January 14th, 2025
Let’s prayerfully read and reflect on the New Testament book of Hebrews chapter 12.
What are the highlights of your reading? Where should our focus be as we embrace
the new year?
LET’S ZERO IN to verses 1 & 2. “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay
before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.”
The life of faith in Jesus is compared to a ‘race’ – i.e. a marathon, a difficult
course that requires endurance as a runner.
What is to be the FOCUS for motivation to run the race? “Keeping our eyes on
_______________________.”
What race did Jesus endure? _____________________________.
What was the reward of Jesus’ race? __________________________.
“Now is the time to refocus” by giving God all the glory for His blessings. The focus on
our new year is to be JESUS!
LET’S ENCOUNTER JESUS: Jesus was led away to be crucified not just for the whole
world but for me! Calvary speaks to love’s ultimate demonstration— that love might be
the declaration of my life.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).
Pause and allow the Spirit to move your heart in loving response to Jesus:
What do you feel in your heart for Jesus? It’s your ever-deepening love of Him
that empowers your ever-widening love of others. “Deep” and “wide” such is His
love! “As I consider the sorrowful Savior, despised and rejected—“for me”—my
heart is moved with _________________________________ for Him.”
Now tell Jesus about what is in your heart. Respond to Him with compassion
and love as you would for your most beloved friend. “Jesus, my heart is touched deeply with _________________________ as I consider Your sacrifice for me. It grieves me deeply that _____________________________. May my sadness for You in some mysterious way, bless You with my love. Might your Spirit prompt in and through me to others' expressions of this same sacrificial love. In your name, Amen.”
What are the highlights of your reading? Where should our focus be as we embrace
the new year?
LET’S ZERO IN to verses 1 & 2. “Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay
before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.”
The life of faith in Jesus is compared to a ‘race’ – i.e. a marathon, a difficult
course that requires endurance as a runner.
What is to be the FOCUS for motivation to run the race? “Keeping our eyes on
_______________________.”
What race did Jesus endure? _____________________________.
What was the reward of Jesus’ race? __________________________.
“Now is the time to refocus” by giving God all the glory for His blessings. The focus on
our new year is to be JESUS!
LET’S ENCOUNTER JESUS: Jesus was led away to be crucified not just for the whole
world but for me! Calvary speaks to love’s ultimate demonstration— that love might be
the declaration of my life.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).
Pause and allow the Spirit to move your heart in loving response to Jesus:
What do you feel in your heart for Jesus? It’s your ever-deepening love of Him
that empowers your ever-widening love of others. “Deep” and “wide” such is His
love! “As I consider the sorrowful Savior, despised and rejected—“for me”—my
heart is moved with _________________________________ for Him.”
Now tell Jesus about what is in your heart. Respond to Him with compassion
and love as you would for your most beloved friend. “Jesus, my heart is touched deeply with _________________________ as I consider Your sacrifice for me. It grieves me deeply that _____________________________. May my sadness for You in some mysterious way, bless You with my love. Might your Spirit prompt in and through me to others' expressions of this same sacrificial love. In your name, Amen.”
No Comments