The Narrow Path

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2

Here, the author of Hebrews tells us the secret to running the race of life well with endurance. Always keep your eye on Jesus! Life is difficult. It’s full of temptations. The path of faithful obedience to Christ is uneven, narrow, and treacherous. Sometimes it can even be difficult to see amongst all the possible paths before you. On your own, you will stumble, trip, fall, or turn off onto a different path altogether. But if you keep your eyes on your Lord and Savior, you will safely run this path for God’s glory and your blessing!

Look to Jesus constantly. Read of Him daily in the Bible. Meditate on Him, His teachings, and His example. Jesus endured a brutal path of obedience to His Father’s will. He endured betrayal, the failure of His followers, injustice, humiliation, abuse, torture, and death. He did that by looking toward His Father and the glory of the redemption of creation. Jesus ran His race with perfection, never giving in to temptation, never sinning or falling short of God’s standard. And He did it to redeem creation and rescue you from your sins.

Now Jesus rules and reigns in Heaven. And His Spirit lives in each of His followers. He, Himself, is in union with His followers – with YOU. And as you look to Him, you have the power to run your difficult, painful, long, treacherous race with holiness and endurance. You can make disciples. You can lift the name of Jesus high. You can reveal Christ’s strength in your weakness. You can show the world the truth and power of the Gospel. You can be transformed, new creation. Just look to Jesus – He isn’t just the starting point of your faith, He’s the One Who perfects it. Let Him! #FollowJesus

Faith at the Base

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son” – Hebrews 11:17

Throughout all of history, God’s grace has been poured out upon His people through faith. This is the point emphasized over and over and over again throughout Hebrews chapter 11. The great heroes of the Old Testament did extraordinary things, but they did them because of their faith and that’s what God blessed. They looked ahead and anticipated God’s coming Messiah, trusting in Him and believing in God’s plan of salvation.

It was faith that caused Abraham to answer God’s call to take his miraculous son of promise to the top of Mount Mariah and prepare to sacrifice him to the Lord. It was faith that could cause a loving, elderly father to entrust his precious son’s life to God. In answering God’s call, Abraham demonstrated total faith that God would keep His promises even though he had no idea how it would be possible. That’s the faith that saved Abraham and moved God’s redemptive work forward through him.

Abraham believed and it was counted as righteousness. That’s the testimony of his extraordinary life. Abraham did many good things and he also did many stupid, foolish, and sinful things. What he did didn’t save him. What he believed drove his good works and what he believed is what saved him. The same is true today. If you believe in the Lord Jesus with a genuine faith that produces life change, you are saved from your sins, reconciled to God, and united with Jesus Christ. By faith… #FollowJesus

Thank You

“I…do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…So help me God.”

Today we honor and say thank you to all who have sworn and fulfilled this oath with honor. It is a weighty commitment that always entails sacrifice for the sake of others. Thank you for your faithful service. As God helped you keep this sacred trust, may He continue to bless and help you all of your days.

In Good Times AND Bad Times

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.”

– Psalm 121:1-2

Remember this! In good times and especially in bad times, remember to look to the Lord for help. Remember where all enduring help comes from – the Creator of the world! God is real, He is powerful, and He is personal. He knows your situation, hears your cries, and cares about your pain.

He sent His own Son, Jesus, into the world to restore you into a deep relationship with Him. Jesus paid the penalty for your sins so that when you trust in Him, there will be no sin standing between you and your holy Creator. Jesus died and rose from the dead so that in Him, you are welcomed into deep relationship with God, united with Jesus spiritually, and sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

In Christ, you are always welcomed in the throne room of heaven all day every day. Your prayers are welcomed. There is grace and mercy to sustain you in time of need. There is love for you when the world shows you none. And your suffering Savior, Who knows what pain, loss, betrayal, rejection, and humiliation is, is present with you every moment of every day. Look to the Lord for help. Don’t get confused about where to look or who to look for. Help may come in many forms but all true help comes from the Lord. #FollowJesus

The Real Power

“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” – Hebrews 9:14

The perfect, innocent blood of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God cleanses us from every sin and every shame. Fully man and fully God come in the flesh, Jesus lived a holy, sinless life so He could offer Himself as a spotless sacrifice to pay the penalty for all of your sin. All of it! There’s NOTHING that the blood of Jesus can’t wipe away if you confess it to Him and embrace Him as your Lord and Savior. NOTHING!

Because of the power of His blood, God’s love and grace toward you is without limit. In Christ, God forgives you, adopts you, seals you, lives in you, and transforms you. He places you under His covenant of grace, so that you’re free to serve Him in mighty ways out of love and gratitude rather than guilt, fear, or obligation. In Christ, you’ve been made holy. You’ve also been made holy for a purpose. To serve the Lord. To bring Him glory. To enjoy Him forever. To spread the Gospel and love your neighbors. Trust in Jesus. Enjoy your pure conscience. #FollowJesus