Tag Archive for Hebrews 12:1-3

Today’s Focus

2018-05-29 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1b-3, NASB)

Today, fix your eyes on Jesus.

His beautiful life is your example
of faith in the Father,
of deep, unshakable joy,
of generous, self-giving love.

His death is your deliverance
from the strangle-hold of sin and
from slavery to your own weakness.

His resurrected life is
your strength for today and
your destiny for all eternity.

Today, fix your eyes on Jesus.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: We Fix Our Eyes on Jesus Christ
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

For the Joy

2016-07-31 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3, NASB)

Jesus endured unimaginable suffering
physically, emotionally, and spiritually,
not out of obligation,
but “for the joy set before Him” (v.2).

The scripture emphasizes Jesus’ complete humiliation before His enemies
every step of the way.
Crucifixion itself was designed for humiliation, and
the place of crucifixion was chosen for maximum public visibility.
The Jewish leaders, the most “holy” and respectable men of their day,
mocked and ridiculed Him even as He was in the grip of searing pain.

Yet Jesus endured all this “for the joy set before Him”.
He “despised the shame” (v.2).
That means He dismissed all that shame, that humiliation,
as unworthy of consideration.
He faced His trial “for the joy set before Him”.

Remember what Jesus was longing to share with His disciples
only hours before His suffering?

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy made be made full.” (John 15:11, NASB)

All who love and trust Jesus share His remarkable joy.
Our Father graciously gives each believer a precious gift:
He allows us a small share in Christ’s joyful sufferings.
He calls us to give ourselves, to sacrifice ourselves for others.

As I look at the sacrifices that have come into my life –
sacrifices for my wife, my children, and my grandchildren,
for the ministry God has given me –
I find that for the most part, I make those sacrifices,
not out of obligation,
not for glory or gold,
but out of love…out of joy.
I joyfully sacrifice out of
love for my family and friends,
love for my Father, and
love for the beautiful truth He has revealed to me.
Love brings joy, and
I find great joy in helping those I love.
I love God, and
I find great joy in glorifying Him –
in helping people see how great and good and ever-present He is.

Father, give me the heart of Christ.
Fill my life, my service, my every daily activity
with His joyful self-giving.
Help me to live and love and labor every day
for the joy.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: For the Joy
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

Our Living Hope

2016-02-07 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3, NASB)

Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3, NASB)

When you can’t believe that God could forgive you,
look to Jesus.
He is your assurance of complete forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)
He is the final, perfect sacrifice for all your sins. (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:14)

When holy living seems impossible,
look to Jesus.
God has not abandoned you to your weakness.
Jesus Christ is your holiness. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
As you simply trust Him,
He is everything you need to lead a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)

When the future seems uncertain,
look to Jesus.
He is your future.
He is your destiny.
God’s sure, unchangeable purpose is to
make you like Him. (Ephesians 1:3-5; 1 John 3:1-2)

Jesus Christ is the completion of
all the Father has ever wanted for you.
He is all the fulfillment of all God’s eternal promises. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
He is your living hope,
now and
forever. (1 Peter 1:3)

Listen and sing:
Hymn: The Glories of Christ
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

When Loss Is Gain

2015-02-15 Devotional with Hymn No comments

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel
will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35, NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him
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 sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV)

Jesus calls all His followers to sacrifice themselves
as He sacrificed Himself.

He laid down His life “for the joy set before him”.
He freely submitted to the cross, “scorning its shame”;
that is, He viewed the shame of the cross as insignificant,
unworthy of consideration.

He modeled this definition of sacrifice:
to turn loose of something good
in order to grasp something greater.
This is the sacrifice to which our Lord calls us.

Listen and sing:
Hymn: Lay Aside Your Passing Pleasures
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics