August 2, 2021 8:00 pm
Lean food rations, waterproof boots, and a map are some of the essentials carried by hikers on the John Muir Trail. The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile path in the western United States that winds across creeks, around lakes and woods, and up and over mountains, encompassing 47,000 feet of elevation gain. Because traversing this trail takes about three weeks, carrying the right amount of supplies is critical. Too much and you will run out of strength to carry it all; too little and you won’t have what you need for the journey.
Finishing well on our journey as believers in Jesus also requires careful consideration of what we bring. In Hebrews 12, the apostle Paul exhorts us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” He compares our lives to a “race marked out for us,” one in which we must “not grow weary and lose heart” (vv. 1, 3). To become overburdened with sin or distracted by things outside of God’s purpose for us is to carry an unnecessary weight. Just as there are packing lists for the John Muir Trail, God has provided directions for us in the Bible. We can know what habits, dreams, and desires are worth bringing along by examining them in light of the Scriptures. When we travel light, we are able to finish well.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.
Today's reading, titled Walking with Jesus, was written by Karen Pimpo. Lean food rations, waterproof boots, and a map are some of the essentials carried by hikers on the John Muir Trail. The John Muir Trail is a 211-mile path in the western United States that winds across creeks, around lakes and woods, and up and over mountains, encompassing 47,000 feet of elevation gain. Because traversing this trail takes about three weeks, carrying the right amount of supplies is critical. Too much, and you will run out of strength to carry it all. Too little, and you won't have what you need for the journey. Finishing well on our journey as believers in Jesus also requires careful consideration of what we bring. In Hebrews chapter 12, we're told to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
The author compares our lives to a race marked out for us, one in which we must not grow weary and lose heart. To become overburdened with sin or distracted by things outside of God's purpose for us is to carry an unnecessary weight. Just as there are packing lists for the John Muir Trail, God has provided direction for following Jesus in the Bible. We know what habits, dreams, and desires are worth bringing along by examining them in the light of the scriptures.
When we travel light, we're able to finish well. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 through 3. 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, what a blessed reminder for all of us that our sins, past, present, and future don't have to mark us and weigh us down. Thank you for giving us direction in the scriptures and guidance through the Holy Spirit. God, give us the strength to stay away from worldly temptations as we follow your leading. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-09-18 07:33:37 / 2023-09-18 07:35:07 / 2