October 31, 2024

There couldn’t be a better time to cover the encouraging chapter of Hebrews 12. God knew we would face many trials and tribulations, so He gave us scripture to refer to that helps us endure and persevere. We may not have yet had to endure the shedding of blood; nevertheless, what we are experiencing from the wicked tends to throw us off our game. Jesus understands us more than we realize because he suffered for our sake and endured under the pressure of evil. That doesn’t mean we won’t have to suffer the loss of blood, but he will give us the ability to handle it if such suffering becomes necessary. I pray that we are protected from such a trial. Scripture tells us to lay aside every weight that hinders us from running the race, which includes our concerns for our flesh, which inhibits us from growing closer to God spiritually. Our flesh is what feels natural, but the truth is our spiritual nature is more real than our bodies, which only hold us back from reaching our full potential in Jesus. For this reason, Jesus said we should deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow him. Keep working on growing closer to Jesus; that closeness is the treasure we should store and is all we will have left when our body gives way.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:23-24