Follow-up Versus
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Pondering Point
Whatever path God is calling you to, the race marked out for you, let the previous efforts of Jesus and the overwhelming approval of His Father concerning those efforts inspire you.
Jesus trusted the Father with His life and saw His death follow with a resounding resurrection. In fact, that resurrection still resounds today and will culminate with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. That’s approval!
So fix your eyes on Him and run with perseverance until you see the throne of God yourself – where with great joy and appreciation you will yourself bow down and joyfully confess Jesus as your Lord.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, I am stepping up to run this race You have marked out for me. Jesus, with You having initiated my faith, now continue to grow it to maturity and perfect it for my benefit and the benefit of those who will be served along the way of my race. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Group (MG) Moment:
Considering the value of the Sabbath
Day amid a life of Small and Micro-Groups
All week you have been reading snippets from John Comer’s book about the spiritual discipline of keeping a Sabbath day. Pause and reflect on such a benefit in your life. Do not brush this off or move past this without giving it space to encourage or admonish you. Today’s quote is as follows:
No wonder the writer of Hebrews, speaking of Sabbath and its spirit of restfulness, called us to “make every effort to enter that rest.” Notice the irony of that command; we are to work hard to rest well. There is a discipline to the Sabbath that is really hard for a lot of us. It takes a lot of intentionality: it won't just happen to you. It takes planning and preparation. It takes self-control, the capacity to say no to a list of good things so you can say yes to the best.
~ J.M. Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, p. 150
Prayer Prompt
[Insert your own prayer about today's devotion.]