🫵 You Can 🏃‍♂️‍➡️

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Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) 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.

We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. The 2024 summer Olympics was held in Paris July 26-August 11, 2024 Every one that qualified is hoping for the same thing, win the gold. That’s what they are going for. Everyone that goes out in their sport wants the gold. You won’t hear one of them saying “I hope I can just finish.” Everyone that qualified wanted to win and win big, the Gold! 

We are being told the same. We are being told “Looking unto Jesus” not some Prophet of old, not a disciple of the past. Oh no we are plainly told who to look unto and it’s Jesus and not ourselves. “Looking unto Jesus” why is that? Because He is “the author and finisher of our faith” He’s the example we are to look at “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” So the runners are on the starting line they are ready to run the race. As I look at them they are not talking with each other, they are not making jokes, making fun of the way someone is acting or even the color of clothing they are wearing. No! They are ready to run the race and they are waiting to hear the sound of the gun, they are looking at the finish line. So I ask myself this day that is now before me. Am I ready to run this day's race? Am I joking around? Am I talking about others? Am I making fun at how those around me look? Do I have my ears open and ready to listen to the Author and the Finisher of my faith? It’s’ not me, it’s not how much I know, the question is am I listening and ready to do what the Author of my faith wants me to do? It’s not about how much Bible we know; we will never know enough. No, as we come in contact with others, God may just want you to share a moment of how He touched you that can’t be explained any other way. Just remember we are seed planters or maybe today you will be a reaper of seeds others have planted. Get ready, the door is about to shut behind you and the race will begin. 

🌊 Impossible 🚶🏻‍♂️

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) 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, 

Webster says this word “Wherefore” means For which reason. Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, let us get rid of everything that slows us down, entangles us, hems us in giving us the idea that escape is impossible; it’s a weight, a sin which so easily distracts us, let us run the race with patience and never give up. In Hebrews chapter 11 we read of men and women who didn’t quit when the race that was set before them got difficult. In other words this race is possible although it may be difficult at times. There will be cross roads and even sometimes no roads but keep pressing on looking at the goal ahead. First we are given examples of faith. I remember all too well when in school, my books always had examples of how to write the sentence, do the math or whatever. The examples always looked easy, you know why? Because I didn’t do the work. Now when I began to do the work it got confusing fast. Just remember faith in Christ is not easy, because along the way there will be distractions, things that look impossible. Did it look impossible for Moses when it looked like all was finished as he looked ahead and all he could see was water? It seemed that Moses was in an impossible place to go forward and yet God told him to go forward not telling him that the Red Sea was about to open and make a way of escape. Let us run the race, we are told and when in doubt look and learn from the examples that have been set before you. Will it look confusing at times? You better know it will. Will you be in doubt of what to do? Oh yes. So what is the answer when you find yourself in this place? “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us” There is always going to be an easier route, a place to quit, bad advice if you get your eyes off the finish line. Peter had great faith that he could walk on water and he did until he got his eyes off of Jesus and began to look at the great storm he was walking in. The Bible tells us that he began to sink. That has always amazed me and you may say why? My answer is have you ever tried to walk on water? If you have you will find out very quickly you don’t begin to sink. So get your eyes off the mark and you begin to sink. It matters not if you are losing weight, getting rid of an addiction it is the sin that EASILY hems you in. 

🩻 But Others 🫵

 Hebrews 11:33 (KJV) Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Hebrews 11:34 (KJV)  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:355 (KJV) Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Boy that’s wonderful, that’s the kind of stories we love to hear. Winners, overcomers in hopeless situations, escaping rather than giving up, turning weakness into strength, fighting when many would have ran for their lives. Oh the success they are the best. But wait, the next verse tells of a story we don’t like to hear nor live. 

Hebrews 11:36 (KJV) And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  Others? Yes others the unnamed, the ones we don’t want to be, the ones we try so hard not to be. We like recognition, we like being employee of the month, salesman of the year or of the month or of the day. We run races to win and we like being recognized.

Hebrews 11:37 (KJV) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Wait a minute didn’t all these have faith in God? Sure they did, we are told they did. Then why all the hardships? I can’t explain why we as God’s people go through hardships. But if you take the time to read this wonderful book we call the Bible you will find  that many had hardships. Some because of what they did knowing better and others just let the temptations of this life draw them in deeper and deeper. 

You and I may fit better with this crowd. Maybe we are not in prison, nobody is about to stone us or saw us 

in half but none the less we have been forgiven, we have put our trust in God. But the doctor said it doesn’t look good and from what he knows he gives you no more than 6 months. What! I'm only 43 and my daughter will be graduating in just 8 months. Read this verse.

