Take It Off   Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1 – 2a

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  

I must admit that I do enjoy watching the finals of almost any type of sporting event. For it is there where you see people who have been gifted by God with talents and abilities, who have taken the time to hone those skills, and are now performing at their peak performance level, in order that they may gain the prize. I love it on an individual level, and especially on a team level. Usually at playoff time, there are buildings crowded full, packed with fans admiring their commitment and cheering them on to victory.

I love much more this picture of the spiritual realm that is painted here for us as those who have been adopted into the forever family of God and are servants of our living and loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ united together in the Person and power of the Holy Spirit, in pursuit of the greatest prize ever, the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ to the very ends of the earth! Surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses as we are led victoriously onward and upward in His name and for God’s greater glory.  

My sister and brother there is no greater endeavour, no goal worthier of pursuing and honing our abilities together towards than these eternal things. Therefore, when it comes to those things that slow us down, impede our performance, especially the sin that still comes so easily and naturally to us, we are implored by the Spirit of God to, ‘Take It Off’.

I don’t know what it may be for, you – but if you will honestly pause and allow the Spirit of God both to speak to you and to fill you – you do. And He will lead you on to victory, from glory to glory as Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior is glorified both in and through you.

How can we possibly achieve all that God is calling from our lives? We need to lift up our gaze once again away from temporal earthly things and the worldly and carnal passions of our old nature, and fix our eyes on Jesus – He is our Champion, the Holy Spirit is our Coach, the One called alongside us, and our Father is smiling down upon us as we allow His ways and will to become our own, discovering the greatest joy anyone, anywhere has ever known – that of loving and living for Jesus Christ, who soon will be returning to receive all of those that are His own!  

Prayer Heavenly Father I come before Your throne of grace and ask You to open up my eyes that I may run my race as You have purposed for me. Holy Spirit show me those things that slow me down, and fill me to the fullness of turning away from them, looking unto Jesus and running this eternal race as God has purposed for me, for His greater glory I pray in Jesus mighty name.  

Memory Verse: Philippians 3:12 “I ________ on to _______ the end of the _____ and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.”