Laser focus on Jesus!

Hebrews 12:21

“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.”

When you’re an athlete, there’s something about the roar of the crowd to boost you! I played hoops back in high school; I fondly remember the times the crowd cheered loudly and long for us, encouraging us!

The “race of faith” can be really challenging; the devil, the world, our own sinful flesh battles us every step of the way. We can so easily get tired.

Thinking about the Old Testament heroes of faith helps us! Noah had such a hard job – to build the ark – but God strengthened him to get it done in spite of the rampant unbelief around him. Abraham was called to leave his home country. Joseph was sold into slavery. Rahab saw her entire city destroyed around her. God strengthened all of them to keep moving forward!

And now God wants us to picture those heroes of faith as if they are the crowd, cheering loudly and long for us, encouraging us! What a boost!

Thankful for God’s encouraging love, just like you,

pastor