covenant; those who follow the Lord's commandments shall find the Lord's mercy following them.

(from The Treasury of David, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Calvin says:

David is not here speaking of the character in which God acts towards mankind in general, but what his own children find him to be. We have already seen in Ps 18:26, that he is stern and severe towards the obstinate and rebellious; and even though he acts with kindness towards them, in mercifully exercising forbearance towards them notwithstanding their iniquity, yet we find, that so far from seeking their full enjoyment in him, and trusting to his promises, they have no sense of his goodness. Nay, as soon as any adversity befalls them, they either become passionate and fretful, accuse God of acting cruelly towards them, or else complain that he is deaf to their prayers; and when they enjoy prosperity, they despise and neglect him, and as much as they are able flee from his presence. David, therefore, in speaking of the mercy and faithfulness of God, justly describes them as a treasure peculiar to the godly; as if he had said, “We have no reason to be afraid that God will deceive us if we persevere in his covenant.”

(from Calvin's Commentaries, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Therefore, to myself and all who may read this who are my brothers and sisters in Christ let me share this exhortation:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gal 6:9-10 NIV

To anyone who doubts or is an unbeliever consider this:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:9-10 NIV

Therefore, God says:

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Rom 10:9-13 NIV

8 reasons we fail to follow God's way: Doubtfulness (in yourself)

September 27, 2016

Worship: I need You More, by Kim Walker and Jesus Culture

Chorus:
I need You more,
more than yesterday
I need You more
More than words can say
I need You more
Than ever before
I need You Lord
I need You Lord

Verse:
More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than the next heartbeat
More than anything, and Lord as time goes by
I'll be by Your side
‘Cause I never want to go back to my old life

Bridge:
We give you the highest praise
We give you the highest praise
We give you the highest praise

Ending:
More than the air I breathe
More than the song I sing
More than anything
I need You more

Read more: Jesus Culture - I Need You More Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Video: https://youtu.be/Gsj1htvlXzQ

Witness:

If I were to give a title to this portion of my journal thoughts for the day, it might be titled, “Of hair dye and sin.” I actually had this thought in mind late last week but spoke about my pride problem instead. I think I was in the shower when this thought came to mind. My hair is white with a mixture of darker hair that once was blond. Many women and some men my age will dye their hair to hide the graying of their hair. They seek to look younger by covering up this tell-tale sign of aging (though some younger people’s hair grays or turns white prematurely). This may work for a while, but sooner or later, the hair grows, and the roots begin to show the gray again. One has to touch up the roots or dye their hair again.

This made me think of the sin in our lives. How often we try to cover them up with lies, excuses, and religious acts. Others see us as “so godly” when we are just hiding the sin in our lives from them and more so, from ourselves. When we look in the mirror, we see only the halo above our head and not the hidden hollowness of our heart. Sooner or later, our “roots” of sin begin to appear as the Spirit of God reveals to us our sin and calls us to repentance. Others may start to see those “roots” as well.

                “...be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).”

So what do you do? Well, you can come clean and get rid of the cover-up and confess to God (Who sees beneath the “hair dye” anyway) as well as to those you have been deceiving. The word “confess” (homologeo) essentially means “to say or speak the same thing” (see Vines Dictionary of NT Words). We need to see our actions and thoughts as God sees them and say the same thing about them. They are sins not mistakes, oopses, little white lies, or “just the way I amses” (sorry for the vernaculars).  From what we view as the small to those we consider the greatest, sin is sin and must be confessed to our holy and loving Father and sometimes to our brothers and sisters in the Lord as well. 

Ps 32:1-5

Blessed is he

whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord does not count against him

and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,

my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night

your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was sapped

as in the heat of summer.

Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you

and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, "I will confess

my transgressions to the Lord" —

and you forgave

the guilt of my sin.

NIV

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

ESV

WORD:

Ps 25:8-10  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. NIV (1984)

Ps 25:8-10 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. KJV

Ps 25:8-10 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. ESV

Question: Why would we fail to follow the way that God points out to us?

8 reasons:

1. fear

2. Pride

3. doubt (towards God)

4. ignoring

5. rebellion

6. distractions

7. presumption (of His forgiveness)

8. doubtfulness (in yourself)

I have spoken before about doubt with reference to God, but what about doubt concerning ourselves? As I think over this, it seems to me that this is an irrational response to God’s effort to instruct us. We know He is Omniscient (All-knowing), Omnipresent (His fullness of being is fully present everywhere), and Omnipotent (All Powerful), yet we fail to step out on the path God has set before us because we doubt we can do it. We are not smart enough, or know enough, or are strong enough to do it.

                                                                              EXACTLY!

 BUT HE CAN!

                                                   AND HE WILL!

If we trust Him. So it comes back to doubt in God, doesn’t it? Unbelief in the God who can do all things. Unbelief in His promises such as, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13 NIV) and overlooking the example of Paul:

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor 15:10 NIV

Paul, knowing that God was working through him, had the confidence to work “harder.” Therefore, it is an irrational fear and doubtfulness in ourselves that often keeps us from following God’s direction and instruction. I confess I have found myself in this camp for many years. I have experienced many failures in my life. Fear of failure and doubt in any giftedness by God have kept me from experiencing His power, presence, and purpose in my life. Only recently have I stepped out (baby steps) in faith to serve Him in a greater capacity. I am still struggling and growing in this area. I have knowledge, but it is held back by doubt in myself and a reluctance to trust God for any success I may have. I must remember that it is not I, but Christ living and working in and through me (Galatians 2:20) that brings any success.

The hardest step along the path of righteousness is the first one. Any one of the above reasons or a combination of them (as often is the case) can paralyze us and keep us from beginning the journey. I remember the time I was at a men’s retreat. One of the recreational activities there was a zip-line. Now I am not too fond of heights (or falling for that matter either). As I began the ascent to the top of the tower of the zip-line, fear set in. By the time I got to the second or third level, fear had risen to such a height that I quickly descended and sat on a rock nearby. The rock was certainly reassuring and a firm place to rest.   However, I was mad at myself for chickening out. As I sat there, I resolved to climb and “do this thing.” So I summoned up as much courage as I could and climbed slowly but steadily to the top. Once there, I was placed in a secure spot in the back, harnessed in, and moved to the edge to launch out. When I finally began the descent, all fear vanished, and the exhilaration of the descent took its place.

The most difficult part was the first step. One thing I didn’t tell you is that someone else who was also afraid was with me. We ascended together. The faith life is a journey meant to be traveled together and not alone.  The first step may be hard but made easier when we step out with another. Jesus understood this and sent out His disciple in pairs of twos (heaven help the one who had Judas as a partner!). That is why I have sought out fellowship in Lifegroups at my church as well as the Band of Brothers. The path may not be any easier, and there may be many diversions along the way, but with an eye on the prize and the help of a fellow sojourner on the path to glory we shall reach the top and then oh what a joy and a thrill, it will be!

LET’S GET GOING!!!

Heb 12:1-4

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.