Endurance

Well we just finished week one of the fast. I am reminded of a verse that has been on my mind for sometime, Hebrews 12:1-3 for so many reasons, and now more than ever with the fast.

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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

I am thinking about how this verse applies to our fast. We should be encouraged as we go through these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting because not only are hundreds in our church doing it with us, there are thousands praying, fasting and seeking our Father with us from all across the nation and world. We are not alone. This "huge crowd of witnesses" is fasting with us and there are several who have fasted before. We have several of great people in the Word who fasted and God answered. We have several friends that we know now who have gone through this experience so we can do this!

We can "run with endurance the race God has set before us." We can go the distance and cross the finish line. The reward of becoming closer to our Lord is so worth it. God is hearing our prayers and there are sweet fragrances to Him. We will find favor with the Lord: "let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth’ then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy;  he will restore them to full well-being." Job 33:25-26  I do not know about you but I want to be renewed, I want God's favor, I want to see His face. FULL WELL-BEING. That is everything physical, soul, and spiritual. 

How do we endure when everything seems to be pulling us in a thousand other directions: "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Whenever this seems impossible and satan is throwing everything at you and you are at your weakest, think about Jesus. Jesus is there with you: "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

What if I slip up? Pick yourself up and go forward. "Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." Jesus took care of EVERYTHING on the cross, EVERYTHING! NO SHAME! Pastor Chris taught about the part disregarding its shame Wednesday. Jesus took on all of the shame of the world on the cross as he hung there naked. What could be more shameful than total nakedness before everyone. The word in the King James version is despising the shame. In the Greek, that means to turn completely away from it, not think about it. Do not feel any shame or guilt if you slipped up on the fast. Jesus took all of that to the cross! Jesus is sitting next to God right now interceding for you and me. He knows exactly what we are going through.


Just when you think you cannot go any further, think of Jesus: "Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." We can reach the finish line! 

Wednesday - Spiritual Dryness