RUN THE RACE WITH PERSEVERANCE— DON’T GIVE UP!

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. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. —Hebrews 12:1-3

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. —Proverbs 27:17

             Since we have “the great cloud of witness—

• Let us throw off everything that hinders us
• Let us throw off the sin that so easily entangles us
• Let us run with perseverance
• Let us run this race marked out for us
• Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
• Let us be fixed on the pioneer of our faith
• Let us be fixed on the perfect of our faith
• Let us remember it was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross
• Let us remember it was of the joy set before Him that He scored its shame
• Let us remember that He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
• Let us consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners
• Let us consider Him that we do not grow weary
• Let us consider Him that we do not lose heart

All these people of faith from Hebrews 11 continued to the end of their lives because they knew there was something far better coming.  So let us “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).  “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Let us… We do not run this race alone.  We run it with others.  If you are isolated, then you are not running the race as our Lord intended.  We need each other for encouragement in this race because “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  So, let us run together this race our Lord has marked out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Him to the very end.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhk_5c6H-yc