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.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
The writer of Hebrews acknowledges faithful people in the past as; huge crowds of witnesses with faith. They are examples of people persevering despite hardships and problems but continuing to trust and obey the Lord. To encourage church members to maintain their faith and to rid themselves of anything that hinders Christian life. To persevere and avoid sin, striving to do God’s will.
To run with endurance the race God has set before us, we should follow the supreme example of persistent faith; Jesus. He did not give up but endured the cross for us.
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.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
To run with endurance, we need to run our correct path; with patience, faith, and our eyes focused on Jesus.
12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)
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Have you lost your focus, or are you running with endurance and faith?
Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to rid ourselves of any hindrances to our walk of faith. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to run the race you set before us with endurance and perseverance. Like the hosta flower are upright reaching toward to sun, let us be upright in our ways; focus on and reach out toward Your Son, Jesus. Amen
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Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!
Garden Faith 
Was dwelling on these verses a few days back and to read it here again is such an affirmation to persevere. We are to shed anything that hinders. That is something I am very aware of recently. The enemy is always trying to throw something that hinders. Thankyou for this today Jeanne. God bless you.
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Hi Manu, I agree with you these are good verses to dwell on and follow, especially keeping our eyes on Jesus. The enemy is always waiting to disrupt our path/race. Manu, I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Blessings, my friend! 💖🌈🌺
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