Endure

This weekend, many of our association churches are banding together to have a Disciple Now weekend for our students. They will be going through 5 sessions of a Bible Study entitled "Endure." It is based on Hebrews 12:2.

Hebrews 12:2

English Standard Version (ESV)

. . .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.

You may recognize it as the ending of the sentence begun in verse 1.

Hebrews 12:1

English Standard Version (ESV)

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

The second verse was chosen as the theme, because they wanted the emphasis to be on Christ.

The first verse we are all very familiar with. It graces the porcelain of countless mugs and plagues. It is a great verse full of great truth encouraging us in our Christian faith. 

BUT . . .

It isn't supposed to stand by itself. The verse ends in a common, not a period.

The only way we can lay aside every weight and sin and run with endurance the race set out for us us, is if we look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. We can endure because He did. 

Ladies, we can't do it on our own! We weren't designed to. We were created to need Him. We can endure whatever the race holds that He set before us if we are looking to Him. 

I don't know what your "race" looks like right now. But, I know the One who set the course wants to help you run it. Whether it is sickness, barrenness, financial struggle, ministry heartbreak or a combination of stresses, despise the shame, and for the joy set before you, come before the throne of God. Jesus is seated at the right hand, making intercession for you. 

Look to Him. 

Endure.