Hebrews 11:39 (KJV) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  These Old Testament saints received not; they greatly desired to see their Savior in the flesh; they saw Him by faith; they believed in Him, and rejoiced in the expectation of his coming. But it never happened. Wait, wait, we too haven’t seen Jesus yet. But we have read about His birth and we celebrate it every December 25.  We have read of His life on this earth. We have read of His promise, be not troubled I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. You know what I have learned? It matters not what age, there will always be something we want to see, a place we want to go. It does not  matter whether we are 43 or 92 we have plans! I think he was 92 and seemed to be in great health. His name was Ralph Ayers. He bought him a free standing sitting swing and had his grand boys place it close to the road. He would wave as cars passed by and we all would wave back. Some of us would even stop and sit with him on his swing. While we talked or better yet while he talked. I love to stop and hear him talk of the past; he had some great tales to tell. One day he was sitting there not sure if he felt bad or just going in to eat lunch. He drove his 4-wheeler into his garage, closed the door and the next morning when his grandson went by to check on him he was dead right there by his 4-wheeler. I’m sure he had plans. The promise Jesus left were words of encouragement. I am going to prepare a place for you, don’t be troubled. These all died not seeing or knowing what we know. They, like you and I, were looking into the future by faith. The Apostle Paul said “eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard; here read it for yourself.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. We hang on here because this is all we know. God is saying don’t get too comfortable because you are not staying here. I have prepared a much better place for you and death is coming, please understand I love you so please trust Me. A prepared place for prepared people. Hebrews 11:40 (KJV) God having provided some better thing for us,

⏳When Time Fails ⌛️

Hebrews 11:32 (KJV) Hebrews 11:32 (KJV) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 

Is the writer saying “I don’t have the time; oh how I wish I did because there’s so many more Gedeon’s oh what a great story of faith about the man who was a farmer who became a great leader. You’ll find his story in book #7 of the Old Testament Judges Chapter 6-8 Gedeon asked a question that many have asked as they see all the evil going on around them. Judges 6:13 (KJV) And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. Read about this man Gedeon and see how the Lord greatly used him. There is hope for anyone to become a Gedeon. But the writer didn’t have time to tell of this great man of faith that God greatly used.  Neither was there enough time to write of Barak. Who was this man Barak? In Judges chapter 4 and 5 you can read about him. He was use to lead ten thousand men all volunteers. Israel had been brought into bondage, again. There were 900 chariots of iron and these volunteers were lightly armed and were no contest for these chariots. But these volunteers had something else, they had God and He would overcome this enemy as He had done in the past. It’s an interesting read about how the victory was won with a woman, a hammer and nail.

“Samson”he was famous for his great strength oh but there is much more to know about him 

Judges chapters 14-16

“Jephthae”  It will be hard to find him with that name. But if you use “Jephthah” you will find him in Judges chapter 1l & 12 he may be more like you and I because he at first joined up with the wrong kind of friends. But later he became a believer and put his trust in God and had great faith; he fought, he conquered all because he trusted.

“David” a man after God's own heart.

“Samuel” a child of prayer, devoted to the Lord, who  heard his voice, was used by God. He behaved with great uprightness, all his days; and had a good report of God and man.

”and of the prophets” from Samuel to John the Baptist you see we don’t have the time. Because if not careful God knows we will get too focused on the greatness of man. God uses men and women but the greatness is never in the man or the woman for they are nothing without God in their presence. 

🤫Oh My A Harlot🙆🏻‍♂️

Chapter 11 of Hebrews are just cliff notes of what has gone on back in the Old Testament. To understand, one needs to know what happened in the men and women’s lives we read about in Hebrews chapter 11. We now come to a young man named Joshua. But without knowing and reading about a place called Jericho you would not have a clue to what is being said about walls of Jericho falling down. 

Hebrews 11:30 (KJV) By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Who is Joshua? In the sixth book of the Old Testament we find the book Joshua. In chapter 1 and verse 1 we read  Joshua 1:1 (KJV) Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, V-2  Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 

Moses goes the way of all mankind. Now Joshua who was mentored by Moses; God now puts Joshua  in the leadership place of His servant Moses. But you wouldn’t know that unless you have read about Joshua for his name is not mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11. But you know who’s name is mentioned? Hebrews 11:31 (KJV) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. What? Rahab a harlot! That’s right, don’t you just love the way God wrote His Book? Joshua the man that sat and learned under Moses didn’t even get his name mentioned. But this woman of the night who worked the red light district  goes down in the Holy Scriptures. There's  two things we know about her. Number 1- her profession, a harlot! #2- by her faith in what she heard and believed; not only that she goes down in the bloodline of Jesus Christ. I have never heard anyone say I have come from a long line of coal miners and my great great grandmother worked as a harlot in the coal mines. She was well known. Oh no, we may know that but we aren’t going to tell anyone about her and what she did. But God all the way through His Book, the Bible is telling us that no matter what you have done He still loves you and wants you in His family. So much so that His servant Joshua is not even named in Hebrews 11 the great chapter of faith.  God is in the saving business and all He saves are sinners. Until we realize that we are sinners, heaven is only a word we use in hopes that we might see one day. Joshua 2:11 (KJV) And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Read it for yourself in the book of Joshua chapters 1-6 Moses steps off the pages of Scriptures and Joshua steps on. Two men are sent to Jericho as spies; they enter Rahab the harlot’s house. O boy, did these two men add a little selfish pleasure to their business trip? Not so, keep reading and you’ll find out a much different story than that. As these men entered, Rahad said to them “we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea.” Rahab the harlot trusted in the God she only heard about and by faith walked away from the rubbish of Jericho unhurt. Sounds like me. I heard about God who loved me and by faith I walked away from the rubbish that was in my life to a new way of life I had never known. What we were is not important but who we put our trust in is. Oh what a mighty Gospel we serve! 

