Delete the Distractions
Hebrews 12:1-11"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."
(HEBREWS 12:2A)
Have you ever had plans to complete a certain task on a particular day only to find several other things that needed doing before you even started the one you intended to tackle? Familiar story to you? Many of you know that it can feel nearly impossible to focus only on the most important task.
The Lord Jesus said to seek the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). He knows every responsibility and obligation each of us has. This Word of God promises that if knowing and doing God's will and glorifying Him is what matters most to us, all our other needs will be met. When we use our time, talents and finances as He directs, somehow we still have the time and money to do the things we could have chosen to do first.
The One who holds our times in His hands knows the future. Doesn't that make Him the perfect One to guide us through each day of this coming year? The crowd of spectators in heaven is cheering as we shake off everything that is not significant in our quest and determine to focus on Jesus.
INSIGHT
THE WORLD IS CONSTANTLY TELLING US TO "FOLLOW OUR DREAMS." BUT THE BIBLE URGES US TO FOLLOW JESUS!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Genesis 33-34
Psalm 17
Matthew 25
Hebrews 12:1-11
New Living Translation (NLT)
God’s Discipline Proves His Love
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.[a] Because of the joy[b] 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;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[d] He said,
“My child,[e] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[f]
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[g]
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way
FAITH STARTS IN THE WILDERNESS
We usually hear the message we want to hear rather than the message we need to hear. Have you heard the true message of the Gospel? It always calls the sinner to repent.
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