GO FORWARD – 15 And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15 NKJV
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… Hebrews 12:1 NIV
“Therefore…” – Our verse for today picks up immediately where we left off yesterday. The author is referring to what he just said about those who lived by faith in Hebrews 11. He’s saying, because we have seen their example, because we know that these people (who had the same human-ness that we have) were living proof of God’s faithfulness, let us too go forward on the path which God has called us.
May we take these words personally today! Unlike those in Hebrews 11, we have the great privilege of having our own copy of God’s Word, both the Old and New Testaments. We can read of His faithfulness to so many before us and we have the Holy Spirit. We know that what was prophesied in the Old Testament, came to fruition in the New. We know that what has been written in the New Testament will come to fruition one day. We have seen His promises fulfilled! We know how this story is going to end!
…let us throw aside whatever is hindering us and the sin that is entangling us and let us go forward.
Because of that, let us throw aside whatever is hindering us and the sin that is entangling us and let us go forward. What is hindering you? Is it fear? Is it busy-ness? Is it doubt? Put it aside. What sin is entangling you? What has your feet stumbling? Get rid of it.
There is a race marked out for you. A good race with a divine purpose! It may be a very different race than that of your neighbor. That’s OK. It’s yours. It’s the path God has chosen for you and the path He intends to walk with you. Run with endurance! Don’t give up. Finish well!
APPLICATION
– Praise God that He has a path marked out for you. Thank Him for having good plans for your life. Thank Him for walking the path with you. Ask Him to show you what is holding you back. Confess it and move forward.
– Praise God that He has a unique path marked out for our church. Praise Him for the plans He has that are beyond our imagination. Pray that our church would be willing to put aside anything that is displeasing to Him and that may be holding us back from running wholeheartedly forward.
– Pray again for the vision God has given Liberty of having a campus within a 30-minute drive of every home in Hampton Roads. Pray for the locations to be clearly identified, for the staff and for the finances we will need, for hearts in those communities to be receptive, etc.
– Ask God to give you an opportunity to share with someone today about the good plans He has for them. Invite a friend and try out a Connect Group this week or sign up to serve through Liberty Loves Hampton Roads.