Day 25 - Hebrews 12:1 - 12:10

Hebrews 12:1-10 

12 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. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.


Terrie's Comments - 

This passage definitely makes it sound like it is so easy to strip off "every weight"  ESPECIALLY the SIN that SO EASILY TRIPS US UP!  Notice the key... WE DO THIS BY KEEPING OUR EYES on JESUS!  Simple right?  I am sure that if it was the "in thing to do" we would have no problem keeping our eyes fixed there... but sadly it is more cool to "dis" Jesus than to keep Him in a place of honor.  We need to find people to run the race with that will help us run the race with endurance and finish well!!

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. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Tori's Comments -

Sin only hinders us. It's nothing compared to what Christ can give us. Let's see if I can ingrain that on my memory.

More of the 'keeping your eyes on Jesus'. Although after the first verse in this section, I have a better idea of what it means. Checking myself for anything that's holding me back from fully pursuing God. Terrie challenged me not that long ago to a book fast, and it has definitely made me realize my little hobby of reading was becoming a focus of my life. An unhealthy one. I also go on social media fasts because I spent countless hours scrolling for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. At the time it seems important, but in hindsight I learn absolutely nothing in that waste of time.

Those are two I can list off the top of my head that have been struggles for me. School work has also been something I give a lot more priority than it needs. It's all about moderation.

I feel like listing these as I go through the day. What am I constantly thinking about?

Anything that you guys have struggled with concerning where your focus is?

These days Tori, I wrestle with my attitude and my pride and my stubbornness and the need for perfection.  They get in the way of having the best relationships I can have with those people that are closest to me.  Sorry to anyone that has met up with my ugly side.  I am working on it.  I need to push myself out of my comfort zone more.  I haven't died from my faith yet so the race isn't over yet.  Let's keep pushing on until the end together okay!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!