Good morning, Lord Jesus. Here at the first of this new year, be first place in my heart, with Your Presence the first thought in mind and Your name the first word I speak. ...
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
As my wife Nancy and I are beginning this new season of ministry God is calling us into, We have started cleaning out and removing the things in our house and garage that we have collected and are clinging to that are taking up space, weighing us down, and require our time and attention. Yesterday, in a time of prayer and conversation with a spiritual brother, he also confirmed how the things that once seemed important and that he could not get along without, as he is drawing closer to God, they no longer hold an attraction to him.
I have also been paying over removing and laying aside the “spiritual” weights that are/would slow me down and the sin that would trip me up. I want to “run with perseverance the race that God is now setting before (me)” and I want to run this race “in such a way that (I) may win” the prize, as Your Word compels me (1 Corinthians 9:24).
And in the kingdom of God, the way to win the prize is by letting go of what lies behind and taking hold of what lies ahead. As the Apostle Paul said:
“Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind...” (Philippians 3:12-15).
And “the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” is that I become more like Jesus -- conformed to the image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29), as He is so am I to be in this world (1 John 4:17). I become more like Him, as I behold Him and the Holy Spirit transforms me into the image of Christ from glory to glory, morning by morning, one day at a time (2 Corinthians 3:18).
So my family, that’s the race I’m determined on running. That’s the race I want to win -- as best as I can and all by and relying on the grace of God -- “looking to Jesus.” So by the same mercy and power of Your grace, I’m letting go of physical, mental, and spiritual “Stuff” that once attracted me yesterday, and taking hold of my new revelation of you and my calling today, to run my race well. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be set free of all that would weigh you down or trip you up as you run the race set before you that you are called by Jesus to run, so that you may become more like Jesus every day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
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My wife Nancy and I are in a new season of our ministry of pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this season in my life and that of my family. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You Thank You!
