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Title: Race with patience looking unto Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your life.
"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, 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.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV.
There is a race you need to run, there are victories you need to win. The race before you is yours to run and finish. You are not competing with anyone, because your own race has components unique to you. As you run this race look unto Jesus Christ the author of your race and of the story of your life. He is also the one who gives the grace that enables you to get to the finishing line.
This scripture teaches us the important principles of this race. 1. Run it with patience. In the age of instant coffee, instant tea and microwave oven we sometimes want everything instant. You need patience for this race as God often does not do things to our timings. Hence Hebrews 10:36 tells us "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (KJV).
Remember also that the race is not for the swift nor the battle for the strong but for those who use their time to take the chances placed before them. (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
When opportunities come your way, make full and maximum use of them.
2. Put away weights. Imagine an athlete running with weights on his waist. Weights are those distractors, wrong priorities, the cares of this world, the desire for other things (see Mark 4:17-19) but seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness knowing all these other things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33).
3. Set yourself apart for God, consecrate yourself. This is a declaration you make to God ( I am yours Lord with all that I am and with all that I am not, I give my life to you) and to the enemy Satan ( I have nothing in you and you have nothing in me, I reject you in the name of Jesus Christ because I know you were defeated publicly on the cross by Jesus Christ and you await your fate in the lake of fire for all eternity). Consecration releases for you the grace you need to overcome sin.
4. Keep your eyes on the prize, on the trophy, on the joy before you. Keep your eyes on eternal life for you and those who will believe through your witness. Remember beyond the cross was the joy of mission accomplished, joy of billions going to heaven- that's what kept Jesus Christ going strong when things were hard. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross and despised the shame. Glory to God!
Prayer: My Heavenly Father I thank you for Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I pray for grace to run patiently and finish the race before me. I put away every weight and consecrate myself to you and to accomplish your purposes on the earth. Thank you for the joy of mission accomplished. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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