🥾🥾Moving Forward 🚣‍♀️

 Hebrews 11:29 (KJV) By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Remember “faith” is trusting, moving forward without seeing. Get the picture in your mind, the Israelites are moving forward as Moses lifts up his rod, pointing it toward the Red Sea. Here is why it is important to read Exodus chapter 14 because in Hebrews 11 you are reading the cliff notes. I always wondered why those Egyptians followed the Israelites into the Red Sea. Why didn’t the Egyptians realize that they were in the Red Sea bed? First of all it was night time when they entered. Here is how I know that.

Exodus 14:24 (KJV) And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

The morning watch began at 6 AM. Not only that, there was the Cloud that confused where the Egyptians were and then don’t forget the dry ground. Dry ground? Yes, they were not walking in mud or damp dirt, it was dry ground. But when the morning sun began to rise in the East they realized where they were and they began to retreat. Oh no, they must have thought, what they were chasing they were not going to achieve. Many live life like that today. Listen to the radio and you will hear how you can have enough money to live on when you get to your retirement age. STOP! THINK! When you get to your retirement age? How will you know what your energy level will  be? How will your overall health be? Not to mention your seeing or hearing. Hopefully great but if not what? You may spend all that you saved and worked so hard to have on medical and medication. Hopefully not. These Egyptians turned around and headed back from where they came from. Remember what God said “the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.” How is that? They are running back as fast as they can.  

Exodus 14:25 (KJV) And (The Lord) took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.  God made the wheels of their chariots to come off. The Egyptians said, "Let's get out of here! The LORD is fighting for Israel! He's against us! The Egyptians are doomed at this point. But they didn’t know it.

Exodus 14:28 (KJV) And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. Today not next week or month or even maybe but “ye shall see them again no more for ever.” What moment and a memory to be remembered. When you come to Exodus chapter 15 oh what joy.  Exodus 15:1 (KJV) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. What a great read of a Great God who overcame a great army to protect His people who were like sheep wandering around in the desert. But like all great joy it soon wears off, keep reading in Exodus 15 and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

❔How Would You Feel❓

Hebrews 11:29 (KJV) By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. As I read this it is just an ok verse that goes along with what we have been reading in Hebrews chapter 11 by faith, by faith, by faith, through faith…. Stop and think for a minute what we have read? “they passed through the Red sea as by dry land:” Once again we need to go back to that night in the book of Exodus and read what happened at the Red Sea. Oh, it’s an exciting read of a people God had done so much for and now it looks as if their demise is near. What do they do? What would you and I do? Well we don’t know what we would do but we know what they did. They let fear of the present cause them to forget what God had done in the past. I have done the same thing. I get to thinking I can’t live on past victories in present tragedies; why not? Get the picture of what is happening here. They have left Egypt, wonderful, answered prayer. But now it appears that there is no escape from the enemy. Was this God’s plan?  Bring  them here to let the ones He just saved them from destroy them. Here these Israelites are and not a few; some say that there were over 2 million, I don’t know the number but here’s what I do know.. 

Exodus 1:8 (KJV) Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Exodus 1:9 (KJV) And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: There are a bunch of people encamped by the Red Sea. The Egyptian army is breathing down their neck. Their plan, bring them back. The Israelites are thinking we are about to die. There’s no escape mountains on either side and the Red Sea in front and the Egyptians coming up from behind. Oh My! The first thing the Israelites did was pray. Now it’s never wrong to pray. 

Exodus 14:10 (KJV) And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. Then they blamed Moses 

Exodus 14:12 (KJV) Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Wait a minute at no time were all these Israelites forced to leave, matter of fact they prayed to God for their deliverance. God answers their prayer,  they are out of Egypt and away from the Egyptian taskmasters. Oh I see where we get it from, God didn’t answer the way they wanted Him to. Moses clams the people Exodus 14:13 (KJV) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Hang on it’s about to be over for “to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.”  The Lord told Moses to go forward. As they move forward nothing has changed. The Egyptians are still behind them, mountains on either side and the Red Sea staring them in the face and they are moving forward. The end is near! I wonder if a husband and wife kissed and said goodbye, I love you. I wonder if moms and dads hugged their children with tears running down their  faces as they slowly moved forward. I don’t know but from what I have read I think so. No hope in sight, only doom and death. As Moses moved forward toward the Red Sea something amazing happened.  God says lift up thy rod and stretch out thine hand.

Exodus 14:16 (KJV) But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Unbelievable; I agree, but as those fearful Israelites moved forward we too must by faith move toward the unbelievable.