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At each place they went, they strengthened the lives of the believers and encouraged them to go deeper in their faith. And they taught them, “It is necessary for us to enter into the realm of God’s kingdom, because that’s the only way we will endure our many trials and persecutions.” Acts 14:22 The Passion Bible

Life gives us many twists and turns, unknowns and variables, but one thing we can be sure of…..Gods Word is always the same, never changes and cannot lie. This knowledge is key to the race you’re in. With God, it is impossible to lose.

Keep your eyes trained on Him, follow closely. You’re gonna make it. Don’t look away to the circumstances, not now. No matter what it looks like to you or to others, God is on your side and if God be for you, who can be against you.

Let Hebrews 12:1-2 be an encouragement to you this morning: As for us, we have all of these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection. His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God!

That 2nd verse says to ‘look away from the natural realm’ and fix or fasten our gaze on Jesus. It’s so easy to get our eyes fixed on the wrong things, isn’t it. But anything that pulls us away is simply a distraction. When you’re running a race, you can’t stop along the way to take a nap. No, you’re focused on finishing! Encouragers will hand you a water as you pass, but you don’t stop to catch up on the news or find out who’s ahead. You simply run.

Everyday you face, do not think you’re alone. You’re never alone. When Jesus left us He said to receive the Holy Spirit He sent. This was a separate act from repentance and believing on Jesus for salvation. After being ‘born again’ He sent us the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead. The same Spirit who enabled Him to endure the cross and run His race.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full, in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace. Ken Bible

Keep your eyes on the finish line, Jesus is standing there waiting to wrap His arms of love around you as you finish well. Don’t let the things of earth to pull you from His presence. Maintain your peace. Walk in love so that others will be drawn to relationship with Him.

Making it!

Sandy G