Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

Our walk with Christ is often desired as an endurance race. An endurance race requires focus, discipline, and inner strength. An endurance race is run in segments, at varying paces, with the final goal in mind. To finish the race and celebrate the victory. The scripture passage reminds us that true joy and happiness come when we choose to put our attention on eternal things. The example and the way to eternal things is by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Jesus is our example of how we are to know the joy of heaven on earth. Jesus endured the cruelty of the world, suffered the shame of temptation, and submitted Himself without striking back at those who would harm. He entrusted Himself to the Father’s judgement and into the Father’s hands. His strength and courage to “endure the Cross” was by the word of God. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh 1:9). The Father was faithful to the Son, at every turn, through every valley, through every storm, and to climb every hill. The final hill was at Golgotha where He boldly proclaimed, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). He won the victory and defeated death, hell, and the grave. My friend, the victory is to those who are “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Look beyond the circumstances in life and focused on who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Focus is on Jesus and the word of God to rise above your circumstances through the strength that God supplies. Dear friend, God is ready and able to uphold you by His Spirit to know the joy of His salvation (Ps 51:12). He will guard your heart with the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Col 3:15) that you may “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1) and see the victory that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Father thank You for Your love and the grace to run with endurance. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:15

Family is very important to God and has been in His heart since the creation of the earth. The family is the unit that God uses to show us how much He loves us. The family unit is where meaningful relationships are formed, and lifelong attitudes are first developed. A strong family unit is encircled and secured in love, devotion, trust, and where we find comfort and safety from our fears. The family is so important to God that the enemy made his first attack on the core family unit and has continued his assault on the family unit more than anything else throughout the generations. He works overtime to breakdown, disrupt, and cause chaos in family bonds. His endlessly pursuit is to cause discord and separation in family relationships that will give way to fear and the spirit of rejection. Those who feel rejected, often rebel against to those in authority and those in leadership, only to isolate and insulate themselves in distrust and despair. The scripture passage reminds us of the endeared relationship God has with His children through His Son Jesus. The child of God is fully embraced in the love of God to grow in and to know “ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” At the foot of the Cross, we see Jesus, suffering and in pain, show His deep affection and care for His beloved mother and friend. The bond of love they shared was precious and reminded her that that her heavenly Father would not leave her alone but provided for her a new son in the Apostle John. At the foot of the Cross, John received the greatest honor and trust of his Friend, to care for the mother of the Savior of the world. My friend, you may have experienced a lack of love from your father or mother. Or perhaps a brother and sister has walked away from you, but friend know that at the Cross you become part of a family that transcends blood relatives. God receives you and grafts into His eternal family, the Family of God. In the family of God, His love flows to you as a vine to its branches (Jn 14:5) and His Spirit fills you as a wellspring of living water that flows for all eternity (Jn 4:14). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). His love is eternal and everlasting. Dear friend, at the foot of the Cross we receive His love and by His Spirit cry out to Him, “Abba Father.” Father thank You for Your love and the bond of Your love through Your Son Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7