Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 20
Friday


WEIGHED
DOWN

READ:
Hebrews 12:1-5
____________________________________________________________________________________
Let us lay aside every
weight, and the
sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us
run with endurance the
race that is set before
us. __Hebrews 12:1
__________________________________________________________________________________

August 10, 1628, was a dark day in naval history. On that day the royal warship Vasa set out on her maiden voyage. After taking 2 years to build, being lavishly decorated and holding 64 cannons, the pride of the Swedish navy sank only one mile out to sea. What went wrong? The excessive load was too heavy to make her seaworthy. Excess weight pulled the Vasa to bottom of the ocean.

The Christian life can also be weighed down by excess baggage. Encouraging us in our spiritual journey, the book of Hebrews says: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (12:1-2).

Like the lavishly decorated ship, we may project to others an impressive exterior. But if on the inside we are weighed down with sin, our perseverance can be impaired. There is a remedy, however. By relying on God's guidance and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, our load can be lightened and our perseverance buoyant.

Forgiveness and grace are always available to the spiritual traveler. __Dennis Fisher

````````````````Father in heaven, too often I try to mask the burden```````````````
`````````````and weight of sin in my life with the outward activities```````````````
````````````of the Christian life. Forgive me. Help me to set aside```````````````
``````````````the things that keep me from running a good race.``````````````````
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Perseverance is as much about a strong won't
as a strong will.

*******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Hebrews 12:1-5*******************************
1 Therefore we also, since
we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which
so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance
the race that is set before
us, 2 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 has sat down at
the right hand of the throne
of God. 3 For consider Him
who endured such hostility
from sinners against
Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in
your souls.

4 You have not yet resisted
to bloodshed, striving
against sin. 5 And you have
forgotten the exhortation
which speaks to you as to
sons: "My son, do not
despise the chastening of
the Lord, nor be
discouraged when you are
rebuked by Him."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

We are told in today's passage to lay aside everything that hinders
our daily walk of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the
example of "a cloud of witnesses" helps us to persevere (12:1).
These witnesses are most likely the people listed in chapter 11 who
walked in faith looking for the promises of God. We are also told to
keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (12:2), who is the Author and Finisher
of our faith. He is our example of patient perseverance, having
endured the cross and the hostility of sinners, and He is now seated
at God's right hand (vv.2-3). With the saints behind us and Christ
ahead of us we can press on.