READING THE HUMAN TEXT!

From the desk of Dr. Mary Tisdale Green
RENEWED MIND WORD WEDNESDAY

READING THE HUMAN TEXT
Hebrew 12:1,  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
NLT
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.
Just envision the  champions of faith as spectators from the heavens, cheering us on as we endeavor to overcome present discouragement as in an athletic competition. You do know that we are in a race. The enemy has a one track mine and that is to kill us, steal from us and totally destroy us. So it is important that we arm ourselves with every tool in the word of God.
 There are  things that may not be sin  but are merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside?
 Some sins can be easily avoided, but are not. Some sins are admired, yet must be laid aside. Some sins are ensnaring and thus especially harmful. And some sins are more dangerous than others are. Let us lay them all aside!
 What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in Jesus Christ God has set before you a race. You must run it; and it will involve effort and commitment. Just being passive never runs a race. God wants us to run the race, and finish it.  In Acts 20:24, Paul pictures himself as a runner who had a race to finish, and nothing would keep Paul from finishing the race with joy.

PRAYER: Lord help us to dress in your word and run all in this race, In Jesus name, Amen.