9-1-20   THOUGHTS

The thoughts we share today are needed each day of our lives!  They are so fundamental to our process of living and sustaining our faith.    
One of the great chapters on FAITH is Hebrews 11.  It has a Church ring to it in that it lists many of the faithful characters of the bible as examples of faith in order to encourage our faith.  The application for Hebrews 11 is revealed in the first part of Hebrews 12.

Heb 12:1-3     Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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 has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Heb 11:13-16    All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles  on the earth. 14  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15  And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

Keys from the above:
1.  DIE to self and this world
2.  HOLD THE PROMISES SO POWERFULLY THAT THEY SEEM 

                 PRESENT TENSE!
3.  MAKE IT CLEAR WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
4.  GET RID OF THE ENCUMBRANCE OF SIN
5.  RUN THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE
6.  FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS! CONSIDER HIM!

I have read this countless times.  Never has the thought occurred,  that GOD MIGHT BE ASHAMED OF ME!   A sermon is brewing...

My Prayer:
Oh awesome God of all and forever, thank you for saving promises.  Ever make us humble as we approach you.  Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Teach us to live a clear dedication of our love for you.  Help us to be light in this world of darkness.  Bless our day with faithful thoughts.
In Jesus name                      Amen