Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
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. 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.
If you are a Christian, the idea of walking through this life alone should be an alien thought to you.
We go through this together because we need people around us who can point out the things in our lives that we can not see for ourselves.
When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we come with experiences, thoughts, assumptions, and habits developed over our lifetime.
And as Jesus loves us to have paid the price for our sins and accepts us as we are, He loves us too much to leave us there.
Romans 5:8 NLT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
We have a responsibility in our walk with Jesus, though.
We need to study consistently.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Studying the Word of God is going to take some discipline on our part. We are going to have to sacrifice the time that we spend doing something to do the study.
For me, I choose to get up early. I get up at 4 AM every morning to stretch my mind with God’s Word while exercising my body. I do this every day, seven days a week. I go to sleep a little earlier, but what am I giving up another reality TV show?
I don’t say this to pat myself on the back but only show an example of what it might look like to sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
The benefits that I experience from this are a miracle from God. If you want to know more about them, reach out to me, and I will tell you about them.
As we expose ourselves to God’s Word, it will start to show us what we should be doing and begin to shape our minds, which will affect our hearts and eventually change what we do. Again this takes the consistency of effort on our parts.
The one thing that we should be doing through all of this is “by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
“Keeping our eyes on Jesus” is impossible without being in the Word of God, consistency.
Why such a need for consistency? Our attention spans are short. And we have to be reminded of these things often.
2 Peter 1:12-13 NLT
Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.
We will not get to the level of Godly perfection until Jesus Christ makes His return, and we need to be ready.
God is faithful to remove the character defects that we have, and He will present the trials in our lives in a manner that will help us see them if our eyes are open, and we need to recognize the need to change.
James 4:8-10 NLT
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Heavenly Father, please continue to work in my heart.
Please reveal to me the areas in my life that I am holding back from You. Give me the strength and courage to let them go and submit them to You.
I pray that Your Word continues to dwell richly in my heart, changes my mind, and affects my behavior.
I love You, and I am thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made that allows me to come boldly to Your throne.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!! 🙏❤️
