2010-02-05 - Serve God and Persevere

Until You Attain the Goal

Hebrews 12:1,2

1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This race analogy is continued in reading 1 Corinthians 9:23-25.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25

23. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

We must show up for practice everyday or you're already defeated and then when that shot is fired run. Run with all that you have in you. Use all of your knowledge of racing to run as well as you can run. If you run to come in second you will never finish first. Run to come in first.

Knowing without doing is like plowing without sowing.

Many believe certain things because they don't study the word first. They just process or listen to studies of the word. Then what is applied is wrong and the next person learns from that application until the truth is lost. It's ok to believe a preacher or teacher but you should always keep in mind that even the greatest men of God can make mistakes. they are human just like us. use the scripture to test what men may say. if words of a man disagree with God's word the man is always wrong.

My preacher and I may not agree on every single issue, I know Dana and I don't agree on all things but we agree on the most important issue - salvation. It is given as a gift bought by the life and death of Jesus who rose again. Its not earned by anything we can do. That is the essence of all scripture. That is the single most important issue. And it will determine your eternal fate.

Maybe you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior. Accept him today. Just as New Year's Eve marks the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. Let today be the end of your old life and the beginning of a new life in Jesus. Maybe you have accepted Jesus as your savior but you're not growing spiritually as you should let today be a new beginning for you as well. Make a renewed commitment to study and live by His teachings given to us in the Bible.

IHFHBOH
Adam

acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org

All scripture references from KJV unless otherwise noted

2013-01-11