Sandy's Devotional

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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. (Hebrews 12:1-2, 14-16)

God’s will is for us to run with endurance the race before us, keeping our eyes on the finish line – Jesus Himself. To run well, we’ve got to free ourselves of the “chains and ropes” that get tangled around our feet and the “extra weight” that holds us down, such as: enmity with people, impurity, bitterness, greed and shortsighted living.. When we look down too much, focusing on our flesh, we can trip. When we look up at the course that He has set before us, we will finish the race. Eyes focused on Him. As we focus on Jesus, His sacrifice and love, we will be able to finish the course and win the prize of the upward calling in Messiah.