Full Surrender
A Mindset for “Breaking the Tape” Victoriously
““Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” – Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)
Each of us are running a race on a unique “course” set for us, individually, by the Lord Himself. What can we learn from Hebrews 12 and other Bible passages that would lend us insight into how we can run our race victoriously all the way through the finish line tape? How can we run in such a way as to glorify God when we don’t even know what the course holds for us? How do we run the race of faith when life throws unexpected hurdles and difficulties at us? And, how do we put off those sins and shed the weights that will hold us back from running our race to God’s glory all the way through our finish line?
Established on the foundation of biblical truth and interlaced with personal testimony, my prayer is that as you view this teaching you will find insights, hope, encourgement, and exhortation in and for your race of faith. May we all strive to embody and live out, as Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Teaching at our church home on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Abiding in Christ 1:1
This past Sunday, the church we attend – Veneration Church – launched a 16-month journey on what it means to abide in Christ, and to abide in Him in such a way that we can experience the fullness of joy in the here and now. I was blessed when they asked me to be a part of producing the journals for the series. As I take this journey with the church, I will be posting a weekly blog off of one of the verses we will be focusing on during that week, hence the number in the title (Month 1 : Week 1). Okay, let’s dive in…
Look To The REAL Force
Have you ever felt like the weight of the world is crushing in around you and you’re about to be overwhelmed, the the armies of fear, doubt, concern, and dismay are encamped around you? Maybe it was financial concerns or relationship issues or health...
The Ultimate Resolution – Part Five
I remember buying and setting up our first high-resolution television – one of the 4k flat-screen variety! Once setup, I tuned into a baseball game in progress – if you know me, you can guess it was an Angels game (no comments!) – and I immediately noticed...
The Ultimate Resolution – Part Four
Resolve is a word people tend to not use, let alone display, much anymore. Those who resolve to do something are usually devoted to a creed or belief, principle, or course of action - or in the case of some, following the teaching of a person - and display…
The Ultimate Resolution – Part Three
“I didn’t know how sick I was until I got well.” This is often said, in retrospect, by people who have struggled with their health-wise upon their recovery. Many times, the focus on fighting against and simply coping with the symptoms of their illness…
The Ultimate Resolution – Part Two
One of my favorite TV shows to watch in the mid-to-late 80’s was MacGyver. His ability to confront sticky situations and problems with creative solutions was amazing, even if he was a made for TV character. Each show followed basically the same pattern…
The Ultimate Resolution – Part One
It’s that time of the year where, having made our new years resolutions, we are able to take stock as to whether we are still on track with keeping them and, frankly, whether our resolutions had the greatest value in our lives for the upcoming year and beyond...
Believer or Disciple?
I remember a time when my son was much younger and he came to me asking if he could sign up to play little league baseball. As one who grew up playing the game it made me happy to hear those words. But in the next instant, knowing my son as only a dad could, I said to him...
Keep Running, Fulfill Your Calling, Press On!
There are days in our lives, and in history, that will ever be identified by what occurred on them. Some are on a national or global scale – July 4, 1776… December 7, 1941… September 11, 2001… dates that, when mentioned, remind us of some important event...
Digging Ditches
Ever felt like you are in the middle of a never-ending march through the desert? No matter what you do, things seem so difficult and you just can’t seem to catch a glimpse of God? Maybe it’s being unfulfilled at work, or problems in marriage, or issues with your kids, or feeling so alone and misunderstood...
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