RUN THE RACE IN 2009

Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(3) For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

It is my prayer that 2009 will be a great year for all of you. God's Word tells us that we are in a race and surely we are closer to the finish line than we have ever been. For some, there will come much pain and heart ache in this race. He did not tell us there would not be rough roads. Christ surely traveled rough roads in His race (road to Calvary). But remember, He was victorious. We must remember in the midst of the pain that there is a God who loves us. Scripture tells us in Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He has blazed the trail for God's glory and we are to follow His path.

What must we do to follow the trail that Christ has laid out for us in 2009 for His glory?

#1. Look for witnesses of the race.
There are those who have been in the race and have stayed the course. Hebrews 11 give a list of the Hall of Faith.
#2 There are some things that we are to lay aside.
(A). Lay aside the enubrances in you life. These are the things that hinder you from running the race of faith. It can be anything that weighs you down. It is what gets in you view and distracts you from staying the course.
(B.) Lay aside the sin in your life. It entangles (ties our legs and makes us fall). We cannot run the race with our legs tied up. Sin destroys our stamina for the course before us. We must confess it and turn away from it.
#3 Run with endurance.
Do not be a quitter. There will be hard times. Keep your hands to the plow and keep going forward on the trail that has been set before us.
#4 Stay Focussed
With all that comes at us we must have our eyes fixed on the One who laid out the race of faith, He completed it for us, it brought Him joy to go to the cross for the glory of the Father. He despised the shame and He took His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. There He intercedes for us as we run the race.
#5 Consider Him
That is what will bring us the most comfort and joy thoughout 2009 and years to come (considering Him). Remember, He received hostility from the sinners of the world. He traveled the rough roads, but did it with joy for His obedience to the Father and His love for us.

RUN THE RACE!

A Servants Heart

“Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Gabriel came to the virgin Mary and told her that she would give birth to the Son of the Most High. Do you wonder what was going through her mind. What would her parents think? What about Joseph? Friends, and the religious leaders of her day? Would she be stoned?

She may or may not have thought of these things, but what was in her heart would spill out, and that was one of servant hood. Mary is not to be worshipped, but she is to be admired for being such an obedient servant. She seen herself as a slave to the Lord and she belonged to Him and what ever He ordered, she was to respond, "Let it be done to me according to your word." It was purposed in her heart to be obedient. Her obedience showed her love for the Lord and it proved that she belonged to Him. John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

We must examine ourselves. Does our response to Him show and attitude of servant hood, obedience and love? The first real Christmas occurred in the town of Bethlehem and God used a faithful obedient servant. True Christmas is still dependant upon faithful obedient servants trusting their Lord. I pray for a real Christmas in you life this year.